Heart Attack. The word probably brings to mind some movie in which a man, clearly over doing it, clutches his chest with a pained face, pauses, and falls to the ground, and in moments, dead. I can't recall a movie involving a woman suffering from a heart attack, even though the number of women dying from cardiovascular disease has been more than men since 1984 (American Heart Association).
Mine was not movie-scripted. It was real. It could have been caught sooner. Thank God it was caught before it was too late. And I am 35 years old. It can happen anytime, any age.
My symptoms were typical, if not immediately identified: pain or pressure in chest, sweating, and a burning sensation above the stomach (hence my initial response of antiacids). But the pain/pressure would not go away.
Some things I did, of course, in hindsight, were really stupid. I mowed the yard in the cool of the morning, even though I did not feel fully up to it. I dropped Patrick off at Amanda's work and drove myself to the emergency room.
It did not take too long to diagnose a significant cardiac event being evident at the hospital. The EKG came back unusual, and I remember feeling relief when the doctor announced, "You are currently having a heart attack." A rush to the cardiac catherization lab followed, and in less than an hour, the persistent pain was gone and I was recovering in an intensive care room. It was only later on Friday evening (July 15) that I was told I would have been dead that evening if I had not brought myself to the hospital. The other news of the day? There was an older blockage that had happened earlier in my life, never treated.
I know beyond doubt that in my moment of desperate need, I was lifted up and placed safely to recover from this near-tragic experience. I had already changed my habits towards more healthy lifestyle with increased exercise and weight loss (20 pounds since January!). My path had only recently crossed another heart attack victim who described similar symptoms. I had regained individual health insurance after an allergic reaction earlier in the year sent me substantial medical bills. Since my own father died of heart disease at the age of 46, I knew I was highly likely to suffer from a heart condition. I knew when to go seek help and that is what I did. I also had a beyond natural experience of someone yelling my name clearly without being there. There are too many acts and events of intervention prior to my heart attack to simply say "coincidence."
I was released home on Sunday (an excellent day for pastors to be released from hospitals!), and I came home with a cholesterol-lowering medication, a heart-failure recovery medication, a angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor medication, and an anti-clot medication, plus aspirin. Prior to Friday, I was taking no medications. Now, I will be on some of these medications the rest of my life.
A lot of things have changed since Friday, July 15, 2011. I will probably refer to my life prior to Friday as Before Friday, and my life since as After Friday.
Before Friday, I was an aggressive over-achiever who could not say "no" to any passionate cause or activity. I was over scheduled (who isn't these days?) working on the next event, cause, or activity. I would rather be "busy" than "bored."
After Friday, I realize that I should have said "no" more often, neglected at times what truly was important, and spent too much time on some things that do not really matter as much. I do not have to be "busy" to be successful or effective. I should not feel guilty for slowing down. I know I have "natural" limits and must abide within them from now on. I have more tests and assessments (including treatment of the older blockage) in the near future. Some things must and will wait.
I am thankful for the many hands of prayer, help, and concern expressed and shared during my recent medical "event." It is truly humbling to realize how extensive my life has touched the lives of others. I am glad I am still around to read and listen to each one. God bless you All.
