P.O.P.
Nov 10, 2024 | by The Fellowship
When I began having reoccurring headaches six months ago, I made an appointment with my primary care doctor. The culprit was high blood pressure and medication was prescribed. I was also referred to a cardiologist. “This must be how it begins,” I thought. My family has a heavy history of heart problems and diabetes -- and I am only 46.
The first test run by the cardiologist was an EKG and it was abnormal. An echocardiogram that uses sound waves to create images of the heart and blood vessels followed, but it showed no areas of concern. So, an additional EKG was done, but it was still abnormal. A stress test where you run in place on a treadmill came next and indicated a problem in the lower left side of my heart.
A nuclear stress test was ordered. But two weeks prior to the scheduled test, I started having chest pains and went to the ER. Even though my blood pressure was a bit high, all other tests that might indicate a heart attack were normal. The hospital personnel kept me overnight for observation and released me the next day.
Because of the continuing mixed signals, my anxiety was steadily increasing. It really ballooned when I had the nuclear stress test. Since it is much like a Cat Scan, I was placed in a giant tube and injected with a medicine that elevates the heart rate. The feeling that resulted was much like when you are at the top of a roller coaster and start the plunge down, heart racing with exhilaration, but in this case -- fear takes over without a visual reason to feel this way. Once again, the findings indicated a problem.
I hit the big time with my next test – an angioplasty with contrast. But it was a month before an appointment was available for this procedure where the doctor would enter a blood vessel through my wrist with a long, thin tube and explore my coronary arteries using contrast dye to locate narrowing or blockage. A tiny balloon at the tip of the tube could be inflated to create better blood flow where narrowing occurs, or a stent could be inserted to open up a blockage.
During the month of waiting, the cardiologist told me to “take it easy” and keep my heart rate down. As a soccer coach for one of my kids’ teams, I had to step aside to an advisory role and let the assistant coach take over. The month seemed like an eternity. I know that God has always “got me,” but being a realist my motto is to plan for the worst and hope for the best!
But even more important is to pray for the best. So many people – at church, work, sports activities as well as relatives and friends – were seeking God’s best for my procedure. The level of support was overwhelming. How BLESSED I was to be so covered in prayer!
Even knowing this, when the day finally came, I arrived at the hospital with a lot of anxiety. My parents had come to town to take charge of our children for that day, and my wife took a personal day away from her classroom to be with me.
The first person I interacted with at the hospital was at the front desk, a sweet and endearing lady in her late 60’s who was obviously a Christian. She knew just how to put me at ease. Then the nurse who prepped me for the procedure had a great personality and we kept bantering back and forth. I was amazed to find myself quite calm by the time the procedure began.
I was awake the entire time and watching the same screen as the medical team as they began exploring. As the dye was spreading through my coronary artery system, it looked like a giant tree with all its branches and limbs lit up -- or like a web of lightning flashing across the sky. It was all so fascinating that I could hardly believe it when the doctor said, “We are done!” It had only been 30 minutes! “You are totally free of any blockages,” he said with a dumbfounded look on his face. Another supporting doctor said, “Your arteries are so open you could drive a truck through those things!”
What just happened? I asked myself. The doctor had been certain of at least one blockage and that a stent might be needed. So many emotions went through my mind as I was wheeled back to Post Op Recovery. The doctor came in to check on me and said, “Well, it is not your heart that is the problem! We will talk more at your follow-up visit.”
While in recovery, the amazing news really began to register. God is so good, no matter the circumstance. And even in knowing God’s greatness, I kept asking myself: What just happened? Then it really hit me, and I cannot explain it other than the Holy Spirit spoke to me – P. O. P. The Power Of Prayer! Waves of gratitude overwhelmed me! All glory to God for His grace that never ends!
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6