My story to hopefully help you…
The night of February 24, 2014, remains etched in my memory. At 3 am, I emerged from bed to use the restroom, only to be blindsided by an excruciating pain upon my return. It felt like a 12-inch blade thrust deep into my eye, a sensation so severe that thoughts of a brain aneurysm crossed my mind. The torment lingered throughout the night.
Seeking answers, I turned to my primary doctor, who then referred me to an Ophthalmologist. Despite their efforts, the examination yielded no insights. An MRI ordered by my doctor revealed nothing unusual, and consultations with an ENT specialist and dentist provided no solutions. Surprisingly, a friend without a medical degree suggested trigeminal neuralgia (TN), a possibility overlooked by several doctors.
For two years, life returned to normal, and I shrugged it away as one of those inexplicable things. However, in July 2016, during dinner, the pain resurged with a vengeance, it started as the knife in my eye and then would be an occasional electrical rod sitting on my eye. It rendered me incapacitated, disrupting my interactions with clients, and hindering my usual activities. I could not function as a human. I could not even eat, talk, swallow, because the jaw movement would bring it on. At the time, I was 54 years old with four daughters and a business owner.
My journey transformed into a tale of miracles as the relentless torment intensified, culminating in a hospital admission. Fortunately, the hospital neurologist who was familiar with TN confirmed my condition. The attacks were relentless, striking every few seconds, day, and night. Morphine and other medications had no effect. On about the seventh day of a ten-day hospital stay, the most profound experience ever unfolded. My closest friend, a Pastor, and my wife laid hands on my head and prayed. An indescribable wave-like feeling swept through my body and head, an entirely surreal sensation. As the prayer concluded, my wife asked, "Did you feel that?" It was and still is, a very emotional memory. The next day I felt better and finally was able to leave the hospital a couple days later.
On September 8, 2016, another miracle occurred. Despite sporadic attacks persisting, a fortunate recommendation from a business associate led me to a responsive and globally renowned Neuroscientist, Dr. Yi Jin. After doing testing of the inside of my brain and showing me the results, he advised me to get tested for sleep apnea which turned out to be severe. This caused my brain to never sleep, constantly firing. Also, at his office, his staff provided me with a treatment of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). You can find more details about that visit and his treatment in my blog. Late that night, in solitude, I was at my lowest point. I surrendered my struggles to God. I distinctly remember saying, "Lord, this is your problem, I surrender ALL to you. I give up, and you can do with me whatever you want. I'm all yours. The next day, no attacks. And the next, and the next and the next…
Fast forward to November 2023—seven years since my last attack on that day of Dr. Jin, September 8, 2016. Miracles, embodied in healing prayers, the expertise of a knowledgeable neurologist in the hospital, the timely intervention of the Neuroscientist, and a surrendered prayer, shaped my recovery. No surgeries, just a return to normal life, with biking and hiking reclaiming their places. All the credit goes to God.
While many would harbor resentment at God, I chose a different path, drawing inspiration from figures like Job and Paul in the Bible. I wondered if Satan was tempting me, or God was testing me. Either way, I refused to crack. My encouragement to those unfamiliar with God or lacking a relationship with Him is to reach out to him. Jesus said he is the Shepard of his sheep. He knows each one by name. He knows you; he loves you and God promises to be our companion through it all. Pray with all your heart and soul, 24/7. I continue to pray for a medical cure for everyone. I talk to God all the time, especially on hikes or bike rides. I pray he keeps me healed and to keep the beast away. I have had “nerve aches’ on my temple over the years but they are totally manageable. And there has been MUCH good to have come from something so bad. One of them is helping others suffering. I am so very thankful.
In closing, enduring prayers and a profound connection with God and Jesus sustained me through the darkest times. To those facing similar struggles, I urge seeking support, joining groups, exploring holistic approaches, and, above all, embracing the transformative power of prayer and faith in Christ. In surrendering to God, I discovered strength and healing beyond the reach of medical interventions.
If you want me to pray for you, send me your name. If you want to talk, please call me.
God Bless You,
Darrell
The night of February 24, 2014, remains etched in my memory. At 3 am, I emerged from bed to use the restroom, only to be blindsided by an excruciating pain upon my return. It felt like a 12-inch blade thrust deep into my eye, a sensation so severe that thoughts of a brain aneurysm crossed my mind. The torment lingered throughout the night.
Seeking answers, I turned to my primary doctor, who then referred me to an Ophthalmologist. Despite their efforts, the examination yielded no insights. An MRI ordered by my doctor revealed nothing unusual, and consultations with an ENT specialist and dentist provided no solutions. Surprisingly, a friend without a medical degree suggested trigeminal neuralgia (TN), a possibility overlooked by several doctors.
For two years, life returned to normal, and I shrugged it away as one of those inexplicable things. However, in July 2016, during dinner, the pain resurged with a vengeance, it started as the knife in my eye and then would be an occasional electrical rod sitting on my eye. It rendered me incapacitated, disrupting my interactions with clients, and hindering my usual activities. I could not function as a human. I could not even eat, talk, swallow, because the jaw movement would bring it on. At the time, I was 54 years old with four daughters and a business owner.
My journey transformed into a tale of miracles as the relentless torment intensified, culminating in a hospital admission. Fortunately, the hospital neurologist who was familiar with TN confirmed my condition. The attacks were relentless, striking every few seconds, day, and night. Morphine and other medications had no effect. On about the seventh day of a ten-day hospital stay, the most profound experience ever unfolded. My closest friend, a Pastor, and my wife laid hands on my head and prayed. An indescribable wave-like feeling swept through my body and head, an entirely surreal sensation. As the prayer concluded, my wife asked, "Did you feel that?" It was and still is, a very emotional memory. The next day I felt better and finally was able to leave the hospital a couple days later.
On September 8, 2016, another miracle occurred. Despite sporadic attacks persisting, a fortunate recommendation from a business associate led me to a responsive and globally renowned Neuroscientist, Dr. Yi Jin. After doing testing of the inside of my brain and showing me the results, he advised me to get tested for sleep apnea which turned out to be severe. This caused my brain to never sleep, constantly firing. Also, at his office, his staff provided me with a treatment of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). You can find more details about that visit and his treatment in my blog. Late that night, in solitude, I was at my lowest point. I surrendered my struggles to God. I distinctly remember saying, "Lord, this is your problem, I surrender ALL to you. I give up, and you can do with me whatever you want. I'm all yours. The next day, no attacks. And the next, and the next and the next…
Fast forward to November 2023—seven years since my last attack on that day of Dr. Jin, September 8, 2016. Miracles, embodied in healing prayers, the expertise of a knowledgeable neurologist in the hospital, the timely intervention of the Neuroscientist, and a surrendered prayer, shaped my recovery. No surgeries, just a return to normal life, with biking and hiking reclaiming their places. All the credit goes to God.
While many would harbor resentment at God, I chose a different path, drawing inspiration from figures like Job and Paul in the Bible. I wondered if Satan was tempting me, or God was testing me. Either way, I refused to crack. My encouragement to those unfamiliar with God or lacking a relationship with Him is to reach out to him. Jesus said he is the Shepard of his sheep. He knows each one by name. He knows you; he loves you and God promises to be our companion through it all. Pray with all your heart and soul, 24/7. I continue to pray for a medical cure for everyone. I talk to God all the time, especially on hikes or bike rides. I pray he keeps me healed and to keep the beast away. I have had “nerve aches’ on my temple over the years but they are totally manageable. And there has been MUCH good to have come from something so bad. One of them is helping others suffering. I am so very thankful.
In closing, enduring prayers and a profound connection with God and Jesus sustained me through the darkest times. To those facing similar struggles, I urge seeking support, joining groups, exploring holistic approaches, and, above all, embracing the transformative power of prayer and faith in Christ. In surrendering to God, I discovered strength and healing beyond the reach of medical interventions.
If you want me to pray for you, send me your name. If you want to talk, please call me.
God Bless You,
Darrell
