Kyzer Williamson is a bundle of curls and energy.

Yet, the rambunctious 2-year-old is a testimony to the powers of modern medicine and prayer.

When Kyzer was three weeks old, he was diagnosed with an extremely rare heart defect – anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery from the aorta.

&uot;His was the seventh case reported like it in the world,&uot; said his mother, Stephanie Ramagos Williamson, a former Natchez resident.

Kyzer underwent a hemitruncas repair at Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. &uot;To us, the heart surgery was wonderful,&uot; she said. &uot;We never worried about his heart.&uot;

But shortly after the surgery, Kyzer developed an infection which required four additional surgeries.

&uot;His chest was open for three weeks,&uot; Williamson said. &uot;The doctor saved his life two times then.&uot;

And so did prayer.

&uot;We had prayer chains going everywhere … and our priest was wonderful.&uot;

Williamson and her husband, Chris, were living in Brandon with the eldest son Reid when Kyzer was born. A new priest had been assigned to their church less than a month before Kyzer was diagnosed with the defect.

&uot;Every day he was there,&uot; Williamson said. &uot;He baptized Kyzer in the hospital and performed the anointing of the sick (a sacrament).&uot;

Kyzer survived that ordeal, and his primary physician went on to write a paper about the case.

Two years later, though, their faith was tested again. On Super Bowl Sunday of this year, Kyzer was in an accident that left him comatose for several days.

Williamson credits her mother,&160;Lurie Salvo Ramagos of Natchez, with helping save Kyzer’s life. &uot;The morning of Kyzer’s accident, she was getting ready to return to Natchez, but insisted on her good-bye kiss from him,&uot; Williamson said. &uot;Her quick response – I’m not sure if it was the Granny instinct or the nurse – saved his life.

&uot;The paramedics were quick to arrive, but if Mama would not have been here, neither would Kyzer.&uot;

Kyzer spent 10 days in Blair Hospital, once again, but regained consciousness without no apparent long-term effects from the coma.

&uot;He was supposed to be paralyzed from the brain swelling (and related problems) but none of that has happened,&uot; Williamson said. &uot;The doctors were wonderful … the prayer is what saved him.&uot;

And for anyone who doubts the power of prayer? &uot;If they know Kyzer, they (believe) now.&uot;