Broken hearts can be
mended, literally. Although I don't normally post about health issues and I
don't like to "preach" at people, I feel compelled to thank God
publicly for his grace and mercy in my life.
After a very tough few weeks beginning February 23, 2017 and many, MANY tests the doctors discovered a large Atrial Septal Defect in my heart. It's a condition I was born with and it was causing heart failure. I was stunned, scared and nervous. It explained SO many of my weird health issues throughout my lifetime, although not the autoimmune stuff, darn! I wasn't lazy at sports, I really couldn't do them because I was not getting enough oxygen. I wasn't depressed or a recluse because I needed so much extra rest, I was very, VERY sick.
On April 4, 2017 I went in to have my heart repaired. The ASD was 40% larger than originally thought, close to the aortic valve and lacking enough tissue for the device to seal properly. That meant open heart surgery. Many, many people prayed over me on that Tuesday and I asked the doctor to try to patch it through a catheterization. And he agreed and consulted with an expert and miraculously there was enough tissue, he spliced the patch so the valve would not be damaged and my heart was mended. NO OPEN HEART SURGERY WAS REQUIRED!
Today was the first day I felt human. I have a lot of healing to do and a lot of things to process but my heart is functioning properly for the first time in 47 years. And despite a 1-inch hole in my ticker I never had a stroke, which is amazing. I'm praying that the heart damage will heal completely and that I will live a healthy life until God calls me home. My faith has been strengthened and I have been humbled.
Five years ago I was recovering from a devastating fire after neurosurgery and a layoff. Today I am recovering from heart surgery to repair my poor heart that never functioned properly and I could not be happier or more blessed. New life just as we celebrate Easter. Thank you Jesus for your mercy, grace and peace
