On Tuesday 10/15 at about 2:15 in the afternoon, I began experiencing pain between the shoulder blades. Two days earlier, I had a similar episode that lasted nearly 2 hours & left me exhausted, but it passed. This time, it intensified & pushed forward to my chest, radiating out to both arms, particularly the left, but only to the elbows. After Mom prayed with me, I consulted with the clinic where my doctor practices & decided to go to the ER. (I have to feel like I’m dying to do that!)
Arriving at 6 p.m., it was 9 p.m. by the time I was informed that I had a heart attack. I was admitted to the hospital & administered Heparin (a blood thinner) for the symptoms, which slowly subsided. An angiogram showed a rare condition the cardiologist called a dissected artery. The inside layer of an artery near the heart separates to obstruct blood flow, which stresses the pump & causes the pain. The prognosis is GOOD; the condition will heal, eventually, on its own. The patient is not stented, but placed on blood thinners for 1 year so the flow will not be impeded while the vessel heals. The condition is found in women more than men — the doctor said that in 30 years of practice, I am the 3rd man he has treated for it. I always knew I was a bit weird; this just bears it out!
Before being released Friday morning, he told me my heart is strong & my vessels are otherwise clear & healthy, with no evidence of plaque or clots. I thank the Lord for that! As I told them at the ER & in my room later, I have no problem with death — it just means I’m going to be with Jesus — but I REALLY dislike pain. On a scale of 1 to 10, at its worst my pain was a 12 for nearly 90 minutes. I have no desire to repeat that feeling!
Anyway, that’s why my story & my blog have been neglected in recent days. I’m doing better now. It’s satisfying that my lifestyle & dietary habits IN NO WAY contributed to this event (not just my opinion, but the doctor’s, as well; I asked!) Not many people are told that! My Master had a purpose for allowing this event to take place, He assured me, & I believe Him. If He uses me in a way that seems rough or careless, He doesn’t do so frivolously. I have a son. When he is in pain, it hurts me to see it; so I have an idea how it rends His heart when we cry out to Him. Like Jesus, who suffered more than I ever will, GOOD will come out of what I have to endure, even if I don’t see it yet. The time will come when He will show it to me proudly, His arm around my shoulders. I can wait for that — barely!