I HAD CEREBRAL MALARIA, BUT GOD!!

Most people know Malaria as a disease caused by mosquitoes in locations like Africa. Malaria is not caused by bacteria or a virus, it is caused when a mosquito inserts a malaria parasite into the bloodstream.

If one hears of someone dying of Malaria, it is normally from Cerebral Malaria. If left untreated, it is – without exception – fatal. Symptoms range from fever, headache, body aches, anemia, jaundice and abnormal bleeding. It can progress to more severe health problems like trouble breathing, brain damage and organ failure: heart, lungs, kidneys. It would culminate in hallucinations, seizures, coma and death.

In early September 2016, I rode a bus for 14 hours to the Upper East Region of Ghana. From there, I took a cab for 2 more hours to my accommodation, which turned out to be an old abandoned house. I slept on a concrete floor with a 2 inch foam mat placed on top of a woven mat. The toilet was outdoors. In the bath stall, there were wasps and bees (to which I am allergic). I took meals outdoors, seated on a low chair with my plate on an over-turned bucket.

Despite the lack of creature comforts, I had a great time of ministry on that trip. In a community where idol worship was prevalent, there were about 200 people who came to services. One night after I ministered, 70+ people accepted Jesus. When these meetings concluded, I returned the 2+ hour trip, but that time on a motorcycle, and then the 14 hour bus ride back to Accra.

The following week I became sick. After severe illness for over a week, it became even worse. They told me it was urgent that I go for medical care. Even though I strongly objected, my Ghanaian Pastor insisted I go to the “clinic”! I thought I was going to a doctor's office, but was admitted to the hospital.

Ultimately, I was hospitalized in Ghana for 5 days: September 25-29, 2016. The Malaria itself was cleared at the hospital with multiple IV treatments. However, it left me with what the doctors said were temporary neurological, stroke-like symptoms. They also discovered heart damage. Upon discharge, the Ghanaian Doctors encouraged me to return to the USA as soon as possible for further medical treatment.

Unable to walk, I was taken through each airport by wheelchair to the next airplane. I arrived in Tennessee on October 7, 2016 where I was going to live while recuperating. After being in the USA for 2 weeks and having an array of ER and out-patient tests, I finally had the diagnosis: Cerebral Malaria. I was told of seizures, coma, and death. It was truly life threatening. I was informed it would take over a year to fully recuperate and even longer to return overseas. I told the MD I refused that report.

A Heart Specialist prescribed a heart monitor for a month. They found zero cardiac episodes, which would indicate heart damage. Praise God! In Ghana, I had been prescribed a heart medication which caused hair loss. I acquired empathy for those with hair loss due to chemotherapy.

After a couple of months in the USA, I finally had the mental capacity to inquire about my symptoms from my Ghanaian Pastor. He said I had incontinence, a seizure and hallucinations, which caused him to insist that I go for medical care. After I had returned from the hospital, I consumed only soft food like oatmeal. They placed a plastic chair in the shower where I sat as the Pastor’s wife bathed me, giving me a wash cloth for me to wash my private areas.

At my worst, I required assistance with things we take for granted:

* bathing: as noted above plus after a shower, I had to rest for 15-20 minutes before dressing.

* dressing: fasten my bra, button my shirt.

* grooming: brush my hair, my granddaughter (who wears glasses) offered to clean mine too.

* eating: food cut to bite-size pieces (a grandson asked if his Daddy would have to feed me forever).

* drinking: someone had to watch me as I drank to avoid strangling.

* walking: I had to hold onto others.

* talking: initially, I had no ability to communicate.

On the surface, that may not seem too bad, but let me give a bit of detail. I was unable to:

* Brush my teeth without drooling down my shirt.

* Manage my saliva without strangling.

* Later, I could button shirts, but not correctly. My family calls it “high-low” mismatching the sides.

* Tie my shoes.

I had forgotten:

* How to tie the draw-string on my slacks, shorts or skirts. How embarrassing!

* How to spell my own name.

* My address and phone number.

* Every password.

* How to write or type.

* The Word of God.

* Information for my career as a Registered Dietitian.

There were many things which I had forgotten, but I also had what is called “expressive aphasia’ which means my words were all mixed up. I would have a thought in my mind, but I could not convey what I was trying to say. Sometimes, my sentences would make no sense.

Perhaps you remember the commercial:

YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY BABY!

By elaborating on all of the negatives above, I wanted you to see how far He brought me.

THANK GOD FOR JESUS’ HEALING POWER!!!

As you can see, it seemed Satan wanted to destroy me. Perhaps it was because the Lord used me to help rescue the idol worshiping people in that small village community, BUT GOD.

Before the trip to the Upper East Region, I had twice listened to a collection of healing messages: 30 Reasons Why Healing Is Still Available For Us Today by Keith Moore.

During those months, a minister recommended I keep an audio Bible playing around the clock. I was determined to have the Word back in my mind – because it never left my spirit. HIS WORD helped me through that rough time as well as many other rough times in life.

As I neared full recovery, I thanked God that I healed more quickly than originally anticipated. I was able to do things for myself once again. God brought me out of what Satan meant for my harm. Routinely, God does miracles in my life. I am thankful to be ALIVE after Cerebral Malaria. Notice the one symptom I lacked before death: coma. CHRIST IS MY HEALER!!

After only six months of recuperation, I returned to Ghana on March 30, 2017. I continued to teach in Bible schools and speak in churches. I “updated” my healing testimony. Previously, I told of healing of Rheumatoid Arthritis at 8 years old and Asthma at 12 years old.

I will be forever grateful to those who helped me and encouraged me through those dark months. I will always remember being told that I should not grieve over the situation because God was not finished with me yet.