Empowered by Love to gather, strengthen and mobilize
In October 1991 I was 29 years old, happily married with two young sons when one day, out of the blue, my heart started beating really fast. I wasn’t too sure what was happening. Just before arriving to the hospital to have it checked out, it began beating normally. A few days later it happened again. My heart started racing. I could hear the pounding so loudly in my head I thought for sure the people around me could hear it too. This time the pacing was recorded on an EKG which revealed that my heart was beating at an alarming rate of 270 beats per minute. I was hospitalized in Boston and after a couple of weeks of undergoing countless tests, one of which was an M.R.I., they found the problem…a tumor.
The tumor, which remains inside of me, was located on the lower left chamber of the heart. It is 10-centimeters in size (the size of a closed fist). They advised me that I would require open heart surgery in order to perform a biopsy of the tumor, which, thankfully, turned out to be benign. The doctors also stated that I would require an A.I.C.D (Automatic Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator) to be implanted as a life saving device. This unit (which is replaced every 3 to 5 years) is located in my abdomen. It delivers 30-joules of electrical current, otherwise known as “therapy” when it detects the heart beating too fast in order to return it to a normal pace. In my case, the fast heart rate is also known as Ventricular Fibrillation.
Since 1991 I have experienced this “therapy” on eight separate occasions. When asked what it feels like I respond by stating the shock feels like being punched in the chest. Sometimes just before being shocked I may experience an “anxious” or “nervous” feeling, but on occasion it has happened very unexpectedly.
My biggest fear during this time in my life was my two little boys (ages 2 and 7 at the time). I thought of them growing up without me. I thought I may not be around for the highlights in their lives or just the simple, everyday things. Thinking that I may not be there for them frightened me. But, during the weeks I was in the hospital, and during surgery and the many months of recuperation that followed, I knew there were family and church members from all over the globe (literally) praying and fasting for me and my family and that kept my strength and spirits up. Just knowing that all these people were interceding on my behalf was very uplifting. I just knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God was in the center of everything. And that it would all be ok. I knew that I would recover and God would grant me the desires of my heart and allow me to fulfill my purpose in life. I thank God for a supportive husband and family. Our sons are all grown up now and I’m thankful that I have been able to be a part of their lives. With each A.I.C.D. device costing $30,000, I am also thankful for good health insurance.
I’ve shared my story to let you know one thing. Even though I faced difficulties in my life, more than anything, I have found out one very important, but simple truth…that God is control and He is faithful. He was with me then and is with me now, through it all. Like His word says, He will never leave us nor forsake us. When facing battles in our lives, we need to first remember to trust in God and secondly to have a positive attitude even when it may not be easy to do. Just like He has sustained me during my times of struggle He will sustain you as well. We just have to believe and put our faith in Him during times when we feel overwhelmed or face obstacles.
Always remember …even though our circumstances may seem big….
GOD IS BIGGER!!
Be encouraged