11/28/2024
*Vulnerable post* In early September I developed a dull ache in my chest. What I thought was irritation from the smoke didn’t resolve as the skies cleared. 3 days of worsening pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue landed me in the ER to rule out a pulmonary embolism. Thankful for a clear CT scan, my symptoms perisisted. I started to experience sharp spasms in my chest and a feeling that a rope was tied around my neck. helped me get my pain under control, but within a few days my symptoms would come raging back. In mid October I was back in the ER with heart palpitations and ongoing chest pain, worried I was starting to develop electrical abnormalities in my heart. If I’m being honest, everywhere I went I mapped out where the closest ER was. I spent many sleepless nights praying for healing. Panic attacks and anxiety ensued. One night, fighting off a panic attack, I asked God to take this from me, as I couldn’t carry it any longer. I heard a small, quiet voice “I never intended you to carry it, you can go to bed.” I had the most restful night of sleep I had in weeks after that prayer. Multiple tests and labs revealed nothing. Desperate for answers, I broke down to in clinic one day. Heresearched viral infections that attack the heart. My coxsackie B titers were off the charts elevated. An echocardiogram revealed pericarditis and myocarditis, inflammation in and around the heart. I started on supplements and homeopathy for the virus, and IV ozone for the inflammation. Today, I’m thankful for 4 days with almost no chest pain or heart palpations. I’m thankful for health care providers that seek out root cause and pour their hearts into their patients. I’m thankful for friends that prayed, brought meals, and sat with me during my break downs and ER visits. Im thankful for my family and mostly, my husband that showed so much darn grace and compassion. I’m thankful for this experience that brought me closer to my Savior, and helped me to understand my sometimes hopeless patients that are so unsure of what’s going on with their body. Thank you Jesus, for the gift of healing. My thankfulness absolutely pours out today.