Introduction
This is my story of facing a terminal cancer diagnosis in 2022, a journey marked by despair, divine encounters, and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Through trials and miracles, I found hope and purpose, far surpassing the prognosis I was given.
Chapter 1: The Diagnosis (May 2022)
In late May 2022, during a routine yearly exam, I received a call from my doctor with alarming news. One of the test results indicated that my cancer, which had been in remission for nearly a decade, had returned. The numbers were higher than ever before, signaling a serious concern. I had undergone a prostatectomy ten years prior, and now I needed to consult with my trusted doctor, Dr. Greer, the number two doctor in Idaho with over 25 years of experience. I scheduled an appointment for June 8, 2022, the earliest available slot due to lingering disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chapter 2: A Grim Prognosis (June 8, 2022)
A Difficult Visit
The visit to Dr. Greer’s office was far from smooth, as his practice was still navigating post-COVID challenges. Accompanied by an intern, Dr. Greer reviewed my test results, including a recent PSA test that showed slightly lower numbers, offering a glimmer of hope. However, his demeanor quickly turned grave.
A Terminal Diagnosis
He informed me that I was not just sick but "extremely ill," with a prognosis of terminal cancer. He estimated I had 19 to 23 months left, advising me to avoid pain medication to extend my time slightly and to get my affairs in order within three to four months. He explained that the cancer was likely in my bones and at least two organs, rendering treatments like chemotherapy or radiation ineffective. The intern’s suggestion to try these treatments was dismissed, as Dr. Greer noted that the cancer’s advanced stage would only worsen with such interventions, causing more pain. He somberly concluded that I would need "more than a miracle" to survive.
Chapter 3: Facing the Darkness
Overwhelmed by the News
Leaving Dr. Greer’s office, I was escorted by a nurse who seemed more concerned with assessing my mental stability than showing me the testing facilities. She walked me to my car, ensuring I was stable enough to leave. Overwhelmed, I wandered through Costco for an hour and a half, grappling with the reality of my prognosis. I leaned heavily on my faith in Jesus Christ, unsure how to break the news to my wife, who had been unable to attend the appointment.
Delaying the Truth
At home, I delayed the conversation by fetching the mail, but when confronted by my wife, I could only say the visit “didn’t go well” and that further tests were needed. The next several days were dark as I spiraled into fear and uncertainty about the future.
Chapter 4: Seeking Solace at the Cabin
To escape the weight of the diagnosis, my wife and I retreated to our cabin. I waited for updates on the bone scan and CT scan Dr. Greer had ordered, but days passed without communication. My calls to the doctor’s office and St. Alphonsus hospital revealed a frustrating breakdown in coordination—faxes were sent but not received, and no appointments were scheduled. By the eighth day, I had confirmed my insurance had approved the tests, but the hospital had no record of the request. This bureaucratic nightmare deepened my despair, leaving me feeling abandoned as the cancer progressed unchecked.
Chapter 5: A Divine Encounter (Friday Night)
A Desperate Prayer
On the ninth day, a Friday, I reached my lowest point. Feeling broken and hopeless, I knelt beside my bed at the cabin around 3 p.m., pouring out my heart to God. I didn’t ask for a specific message but simply for reassurance that He was in control, especially for my wife’s sake, as I feared the burden my illness would place on her. I requested that God wake me at 3 a.m. to confirm His presence.
The Angel’s Visit
That night, at exactly 3:03 a.m., I awoke with an overwhelming sense of peace, described in the Bible as “the peace that passes all understanding.” At the foot of my bed stood a large angel, his head nearly touching the seven-foot ceiling and his waist below the footboard. He asked, “Are you awake?” twice, fulfilling my prayer.
A Message of Love
In awe, I responded, “He must truly love us,” (the word "us" was highlighted with visions of people of all ages and nationalities) as if the English word fell short of what my soul share. The angel’s demeanor softened, and he replied, “Beyond all measure,” affirming God’s boundless love. The vision ended abruptly, leaving me awake and filled with awe.
Chapter 6: A Glimpse of Heaven (Saturday Night)
A Joyful Morning
The next morning, I was filled with inexplicable joy, though I chose not to tell my wife about the angel, fearing it would overwhelm her given her father’s similar experiences before his passing.
A Heavenly Vision
That night, around 3 a.m., I found myself in a vivid, otherworldly vision—not a dream. I stood at a saddle between two peaks, gazing at a breathtaking landscape of vibrant colors and harmonious tones emanating from every blade of grass, flower, and tree. The same angel stood beside me, and I marveled, saying, “I could stay here forever.” He responded, “You like harps,” describing the scene as hundreds of thousands of harps in perfect harmony.
A Life Review
I felt my soul speaking, saying, “I’m not sure I can go back,” as if this was my true home. I saw a path to the right, lined with floating banners depicting moments from my life where I chose to do what was right, such as helping elderly women with a flat tire despite personal inconvenience. The vision ended without me walking the path, leaving me with a sense of purpose and peace.
Chapter 7: A Silent Revelation (Sunday)
A Divine Silence
On Sunday, I intended to share my experiences with my wife but was divinely silenced when I tried to speak, my vocal cords failing as if hushed by the Holy Spirit. I realized this was to protect her from distress, especially given her father’s angel stories. Instead, I told her I trusted the Lord, though she noticed my unusually joyful demeanor amidst our dire circumstances.
Practical Preparations
We discussed practical matters, like selling the cabin or our home to ease her future burden. I began studying biblical petitions, preparing to ask God for an extension of my life to spare my wife undue pain.
Chapter 8: Petitioning the Lord (Monday)
On Monday, I knelt again by my bed, quoting Bible verses about petitions and earnestly requesting an extension of my life. I argued that my departure would cause undue hardship for my wife, who had already endured a difficult first marriage. I felt this prayer was heard, though no immediate response came that night.
Chapter 9: The Messenger (Tuesday Night)
A Celestial Narthex
On Tuesday night, around 3 a.m., I found myself in another vision, standing in a vast, white, cloud-like space resembling a narthex. The same angel stood before enormous double doors, smiling with pride as I approached. He opened the right door, revealing a cathedral-like space with white, fluffy walls and a marble floor.
Meeting the Messenger
At the far end, a figure in white, whom I sensed was of higher rank than the angel, introduced himself as “the messenger.” He asked me to expound on my petition. I poured out my heart, explaining how my death would devastate my wife, emphasizing our beautiful marriage and my commitment to care for her. Feeling my argument was weak, I was surprised when a voice—possibly the Holy Spirit—added that if I didn’t return to finish my purpose, I would feel incomplete for eternity.
A Difficult Path
The messenger warned that granting my petition would be difficult for me and might risk my salvation, I shared how I seek to be more like Christ every day and "my Christ didn't always take the easy road." moved him. He concluded with two words regarding my petition: “Selflessness. Integrity.” The vision ended, and I returned to my bed, overwhelmed with gratitude. It was not long after this event I realized "The Messenger" could have been Jesus!
Chapter 10: A Breakthrough (Wednesday June 27,2022 and Beyond)
A Divine Prompt
On Wednesday, inspired by a vision of a clipboard with the words “You call now, tomorr ,” I contacted St. Alphonsus at 8:35 a.m. A compassionate receptionist located my lost test request, and by Thursday, I had an appointment with Dr. Sales, an oncologist.
Hopeful News
She reviewed my scans, noting a single tumor in a lymph node but no other cancer, calling it “serviceable”—the first hopeful news since Dr. Greer’s prognosis. The next day, I began treatment with an infusion to reduce testosterone, which was feeding the cancer, followed by radiation and ongoing medication (Zytiga and Lupron).
A Miraculous Outcome
By July 2, 2025, a test showed the cancer was undetectable, though not in remission due to its prior spread. I am now at month 38, far surpassing the 19-month prognosis, praising God for His intervention.
Chapter 11: Reflection
This journey, marked by divine encounters and answered prayers, has deepened my faith and trust in Jesus Christ. I share this story not only for Christians but for anyone seeking hope. God’s love, beyond all measure, has sustained me through darkness, and I continue to call upon Him, grateful for each day.