Suffering and Perseverance

Lillian Williams-Petersen

In February 2012, during a routine check-up it was discovered that my husband Randolph (Pete) had a serious heart condition. The doctor was amazed that he was walking around considering the seriousness of his condition. Test after test (including a halter monitor) concluded that he needed a pacemaker as soon as possible.

Three weeks after the pacemaker was implanted, an infection was detected at the implant site. After 2 weeks of treatment the site was not healing. A decision was made to remove the pacemaker and implant another on the opposite side of Randolph's chest. Once again, his body rejected the pacemaker. In fact, he had three more pacemakers implanted. Each time the same reaction occurred.

After one implantation my husband spent 29 days in the hospital and was under the care of his primary care physician. A consultation team from St. Jude’s and the Mayo Clinic consisting of a cardiologist, infectious disease specialist, and an allergist put their minds together to try to figure out his problem.

At one point his cardiologist said to me that only God knows what to do and that he had asked God to intervene. I told him that I know that the Lord is here with us in this situation. Throughout this ordeal, the effectual and fervent prayers of the righteous availeth much.

Rev'd Sarah, our priest at Good Shepherd, was there with her prayers and support even did research online regarding similar cases. We appreciated her genuine consistent concern. She came to the hospital to give Randolph the Eucharist and presented us with a pamphlet of prayers for the sick. This served as a guide for my and Pete’s prayers each day. We read these prayers together daily.

Finally the team of doctors decided that perhaps Pete was allergic to the materials used in the tubing connecting the pacemaker to his heart. One made of another substance was used--- that solved the problem!

Eventually Pete was released and is now doing very well.

All the praise, honor and glory belong to the Lord our God, maker of heaven and earth.