Without warning I had a seizure
The year was Nineteen Ninety Seven
Had never happened to me before
I thought I was headed to Heaven

Checked out in the ER then sent home
I guess that it just wasn't my time
The doc couldn't find anything wrong
By the time I checked out I felt fine

Within three days it happened again
But this time the docs admitted me
After a whole battery of tests
I was told I had epilepsy

I saw a local neurologist
And He prescribed a whole bunch of pills
Yes, the medicines stopped the seizures
But they also made me very ill

Three years later they started again
They still couldn't find what was wrong
A change to different medicines
Only my will power kept me strong

Sent to a specialist in Boston
Who also wanted to do more tests
Six more tests than the first time around
For twenty hours I had no rest

At least they found what the problem was
A tumor growing deep in my brain
The only option was surgery
I felt like I was hit by a train

I asked if there were other options
He told me there was no other way
While thinking about the surgery
Right there, I dropped to my knees to pray

A quick prayer and I sat back down
My wife was there, she started to cry
"What if he doesn't do it," she asked
He answered, "Then Paul will simply die"

So, I asked him what my chances were
If I agreed to the surgery
He thought a bit before he answered
"Paul, it's large and deep, fifty-fifty

"I'm certain the surgery will work
But, there's still more that I need to say"
Cautious with his words he continued
"But first, together, why don't we pray"

After praying he dropped the other shoe
He said, "The memory of your life
Will probably be gone forever
Most likely not even know your wife"

The office went suddenly silent
None of us needed to say a word
The silence was so very extreme
The ticking of the clock could be heard

To make this tale a whole lot shorter
To the surgery I had agreed
Topping the list for my descision
For a father my children did need

January, Two Thousand and One
The fateful day, too soon it arrived
Nine hours it took for surgery
But thanks to God I was still alive

Was late the next morning 'fore I woke up
My wife was sitting there by my bed
I had no idea where I was
Felt bandages wrapped around my head

She rose from her chair, looked down at me
She seemed to know the thoughts in my mind
Said, "You had surgery yesterday"
I asked her, "Then how come I feel so fine?"

If I finished this story as a poetic tale it might take forever. So, here's the rest.  

When I awoke the next morning, a Tuesday, to my doctor's astonishment, I not only knew my wife but I remembered everything; my whole memory was intact.  And, I felt so good, that I asked my wife to get me a pizza; I was famished.  

Later that same afternoon, I was walking the halls with Joanne when my surgeon stepped from the elevator. The look on his face could have stopped a bus as he asked, "What are you doing out of bed?"  I answered him with, "C'mon Doc, I feel great. I'm ready to go home!"  That almost floored him completely and he yelled, "You had brain surgery yesterday, radical brain surgery for that matter." To a nurse that was nearby he said,  "Get this patient back in bed immediately"

Once I was safely back in my room, he came in to talk with me.  I again told him I felt great and wanted to go home.  We talked a bit more and he said that if I felt the same way in the morning (Wednesday) that he would sign the release form.  Then he added, "The only reason I'm agreeing to this is because I know that there's no way you'll feel well enough to leave tomorrow; you'll be begging for pain medication." I didn't argue, I just said that we'd see what the morning light would bring. 

When he came to see me on Wednesday morning, I was half dressed and sitting in the chair by my bed.  He simply looked at me and said, "Good morning, Paul. I see you're almost ready to leave."  I answered that I felt even better than I did yesterday, and yes, I was ready to go home.  He shook his head, "I'll be right back."

When he came back, he was accompanied by my neurologist.  Together, they asked me a lot of questions, did a bunch of tests and then left the room to talk.  After a few minutes, they returned and said if I really wanted to leave, I could and they'd both sign the release form.

My friends, there is no doubt in my mind at all, that I received a miracle from God on the day of surgery. No doubt that God was involved in guiding my surgeon's scalpels.

During a follow-up visit with my neurologist the following week, his words were, "Paul, I really don't understand this at all and I've been practicing Neurology for nearly 40 years.  I've never seen anything like this before.  The surgeons removed over a quarter of your entire brain in order to get that tumor out.  The whole thing is crazy! It wasn't me, the surgeon or the hospital that did this; you are nothing short of a miracle and I can't even begin to explain it.  This is one for the books.  Go home and I'll see you next week to remove the bandages."

Since the surgery, I have never had another seizure, nothing has grown back to cause me any problems and I've been off seizure medication now for over 11 years.

A miracle?  For me, there's not a shread of doubt as to that question.  You have to make up your own minds.  Before you do, though, consider this.  In both high school and college, I nearly flunked out of my English Literature courses.  Becoming a writer and poet?  No way, totally impossible!  Nine books in print? NO WAY!

Yet, while serving in the Army National Guard at Fort Sill, Oklahoma during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, out of nowhere, I began writing poetic stories.  It was crazy!  But now I realize where the words came from and where they still do come from.  God!  He is the only logical explanation behind this mystery.  I don't know why because I don't deserve His gifts. I'm not worthy.

And there you have it.  

What happened was medically and scientifically impossible.  The hospital records and my medical records prove it, the doctors and surgeons confirm it.  

Take it for what it's worth. As for me? 

I BELIEVE!