The Power of Prayer

PATIENT NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER RECEIVES PRAYER THROUGH FOLLOW-UP CALL

On May 11, 2021, I came to Methodist Hospital for a biopsy due to a spot on my lung identified by a CT scan. Once I was released, I went home to rest. In a day or two, I received a call from a nurse named Allisa, wanting to know how I was doing, to inform me of my next steps, and to let me know that my care was important to them. I then explained to her that I would be scheduled for a lobectomy on my upper right lobe. There was a pause. She said, “Ms. Schmidt?” I said, “Yes?” She said, “May I pray with you?”

I felt my heart smile and tears fell. A stranger

was sent to me that knew I needed prayer. We prayed together, and I thanked her. Allisa’s thoughtfulness made a huge impact on my life; I must have told everybody I came in contact with about this conversation.

I came back to Methodist Hospital for surgery on June 3, but first had to present for preregistration testing (i.e. COVID test, EKG, labs, chest X-Ray) on June 1. After being called in from the main waiting room, I was guided into a smaller waiting room. As I was sitting there, I wondered where I would need to go to either thank Allisa or give her kudos to her superiors. A young lady came in and got me to do my COVID test. I sat down in the room to do the test, and the nurse said, “My name is Allisa and I will be doing your COVID test.” I said, “Allisa?” She said, “Yes.” I asked if she ever called patients once released, of which she said yes. I told her she called me after my release from the biopsy and that she prayed with me. She said, “I remember you!” At that point my emotions were overwhelming that I actually MET her, the nurse that brought me a life-changing experience! We hugged, cried together, and prayed together once again. I then went next door for labs, and she asked if we could take a picture together. No way was this an accident.

Since my surgery on June 3, Allisa has texted me to see how I’m doing and reminded me that the hospital and staff are there for me. God bless you forever, Allisa. You will never know how you changed my life and touched my heart. -Geraldine Schmidt (Patient)