Wow! Here we are in 2018 and I know I haven’t written in a while, but a lot has happened since my last post. It has been a roller coaster of events, but I have seen God in every twist, turn, and upside-down loop. I’m still processing everything that has happened, but the one thing I can tell you, I am a walking miracle. For anyone who doubts that God performs miracles today, I am about to blow your mind with God’s goodness.
My Story
My parents had planned on coming to visit us for Christmas. However, my dad called the Wednesday before to say they were not going to be able to come. My mom had been admitted to the hospital. She hadn’t been feeling well, and we had talked back and forth during the week about whether she was going to be up for the trip. With Mom admitted to the hospital, I told Dad it was no problem, and we would pack up and bring Christmas to them.
I called Hubs to tell him of the latest change in plans and that we would be heading to New York. We finished our conversation, and I went on about my day. I finished up some errands, including getting a pedicure. A girl does have her priorities. Besides, I couldn’t pack our car until it was there to pack, so the pedicure was a welcome distraction for the time being.
After my pedicure, I came home to begin sorting the packages under the tree. As I was sorting out the gifts, I became light-headed and sat down on the couch for a few minutes, and it seemed to pass. However, when I stood up again the light-headedness returned and I felt funny. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I knew something was wrong. I felt like I couldn’t take a deep breath. To be honest, I thought I was having an anxiety attack. After all, a lot was going on, and I am an internal processor who tends to hold a lot inside when something significant is going on.
The next thing I knew, all of my teeth began aching at the same time. It felt like I was clenching my jaw, but I wasn’t. It was the weirdest experience. I began praying and talking out loud wondering if I was having a stroke. Of course, as any reasonable person would do I went and started googling for stroke and possible heart attack. Neither of which I thought I was having, but just in case I wanted to make sure my symptoms didn’t match. I went to the medicine cabinet to look for an aspirin, but I couldn’t find any. Looking back at that moment, God was there because chances are I would have taken the aspirin and if the symptoms went away I would have said it was a fluke of some kind and done nothing.
Get to the ER
The next moment, I heard a voice that said, “Get to the ER.” I stood for a few seconds wondering what was happening and again I heard the voice say, “Get to the ER.” I called my husband and told him I was driving up to the ER because I didn’t feel right. He asked me if I was capable of driving myself and I told him yes, and he could stay on the phone with me until I got there. I live less than five minutes from the emergency room. The first miracle was I had a car to drive. I had borrowed Ali’s car that day to do some errands. Otherwise, I would not have been able to drive there. People have asked me why I didn’t call 9-1-1 and I don’t know why other than the voice kept telling me to get to the ER, so I did. I always imagined when you had a heart attack you would have crushing pain, and wouldn’t be able to drive anywhere. My pain was annoying, but not severe. I drove to the Emergency Room, parked my car, walked in and explained my symptoms. A nurse named Gus took me immediately back to triage.
I explained to Gus as we were walking about my mom being admitted to the hospital and I wondered if I was having an anxiety attack. I found myself rambling on about the fact I had never had an anxiety attack before and thought for sure this is what it must be. I shared with Gus my need to drive to New York to be with my mom. Gus stopped turned around and said with his finger pointed (in a loving way) ‘Sheila if you don’t take care of yourself you are not going to be any good to your mom”. All of the sudden there was this surge of peace that flooded over me, and I felt myself in complete surrender.
The Diagnosis
Gus placed me in a room, gave me the most beautiful hospital gown (I’m kidding) and asked me to take off my blouse so he could hook up the EKG machine. Almost instantly, I knew something was up when he ran out of the room. The doctor was in my room within seconds telling me I had a very concerning EKG. She proceeded to tell me I was having what they call STEMI or a full-blown heart attack and time was crucial. They had called down to the Shady Grove Adventist Hospital where I would be taken by ambulance or as I lovingly refer to it, my chariot of fire with lights and sirens blaring. I was going directly to the heart catheterization lab. There wasn’t much time to process what was happening, and to be honest I’m glad there wasn’t. I prayed on the way for Dave and Alicia who would hear this news from complete strangers. I never felt like I was going to die, but I just wanted to tell them how much I loved them.
Once I arrived at the hospital, I was wheeled directly to the heart cath lab. As soon as I entered the heart lab a group of incredible nurses immediately went into care mode and started explaining the procedure they were going to perform. I asked them if I could please call my daughter and husband to reassure them I was okay and tell them I love them because they didn’t make it in time to see me before I went into the heart lab. They gave me my phone, and I was able to talk to them and tell them I love them. It was all I needed. I knew I would be able to endure anything after hearing their voices.
The nurses asked me if I had anything to eat or drink in the past four hours, and I had which meant I could not have any pain medicine. I know they tried to be as gentle as they could and apologized profusely, but I’m not going to lie when someone sticks a needle in your groin and is heading for your heart with no pain medicine it hurts. I could see and hear everything. It seemed so surreal almost like an out of body experience as I watched my heart beating on a screen.
A Rewired Heart
As I lay there, Dr. Fischer came up and asked me if I had ever had a heart attack before. I told him not that I was aware of. He said there were no current blockages, but apparently I had a heart attack a long time ago, possibly even when I was a child. The blockage was so old the doctor could not open it. I was his first patient ever where he was unable to open up the blockage. The cool thing was he wasn’t worried about it, because the arteries in my heart had reconfigured themselves to work around the obstruction. He said it wasn’t normal, but it works! He then showed me where the blockage was and how my heart rewired itself. I lay there in astonishment with tears rolling out of the corners of my eyes because all I could see is a cross in my heart. It was God who had rewired my heart. It was then I heard the same voice that told me to get to the ER say, “What the Devil thought was your dead end is your new beginning.” God created the cross within my heart. Dr. Fisher shared they wouldn’t do surgery because it could cause more damage trying to fix it than to leave it alone.
Now that I have had time to process that moment, I cry every time I think about it. Growing up I wondered if God even loved me and now I know exactly how much He loves me. God loved me enough to save my life twice and put a cross in my heart to mark me as His own. For every time I thought God had abandoned me, He has ALWAYS been with me.
New Beginnings
Over the next few weeks, I’m going to continue to share my journey because this is God’s story and He deserves the honor and glory. None of us know from hour to hour how life can change. Life can be snatched from us in seconds. What I do know is each of us is created for a purpose and a plan. We may not always understand the meaning behind everything, but God does have a plan.
Trust me, God has a plan for you! I’m being as serious as a heart attack when I tell you that there are NO DEAD ENDS with God, only NEW BEGINNINGS!
I can’t thank you enough for all of your prayers, texts, and Facebook messages. Thank You for being my Jesus Glitter! You truly sparkle!
What an amazing testament to the goodness of our Father. Truly, no power of hell, charge of the devil, could stop God’s plan for your life. He uses all for His glory and makes all things new and good. I’m so very happy to have read your story (God’s story). I know it may have been a whirlwind and a bit overwhelming, but you will always have a picture of the cross in your heart! You will always have a story to show God’s power and goodness! <3
Wow, Shelia! Praise God you listened to God and are alive to testify to His amazing goodness!
Hi, Kristi!
I am amazed every day by His goodness. It has made me aware of how precious time is and the importance of living each day to the fullest for the Kingdom.
I found this testimony really moving. God has His hand on you for sure!
Thank You, Alice! It is His story which needs to be told to all those who think they have hit a dead end!
What a miracle! I’m thankful God nudged you to get to the hospital.
Heart attacks are scary because everyone’s symptoms are so different. I’m glad you’re ok and are able to speak of this miracle you experienced!
Hi, Julie!
You are exactly right the symptoms are so different for women. I’m going to share that information in a future blog post. Thank You for your encouraging words!
To God be the glory, great things he has done.
I love this, “What the Devil thought was your dead end is your new beginning.”
I experienced a similar situation in May last year. After having a good day on that fateful day, having said our evening prayers we went to bed. I entered the convenient room and ease myself, on getting up from the toilet’s seat I felt as if the room was rotating and I told my husband. In a twinkling of an eye, I went off. When I became conscious I heard my husband praying and crying at the same time; I asked him, he told me that I slumped.As for my husband, he believes I died and God brought me back to life.
My sister, God works in wondrous ways; as long as we live let us declare his wonderful works.
Sarah,
We will sing of his praises now and forever more! You have an amazing story too! Miracles still happen and we are alive to tell others about it!
What an amazing story! God works in our lives in ways we rarely get to fully understand.
Melissa,
This is so true! I don’t have to understand it now to know God loves me and His work is not finished in my life.
Oh my goodness, so glad you are ok! What an ordeal. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, Leigh!
Thank You for your kind words. God will use every circumstance the good and bad if we allow Him to! Every day I get stronger!
Oh my, wow what a story! Thanks for sharing this miracle ! Firstly, I am glad you are ok and secondly what an amazing testament of God’s hand in your life. He truly works in mysterious ways with a bigger plan! I just know your story will speak to so many people!
Hi, Sandy!
Thank You! I know God’s plan is bigger than my wildest dreams. My prayer is many will be blessed by God’s testimony saying there are NO DEAD ENDS just NEW Beginnings!God is still in the miracle business!
Oh my gosh! How crazy. I will be praying for you. I can’t imagine how scary that was.
Thank You Jessica! I appreciate your prayers. Prayer is what has been sustaining me every day! I’m so thankful for all those who are praying for me! To God be the glory!
What an incredible story! How scary, but what a tender mercy to hear such miraculous news. Wishing you health!
Susannah,
It is His story and I am a walking miracle, no doubt about it! Thank you for your wishes. I cry every time I think about His tender mercy.
Wow, what an amazing way for God to reveal His character and control over all aspects of your life! Thank you so much for sharing and for giving God all the glory!
Hi, Emily!
My mind is still blown as I continue to process everything God has done and is doing! I never realized how many people needed to know they are not at a dead end. The enemy has been telling that lie way too often!
What a beautiful testimony. God is so good. And I love that he placed a physical sign of how much He loves you directly on your heart. How special is that??! I’m so glad you are here to share your story.
Hi, Annette,
God is good all the time! I will never forget laying on that hospital table and seeing that cross within my heart. Now, my heart is to share the story of God’s love, hope and encouraging others to never give up when they think they have it a dead end. His mercies are new every day! Thank You for your kind words!
Oh Sheila, I knew you had had a heart attack, but what an ordeal. God was with you every step of the way for sure. So thankful for His goodness.
Heather,
God was with me every step of the way and I know He is with you too! You are an incredible woman of God who exudes His goodness every day!
Sheila – I am so very thankful and praise God for protecting you! He is so faithful it amazes me. I love how he spoke to you “get to the ER”! Such love and tenderness he has for you. Thank you so very much for sharing your story. I know many people Will be so blessed and encouraged to hear your story. “No dead ends….only new beginnings”!!! Love you!!! Sher Armstrong
Sher,
God is faithful and even if God had decided to take me home, He would have still been faithful. We both have been blessed with many ways of his love and tenderness even when life didn’t make sense. We also know the joy of new beginnings. 🙂 I love you my friend and pray God continues to pour out His blessings!
I am praising God sitting here at work. What a living testimony you are of His grace and love. My mind wonders where and how old you were when you had the original heart attack. God in His infinite love and goodness touched your heart and rewired it! My goodness, He is truly amazing.
I am still shaking my head that you googled symptoms and then drove yourself to the hospital. Sheila Marie!!! I love you girl.
Sue-I have asked myself that question many times. I don’t remember a time where I felt like I was having a heart attack, but they did tell me it was decades old. As I laid on the table all I could think about was how all those times when I was growing up I thought God had abandoned me, but now I could see His fingerprint on my heart. You are right, God is truly amazing! I love you too!
Oh, Sheila! I’m so glad I read this post. God is so faithful and you were so good to listen to His voice. I am thankful that you were spared and that you are so loved by our Precious Lord. Thank you for sharing this and I hope and pray you will recover fully and be even healthier than before. – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Hi, Amy!
Thank You for your kind and encouraging words. Every day is sweeter than the day before! My heart continues to strengthen and improve! God is good and His mercy is great! It is hard to believe it has been a month and how good I truly feel. It is something only God can do! Blessings to you!
My dear friend,
Your story is a God story from start to finish! I’m so thankful you listened to, and heard His voice. I believe He speaks to us all the time, but more often than not, we do not listen well enough to hear Him.
God has so much more for you to do! May our loving Father keep you in good health as you continue the journey He has set before you.
I love you, my friend!
My sweet friend!
It is truly a God story. I am thankful for a God who loves each of us so intimately, that God leaves His fingerprints on us. I know there is much to do and I am thankful for the blessing of being able to do it! I love you, my friend! It was wonderful to talk with you.
Sheila I am crying along with you. What a wonderful God we have! He is with us. He is with us. Always. Always.💖💖💖💖💖
Precious Cathy,
We do have a great God! I’m thankful that during life’s crisis we can count on God when we can’t count on anything or anyone else. He is ALWAYS with us! No Dead Ends….Just New Beginnings!
Love you sister!