Still Small Voice

By now, many people know that my dad had a heart attack on July 22, 2013.  He is doing well and recovering. I wanted to pass on some interesting thoughts.

An interesting effect of both chiropractic and Nutrition Response Testing checks is that you start to learn to listen to your body.  I am always asking questions about how your body is functioning and I expect you to start listening.  My dad has been adjusted since 2000 and is much more aware of what his body is doing…even those little problems.  He knows to get the little problems taken care of before they become big ones.  He has also been on a nutrition program since 2009 and since then has become even better at listening to his body.

When he had indigestion on Monday he did ‘the usual’ and took the supplement he often finds takes care of indigestion.  When he realized in a short time that it was not taking care of the problem and it became a discomfort not like anything he had experienced before, he took himself to the hospital instead of denying a problem and going on an hour drive to a meeting.  That quick realization saved his life.

Here is a summary in his words:
When the pain in my chest changed character and intensity (it really got my attention), I changed direction.  My normal advice is to call and wait for the ambulance.  Given my proximity to the hospital and the probable delay for stopping and waiting for an ambulance, I chose to continue driving.  Frankly, I got a blessing...lucky if you prefer.  I made it to the emergency department in something less than ten minutes (and no, I wasn't speeding).

The cardiologist tells me he found a 100% blockage of the LAD (left anterior descending artery) and placed a single stent.  The pain and cell damage stopped immediately.  I have some healing to do, and am at least trying to behave myself, mind my doctor’s orders and be good.  Those of you who know me may laugh out loud at that...just like my wife and daughter did!

The cardiologist also tells me the lay term for that particular blockage is "The Widow-Maker".  Apparently many of those who do make it to the hospital don't often make it out of the cath lab.  He says (knowing that I am a minister), "Your boss has something planned for you."

I credit his survival to 3 things:
1. God is with him and not done with him yet.
2. Nutrition and chiropractic care have encouraged healing and repair in his body.
3. He has been learning to listen to his body for the last 13 years and paid attention to that still small voice that said this was different.

I have had people tell me him having a heart attack was probably a very big shock to me.  My reply is actually no.  Through chiropractic and nutrition analysis over the years I have seen the stress the heart was under.  We had also been actively working on helping to heal and repair the heart and take off the stress.  I always hoped we were ahead of any major problems and he would never have a heart attack.  I am convinced though, that if he had not done anything and just waited, he would have had a problem much earlier, it would have been much worse, or both.

I thank God every day that he is still with us.  I thank God that He has given me the tools to help not only my family regain their health but also those in my community.  Please, listen to the still small voice and if there is anything I can do to help you regain your health or the health of your loved ones, let us know!  God bless you!