About twelve years ago I developed congestive heart failure (CHF). The doctors were not able to determine how it was induced whether virally or genetic. When admitted my hearts’ left ventricle ejection fraction (EF) was <12% compared to the 40-55% of a normal heart in a health individual. Over the years that followed with prayer, medication, and medical care I was able to make a full recovery. Every year an Echocardiogram performed which continually showed improvement until 2019 when My Echo indicated my EF was steady at 48-52%.
When my CHF first developed I was informed that “30% of people get a heart transplant, 30% end up getting a device implanted, and 30% get a little better but generally do not make a full recovery.”
I said, “Well what about the other 10%?”
“We won’t talk about them at this point,” they said.
We’ve all experienced and still struggle with the fallout of 2020, it was just a bad year for which I believe we should all get a Mulligan. The uncertainty propagated through the media and the lack of leadership and treatment options medically for those with “pre-existing conditions” was a cause of great fear for many of us. I managed to make it through 2020 without contracting COVID and nearly made it through 2021. It was in August of 2021, on the day we closed on our home that I began to show symptoms.
A year and a half of battling the virus and the medical community was as clueless as when the pandemic started. I contacted my VA doctor and asked if there was anything preventative that could be taken to treat me and essentially was told the standard line.
“When you start having trouble breathing come in and we’ll put you on a ventilator.”
My family began the regimen that many doctors were proposing which the government appointed “wizards” were warning against. I have more college credit hours in legitimate real world subjects than degrees on the Kelvin scale, I know how to research and I know how to calculate and I know how to make an informed, logical and reasonable decision.
Perhaps the variant was a mild form, perhaps the “unapproved” doctors were right in their suggested treatment, perhaps the government cronies were just that, cronies. But we managed to only develop mild symptoms, fight it off and get moved into our new home at the same time.
After only 5 months in our home we voluntarily took in some extended family who were having medical issues. Along with the added pressure at my employment of increased job load and the longer hours my health took a dive. I had three ER visits in a period of about two weeks in late April and early May of this year. I was retaining water and some of the CHF symptoms were coming back.
A visit with my (then current) Cardiologist, a quick office ultrasound and an estimated EF of <20% was enough of a concern to recommend me to the Cardiac team at the Salt Lake City VA. In late May the family and work issues were resolved and June and July were spent getting the new medications adjusted. A consult in August presented much talk about implanting a heart device such as a Left-Ventricle Assist or a Defibrillator.
A follow up was scheduled for November where I would undergo a Cardiac-MRI. I met with my cardiologist that heads the team on my case. He is one of the top cardiologists in the nation that specializes in Left-Ventricle Heart Failure and Left-Ventricle Assist device development and surgeries. He has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles in multiple national and international medical journals, I’m pretty confident in his ability to treat my ailment.
The MRI showed a substantial improvement of heart function. With the new medications, removal of stress or at least better stress management and some lifestyle changes it took 4 months to reach a state that previously took 4 years. My EF was calculated to be “39.5%, official number” as my cardiologist said.
I have much to be thankful for this season. I’m thankful for my wife who knows me and can pick up on the cues that I present, unknowingly. I’m thankful for physicians who make it their passion to disseminate “good information.” I’m thankful for the lab coats who develop real medicines that are able to treat people. I’m thankful to the One True God who is the source of all wisdom and knowledge and passion and desire to do good for others.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5.16-18
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Acts 20.28
“Pay careful attention to yourselves.” Is this not good counsel? My family and friends greatest need from me is to be healthy physically. Their spiritual health also depends on my spiritual well-being. As the leaders of our family and influencers of friends and acquaintances, GENTLEMEN we need to “pay careful attention to ourselves.” If we’re not grounded on Biblical principles and implementing them throughout our daily interactions we are essentially propagating a virus with pandemic potential.
What does it look like?
How do I start?
“Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks.” These are symptoms of good health. These are contagions well worth spreading. Imagine a pandemic of Joy, Prayer and Thankfulness and it all starts with “paying attention to yourself.”
Those Who Can't 