Renee, my neighbor, a recent widow, moved in several years ago and was healthy at that time. Her husband had a long-term illness and she was his sole caregiver. They had lost everything and eventually built their life back and was doing well. Renee hadn't been to a doctor in a while and she was now in her 60s and knew a colonoscopy was overdue. In October of 2020, at the height of Covid, Nancy took Renee to her scheduled appointment. The staff was disheveled due to Covid and came out to tell Nancy the results of her test. Renee was told she has cancer and it was "so rare and so dangerous." The doctor added, "looks like stage 4 Colon Cancer and she needs to be taken immediately to the hospital." We contacted Renee's daughter and within a few days, she was taken to the hospital in San Diego. I was concerned and felt the need to call Renee's daughter about the surgery and was informed surgery went well with no complications. I wanted to get Renee something, but I didn't know what. As I passed by our church, I had a feeling like I was being led there for something. Once I explained why I was at the Church, some very nice ladies at the desk gave me 2 prayer shawls. I sent one to Renee who was at the daughter's house recuperating. She received the prayer shawl while waiting for results to see if cancer had been fully removed.
The doctor said, "I've never seen anything like this. This cancer was so rare that it wasn't malignant anymore and all cancer was extracted in the surgery."
Before Renee got the blanket, she was nervous and afraid, with lots of pain. When she received the blanket, the pain subsided and she felt comforted. There was a sense from Renee that the prayer shawl was a link. She kept the prayer shawl with her and became very attached to it. Went back two weeks later for tests and the doctor said it was a miracle. They did not expect her to be recovering so quickly from this rare type of cancer. One year later, I took Renee to her ultrasound appointment and by God's grace, it was clear, clean, and perfect. No signs of cancer.
If you would like to pick up a Prayer Shawl for yourself or someone who may need it, please pick them up at the parish office.Starting Monday, March 21 the parish office will return to its original location in through the Narthex.