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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2010 /  Faith Matters

by Angela Masters, Special to The Michigan Catholic
Published March 5, 2010

Editor's note: Lent is a time we are called to conversion, to draw closer to God and deeper into His love. During these six weeks especially, we ask you to share your story.

Angela and Jeff Masters with their children, from left, Mary, 11, Olivia, 7, Emma, 3, Elizabeth, 9, and Daniel, 5.

On Good Friday of 2004, I underwent major surgery that forever changed the way my body works. Because of the nature of the surgery, I was cautioned by doctors not to get pregnant for at least two years. My husband, Jeff, and I are practicing Catholics who do not use artificial birth control. We struggled with that position, as my surgeon and physician warned that pregnancy would seriously endanger, not only my own life, but that of an unborn child.

Faith Matters In 450-600 words tell us about one incident where faith changed you, where your faith was deepened or where you were drawn to faith. Send your story, along with your photo, and include your name, home parish, daytime phone number and a self-addressed envelope if you want your photo returned. Send to: Faith Matters, The Michigan Catholic, 305 Michigan Ave., Fourth Floor, Detroit, MI 48226 or by e-mail to mgh@aod.org. We reserve the right to accept articles for publication and to edit them for length, grammar and clarity.

Prior to surgery, we consulted with medical ethics experts and were admonished to be faithful, as God would be faithful to us. Fewer than two months after my surgery, however, I discovered I was pregnant with our fourth child. My first reaction was not a faith-filled one, but rather an indignant cry to God: "How could You? I trusted You. I have three little girls who need their mother." Despite the danger, I was filled with the most extraordinary peace – truly, the peace that passes all understanding. I felt a strong presence of Jesus, assuring me that all would be well. Still, I dreaded the phone calls I had to make – I knew that my parents and in-laws would be frightened and that the doctors would be concerned.

The first phone call, to my surgeon, did not go well. He bluntly advised me to "terminate." A cold fist clenched around my heart. I said: "I can't do that." His response: "Well, good luck to you, then." I wanted to cry, but then I remembered that God's promises are eternal and that, no matter what would happen, it did not affect the nature or the amount of His love for me and the baby. We did not need empty luck – instead, I prayed for wisdom.

I called my obstetrician to discuss a game plan. I was determined not to die, nor to allow my baby to perish. The following week was a blur of prayer and tears. My physicians were very supportive and we leaned on them and drew strength from their kindness. It was recommended that I see a high-risk obstetrics specialist. Again, I was advised to abort the baby. I told him that abortion was not an option – I would rather die, myself, than kill my own child. He suggested that, indeed, that could happen. I was determined to prove him wrong and to give God glory. I returned to my regular obstetrician and informed him that I fully intended to proceed with the pregnancy. We were going to find a way.

God is so faithful!

My pregnancies have never been easy, as I always got extremely ill. In my third pregnancy, I developed hyperemesis gravidarum – extreme vomiting. I needed to have a PICC line inserted so that I could be fed, intravenously. My husband remembered that experience and asked my obstetrician if it were an option, so that both baby and I could receive proper nutrition. He agreed to try it.

We went on faith and on prayer. For 26 weeks, I was on the PICC line and prayed fervently, along with family and friends and many who did not even know us. We all just trusted God and kept asking for mercy and grace. I had always been pro-life – this experience forced me to not just talk about my stance but to "put feet to it." At 37 weeks gestation, a miracle occurred – our son was born at 5 pounds, 14 ounces, perfectly healthy and normal. We praise God for His immeasurable love and for using that challenging situation to draw us nearer to Him.

Angela Masters and her family are members of St. Thomas a'Becket Parish, Canton.