An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

possibility of impending change in their way of life and how they face the possibility ofdeath. Some people may choose to accept the diagnosis of a disease as a death sentencewhilst others may view diagnosis as an opportunity to make the most of the remainder oftheir life. For example; Respondent 9 (COGIC) viewed her breast cancer as an opportunityto prove God and that by sharing her experiences of how she has been healed, thetreatment given by the doctors and nurses will help others overcome their fear of breastcancer as a killer disease.Respondent 9: It was in 1996 when I was taking a bath and found a lump in my rightbreast. I went to the doctor who sent me to the hospital they said I would have to have anoperation. I had the operation and they said I needed to have more treatment. So I went forthe radiotherapy.Some years later there I went for a mammogram and there was a shadow on my left breast.They took the lump away and said it was cancerous. They put a drain in and when thedrain was taken out there was a lot of fluid in my breast. So I had to go back to my doctorfor him to put another drain to remove the excess fluid.The church prayed. Whilst I was in hospital they visited and prayed. I thank God because ifHe was not with me and healed me I would not be here today.When we are not in Church the church pray for us and I believe that through the prayer ofthe believers God provides healing.I want to tell others about my experience so that they can have some hope if they are goingthrough similar experiences.This respondent does not relate her experience of illness and healing directly in the contextof suffering. As a result of her belief in the power of prayer she refused to take the sick role202