This Thanksgiving is bringing an extra measure of gratefulness for the Charlie Lawrence family of Sallis as they give thanks for what they are calling “a miracle.”
Lawrence, 64, is recovering from an illness that has had doctors from Kosciusko to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., baffled at making a diagnosis and prescribing a treatment.
From his illness, Lawrence said he has learned to never give up, no matter the circumstances. “You may give out, but never give up,” he said.
Friday the 13th, 2007 was Lawrence’s unlucky day when on his job as a cattle ranch manager, he was knocked to the ground by a cow. The fall led to corrective surgery, and he later developed symptoms akin to inner ear problems. “My life became a nightmare, waking in the night with the room spinning, then not being able to sit, stand or walk,” he said.
With continuing dizziness and lack of coordination, he was referred by his family doctor to specialists in Jackson, and also to a clinic in Memphis, where he said tests ruled out a number of possible problems, but provided no answers.
Tests and doctor visits continued throughout 2007. In early 2008 he was placed on a waiting list to see doctors at Mayo Clinic.
In the meantime, Lawrence’s name was placed on prayer lists in churches throughout Attala and surrounding counties. “Thank God for our church family at Crestview Congregational Methodist Church for their prayer support. Without them we could not have endured those two years of uncertainty”, said Lawrence’s wife Barbara.
After a wait of eight months, the Lawrences made the trip to Mayo Clinic this past March where he was seen by a team of 12-15 doctors. After two weeks of tests they came home with no real answers, only that the problem was in the central nervous system. After the trip to Mayo Clinic, Lawrence said he felt like he was “put out to pasture” to die of the unknown.
“At this point, I didn’t give up. I started praying to God in a different way. I started asking God for a miracle,” said Barbara. Others joined her in the plea for the working of a miracle in Lawrence’s life.
Frustrated with no answers, she said she cried all the way to work on a Monday morning after the trip to Mayo Clinic. Refusing to give up, she called a friend, who knew a chiropractic neurologist in Tupelo, and asked her to make an appointment for her husband.
The Tupelo doctor’s evaluation led to vestibular disorder stemming from the cerebellum region of the brain. Through stimulation, the doctor was able to restore his patient’s sensory perception, motor control and coordination. Lawrence said he left the doctor’s office a new man with no headache, dizziness, and staggering.
“I told the doctor that I had prayed and that I believed that God was going to heal Charlie through him. He was our last chance,” Barbara said.
Come Thanksgiving day, the Lawrences will be joined by their children Melissa Roberts, Chuck Lawrence, Craig Lawrence, and their families for a time of rejoicing.
They are appreciative for the many prayers that have been offered and the concern shown to them during the past two years. They also ask for continued prayer as Charlie goes for therapy three days each week in the process of healing.
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