Heart Disease and Me

The morning of June 28, 2022 was a beautiful day. It seemed like a nice morning for an outdoor walk. I met a friend at the Greenway. Before we walked the length of the parking lot, my body broke out in a cold sweat. I was feeling nauseous, light headed and both of my arms felt heavy, I realized I did not need to do the walk.

I had been having chest pain almost every morning for a month. The pain would start around 9:00 and last for 15-20 minutes, then ease off and not hurt again the rest of the day. I had a complete cardiac workup in December 2021, and passed a stress test, and echocardiogram. On April 11th, the Cardiologist dismissed me. He told me, “You have bad genetics, but you yourself do not present a single marker that would indicate to me that you would ever have a cardiac event.” I was also being treated for asthma during this time. When experiencing shortness of breath and tightness in my chest, I would use my rescue inhaler never expecting I was having heart issues.

I drove myself home from the Greenway and my husband was there waiting to take me to the hospital. By the time we arrived, the pain was terrible. It felt like a 600 lb. gorilla was squeezing my chest. The doctor told me, “Ma’am your EKG indicates you are having a significant heart event right now and things are going to start happening really fast.” This was so confusing and it felt like I was in a twilight zone.

Greg and I looked at each other in shock. I eat healthy, exercise regularly and take good care of myself. How could this be happening to ME? The only words I said were, “I don’t even eat bacon!”

They transported me to the main hospital where the Cath Lab was ready and the medical staff was awaiting my arrival. The doctor was able to place a stent in my LAD which was 99% blocked. Yes, I survived the “widow-maker!” The doctor told us the flow of blood through my main artery was the diameter of a single human hair. They also found a 50% blockage in another artery and that is still being treated with medication.

Have you ever thought about how you’d feel if you were staring death in the face? I was incredibly calm and talked to God as I do every day. I told God, “I’d really like to see my grandchildren grow up. I don’t want to leave Greg this way, and didn’t think my life would end this early, but if it is my time, I’m ready and accept it.” Praise God He is not done with me here on earth and every new morning is very precious. The first several weeks, mornings were the most emotional time of day for me. I no longer take little things for granted. We knew God had a purpose for me and that my work on earth was not done. “Thank you for a new day of life” are my first words every morning.

It’s hard to have a bad attitude, when you start your day with gratitude.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord,
‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you a hope and a future.’”
Jeremiah 29:11