I reached the hallway and gasped out to my secretary to call 911. I then remember falling to the floor thinking stroke or heart attack, and that this may be it. A picture of my beloved wife, Nancy, and eight-year-old daughter, Shannon, flashed through my mind.

I clearly remember that during this episode I did not panic nor did I feel any fear. The pain left and I lost consciousness. If this had been a death experience, it would not have been all that bad, I thought later. This was before I knew that our fear of death is unfounded; it is simply a transition or passage from this earth plane to the next dimension of existence.

When I opened my eyes, I was looking into the face of a paramedic. I had been unconscious and convulsing for several minutes. One of my friends at work had cleared and maintained my airway until the paramedics arrived. This friend is a former police officer, trained in this lifesaving procedure, and just happened to be in the area. During the ambulance ride to the hospital, paramedics hovered over me holding an I.V as they questioned me to evaluate my disoriented mental responses. All this time I remained calm and thanked God I was alive.

Later, after extensive tests, which included CAT, MRI scans and an angiogram, I was diagnosed as having a brain tumor. I personally knew of three people who had brain tumors: They all died. I was gripped with fear. In the four-week period that followed, I lost 28 of my 171 pounds. In the face of death, so it seemed, I found myself in the dark with nowhere to turn: I surrendered to God and He was there to comfort me and help me take my first step into theight.

It happened one morning in a moment of despair. I slowly lowered my head and quietly uttered these few words, "I give up, Lord, I can’t take this any longer. My life is yours: If I come out of this, I commit it to you." At that very instant, I felt an inflow of love such as I have never before known. I felt a joyous, peaceful calm spread throughout my body and tears of happiness rolled down my face. In human terms, this emotion was magnified in such a way that it is impossible to adequately describe. I knew, without a doubt, that everything was going to be all right. I subsequently proceeded through brain surgery with relatively little fear.

The surgeon discovered that the tumor was an "astrocytoma type" that characteristically has microscopic tentacles that extend into the brain. The tumor, which was a low grade type, was deemed inoperable. The surgeon, therefore, removed only part of it, opting against radical invasive surgery, which probably would have left me seriously impaired both physically and mentally.

I left the hospital with a prognosis of three to five years to live, at best, and a continuing seizure disorder. However, this was when my actual recovery began. It was a spiritual as well as a physical healing. I was no longer skeptical of spiritual phenomena because I had been shown that God’s love is the essence of life. I wondered; had I been touched by an angel?

A chain of circumstances led me to the Church Of Religious Science in Huntington Beach, California. I honestly did not know where this would lead, but I intuitively knew it was right for me.

It proved to be the springboard for my continuing spiritual journey. What followed was an almost daily diet of reading, study, prayer, meditation, plus attending classes and seminars on self-healing and alternative healing choices.

During my study of metaphysical principles, coupled with parallel study of the teachings of Jesus Christ, I began to gain a sense of truth, awareness and inner awakening. And as soon as I was able I found myself reaching out to assist other cancer victims and their care-givers. My prayers and meditations during that time were directed toward my own self-healing, as well as theirs.

One year, after my first recovery, I was forced to quit work due to a seizure disorder. My familyand I moved to the small community of Forest Falls, California. I soon bonded with a spiritual healing group in the Unity Church of Yucaipa, California. There, in the mountain setting of our new home, I continued to heal. I also continued my service to others as a volunteer member of Hospice. Up to that point, my condition remained stable; there was no tumor growth. This was evidenced by a follow-up MRI. In December of 1993, opting against full head radiation or radical invasive surgery, my neurologist introduced me to a relatively new procedure that could remove the tumor without the use of invasive surgery; Gamma Knife surgery performed by the Neurosciences Institute At Good Samaritan Hospital. I elected to go ahead with the procedure.

Follow-up MRI and PET scans a year later revealed that the tumor was essentially dead, but due to its large size, had not disintegrated and dissolved. I agreed to have another major brain surgery, which was to include an experimental protocol, "Immunotherapy." At a spiritual level I was assured that this was the right decision and that the surgery would be successful.

That last surgery took place in March 1994. In January 1999 it will have been eleven years since the original incident, with no sign of recurrence. My doctors are elated. In fact, articles have been written in two separate journals highlighting my case. However, I am still challenged with side-effects which include the continued need for anticonvulsant medication and partial paralysis of my left arm and hand. (I am getting good at typing with one hand.) A small price to pay. I am truly blessed. I continue therapy, prayer, and meditation with creative visualization.

I began to feel a compelling urge to express myself in writing; something I had not before attempted. Four years ago my family and I relocated to a rural area near the small town of Eureka, Montana, which is offering the perfect environment. Our modest lakeside home is set against the forest, and we are often graced with serene sunrises and sunsets.

Insofar as creative writing is concerned, I was a novice at best. But I did have many ideas and the desire to participate in elevating the consciousness of humanity and promoting peace on earth and goodwill among men. In pursuit of this endeavor, I authored a novel entitled "Second Chance." My book expresses my feelings and beliefs in the inner realms of psychic intuition and the spiritually supernatural. I have been blessed to experience these phenomena and it has truly transformed my life. I have been given a "SECOND CHANCE." I have learned that the power of healing; body, mind and spirit,lies within each of us.

I pray, that by my book, which I offer free over the internet, I have been able to represent the many people whose lives have been similarly transformed, as well as to send a ray of hope to others. I chose a fiction story format, hoping to entertain and, at the same time, make a positive statement as to the importance of love and family. And also the future of mankind; both on and "beyond" our planet earth. In continuance of this effort I am nearing completion of my next book "A New Beginning- The Story Of A Brain Tumor Survivor." The intent of this book, which will detail my spiritual journey and story of survival is intended to provide inspiration and guidance to others. By the grace of God I go.

Submitted by Daniel Ovist