Musician Gives Up Pride, Gets His Healing

In his nearly 30-year career as a french horn player, Duane Dugger has performed in orchestras across the country. But in 2005, he began experiencing excruciating pain in his jaw.

Duane says, “It's like somebody took two ice picks and went into both sides like this.”

Later, he learned it was TMJ.

Duane says, “It is the kiss of death for a brass player. I couldn't move my jaw. Everything was just frozen and tired and really was not sounding very good at all.”

Duane saw a number of doctors and specialists looking for relief, and a solution.  Chiropractor Kelley King remembers treating him.

Dr. King says, “We usually measure the jaw and how many fingers you can put in your jaw, so a normal jaw the person should put three fingers in, uh he, a lot of times, would come in with a one finger or a two finger open. Eventually he was probably going to have to hang up his horn.”

Duane says, “But I didn't accept it, I think because of my ego you know, I’m thinking, ‘Oh, I can fix this.  I got this.  I'm this great musician. I can do this all on my own.’"

Duane’s wife Gina prayed, trusting God had the answer.

Gina remembers, “I knew God was in control and that everything was going to be okay no matter what direction he took us in.”

Duane remembers, “I didn't know where to turn, I didn't know what to do.  I knew God could heal, uh but I hadn't really fully surrendered it.”

For the next 4 years Duane played through the pain, getting by on medication, steroid injections, and rehab. But eventually the pain in his jaw became too much.

Gina remembers, “He couldn't even open his jaw to put food in his mouth.”

Duane says, “All my doctors were telling me, ‘you're done.  We can't fix you anymore.’”

Then, Duane was told his career was over.

Duane says, “My TMJ doctor said, ‘Bring in your disability papers and I'll sign them.’ All of a sudden I’m in complete panic mode. ‘What am I going to do?’  You know, I've got these – beautiful wife, I've got beautiful kids, you know, how am I going to take care of them?"  

Finally, Duane realized he needed to pray and trust God.

Duane remembers, “I said, ‘God, I can't do it. I cannot do it anymore.  I tried to do everything myself all the time.  I can't do it, you're the only person who can do this.’ I really felt like I heard him say, ‘Surrender.  Surrender.  I will take care of you.  You-you've got to quit doing this yourself.’  And I heard him, audible voice, saying, ‘Trust me.’"

Duane decided to take 6 months off to rest and seek God. While at Church, people began praying for him.

Duane remembers, “People wound find me in the lobby, ‘Hey, can I pray for you, can I pray for your jaw?  Can I – can I lay my hands on you.’"

Gina remembers, “Seeing our church body come together that way and support us and say, ‘We're going to stand with you through this’ uh was incredible.”

One day at Church, after some people prayed, Duane noticed a change.

Duane says, “I'm like, ‘oh man, this all of a sudden doesn't hurt and I didn’t take any medication.’ I can move my jaw again, you know, this is crazy."

Over the next couple of weeks, Duane’s jaw strengthened.

Duane says, “I could eat whatever I want, I could chew whatever I want.”

Gina says, “He kept getting better and better and better.”

The final test came when Duane decided to try to play his horn – 2 months after putting it down.

Duane remembers, “I still in the back of my head was scared.  I didn't know what to expect. And so the first time I picked it up, I played it, and I thought, ‘Wow.’”

Months later, Duane was back to playing full time in the orchestra.

Gina says, “I mean, it was like he was back at full capacity, like nothing had ever happened.”

Dr. King states, “Well, obviously it's a phenomena that's unexplainable.  So that's why we attribute it to a miracle healing.”

Today, Duane performs with the Cincinnati Symphony.

Gina says, “I don't think people realize the power behind prayer if you don't, you should because it doesn't cost you anything but a little bit of time.”

Duane says, “I have people coming up to me at work and just like ‘Wow.  I never thought you'd be like this again.’ Cause God just restored everything and then some.”