Heart Attack--20 Lessons Learned

Some of my blogger friends have questioned whether or not I would be able to blog only one more time about my recent heart attack or whether I would need to do more. Good question. And, to be honest, I don't have a good answer at the moment. I suppose I'll just write about it as needed. Writing about this has been good. I think it has been healthy. I know writing has allowed me to formulate my thoughts better.

As promised, I wanted to share a few of the lessons I've learned over the last few days. By no means will this be all of the lessons, but a few random thoughts I've discovered along the way.

1) I am so thankful for medical technology in our country! It is amazing how in one or two little eraser-sized holes doctors can insert a device to clear out my artery and to see exactly what he is doing! Unless you really knew where to look, you wouldn't even see their incisions!

2) Now, even though medical technology is great, I do have a bone to pick with the people in the field. Don't you think they could develop tape that doesn't pull every hair out of your body by the roots! I hate to shave as it is. And, I'll grow a beard at the drop of the hat. So, I am well-blessed with a strong hair gene--everywhere except on the top of my head! So, when you are taped by a nurse or doctor, much pain is ultimately realized by the patient when said tape is removed by the nurse, doctor, or patient. Come on scientists! Find something that will attach itself in a good way and let go when no longer needed! Please! For the love of all that is good, and holy...and right. And decent!

3) Got a small bruise on your arm or leg that is causing you some grief! Let me show you a bruise! Blood thinner does great things to areas where only an eraser-sized incision was made!

4) While urgent care or primary care clinics get a bad rap at times, the one Evan and I went to on Monday deserves an A+ Award of the Day. I'll definitely write more about them in the days ahead!

5) Riding in the front of a firetruck or ambulance is definitely more fun than riding in the back on a gurney! Facing backward!

6) I still hate needles!

7) I have learned that 33% of all people who have a heart attack have no early warning signs. I am one of the 33% of people! If you are male, over the age of 40, find a cardiologist. Talk about taking an aspirin a day. Don't wait for the gorilla to sit on your chest! Trust me, you can't move him.

8) Not much looks better than to be wheeled out of the cath lab and see your wife standing there, waiting for you! What a sight for tired eyes.

9) I'm learning just how many people have gone through similar things! Two of four staff members at our church have had heart attacks or open heart surgery! Folks, that's just another "perk" of the ministry.

10) It's great to have blogging friends who I've never met, but know are praying for me. Your support system means much to me!

11) It is actually good to be back at work today. I hate sitting on the couch, watching TV, doing nothing. Today has given me the opportunity to focus my brain!

12) Want to feel a closeness to your parents? Well, just have a heart attack and you talk about similar medicines you are taking, procedures you are having done, and rides in ambulances! I wish I had not learned this lessong.

13) During the 13th day of the month, don't check out at WalMart in the 13th lane, as I did last Monday morning. While I am not overly superstitious, I did just that last Monday. There was absolutely no one in that lane--all of the other lanes were full. I remember saying to the casher, "Well, I guess today is my lucky day!" Depends on how you look at it, I suppose. I'm still here!

14) Animals really do know when something is wrong. Our little dog knew I was in trouble Monday. She jumped into my lap and licked me in the face during my heart attack. She wouldn't let me put her down. She seemed to know that I was facing some problem. Since I've been home, she has acted so weird. One minute, she's closer to me than my shadow, the next she acts as if I've beaten her terribly (which I would never do).

15) God still works miracles! During this entire experience, I've seen miracle after miracle that could have only come from His hands. He's been far too good to me, far better than I deserve.

16) I'm very behind on reading blogs! I read every blog listed under my blog roll to the right every day. Well, that was true until last Tuesday. I'll come back! I promise!

17) I'm glad to be alive!

18) I'm glad to be a Christ follower!

19) I'm glad to be a parent!

20) I'm glad to be a husband!

Striving for Mobility

It's really hard to believe but this little fella is already seven months old! Evan was born on February 4, 2008.

Over these last seven months, my wife and I have watched in amazement as he has grown. From the little baby that was totally helpless for the first few weeks to the little boy that will probably be crawling by the end of this week, he is making steady progress toward mobility.

Mobility is an interesting concept and desire. The vast majority of us want to move forward in life, to grab life by the horns and pull ourselves up a little higher. It seems most of us are always reaching for the next rung on the ladder.

Maybe that desire for mobility and moving forward starts even before we are born. I know when we first thought my wife might be pregnant, we could hardly wait to confirm it. For a couple of days, we watched for signs (morning sickness, backache, etc.), not really realizing that we were too early for those things. Then, we purchased the "at home pregnancy kit" and the kit said, "Not Pregnant." Relief or disappointment? We didn't know. What we failed to do was read the fine print--the "at home" tests only work after so many days or weeks of pregnancy! When my wife did show "signs" of being pregnant, we took the test again. This time--PREGNANT! Relief or disappointment? More like scared out of our mind! But, we moved forward.

We moved forward with doctor visits, telling family and friends, and getting the room ready for our baby. We moved forward with clothes, paint choices, and even decorations for the room. We moved forward working on names and lists of who to call when he would finally arrive.

Now, it's Evan's turn to move forward, to strive for mobility. His scooting is just the beginning. Before long, he'll be up on all fours, crawling around the house. Then, he'll pull up for the first time and take his first steps. All of those days will happen before we know it. Mobility.

Then, Evan will be off to school, playing with friends in the neighborhood, and in no time, he'll be learning to drive. Mobility.

As you can tell, Evan's latest developmental milestone has caused me to wax eloquent about the days ahead. I really am glad that he is gaining mobility. I'm thrilled as I watch him scoot across the floor--sometimes on his belly, sometimes on his back. I'm thrilled to watch him as he wants to hold his bottle and feed himself with his spoon. I really do want him to grow and mature and be mobile. I promise you I do. But, I also know how much I love holding that little boy, feeling his head rest against my neck, and knowing that he trusts me with everything.

I wonder sometimes if God looks down at us from heaven with the same kinds of desires that parents have. Does He see us where we are, knowing where we could be, and then pushes us forward? Are there times He holds us back? Are there times He has to let us fall and skin our knees?

What about you today? Is God pushing you a little too hard? Or, is He having to hold you back until it's time for you to move forward? Skinned your knees or elbows lately?

I'd love to hear about your journey today.