3 John 1:2 (ASV) Dear friend, I am praying that everything prosper with you and that you be in good health, as I know you are prospering spiritually.
I had gone to bed around 9:00 pm on November 18, 2020. I was relieved to be home with our son and my husband. I was thankful to have the privilege to sleep in my own bed. Falling asleep, surrounded by these blessings, was easy. Around 2:00 am, though, I awoke to a pounding around my heart. The acidic burning was primarily gone, and a heavy squeezing and 14 pound hammer pounding had replaced it. The uncomfortable pressure had grown constant, and I knew even if I could, I should not return to sleep.
I got up from my bed and snatched my phone and my eye glasses from the night stand. There was no need to wake my husband until I had figured out this latest pain and what it meant. My habit of waking up in the early hours usually spans between 1:00 am through 3:00 am. Upon rising, I meditate, journal, and randomly open three separate Bibles. I then begin reading either from the left or right hand side until a verse or verses touch my spirit. I write these key verses into my journal and meditate on how they apply to my life or the life of family, friends, and our nation. If I sense a great importance to the verse meanings and life’s struggles, I underline and record the dates in my Bibles. All three versions bear the dates and underlining. Most mornings, after about one hour’s meditation, I receive a sense of peace and return to my bed – my husband still sleeping and unaware I have left.
On this night I neither received a sense of peace nor did I return to bed. Instead, I tidied my reading materials and went upstairs to the master bathroom. I knew I would be back in the ER shortly and I wanted to be ready. After taking a shower, I put on clean clothes, applied make up, and braided my hair. From prior experiences in hospitals, I remembered the uncomfortable feeling of straggling hair wisping across my face and a longing for freshly brushed teeth. I descended the stairs one more time.
Due to the pandemic restrictions I was not assured I could be admitted into the ER without prior approval, so I called the hospital to verify the procedure. The hospital voice answering my call questioned, “Have you contacted the nurse’s hotline with your symptoms?” My response was, “I have not.” The voice gave me the nurse hotline number. I called.
The capable, calming voice explained she would be asking me a series of questions and I should respond appropriately.
Question 1: I do not remember the first question.
Question 2: “Have you taken your blood pressure? My reply, “ Yes, ma’am. It is 189/103.”
Question 3: “Have you any of these symptoms: Tingling in your left hand or arm? A numbness in your left hand or arm?”
My reply, “ Yes, I have tingling shooting up and down my arm and my left arm feels completely numb.”
In response to my last answer – the voice stated hastily, “Hang up and call 911 right away.” I explained to the calming voice that my husband was upstairs sleeping but that he could drive me to the hospital – after all it was only 18 minutes away. I was quite sure an ambulance would take longer to arrive. I thanked her and hung up the phone.
On my way back up the stairs I was thinking about my son and our two German Shepherd dogs. I flicked the overhead light switch, and the tray ceiling lights illuminated the entire sleeping quarter. My husband told me later he thought, “Hmmm, my wife has never, not in 32 years, ever turned on the bedroom lights at 3 in the morning. I wonder what is going on?” Audibly he asked, “What’s happening, Hon?” I explained that the nurse’s hotline had instructed me to call 911 and get to the ER immediately. My husband replied, “Well, do I have time to take a shower?” I said yes, but a quick one, and I would notify our son where we were going. My husband yawned, “Oh, I forgot to tell you he went to visit a friend and is staying overnight.” I requested again that my husband hurry. I told him I would feed and walk the two dogs while he was showering. Which I did. By the time my husband came down stairs, I was steadying myself on a dining room pillar. I spoke sternly and said, “If you do not take me right now, I will need to drive myself. I cannot wait any longer to go to the ER.”
When we entered the hospital’s ER I was placed in a wheelchair. I am not sure, but I do not believe my husband was comprehending the situation. He answered medical questions while an orderly wheeled me into a room. Once inside, my husband sat in a chair against the right wall. We had perfect eye sight of each other and exchanged looks. I began to tear up. The pain was massive. He gave me our “I love you” signal and watched the attendants enter and surround me. Clothes off, gown on, blood pressure cuff, EKG electrodes being placed on my chest and abdomen, and my blood drawn… the staff worked quickly and efficiently. The prep time seemed only minutes until the staff left the room. My husband and I were frozen in time unable to speak audibly; however, our eyes held each other in a spiritual meeting.
A flurry of new staff emerged. A middle aged nurse came over to me, slapped her hands on my chest, and blurted out, “You are having a heart attack!” I looked at my husband and he looked deeply into my eyes and began to cry. Now he understood. There was no room for denial. He stood up and steadied himself against the wall. We both mouthed, “I love you.”
Another nurse attempted to assist me when she noticed my tears – steady streams by now. The pain was massive. She questioned me, “Are you afraid? Don’t be.” I calmly replied, “I am not afraid – either way this plays out. I know where I am going if I die, and I am sure whatever happens I will be OK. God has this under control.” The nurse persisted,” The tears then, is it the pain?” I nodded unable to control the tears. She slipped what I thought was a pill under my tongue. Whatever it was, it started to burn. I interrupted her discussion with another attendant, “Excuse me, but I think there is something wrong with this pill. It is burning.” The nurse’s curt reply made me laugh. “It’s supposed to burn, it is nitroglycerine.” “What?”, I stammered, “I’ve only seen that in movies. Am I in a movie?” The staff smiled and even my husband shook his head.
It was then that the same cardiologist who had met with us earlier came through the curtain at the foot of my bed. He asked me, “What do you want for the pain?” I responded with my customary answer, “Motrin.” At my response he seemed to come unglued, “You can’t have Motrin! You are having a heart attack!” He ordered a few staff to shave my pubic area, a just in case precaution, and insert a tube into my arm for the catheterization. While an anesthesiologist gave me something to numb the experience the neurologist began to explain the procedure to me. “…I will be inserting a sheath into your wrist and thread the catheter through it into the arteries of your heart. You might feel some pressure but shouldn't feel pain.” I relaxed as he continued to have me wheeled into a separate exam room. I believe my relaxation should be credited to the anesthesiologist. Although I was awake during the procedure, I was definitely inattentive to the details. Evidently the findings were rather bewildering for the cardiologist because I do remember his repeated comment, “Why did she have a heart attack? She is a healthy person.”
1 Peter 5:10 (ESV) And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you..”
Why did I have the heart attack? I am not sure. During my stay, a few of the hospital staff had suggested that I probably had takotsubo cardiomyopathy or in layman’s terms, broken heart syndrome. At the time, I adamantly assured the staff I had not had a broken heart syndrome event. “I am madly in love with my husband,” I boldly replied. “He is the man of my dreams and the love of my life!” The staff all laughed. I do not know why, though. He really is.
For those of you who need an epilogue: I am sharing the facts that heart disease is the leading killer of women. I want you to understand if you experience these symptoms, don’t take a shower! - take these symptoms seriously.
Some well-meaning people have suggested I really did not have a heart attack or perhaps had simply a minor heart attack. The medical test results demonstrate differently. Someone also had suggested I have a higher pain tolerance than most people, so I was able to complete my work, drive myself to the ER, and perform the household duties. This may be true since as a result of an automobile accident I had broken my back in three places and live with constant, chronic pain. However, the pain resulting from the heart attack was very real, very excruciating, and could have been very deadly if not addressed.
I want you, the reader, to understand I am not laughing nor rejoicing after experiencing a heart attack. What I rejoice in is my relationship with Father God through this experience. Luke 6:45 - A good woman out of the good treasure of her heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil woman out of the evil treasure of her heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart her mouth speaketh. (Disclaimer: Pronouns changed to fit the author.) Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Psalms 119:2 - Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
The American Heart Association lists the following heart attack signs for women. If you are unsure of what to do regarding these indicators call your nurse’s hotline or call 911.
I had gone to bed around 9:00 pm on November 18, 2020. I was relieved to be home with our son and my husband. I was thankful to have the privilege to sleep in my own bed. Falling asleep, surrounded by these blessings, was easy. Around 2:00 am, though, I awoke to a pounding around my heart. The acidic burning was primarily gone, and a heavy squeezing and 14 pound hammer pounding had replaced it. The uncomfortable pressure had grown constant, and I knew even if I could, I should not return to sleep.
I got up from my bed and snatched my phone and my eye glasses from the night stand. There was no need to wake my husband until I had figured out this latest pain and what it meant. My habit of waking up in the early hours usually spans between 1:00 am through 3:00 am. Upon rising, I meditate, journal, and randomly open three separate Bibles. I then begin reading either from the left or right hand side until a verse or verses touch my spirit. I write these key verses into my journal and meditate on how they apply to my life or the life of family, friends, and our nation. If I sense a great importance to the verse meanings and life’s struggles, I underline and record the dates in my Bibles. All three versions bear the dates and underlining. Most mornings, after about one hour’s meditation, I receive a sense of peace and return to my bed – my husband still sleeping and unaware I have left.
On this night I neither received a sense of peace nor did I return to bed. Instead, I tidied my reading materials and went upstairs to the master bathroom. I knew I would be back in the ER shortly and I wanted to be ready. After taking a shower, I put on clean clothes, applied make up, and braided my hair. From prior experiences in hospitals, I remembered the uncomfortable feeling of straggling hair wisping across my face and a longing for freshly brushed teeth. I descended the stairs one more time.
Due to the pandemic restrictions I was not assured I could be admitted into the ER without prior approval, so I called the hospital to verify the procedure. The hospital voice answering my call questioned, “Have you contacted the nurse’s hotline with your symptoms?” My response was, “I have not.” The voice gave me the nurse hotline number. I called.
The capable, calming voice explained she would be asking me a series of questions and I should respond appropriately.
Question 1: I do not remember the first question.
Question 2: “Have you taken your blood pressure? My reply, “ Yes, ma’am. It is 189/103.”
Question 3: “Have you any of these symptoms: Tingling in your left hand or arm? A numbness in your left hand or arm?”
My reply, “ Yes, I have tingling shooting up and down my arm and my left arm feels completely numb.”
In response to my last answer – the voice stated hastily, “Hang up and call 911 right away.” I explained to the calming voice that my husband was upstairs sleeping but that he could drive me to the hospital – after all it was only 18 minutes away. I was quite sure an ambulance would take longer to arrive. I thanked her and hung up the phone.
On my way back up the stairs I was thinking about my son and our two German Shepherd dogs. I flicked the overhead light switch, and the tray ceiling lights illuminated the entire sleeping quarter. My husband told me later he thought, “Hmmm, my wife has never, not in 32 years, ever turned on the bedroom lights at 3 in the morning. I wonder what is going on?” Audibly he asked, “What’s happening, Hon?” I explained that the nurse’s hotline had instructed me to call 911 and get to the ER immediately. My husband replied, “Well, do I have time to take a shower?” I said yes, but a quick one, and I would notify our son where we were going. My husband yawned, “Oh, I forgot to tell you he went to visit a friend and is staying overnight.” I requested again that my husband hurry. I told him I would feed and walk the two dogs while he was showering. Which I did. By the time my husband came down stairs, I was steadying myself on a dining room pillar. I spoke sternly and said, “If you do not take me right now, I will need to drive myself. I cannot wait any longer to go to the ER.”
When we entered the hospital’s ER I was placed in a wheelchair. I am not sure, but I do not believe my husband was comprehending the situation. He answered medical questions while an orderly wheeled me into a room. Once inside, my husband sat in a chair against the right wall. We had perfect eye sight of each other and exchanged looks. I began to tear up. The pain was massive. He gave me our “I love you” signal and watched the attendants enter and surround me. Clothes off, gown on, blood pressure cuff, EKG electrodes being placed on my chest and abdomen, and my blood drawn… the staff worked quickly and efficiently. The prep time seemed only minutes until the staff left the room. My husband and I were frozen in time unable to speak audibly; however, our eyes held each other in a spiritual meeting.
A flurry of new staff emerged. A middle aged nurse came over to me, slapped her hands on my chest, and blurted out, “You are having a heart attack!” I looked at my husband and he looked deeply into my eyes and began to cry. Now he understood. There was no room for denial. He stood up and steadied himself against the wall. We both mouthed, “I love you.”
Another nurse attempted to assist me when she noticed my tears – steady streams by now. The pain was massive. She questioned me, “Are you afraid? Don’t be.” I calmly replied, “I am not afraid – either way this plays out. I know where I am going if I die, and I am sure whatever happens I will be OK. God has this under control.” The nurse persisted,” The tears then, is it the pain?” I nodded unable to control the tears. She slipped what I thought was a pill under my tongue. Whatever it was, it started to burn. I interrupted her discussion with another attendant, “Excuse me, but I think there is something wrong with this pill. It is burning.” The nurse’s curt reply made me laugh. “It’s supposed to burn, it is nitroglycerine.” “What?”, I stammered, “I’ve only seen that in movies. Am I in a movie?” The staff smiled and even my husband shook his head.
It was then that the same cardiologist who had met with us earlier came through the curtain at the foot of my bed. He asked me, “What do you want for the pain?” I responded with my customary answer, “Motrin.” At my response he seemed to come unglued, “You can’t have Motrin! You are having a heart attack!” He ordered a few staff to shave my pubic area, a just in case precaution, and insert a tube into my arm for the catheterization. While an anesthesiologist gave me something to numb the experience the neurologist began to explain the procedure to me. “…I will be inserting a sheath into your wrist and thread the catheter through it into the arteries of your heart. You might feel some pressure but shouldn't feel pain.” I relaxed as he continued to have me wheeled into a separate exam room. I believe my relaxation should be credited to the anesthesiologist. Although I was awake during the procedure, I was definitely inattentive to the details. Evidently the findings were rather bewildering for the cardiologist because I do remember his repeated comment, “Why did she have a heart attack? She is a healthy person.”
1 Peter 5:10 (ESV) And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you..”
Why did I have the heart attack? I am not sure. During my stay, a few of the hospital staff had suggested that I probably had takotsubo cardiomyopathy or in layman’s terms, broken heart syndrome. At the time, I adamantly assured the staff I had not had a broken heart syndrome event. “I am madly in love with my husband,” I boldly replied. “He is the man of my dreams and the love of my life!” The staff all laughed. I do not know why, though. He really is.
For those of you who need an epilogue: I am sharing the facts that heart disease is the leading killer of women. I want you to understand if you experience these symptoms, don’t take a shower! - take these symptoms seriously.
Some well-meaning people have suggested I really did not have a heart attack or perhaps had simply a minor heart attack. The medical test results demonstrate differently. Someone also had suggested I have a higher pain tolerance than most people, so I was able to complete my work, drive myself to the ER, and perform the household duties. This may be true since as a result of an automobile accident I had broken my back in three places and live with constant, chronic pain. However, the pain resulting from the heart attack was very real, very excruciating, and could have been very deadly if not addressed.
I want you, the reader, to understand I am not laughing nor rejoicing after experiencing a heart attack. What I rejoice in is my relationship with Father God through this experience. Luke 6:45 - A good woman out of the good treasure of her heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil woman out of the evil treasure of her heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart her mouth speaketh. (Disclaimer: Pronouns changed to fit the author.) Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Psalms 119:2 - Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
The American Heart Association lists the following heart attack signs for women. If you are unsure of what to do regarding these indicators call your nurse’s hotline or call 911.
- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
- As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.