A Wake-Up Call
"I didn't need God anymore, until the doctor told me to prepare to die."
Named “Rookie of the Year” as a realtor, Al Martinez was hooked. He dropped his church involvement and started working seven days a week, 14 to 16 hours a day to be tops in real estate sales among 250 agents. And he succeeded. The awards and accolades rolled in, and trophies became his god. He didn’t need God anymore.
In September 1981, while showing property, he felt a sharp pain in his left leg, so severe he could barely drive home. Initially, it was thought to be a pulled muscle, but the pain continued to increase. Following a complete medical work-up, Al was asked to come to the hospital to see the chief oncologist for further testing. A painful bone marrow test showed he had an extremely rare form of leukemia—“hairy cell leukemia.” The doctor told him bluntly that he had 6 to 12 months to live. How could this be? Prospering and seemingly happy a few weeks earlier, he now faced death at age 43.
Leukemia was just the beginning. Al’s spleen--enlarged to the size of a football from the large number of cancerous leukemia cells--had to be removed. Later, doctors identified a strange spot on his lung that grew to the size of a quarter. This was diagnosed as aspergillus, a rare, hungry fungus. At that time, there was only one medication that would save him from this deadly killer: amphotericin, a pharmaceutical poison. This was administered intravenously and in gradually larger doses due to its toxicity. From the fungus, Al developed a fever of 105o, and he had to lie on a special “ice bed,” which caused bone rattling chills. After numerous transfusions and medications, doctors said there was nothing more they could do. He was told to go home, get his affairs in order, and prepare to die.
God now had his attention. Winning trophies and getting rich didn’t matter anymore. His wife, Maria, was a courageous advocate for Al during his illness and cared for him night and day. They asked the elders to come and pray over him, anointing him with oil as prescribed in James 5:14-16. While being anointed, his strength depleted and near death, all he could do was lie on the floor. He asked forgiveness for turning away from God and committed his life to serve God in his remaining days.
On a Sunday morning in 1982 at about 6:30 AM, he was looking out the hospital window when he felt a powerful presence in the room. It surrounded him, and a feeling of peace came over him. At that moment, he knew God was saying, “You’re going to be OK.” Tears of joy filling his eyes, he turned to Maria and asked if she felt the same thing. She affirmed feeling God’s presence and power in a special way.
At 7 AM, the nurse came in for the first blood draw of the day. The results were back in an hour, and all the blood counts had improved for the first time in two months. Every subsequent blood draw showed an increase in the blood counts. The growth in the lung started to disappear. Al continued to recover, finally being able to return to the church where he told how God healed him from certain death. For the first time in over two years, he sang in the choir and began teaching again.
Thirty-one years have passed. His last bone marrow test showed no signs of hairy cell leukemia. It’s as if it never happened! His oncologist said he had never known of anyone making such a complete recovery from the disease.
Today, Al and Maria are co-leaders of a Saddleback small group, and Al is a small group community leader. Al said it this way, “Each new day is a gift from God. I am reminded daily when I awake that I have a promise to keep. He healed me, and I must keep my word to serve Him in whatever way I can.”
‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ . . . For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 33:3; 29:11 NIV).
Written by Pastor Dave Beckwith
© 2013 Dave Beckwith and Al Martinez
In September 1981, while showing property, he felt a sharp pain in his left leg, so severe he could barely drive home. Initially, it was thought to be a pulled muscle, but the pain continued to increase. Following a complete medical work-up, Al was asked to come to the hospital to see the chief oncologist for further testing. A painful bone marrow test showed he had an extremely rare form of leukemia—“hairy cell leukemia.” The doctor told him bluntly that he had 6 to 12 months to live. How could this be? Prospering and seemingly happy a few weeks earlier, he now faced death at age 43.
Leukemia was just the beginning. Al’s spleen--enlarged to the size of a football from the large number of cancerous leukemia cells--had to be removed. Later, doctors identified a strange spot on his lung that grew to the size of a quarter. This was diagnosed as aspergillus, a rare, hungry fungus. At that time, there was only one medication that would save him from this deadly killer: amphotericin, a pharmaceutical poison. This was administered intravenously and in gradually larger doses due to its toxicity. From the fungus, Al developed a fever of 105o, and he had to lie on a special “ice bed,” which caused bone rattling chills. After numerous transfusions and medications, doctors said there was nothing more they could do. He was told to go home, get his affairs in order, and prepare to die.
God now had his attention. Winning trophies and getting rich didn’t matter anymore. His wife, Maria, was a courageous advocate for Al during his illness and cared for him night and day. They asked the elders to come and pray over him, anointing him with oil as prescribed in James 5:14-16. While being anointed, his strength depleted and near death, all he could do was lie on the floor. He asked forgiveness for turning away from God and committed his life to serve God in his remaining days.
On a Sunday morning in 1982 at about 6:30 AM, he was looking out the hospital window when he felt a powerful presence in the room. It surrounded him, and a feeling of peace came over him. At that moment, he knew God was saying, “You’re going to be OK.” Tears of joy filling his eyes, he turned to Maria and asked if she felt the same thing. She affirmed feeling God’s presence and power in a special way.
At 7 AM, the nurse came in for the first blood draw of the day. The results were back in an hour, and all the blood counts had improved for the first time in two months. Every subsequent blood draw showed an increase in the blood counts. The growth in the lung started to disappear. Al continued to recover, finally being able to return to the church where he told how God healed him from certain death. For the first time in over two years, he sang in the choir and began teaching again.
Thirty-one years have passed. His last bone marrow test showed no signs of hairy cell leukemia. It’s as if it never happened! His oncologist said he had never known of anyone making such a complete recovery from the disease.
Today, Al and Maria are co-leaders of a Saddleback small group, and Al is a small group community leader. Al said it this way, “Each new day is a gift from God. I am reminded daily when I awake that I have a promise to keep. He healed me, and I must keep my word to serve Him in whatever way I can.”
‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ . . . For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 33:3; 29:11 NIV).
Written by Pastor Dave Beckwith
© 2013 Dave Beckwith and Al Martinez