StarBulletin.com

Faith helped family through child's ill health


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POSTED: Saturday, January 31, 2009

The call came at around 4:30 p.m. while I was with patients. My wife's urgent voice expressed a serious problem. She didn't know what was happening, but our 2-week-old daughter was in distress. I canceled the rest of my appointments and rushed to the emergency room with our daughter.

Immediately, the doctors and nurses converged on our daughter as we watched helplessly on the side. Minutes passed but it seemed like hours. They finally stabilized her, but she was not out of harm's way. The pediatric cardiologist and other specialists were consulted but came up with no diagnosis.

It was late in the evening when the echogram showed that our daughter had a confirmed rare heart defect, along with other complications. She was transported to the mainland two days later. There were procedures that did not go the way we planned. There were times when we almost lost her, but faith sustained both her and the family.

Now, almost eight years later and after six extensive operations in both Los Angeles Children's Hospital and Stanford Medical Center, our daughter has a beautiful smile, a petite frame and a determined attitude. Oh, I forgot, and a large scar about 8 inches long down the middle of her chest and multiple lesions around her thoracic cage. Other than that, she is a happy, energetic and typical 7-year-old. We love her as well as our other four children.

The Scripture says, “;The prayer of faith shall save the sick.”; It also says, “;If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.”; We know that after all that modern technology could do, it was faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and his love for us that not only helped to sustain my wife and me, but also helped to preserve our daughter's life.

There are many things not yet known, and every child responds differently. However, each day we can see our little princess enjoy life is a miracle. I am grateful for Christ's atoning sacrifice that brings true meaning to life here on Earth, and also the peace and assurance that life after mortality will bring greater joy and fulfillment.

Seven years ago we could only pray that we would see this day. We acknowledge and express our deep love and gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has made it possible for Seina's success. Our prayers go out to all families who have children with serious health issues. May the power of faith uphold you and give you strength.

 

Paul W.Y. Kurihara is a chiropractor and a member of the Honolulu West Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.