An Anniversary

Seven years ago today, I was sitting in my car in the Best Buy parking lot, waiting for an ambulance that felt like it would never get there in time. I was having a heart attack.
Earlier that morning, I was in the hospital having a stress test. They used a medication to get my heart rate up because I had a back injury and could not walk on the treadmill. The medication triggered a pretty bad headache. They said that was normal. After a little bit of time my chest started to hurt, and my left arm started to ache. They said it was probably from the blood pressure cuff. Finally, I told them to stop because I was in pain. They stopped. They were not happy because they didn't get my heart rate up enough for the test to be accurate. I sat up and had to lie right back down. The tech said just to lay there a minute. I could hear her irritation in her voice. I got back up and left. As my husband and I walked out of the hospital, I felt a hint of that headache coming back.
We had planned on spending the day in Lebanon shopping. We started at Best Buy. As we stood waiting for Art's turn with the tech who would help him with his new iPad, I started to feel bad. I scanned the store for a chair and there was none. I had to sit so I left my husband and went out to the car. That is when the pain in my chest came back. It was crushing pain, and it went right down my left arm. I called my husband and thankfully he had his phone on. I told him I was having a heart attack. He came right out and we called 911. 
I wanted to call my children, but the operator would not let me get off the phone. I was so afraid they would not get there in time. It felt like forever. I just kept picturing my children in my head. I didn't want to leave them. I looked at my husband's face and saw a bit of panic in his eyes. The ambulance finally got there. I got right up and walked quickly to the ambulance. They were great. They had me chew baby aspirin and sprayed nitro in my mouth. The pain got better. I had some hope that I would get through this.
After some blood work I was told I had a heart attack, and I had a blockage in my LAD which they call the widow maker or in my case I guess it would have been and widower maker. I was taken to the cardiac floor and for New Year 2019 I was given a stent and a second chance at life!
I have often wondered why did I make it?
I came up with many reasons! 
I was able to be with my dad for the last 5 days of his life and sit with him as he transitioned.
I was there for my Mom who lost her best friend and love of her life. 
I was still here to be in the lives of my grandchildren and be there for 2 more grandchildren Chase and Aleah and my great-granddaughter Avrie.
I am here to make many more memories with my children who I love more than my life!
I am here to care for my husband as he maneuvers his life with dementia and heart disease.
I am here to write my book and finish my children's stories and illustrations.
I am here to hopefully make a positive difference in the lives of others.
I am here to continue my spiritual work.
I am here because it was not my time to leave and I am so thankful for these past 7 years and hope for more. 
I do not worry as I did right after the heart attack, about having another heart attack. My checkups have been great, and I feel pretty good. 
I am very thankful for every moment I have here on this planet.
Thankful for all the good and not so good experiences in my life.
Most of all I am so thankful for my family and my friends. 
My heart is full of love for the people in my life! 
​Thank you♥ 

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