I am sending this account of another big favor received through Pedro’s intercession. I had written on the website to ask for prayers for a friend, and I would now like to share the wonderful outcome as a gesture of gratitude.
A month ago, through the website of Pedro Ballester, I asked for prayers for a dear friend who lives with me in a center of Opus Dei. She had earlier been diagnosed with stage 0 breast carcinoma and had undergone a mastectomy. Later, doctors discovered a fast-growing mass in her pancreas. She was also being monitored for possible uterine cancer, a known side effect of tamoxifen.
Faced with all this uncertainty, I immediately turned to Pedro Ballester, whom I am deeply convinced is a saint.
The gynecology doctor requested tumor marker tests for both uterine and pancreatic cancer. I asked Pedro to intercede – that the results be normal. And they were! However, the surgeon explained that tumor markers alone could not rule out malignancy, so a biopsy was necessary.
She underwent an endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy of the pancreas. But because the mass was surrounded by blood vessels, the procedure was too risky, and the surgeon had to stop. It was disheartening – after all the expense and effort, there were still no answers.
The next option was a CT-guided biopsy. Since there was no other choice, she agreed. Providence again showed kindness: instead of a CT-scan, the doctors were able to perform the biopsy safely using ultrasound guidance, which made it less costly. Once again, I prayed to Pedro – that the biopsy be benign. And it was!
Still, surgery could not be avoided, as the mass continued to grow. Around this time, another concern surfaced—the financial burden. My friend’s health insurance was already exhausted, and we were certain she could no longer avail of additional coverage. The estimated cost of the operation could reach nearly a million pesos.
We again turned to Pedro for help, asking him to intercede that the necessary funds might somehow be provided. One of the doctors on the team, a close friend, generously agreed to waive her professional fees – a first sign of grace.
Then came the unexpected news: my friend’s company approved full coverage of the expenses as part of her medical benefits, separate from her health insurance. It was a tremendous relief and another unmistakable favor from Heaven!
As for the surgery itself, there was yet another providential gift. A visiting robotic surgeon from Thailand, well-known for her expertise, happened to be at the hospital. The team offered to perform a robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, which meant smaller incisions and faster recovery.
I asked Pedro for three specific favors: 1st, that the procedure remain laparoscopic and not become an open surgery; 2nd, that the final biopsy confirm the mass was benign, and 3rd, that the operation not take too long.
After a 12-hour surgery, my friend did not have to undergo an open procedure. She was able to go home after just six days, and the 3-cm mass turned out to be benign!
Thank God for His mercy – and thank you, Pedro, for your powerful prayers!
Warm regards,
MM (Manila, Philippines)
6 October 2025