December 2020. I underwent a new procedure called Acessa to shrink two fibroids. Fibroids are muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus. This procedure has been so successful for women, so I had high hopes. But by summer 2021 all symptoms returned. I was in the ER for severe abdominal pain. A very large fibroid grew so large within my tiny abdomen and was causing problems. My GYN at Duke was shocked. This had not happened before. A fibroid may not shrink much after Acessa, but it certainly does not grow. So, this growth was shocking, and I was a rare if only case. The Duke physician had the nurses set up a time for me to return for testing: October 7. The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
After the ER scare in July, we had family visiting. I retired to bed to recite the Rosary. As I began, I asked the Holy Spirit to come down and asked the Blessed Mother to fill me with all of God's Heavenly graces, as well as everybody in the house. While reciting the Hail Mary I saw a woman appear high above in the cathedral ceiling of my bedroom. I saw her only from the waist up. She had on a black habit and what seemed to be a giant white boat upside down on her head. I thought I was crazy or really tired, which caused a hallucination. But then she began to move her arms as if she was sowing seed, while golden drippings fell from her hands. Her face was young and beautiful, and she smiled as she made this gesture about three times. Then she disappeared.
I could hardly continue to concentrate on my prayers and asked God’s forgiveness as I grabbed my cell phone to Google search. I have become a product of this horrible generation. But I didn’t know who this was. Not any female saint I had ever seen before, but I wondered if her head covering was from Northern Europe. I just thought to type in a French saint Mary Alacoque and found out it’s "Margaret Mary" and, no, the image was not her. I was at a loss.
Then I heard: "Catherine Laboure." I did not hesitate and typed it in and saw her image. I cried and cried. It was her. I never saw an image of her but knew of the Miraculous Medal. I ran to put on my mother’s gold Miraculous Medal and have worn it since. My husband also began to wear one. I had no symptoms after this incredible night. That week I went to the Blessed Sacrament and while in prayer I felt St. Catherine Laboure so close to me as if she were right in front of me. Her presence was so real that I thanked the Lord for my new, sweet friend and asked Him if she could remain close to me.
On Oct 7th my doctor came into the room after some tests had been performed. His face was curious, and he began to tell me that he can’t explain what happened but that this monster growth had shrunk by 3cm. Immediately, I told him, “I prayed. I pray the Rosary daily and today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Rosary.” He smiled and responded, “This is her gift to you.” He told me I do not need any surgery nor a hysterectomy. He had been very concerned but had no concerns after seeing these new test results. He said this is what we expected to see after the Acessa procedure. The one fibroid disappeared but the other grew so large which is inexplicable and cause for concern. But now, it has shrunk substantially.
Will the Lord allow this to continue to shrink and go away completely? I’ll continue to pray. But I have no symptoms at all. All praise be to God the Hold Trinity and thanks be to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and St. Catherine Laboure.
“Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you.” Psalm 55:22
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