Staying fit as I get older
has always been a priority for me. So I try to get to the Southwick gym twice a
week during church office lunch time. Wednesday 13 August was no exception.
There were no noticeable warning signs earlier that day, until I started my very first gym machine - the rowing machine. Because I am asthmatic, I take my sprays before I enter the gym. Halfway through my 5 vigorous minutes on the rower, I began to feel tightness in my chest! My first thought was that my asthma spray must be empty and need renewal - it's only good for 200 puffs.
Concluding that the spray was the problem, I decided to stay clear of all the other aerobic machines, where you get breathless quite quickly, and concentrate on the less heavy-breathing equipment – the weight training machines. That worked! That worked, only until I reached the lower back machine.
Not only did the chest tightness return, but now I was covered in sweat and beginning to feel light headed. Heart attack was now becoming a thought, this was no asthma attack, but maybe, just maybe, this is a stomach upset and that became the dominant thought.
Leaving the gym promptly, I trundled down to the "conveniences" - but it became apparent that this was not a feverish stomach upset either. There was no other alternative left - this was a heart attack!
I made it to the changing rooms, walking slowly, because I felt I could have keeled over! I determined that I would speak to anyone present in the changing rooms, to ask them kindly to inform Reception of my distress. That was the best and wisest thought of the day!
Reception staff came quickly; they were trained to recognise a heart attack apparently. Within a further 5 minutes, an ambulance was called.
Minutes later I was inside a blue flashing light ambulance with siren wailing, speeding our way towards the Royal Sussex Hospital. I was informed that we were not stopping at A & E but we were going straight to the Operating Theatre!
I was wheeled on a stretcher through countless hospital corridors at high speed until I arrived in the prescribed room. Eight people were waiting for me! They worked with incredible speed and efficiency, within 20 minutes, all was completed! A stent was put into my left ventricle of my heart, blood was flowing freely and the chest tightness had gone!
There were no noticeable warning signs earlier that day, until I started my very first gym machine - the rowing machine. Because I am asthmatic, I take my sprays before I enter the gym. Halfway through my 5 vigorous minutes on the rower, I began to feel tightness in my chest! My first thought was that my asthma spray must be empty and need renewal - it's only good for 200 puffs.
Concluding that the spray was the problem, I decided to stay clear of all the other aerobic machines, where you get breathless quite quickly, and concentrate on the less heavy-breathing equipment – the weight training machines. That worked! That worked, only until I reached the lower back machine.
Not only did the chest tightness return, but now I was covered in sweat and beginning to feel light headed. Heart attack was now becoming a thought, this was no asthma attack, but maybe, just maybe, this is a stomach upset and that became the dominant thought.
Leaving the gym promptly, I trundled down to the "conveniences" - but it became apparent that this was not a feverish stomach upset either. There was no other alternative left - this was a heart attack!
I made it to the changing rooms, walking slowly, because I felt I could have keeled over! I determined that I would speak to anyone present in the changing rooms, to ask them kindly to inform Reception of my distress. That was the best and wisest thought of the day!
Reception staff came quickly; they were trained to recognise a heart attack apparently. Within a further 5 minutes, an ambulance was called.
Minutes later I was inside a blue flashing light ambulance with siren wailing, speeding our way towards the Royal Sussex Hospital. I was informed that we were not stopping at A & E but we were going straight to the Operating Theatre!
I was wheeled on a stretcher through countless hospital corridors at high speed until I arrived in the prescribed room. Eight people were waiting for me! They worked with incredible speed and efficiency, within 20 minutes, all was completed! A stent was put into my left ventricle of my heart, blood was flowing freely and the chest tightness had gone!
During the whole “blue
light emergency” procedures of the previous hour, I just knew a supernatural
peace in my heart. To say that my Father was with me, holding my hand is no understatement.
That evening, church member Axi Charles introduced herself to me on the ward! She was the Sister on the Cardiac Unit! How amazing!
The following day in my Bible in a Year reading programme, the ascribed portion was God mercifully extending Hezekiah's life, after a close encounter with death! I feel that is what God has done for me - He has divine purpose in extending my life, which is much more my simple self-centred desire to grow old gracefully!
That evening, church member Axi Charles introduced herself to me on the ward! She was the Sister on the Cardiac Unit! How amazing!
The following day in my Bible in a Year reading programme, the ascribed portion was God mercifully extending Hezekiah's life, after a close encounter with death! I feel that is what God has done for me - He has divine purpose in extending my life, which is much more my simple self-centred desire to grow old gracefully!
Praise God! I am so
thankful for His mercies and the professionalism of the Cardiac Unit at the
County. Onwards and upwards!
