Testimony by Judy Swartzendruber

Torn Knee Cartilage Healed

My name is Judy Swartzendruber and I have been at the Vineyard since the beginning. I lead a women’s small group on Friday mornings and together with my husband, Dave, we lead another small group on Thursday evenings.

The end of March, 2007, as I was getting up off the floor after pinning a dress hem for a customer I heard my knee make a loud noise that really sounded bad. It was bad. I couldn't move for several minutes. After a couple weeks it was still very painful so I went to Convenient Care where the Dr. told me he didn't think it was anything serious, perhaps a strained knee. If it was still bothering me in 10 days, I should see my primary care Dr. which I did. My primary care Dr. told me she thought it was a torn meniscus and I should have a MRI. The mobile unit was there that day so I had the MRI which was read at Decatur Memorial. The report came back that it was a severely torn cartilage. The appointment was made with Dr. Gurtler, and orthopedic surgeon for the following Monday.

After looking at my x-rays and the MRI the Dr. said, "Torn cartilage? It is shredded and in some places missing." He scheduled my surgery for the following Friday morning, May 11.

The night before the surgery my small group gathered around me and prayed. A couple people in the group felt like my knee was ok and that I'd be dancing the next day. My knee was burning inside the knee joint that night, all through the night and the next morning as we got ready to go to the surgery. Before it had been definitely a pain - this was different- a burning feeling. At home before we went to the surgery, I asked Dave to anoint me with oil and pray for me which he did. The burning continued until I went to the operating room. After the surgery was over the Dr. came out into the waiting room, sat down by my husband, and said, "I think your wife is going to be very disappointed in me."

Dave asked, "Why?"

Dr. Gurtler said, "I didn't find any tears or anything wrong in her knee."

Dave asked, "What about the x-rays and MRI reports."

Dr. Gurtler said he would have to re-examine them.

I had no pain when I woke up and haven't had any since that day. The next day we went to our grandson's college graduation at ISU, walked all over the campus without crutches, and had no pain.

In two weeks, I went back for the follow up appointment. Dr. Gurtler reviewed my MRI and pointed out to us the tear in several of the pictures. He said he did drain some fluid from my knee and in it were a couple of particles from the shredding, but said it wasn't enough to cause all the pain I was having.

We asked, "What happened."

He said, "I don't know."

We told him we were Christians and that we thought the Lord healed me.

He said, "That is the best explanation I've heard so far."

Other than some discomfort with the three holes in my knee healing, I've had no problems since May 11.

I think this is a sign to us of what God wants to do for His children. It is a beginning of what He is getting ready to pour out on the church. His kingdom is here but not yet. We have a glimpse now and then until we grow into all He has for us. Regardless of what we see, He is faithful....

Judy Swartzendruber