My Recent Adventure

My Recent Adventure

Looking back to the last week:

Lots of people we've mixed with have had colds or the first phases of the flu. So, I didn't give much thought to being out of breath one day when I was exercising. No pain, no gain, right? You just work through it. That has always worked for me.

Then, I have always had some chest pain, going back to my teens. After many EKGs, stress tests and having atomic waste material injected into my heart, I was told that I probably had scarring on the bag around my heart that might become irritated when I'm getting something.

Sunday night I was taking a one hour study walk. I had walked two hours that morning with no problem. Now I noticed something. My chest felt tight and my jaw was hurting a little. It is amazing what begins to ache when you get the flu. So I kept walking. I also was praying in between the stuff I was working on. I thougt of people I had visited in the hospital who had mentioned symptoms like I was feeling. In all my praying I told the Lord I was ready to go. Maybe the Reading Notes we're my last assignment.

By the time I returned to the house, I had experienced new pains including my back, which never hurts unless I have the flu. Once home I thought of going to the ER, but wonder of wonders, the pain and discomfort vanished. Later it returned and vanished again and I slept like a baby.

Monday morning, the 31st, I walked for two hours with very little problem, but once I was home, the discomfort in my chest and jaw became nagging and wouldn't go away by finding a good position to stretch out. Then the pain left and I thought it might be good to get an appointment for a physical. Then the discomfort returned and I called the Dr's office to see if they could do an EKG (less expensive than the ER). Given my symptoms they told me to go to the ER.

The Baptist hospital has a branch in Collierville, about two minutes away. I told Laura I had better go, she agreed and moved me to the door. I drove.

When I arrived I only had light symptoms and was anticipating this would be a false alarm and a waste of money. They took an EKG which showed that everything as normal, but they drew blood. When my discomfort increased they did another EKG and this one showed something, but the pain went away. When the blood tests came back, they found the tiniest trace of (.75) of an enzyme found with heart attacks, usually around 5. So they began to feed me nitro. The discomfort returned. They gave me morphine to no effect. They put me on heparin, gave me a shot of nitro in my IV and the discomfort only increased. So much for the miracle of medical science. I was actually immune to morphine. Then it got bad, big time. Chest, jaw and back were totally aching. I was sweating and sick to my stomach. Thankfully the garbage can was within reach.

That was the heart attack. Thankfully I was there long enough to show symptoms. Thankfully the lord had me fully medicated when it hit. They began setting up a catheterization, but there wasn't a bed in the main hospital. Suddenly there was a bed and I endured the most distressing ride I have ever taken. Anything you do is no fun, and anything you take doesn't help when you're having a heart attack.

When I was put in a room it seemed like "forever" before they began to do anything. Of course, I had to be admitted. In the meantime the distress subsided, especially if I walked. I actually went through a little "escape" skit that amused a couple friends who were there. I was still convinced a couple Tylenol and some benadryl was all I needed. Then came the EKG and more nitro and morphine and I was resting. I was also told that without any doubts, I was in the middle of a heart attack.

Our pastor visited and prayed with me. There was lots of joking around and I was taken in for the catharization. You're awake during the procedure. This all sounded like science fiction to me. After the doctor had been poking around for a couple minutes I asked when he would start. He was almost done. I saw a bone on the monitor and he told me it was my right knee. Cool! He had found a total blockage in my RCA (right coronary artery), put in a stint and we were done.

Today, January 1, 2013 they are trying me out on different drugs to work with the stint. Also, therapists and dietitians are off today. The Dr. Guerra turned out to be a believer who grew up in Mexico playing soccer in a poor neighborhood. According to him, it was a simple procedure and except for not running and lifting for a week, when I'm released, I can go back to walking 2-3 hours a day immediately .

Laura and I are thankful for how the Lord planned all of this. Having a heart attack, fully medicated in an ER was nice planning. The support of our church was very touching. The few restrictions and quick recovery time is a blessing. Both Laura and I see the Lord's hand in letting me finish the Reading Notes. If this had happened any earlier, it would have kept me from finishing. Now with this thorough check up and stint in place, I'm ready for the next assignment.

Sometimes following the Lord seems vague. Does he really mean what He says? In Philippians 1:21-30 (RSV) Paul says, 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear omen to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict which you saw and now hear to be mine. That wasn't just for Paul. Later in chapter three he says, "let those who are mature be thus minded."

The word and faith keep us from the damage that comes from thinking this life is all there is. Following our Lord in the harvest keeps us strong, balanced and forward looking. Loving the Lord keeps us filled with joy, because one way or the other, when our work here is done, we will see Him.