I want to share with you a very personal story today. It's about my father.

Towards the end of 2003, my father was hospitalized because of an asthma attack.

At first, the doctors told us that there was nothing to worry about – they just had to run a few routine tests and he would be free to go home. However, his condition rapidly deteriorated and we were told that there had been some major complications and they were doing their best to figure out what was wrong with him.

Soon, my dad lost so much weight that he was reduced to just skin and bones, rendering him completely bedridden. weeks went by, then months… and yet the doctors couldn't tell us what was happening to him and why.

Then one day, in March 2004, we received a call from the hospital – my dad had just had a heart attack.

I remember that I felt so afraid and helpless… because I thought he was going to die.

When we reached the hospital, the doctors told us that he was resting in the intensive care unit. They finally figured out what he was suffering from – a very rare illness called Churg-Strauss Syndrome, where the body started attacking itself.

There's no known cure and my father had to be on expensive, long term medication for the rest of his life.

“How long does he have to live?” I asked the doctor solemnly.

“If he pulls through tonight and the next few weeks… 3 to 5 years tops,” he replied.

“Oh…” There was deep sadness and hopelessness in my voice.

*****

It was 2007… my father had been in remission for 3 years, thanks to an expensive cocktail of medicine. One day, he stopped taking the medicine because he felt he was being a burden to my family. The illness hit hard and fast… and he couldn't get out of bed and was hospitalized again.

“Is this it?” I asked myself as I remembered the doctor's words… “3 to 5 years tops”

I was caught in a tough dilemma… I was in a dead-end job working 12-14 hours a day… so I could help pay for his expensive medicine but if anything were to happen to my dad, I knew I would most likely regret not being able to spend enough time with him.

Hence, I made the biggest decision of my life… I left my job so I could stay home and help look after my dad. There were many questions in my mind like “How would I be able to pay the bills” etc. but I just relied on blind faith and believed that everything was going to be all right.

*****

Today (19 May 2010), we celebrated my father's 60th birthday and yesterday, my parents' 30th wedding anniversary.

It's been 3 years since I left my job to work from home. Sure there had been plenty of ups and downs… especially in the beginning… but if you have read the article “How I made S$103,789.85 in revenue from Affiliate Marketing in 2009” on my other blog (on internet marketing), you would know that I'm doing pretty okay.

So, who said miracles don't happen?

If you're going through a tough time now, I just want you to know that in the end, everything is going to be all right. If miracles can happen in my life, I'm sure it can happen in yours as well!

Just keep on believing…

Note: I originally sent this out as an email to my personal development newsletter subscribers on 19th May 2010 and decided to share it here now because I received many emails telling me that this true story has given them much hope. Feel free to leave a comment/bookmark/stumble/facebook/tweet/share it with anyone who needs to believe again =)