I adore asking people how I can pray for them. I am horrible at asking people to pray for me. Ergo, very few knew I have been in cardiac ICU for the last ten days. Please forgive me. But rather than being upset at me, take it out by getting tested for something.
Two weeks ago, it was brought to my attention that I had been skipping around town with a 6cm ascending aortic aneurysm. Completely asymptomatic. Great blood work. Normal blood pressure. Good cholesterol. No direct family history of heart disease. I had just passed my annual, an EKG, and completed a 60-mile backpack trip with our two sons. However, my doctor suggested I get a Transthoracic Echocardiogram only as a future baseline. I thought that sounded responsible.
I was at a red light on Belt Line Road in Addison when I got the test result via email. “Ascending aorta is severely dilated.” Furthermore, it was already beginning to dissect. I pulled in to a Staples to read further. Let me explain aortic dissection. Once it starts, your aorta begins to “unzip” through your main artery, your valves, chambers, and well, you are dead before you hit the ground (see John Ritter). Many “sudden” heart attacks are undiagnosed aortic aneurysms.
Only a few days after diagnosis, I sit here now a man much blessed. Thankful to the Lord for the gift of the common grace of health care. Yes Lord, indeed You heard our prayers. Fortunate to receive Dr. Shalek’s “cardiac test recommendation.” Blissful for Dr. Brinkman’s gentle touch during the “repair.” (Wow, I so rarely see one of these on a living person!… Wait, what?) Joyful that Dr. Deville knew which wires to reconnect. Delighted by the cardiac nurse angels on the 5th Floor CUB team at Baylor Heart Plano. They support patients on their worst days while preserving the best of their training and calling to provide life-giving care every day. And I will never forget the prayers. The late-night conversations of compassion from those that had walked these monitored halls before. And the texts that helped me go somewhere new, even if only for a moment.
I am home now and feel 100%. I am being well cared for by my “1st floor Angel.” No pain. And no dietary or activity restrictions. I will be working through the emotional, spiritual, and theological aspects of all this for quite a while. I have begun to journal through tears and will share my thoughts in due course.
As you wait on me, call your doctor and ask about the likelihood of you having a baseline Transthoracic Echocardiogram. But only if there is an empty Staples parking lot nearby. Don’t drive and read test results!
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