By Brenna Wiegand
In 2003, Rob and Andrea Larson were one of Silverton’s vibrant husband-and-wife physician couples, practicing in Silverton since 1992.
“Working together in this wonderful place was the culmination of a shared dream and years of preparation,” Dr. Robert Larson said.
“Working in Silverton was really special,” Dr. Andrea Larson said. “To be engaged in such a tight-knit community made my work very personal and extremely rewarding.”
On Feb. 22, 2003, all of that changed when Andrea was hit with an influenza-type illness that resulted in viral encephalitis and about two dozen lesions of the brain. The ensuing 10-and-a-half years consisted of a difficult and often confusing array of debilitating symptoms including intermittent profound muscle weakness, slurred speech, gait abnormalities, involuntary muscle jerking and spasms, as well as alterations in body temperature control, heart rate and even lung function.
Andrea continued working until 2007, when things progressed to the point where she had to be carried out and taken home during her clinic time.
“When I saw that patient care was being compromised, I knew I had to give up practicing medicine,” she said. “Lots and lots of tears were shed leaving a profession I loved and patients who were very dear to me.”
A variety of neurological drugs were tried, providing intermittent diminution of symptoms, but still the illness progressed. Before long, she stopped driving and the active doctor’s physical life became limited.
“I couldn’t even walk to the mailbox for the past several years and was frequently pushed in a wheelchair to cross any significant distance,” she said. “Thank the Lord I have an optimistic personality and resilient brain chemistry, because I did not have to fight depression also.”
Genetic testing revealed two different defects in mitochondrial DNA; for this, sadly, there are no known therapies. It was postulated that the “viral insult” triggered an adult-onset form of the malady. No one seemed to able to help her – not even the Mayo Clinic.
The future looked bleak, especially after happy plans to attend back-to-back weddings Aug. 2 and 3 took a toll on her.
“I had to use a wheelchair to negotiate the trips from the parking lots to the wedding venues,” Andrea said. “I was also experiencing lots of my episodes during those summer days, which in outward appearance resembled something of a cross between a seizure and a stroke. Things were definitely not looking up in the physical realm, and it had been a very long time since I’d had a remission of even half a day.”
“My wife was amazing – she never gave up,” Rob said. “She continued to participate fully in life even when it was painful, embarrassing or inconvenient. It was very difficult to watch and not be able to fix the problem. Years were passing, and her health was getting worse and worse.”
On Aug. 4, 2013, they went to church. Something ordinary in their lives that had an extraordinary difference.
that tells the story of His great love for us.
“My life and my story are merely small
threads that would be meaningless were
they not interwoven with the stories of
friends, family and neighbors.
“The God of the Universe is the master
weaver who has the end in mind.
“Even when we can only see a tangled mess,
He is orchestrating the whole into a
beautiful picture.”
“Our pastor showed a movie at church entitled Father of Lights, an amazing documentary made by some very ordinary people about equally ordinary people all over the world who are living out extraordinary lives as conduits for the love and power of the God of the Universe,” she explained. “As a physician, I have been privileged in my life to have heard of and been a witness to many, many miracles that defied medical explanations. Nevertheless, this movie simply astounded me!”
Once home, Andrea sequestered herself in her bed, “tremendously humbled and awed by the incredible power of God.
“I entered into perhaps the most honest and sincere worship of my life,” she said. “Why worry about anything? An all-powerful God has all things in his hands! Yes, he has allowed free will, evil and all their awful consequences, but ultimately he prevails.
“During that special time, I was somehow imbued with a strong gift of faith and asked the Lord of everything straight up to take my illness away from me,” she said. “He responded in my mind with an immediate, ‘YES. You will wake up normal.’ A profound sense of love and joy and peace flooded my being.
“Imagine my absolute wonder and delight when I literally sprang out of bed the next morning,” she said. “… and the next …and the next…”
Those who have witnessed her struggle over the years have been amazed at this incredible, instantaneous restoration of function in her life. She is continually being called a “walking miracle.”
The next month, the couple met their two youngest children in Los Angeles, gallivanting all over Disneyland on foot from 8:30 a.m. ’til 11 at night. In October, it was off to Chicago – solo – for her mother’s 89th birthday – more than either could have imagined just weeks before.
“I truly thought I would never again be able to hike, go snorkeling, care for a grand baby unassisted, or a million other things,” she exclaimed, “and here I have a whole new life!”
Their five children and their families were overjoyed at having mom/grandma back to her vivacious, energetic self. Her daughter Rebecca posted on Facebook:
“I have come to make sense of the world through stories,” Rebecca wrote. “The stories God weaves together and apart for us are so divinely arranged and so wonderfully good. I just wanted to tell you again that I will forever be inspired, changed and amazed by the story you have lived and will continue to live out.
“Your light is so bright. I can only hope to emulate that light that comes from the Father in some way. You never cease to remind me that God is good, all the time, and He knows EXACTLY what he is doing at every single moment of our lives.
“You trust when I would crumble. You seek joy in all things. You rejoice in suffering, and you continue to live a meaningful story each day. And, no matter how small or big life may feel, you continue to trust. Love you.”
The Larsons remain somewhat stunned but tremendously grateful, especially to friends and family who have supported them steadfastly in prayer throughout their journey. Adding to the wonder of it all are, at last count, 72 healings that have rippled through their church body at New Hope Foursquare Church since the beginning of June.
“In other parts of the world miracles are common, but not as much in so-called ‘advanced’ countries – or at least people don’t acknowledge them when they occur,” Andrea notes. “It would be hard to express the depth of gratitude I feel for this amazing gift!
“God is on the move – and so are we,” she beamed. “Rob promised me long ago that if I were ever healed, we would take dancing lessons. We are doing just that with three other couples – what fun it is to dance and walk and run and drive!”
“I was more than happy to keep my promise and put on my dancing shoes,” Rob said.
Now, Dr. Andrea is ready to roll up her sleeves – just as soon as she gets her marching orders. She has a feeling her future may involve motivational speaking to community or church groups, organizing a support group for the chronically ill or encouraging others who are struggling in some other way.
“Currently, I am trying to ascertain what the Lord’s plans are for my future,” she said. “I’ve waited this long – what’s a bit more?”
