A Thankful Heart
“Don’t you think it would be good to do some cardiac studies?” I asked my doctor. “There are a lot of cardiac issues on my Dad’s side of the family. I feel fine, but maybe we should just get a good baseline checkup.”
“Good idea!” she said. “Although everything looks fine, you are at an age where we can do a stress test and give you a good checkup. Your cholesterol, blood pressure and EKG look good.”
Within a few days, I was on a treadmill with dozens of electrodes attached from head to toe.
“Now we are going to gradually speed up the treadmill and incline it too. If you feel any pain or discomfort, just let us know immediately.”
About the time that little annoying pain, that originated in the middle of my back and radiated down the back side of both arms began, the technician asked if I felt ok.
“Yep,” I said. “I’m just having a pain in my back. Had it for a while. It feels like a pinched nerve.”
“I think you need to stop now,” he said. “We will just inject medication to complete the rest of the stress test.”
It looks like you might have a slight blockage,” the cardiologist stated. “If you do, we will just stent the vessels and you’ll be good as new.”
I was scheduled for a cardiac catheterization.
When the dye was injected, I saw the image on the monitor and at the same time, saw the look on the cardiologist’s face.
“Looks like you are not going anywhere fast,” he said. “You’ll be going into surgery.”
I guess it was best that it happened so fast. I didn’t have time to get nervous or worry. I didn’t have time to think about it.
Especially when I later found out that I had four blockages. A one hundred, two ninety-five and one eighty percent blockage.
I wouldn’t have been here much longer.
It’s a tough surgery. It’s extremely hard to go through. But I’m still here. Two years later.
I’m thankful for the surgeons and medical staff that took such good care of me. I’m thankful for my family and friends that helped me get through it all. When I open my eyes every morning, I’m excited to see another day.
And I’m thankful for every day.
From the mind of me.
