You've heard the stories of the impossible happening. Someone recovers from a disease and doctors can't explain why.
Now a recent study shows an overwhelming majority of people, including doctors, believe in medical miracles and many think religion plays a big part in these miracles.
We talked to an Upstate man who is living proof miracles do happen and his doctor to find out why.
According to some people, Bill Pitts shouldn't be here. He's walking a life path he never thought possible and he's been given a second chance to try a passion he'd only ever dreamed about.
Bill Pitts says, "I appreciate every day and I thank God for each day he gives me. I look at life a lot different today than I did in earlier years."
You see Bill Pitts has stage four colon cancer. Three years ago he stopped all his treatments to live out his last days enjoying time with his family and his art.
Pitts says, "When I first got the news I was devastated. Medically speaking I am not supposed to be here, but here I am."
According to his doctor, Dr. Steve Courso, Pitts is a medical miracle.
He says, "He was here just last month and he looks great. we can't see any signs of the cancer in him."
Dr. Courso says no one can figure out why these miracles happen. They are unexplainable by modern science.
Dr. Courso admits, "I don't have a medical explanation. I just simply smile and realize God's presence is in these patients."
At Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, Chaplain Carson Rogerson says he's seen cases like Bill Pitts before. He says he believes the miracles may occur when a persons mind, body and soul all get in line.
Chaplain Rogerson says, " There is evidence to say a person who has practices of their faith whether it be prayer or meditation or some kind of worship attendance tend to have stronger immune systems. They certainly have a hope that would sustain them in difficult times."
There is some proof supporting healing power of prayer. A study done at Pacific College of Medicine found that people who received prayer were six times less likely to be hospitalized than those who didn't have someone praying for them.
However, Dr. Courso says medical miracles are rare and there are often people of faith who have lived good lives that end up asking why time runs out for them.
Dr. Steve Courso, "I really encourage folks to try not to spend too much time asking why me, try not to spend too much time worrying about how much time you have . I think our real challenge is to make the best of the time that's been given to us."
He says, for him, those are some of the greatest miracles. People who leave this world at peace with themselves and the time they've had here.
As for Bill Pitts, he says he doesn't know how many days he has left and he doesn't want to know.
He says, "At some point they have done all they can do and at that point I believe is when God takes over in your life and that is the point I am at right now."
He's just going to live each moment like it may be his last.
Pitts says, "Even the worst stormy day is a beautiful day to me."
According to national survey, 72 percent of doctors believe miracles have occurred compared to 86 percent of the general public.
Today, 70 percent of physicians and 85 percent of general public believe a miracle is possible now.
When asked about prayer, 54 percent of doctors say they pray for their patients to get better.
Check the links below for studies on medical miracles.
The two studies were conducted by HCD Research during December 5-7 among 1,100 physicians, and 854 members of the general public to obtain their perceptions of faith, prayer and miracles in the medical field and everyday life.
Study by Duke University on benefits of Prayer
One hundred and fifty patients with acute coronary insufficiency at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center were enrolled in the prospective, randomized study from April 1997 to April 1998. All were scheduled for invasive cardiac procedures based on their clinical needs. In a five-way randomization, all patients were assigned (in equal distribution) to coronary stenting with standard care or to coronary stenting plus one of the following therapies: guided imagery, stress relaxation, healing touch or intercessory prayer. Of the 120 patients assigned noetic interventions, 118 (98 percent) completed the therapeutic assignment.
Duke University study on how faith can play a role in healing.
The role of religious faith in healing is so important, Koenig says, that he believes physicians should obtain spiritual histories as part of their medical and social histories. Such a history could be used to find out how patients cope with illness, the sort of support systems available to them, and any strongly held beliefs that might influence medical care.
British medical Journal study finds prayer by others helped people in the hospital even though patients didn’t know they were being prayed for.
Two randomised controlled trials of remote intercessory prayer (praying for persons unknown) showed a beneficial effect in patients in an intensive coronary care unit
A recent systematic review found that 57% of the randomised, placebo controlled trials of distant healing showed a positive treatment effect
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