My GP suggested one last test: “Just to put my mind at ease", an echocardiogram to better see the heart and its arteries.
And that’s where they noticed that though my heart was just fine, my aorta was enlarged. The aorta is the large artery coming out of the heart supplying oxygenated blood the rest of the body. An enlarged aorta often sends no symptom, it slowly enlarges over the years until one day; often during heavy exercise or lifting, it bursts — and then there’s a problem.Without immediate attention, you can die very quickly. It’s often a genetic issue, rather than lifestyle, so there’s no obvious reason to look out for it.
That's where I met Dr Zac, a cardiologist, who confirmed that my aorta was indeed dangerously enlarged and would need surgery to repair it.
As we concluded our consultation Dr Zac said that it is often just the providence of God that it’s noticed and that if I was a believer, I should thank God! If I hadn’t experienced, (totally unrelated) twinges and followed them up with the extra tests I might never have found out till too late!
I've since had the requisite surgery and am on the way to full recovery. I'll reference that in future posts.
It’s an odd feeling to learn how precarious life is.“It’s like you’ve got a ticking time-bomb in there, don’t lift anything heavy, do strenuous exercise or increase your stress levels,” as one physician put it.
It makes you realise that none of us know what’s just round the corner and how uncertain life can be. One person get’s hit by a runaway car, another person get’s missed.
I notice American Senator Lindsay Graham just recently died of the same condition. I got diagnosed in time, but he didn’t.
James 4:14 (MSG) observes: “You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing … make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.”
To seize each day and live it fully, in the moment, as a gift, is how we are to live — not fretting about what the future may bring — “Carpe Diem—Seize the day!”
Mother Teresa put it: “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today!”
Jesus said: “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34 (NLT)
Patricia Fleming, an American poet and retired psychiatric social worker wrote a poem worth pondering:
It’s an odd feeling to learn how precarious life is.“It’s like you’ve got a ticking time-bomb in there, don’t lift anything heavy, do strenuous exercise or increase your stress levels,” as one physician put it.
It makes you realise that none of us know what’s just round the corner and how uncertain life can be. One person get’s hit by a runaway car, another person get’s missed.
I notice American Senator Lindsay Graham just recently died of the same condition. I got diagnosed in time, but he didn’t.
James 4:14 (MSG) observes: “You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing … make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.”
To seize each day and live it fully, in the moment, as a gift, is how we are to live — not fretting about what the future may bring — “Carpe Diem—Seize the day!”
Mother Teresa put it: “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today!”
Jesus said: “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34 (NLT)
Patricia Fleming, an American poet and retired psychiatric social worker wrote a poem worth pondering:
The Peace of Wild Things
Live in the moment,
Just take it all in.
Pay attention to everything,
Right there and right then.
Don't let your mind wander
To what's coming next.
Cherish this moment
And give it your best.
Don't let tomorrow
Make you rush through today,
Or too many great moments
Will just go to waste.
And the person you're with,
In that moment you share,
Give them all of your focus;
Be totally there.
Laugh till it hurts,
Let the tears drop.
Fill up each moment
With all that you've got.
Don't miss the details;
The lesson is there.
Don't get complacent;
Stay sharp and aware.
It can take but a moment
To change your life's path.
And once it ticks by,
There is no going back.
In just 60 seconds,
You may make a new friend.
Find your true love,
Or see a life start or end.
You become who you are
In those moments you live.
And the growth's not in taking
But in how much you give.
Life is just moments,
So precious and few.
Whether valued or squandered,
It's all up to you!
