Eyewitnessed: Believe What You Cannot See

By Patrick Clark Sims

A cover up of one of the worst environmental disasters in the history of the United States took place at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina from 1957 to 1987. An estimated one million Marines and families were exposed to multiple sources of unregulated chemicals discovered in base drinking water systems. One specific chemical was benzene, a gasoline additive, which is a carcinogen known to cause cancer. One point one million gallons of gasoline leaked into the drinking water. This has been the subject of at least three congressional hearings over the last few years. Numerous documents containing explosive information have been unearthed.

Another chemical was Trichloroethylene (TCE), a chlorinated solvent in fire extinguishers, aerosol propellants, degreasers, cleaning solutions, paint thinners, pesticides, and glues to name a few.

Who took on the Defense Department, Congress and powerful special interests on Capitol Hill to expose this needless atrocity?
How has one Marine survived for 30 years with diagnosis of renal failure, kidney dialysis, congestive heart failure, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, and various other catastrophic illnesses from his exposure? In the words of one news reporter, He was getting ready to fight battles overseas and never dreamed his real fight would come from the water. We were drinking it, cooking in it, bathing in it and just absorbing it through the body."
Eyewitnessed is inspirational, motivational, and informational - with a tiny bit of humor. Follow one African-American family in this unending saga - coping as victims of the Camp Lejeune contaminated water cover up.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477277959

Patrick Clark Sims

Patrick Clark Sims has been married to her junior high school sweetheart, Bishop Sims, for 36 years. They have three daughters, one son, five granddaughters and five grandsons. Co-author of Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude 2012 Edition with Donna Kozik (An Amazon Best Seller) Co-author of Food Memories with Cynthia MacGregor (An e-book) Co-hosted The Voice of the Spirit weekly television broadcast Co-hosted The Voice of the Spirit radio broadcast on American Family Radio (AFR) Co-founder of Manna Ministries’ (Kingdom Designs & Services) Co-pastor for 30 years MEDIA CREDITS: The internationally syndicated ‘X’ Zone Radio Show– Ontario Canada Darkness Radio KTLK – Minneapolis/St.Paul, Minnesota EXPERIENCE: ? 21 years as an agent and agency specialist in the insurance industry ? 7 years as first line security and shift supervisor for government contractor ? 4 years teaching in public and private school systems

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© 2012 by Patrick Clark Sims. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/09/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-7805-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-7795-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012918741

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

This book is intended to be inspirational, motivational and informational. The author is expressing her opinion and viewpoints and shall not be held liable to any person or entity for any incidental or consequential damages caused directly or indirectly by the distribution of this book. The author is not engaged in the dispensation of psychological, legal or any other professional advice.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1 The if in Life

Chapter 2 Exposure to Contaminants

Chapter 3 The Wonder Years

Chapter 4 Contaminants Identified

Chapter 5 The Genesis

Chapter 6 The Military Exodus

Chapter 7 Back to the Magnolia

Chapter 8 Jesus Visits the ICU

Chapter 9 The Three Hundred Dollar Pole

Chapter 10 The Entrance of Thymoglobulin

Chapter 11 Unbelievable Body Fluid

Chapter 12 Resuming Dialysis

Chapter 13 He Felt Like Jell-O

Chapter 14 Grandmama Trauma

Chapter 15 Brain Surgery

Chapter 16 Salvation and a Prize Pig

Chapter 17 Nothing but The Blood!

Chapter 18 Introducing Seizures

Chapter 19 Nightmare on 1⁴th Street

Chapter 20 Destination: UAB

Chapter 21 Respiratory Arrest and Defining Moments

Chapter 22 New Birth on the ⁷th Floor

Chapter 23 Angel in Disguise

Chapter 24 Pull the Plug

Chapter 25 When Surrounded by Many Enemies, Sing

Chapter 26 Resurrection of an Elderly Man

Chapter 27 On the Third Day

Chapter 28 More Death Sentences: One for Ken, One for Grandmother

Chapter 29 Unstoppable

Chapter 30 Heavenly Minded, Earthly Good

Chapter 31 The Job Syndrome: One Bad Report after Another

Chapter 32 The Fifty-Five Mile an Hour Motor Cycle Crash

Chapter 33 Nerf Football Sized Kidney

Chapter 34 It wasn’t Really about Grits and Eggs

Chapter 35 Home Again, Sort of

Chapter 36 A Dove in the Chapel

Chapter 37 A Walk Down Memory Lane

Chapter 38 Coded Messages

Chapter 39 Be Still

Chapter 40 Same Song, Third Verse

Chapter 41 A Figment of His Imagination

Chapter 42 Oklahoma, Where the Wind Comes Sweeping Down the Plain

Chapter 43 Through a Storm

Chapter 44 Life: a Series of Tests

Chapter 45 Music from a Dead Man

Chapter 46 Believe What You Cannot See

Chapter 47 All Things are Possible

Chapter 48 Adding Insult to Injury

APPENDIX Patrick, Acid and Glass

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my husband, Kenneth. Thank you for your support and for allowing this intrusion into your personal life. You have always been such a private person, yet so willing to help me obey the Lord. In my mind, I can see where I was sitting in that hospital room when the Lord encouraged me to start keeping a journal to write this book. I had no idea how much more challenging our lives would become. I believe many will benefit from witnessing your silent pain. A picture really is worth a thousand words. I have watched you grow into such an exemplary man of God: the prophet, king and priest of our household. I admire your stand, your strength and your undying determination. I have never witnessed anything else like it, in a natural man. Thank you for your daily prayers and watching over me. You know how much I love you! We will finish our course!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you Jesus for your divine guidance.

All my children: in many ways, you have also helped me to write this book. God really blessed me with you.

To my daughter, KaShanta: I am so thankful that you possess a warrior’s heart. You amaze me. Now I have a hero and a heroine in my family to look up to.

Kamilia, Karmetrick, and Janyatta, I am thankful to be your mother and appreciate the many giftings and talents that have been bestowed upon you. Always use them to bring glory to God.

Ashlynn, Sharaeveon, Jarah, Alexandria, Amiyah, Karmelo, Malachi, Maxwell, Autumn and Braxton: You don’t know how precious you are to me. My consistent prayer is that you will continue our godly legacy to your children some day. I love you all so much!

Kidney dialysis patients: take courage.

Finally, thank you to every veteran who faithfully served America and to those soldiers who continue to do so. God bless you! God bless America.

FOREWORD

In the introduction, the author, Patrick Sims, writes, Though I never had a desire to author a book, the Holy Spirit impressed me to do so immediately after my husband underwent brain surgery in September of 2003. Her words remind me of the story of Moses. Moses did not feel confident with words. The Lord called Moses to go back to Egypt and talk to Pharaoh about letting the Israelites go. Oh, Lord, said Moses, "I’m just not a good speaker. I never have been, and I’m not now, even after you have spoken to me: (Exodus 4:10). Therefore, when God told him to speak to Pharaoh, Moses suggested that He send someone else, his brother Aaron. God pointed out that He was the one who created mouths with which to speak. He promised to help Moses speak well and even tell him what to say (Exodus 4:11-12). Although Moses felt very inadequate and unworthy, he listened to God.

Patrick Sims, like Moses, did not feel that she could use her words to write a book. Yet, she was obedient and followed God’s instruction to tell about her husband’s experiences so that others may know of God’s great healing power. Thus, Kenneth’s story, as told by Patrick magnifies God and leaves no doubt about His words, Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up (James 5:13-15). This book is truly a testimony!

Judy Neale, Ph.D.

Lawton, Oklahoma

INTRODUCTION

Into Each Life a Little Rain Must Fall,

but in Some Lives, There are Tsunamis

Every life is a book. Some are brief and sweet. Others may be lengthy and extremely bitter. Over the years, I witnessed a vast number of profound miracles involving my family and myself. Though I never had a desire to author a book, the Holy Spirit impressed me to do so immediately after my husband, Kenneth underwent brain surgery in September of 2003. Many details of that miraculous adventure have been shared here from my journal and other evidence.

You’ve heard the old adage: Into each life, a little rain must fall. Well, I’ve felt a need to add