Blessed and Grateful

 

Blessed and Grateful

Originally published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Miracles and the Unexplained

Prayer is man’s greatest power.

~W. Clement Stone

 

“What seems to be the problem?” my doctor asked me on a cold, gray day in late December.

“I feel my heart flutter sometimes like it’s missing a beat and I get so shaky,” I answered. “It’s often hard to get my breath when I’m going up the stairs.”

“Well, let’s get some definitive tests to see what’s going on,” she said after listening to my heart. She smiled and gave me the phone number to call and set up the test.

I had the scan a few days later. After seeing the results, that doctor said, “Judee, I see a blockage and I want you to see a cardiologist right away. I am putting in an emergency referral.”

I was pretty scared when I went to see the cardiologist. “Well,” he said, “my colleagues and I are confirming a major blockage.”

Four doctors can’t be wrong, I thought to myself. I was so frightened that I really didn’t comprehend his detailed description of what needed to be done. I think the doctor could see how stunned I was and softened his approach from clinical facts to gentleness. He patted my hand and said, “It is quite serious, but we found it in time, so try not to worry. We are going to do a heart catheterization and try to remove the blockage by putting a stent in that artery to hold it open.”

“Oh Lord, please help me,” I prayed silently as I stared at him.

“When will you do this?” I asked him.

“I think it is important to do this right away,” he answered quietly. “My nurse has set up the procedure for the day after tomorrow.”

“We will go into through an artery in your wrist,” he continued. “It is less invasive than going in through the groin. If we can’t place the stent effectively, we will schedule open heart surgery in a week or so.” He patted my hand and went on. “I want you to go home and rest. Don’t have any caffeine, stress or worry and only go up the stairs once a day—when you are going to bed.”

Right. Don’t worry after receiving news that could change or even end my life!

He handed me two prescriptions for medications that were supposed to slow down my heart rate and keep plaque from forming in the arteries in the future.

“Remember, don’t worry. We’ve done this procedure many, many times,” he assured me.

I called my daughter, Michele, in Minnesota to let her know I was going to have the heart catheterization procedure. She got on a plane the next day and flew out to support me and take care of my disabled husband, John.

I called the rest of my family and friends at church. They spread the word and soon people were praying for me everywhere. My book club, couples’ Bible study, pastors, and people I didn’t even know were praying for both me and the doctors.

I felt like I had a ticking time bomb inside me! I was almost afraid to walk around the house. I spent most of the time sitting in my recliner. Michele took care of us and handled all the calls coming in.

I checked into the hospital on the appointed day and the nurses prepared me for the procedure. I was praying hard that I would come though the ordeal alive.

Michele hugged me. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m right here for you,” The nurse gave me a shot to calm me as Michele held my hand and prayed with me before they took me to the operating room. “I will be right here with John waiting for you.” I could see her encouraging smile as they wheeled me down the hall.

When we reached the operating room, they were trying to put the IV in my arm to put me to sleep. My whole body was trembling so badly that a nurse had to hold my arm still. Instead of being calm from the shot and the IV, I dreamed that I was drowning in a lake. I was fighting to stay above the wild waves, but I kept sinking. Every time I got my head above the water, the shore was farther away! I kept yelling for help but there was no one around and I was getting weaker. In my panic I called out to God, “Lord, please save me!”

I heard a quiet voice say, “Fear not; for I am with you; don’t be afraid; for I am your God: I will strengthen you, and yes, I will help you.” I recognized the soothing words from the Bible. The waves quieted and I heard the reassuring voice again. “I am the Lord who heals you.”

When I began to wake up, I was a little confused about where I was. But when I turned my head I saw Michele and John just where she promised they would be. The nurses taking care of me were working to raise my blood pressure. Apparently, the shot they had given me had slowed my heart too much during surgery and I had almost died. That must have been when the Lord stepped in during the dream I had.

“You gave the doctor quite a scare in there,” the nurse told me. “Just lie quietly for a while and let the medicine get your heart rate up.”

It was quite a while before the doctor came in. He looked puzzled as we waited for him to speak. Finally, he said, “Well, we’ve gone over the previous scans and tests and today’s results several times.” I was anxious to hear the result, but strangely, I wasn’t frightened.

“We really can’t explain it. The obstruction was plainly visible in all the tests but when we got in there, the blockage was not there. I don’t have any medical explanation for it, but we didn’t even have to place any stents. I do want you to stay on half doses of the medicines just to be sure and I want you to come back in three months to be checked again.”

If I hadn’t been hooked up to all those tubes I would have jumped up and danced! Michele, John and I hugged each other. I felt so blessed and grateful! Every day is now a celebration of life.

We eat dessert first sometimes. I donated our old towels to an animal shelter and we use the good ones every day. We volunteer and open our home and hearts to family and friends. We cherish every moment and never end the day without counting our many blessings.

~Judee Stapp