Strong Enough :: A Personal Story

Eleven days ago, I nearly lost my dad when his heart ceased to work.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  –Jeremiah 29:11

How I would share this story (it is too good not to share) has been ruminating in my mind as I’ve sat in the hospital, as I’ve clicked away miles in my car, as I’ve edited photos, and as I’ve beckoned sleep.  I’ll start from the moment my life nearly took the most unexpected turn…It all happened so, so very quickly.  Quickly, as in around 40 minutes from beginning to end.  At 11:05, my parents left their card playing loving friends because my dad was experiencing this strange, heartburn feeling in his chest.  I was falling asleep on the couch.

He thought he could just go home, rest, and the heartburn feeling would go away…but it didn’t.  He wouldn’t let Mom call 911, but he agreed to go to the ER.  As they left for the hospital – Mom behind the wheel, Dad in the back – they called my sister.  It had stormed earlier that evening, and my sister and niece had come to stay at my house due to a power outage.   I woke up to my sister telling me that Mom is taking Dad to the ER because he’s having chest pains.  Chest pains?  What?  My dad is never sick or ill?  He’s healthy as a bird!  This is not good…

My sister and I decide that my husband and I should meet my parents at the hospital, and she’ll stay with her daughter at our house.  It’s really difficult to not go into Worst-Case-Scenario mode.  When my husband turn on the ignition, these are the first two words I heard speaking to me from the radio – Strong Enough.  I immediately went into lockdown prayer mode.  I knew God was speaking to me through that song – that He would be strong enough for me when I had no strength.  That was my prayer for the 420 seconds it took to get to the hospital.

 

My parents had arrived a few minutes before us.  My husband dropped me off and went to park our car.  As I walked through the doors, my dad was sitting in a wheelchair waiting to be taken back into the ER.  My mom hadn’t taken time to park the car, so I got the keys and headed out to meet my husband so he could park it for them.  This time when I entered the ER, my parents were gone.  The kind lady at the desk took me back to the ER.  When I arrived at the room, my dad was still in the wheelchair and the nurse was getting ready to have him get on the bed.  What happens from here was only a matter of minutes in real time…but it felt like the slowest slow motion.  I saw my dad slump over in the wheelchair, gasping for breath.  The nurse pulled in two Middlebury EMTs who were getting ready to leave after dropping off another patient, and a flurry of activity began.  I grabbed my mom, and started praying like I’ve never prayed before.  The last thing I saw before they closed the curtain was a nurse cutting up the center of my dad’s orange polo shirt.   As I simply prayed the only words that I could cling to, Dear Jesus, Dear Jesus, Dear Jesus…be with my dad, I heard the news coming from the room – No Heartbeat.  I know that God took control of me because I was able to remain calm – to be strong enough for my mom.  Next came the sounds of Dad being shocked back to life.  We’ve got a heartbeat!  Praise be to the Lord!  That was the end of the 40th minute, and the revealing of God’s immeasurable Love and Healing to my family.

I come from a very, strong, faith-filled family, and they came to the hospital to be with us.  The hospital had called one of their Chaplain’s in because my parent’s pastors were unavailable.  (Not really a good sign when they ask if you have a pastor to contact when you’re in the ER).  He was very kind, but quickly realized that we had a large support network to walk with us during these uncharted territory.  As soon as Dad was stabilized, Dr. Schmucker and his team came in to do a catheterization to see if there was any blockage.  The procedure went quickly, and the doctor was amazed to find no blockage after such an event.  His arteries were free and clear of plaque.  No damage to the heart muscle.  I was prepared to be at the hospital as my dad underwent some form of heart surgery, so this news was completely unexpected and exceedingly overwhelming.  Shortly after the miraculous news, I excused myself to privately talk to God.  I bowed down on the bathroom floor in awe of God’s presence and His saving grace!  I don’t know why God chose to save my dad, but I know it is a part of His plan that has been and forever will be.

Dad spent the next four days in the hospital for observation.  His heart attack has been labeled as a minor heart attack because of where it occurred in his heart.  It was caused by two blood clots in smaller veins branching off the main artery.  What caused the blood clots?  We’ll probably never know.  This type of heart attack is not common.  One of the specialists the heart team at Goshen General Hospital called in to consult on Dad’s case explained to us that the heartburn feeling he was having was really just the blood clots cooking.  That many times, there is no warning whatsoever.  Humbling and shocking words to our ears.  I have never been so thankful for 40 minutes!

Tonight, the what ifs are beginning to fade in my mind.  The images and sounds of what I saw and heard are quieting.  My dad is back to work and a renewed life.  He’s wearing a LifeVest for the next 30 days.  It will shock his heart if it should stop or go out of rhythm.  The staff, doctors, and nurses at the hospital were all completely wonderful!  I don’t think it’s too often that they have such a healthy patient recovering from a heart attack.  We thank everyone who has been praying for our family and my dad.  They are felt deep down in the marrow.  We would welcome continued prayer support.  The emotions come in waves.  Some insignificant, some quite substantial.

At the beginning of 2011, I felt the word Believe calling my name.  That this would be a year that would require me to believe that God is who He says He is more than I ever have before.  I’ve clung to this word more than I could ever have imagined throughout this year.  I’ve been telling people who’ve asked how my dad is doing that I’m thankful God chose to let my dad stay here with us for a bit longer.  When you’re smacked in the face by your mortality, you take stock of your life.  The steps you’ve traveled…your purpose in this life…what the future will hold.  I know my purpose  – to serve God.  I know what the future holds – I will one day meet my Creator.  Such blessed assurance!  As I’m about to click Publish, I’m feeling a bit insecure and bare.  But if my dad’s story can help save a life, then those feelings are more than worth it!

My dad and I with his replacement orange polo shirt. 🙂

 

Strong Enough by Matthew West (The Story Behind The Song) from emicmg on Vimeo.

Lastly, I must thank my husband.  He has been a pillar of strength for me during this time.  God has blessed me beyond belief with a man who loves me more than I probably even realize or deserve.