Health Problems

I’m really writing this to sort of remember it all in the future. Since I was diagnosed with cancer over 10 years ago I have been gaining weight, seemingly unable to control my choice of foods. This has led (obviously) to other health problems such as high blood pressure, headaches, depression, sinus problems, snoring and probably sleep apnea. I have relied on medicine to go to sleep, wake up, breath, cure everyday headaches, and feel better. I knew I was headed for a shorter life and did not enjoy not having energy or self-control.
Kathy and I took 2 weeks off and spent some time in Montana and surrounding areas with some friends and I had time to think about my life. I wanted to do better but realized I just couldn’t do it without some help. That’s what I mentioned to my daughters when they chided me on my size, pray for me because I can’t do this on my own.
I’m assuming that what happened to me later was a direct result of that prayer.
We got back on the 26th of August and I settled back into work. On the 7th of September I was at work and got a bad headache during lunch with some friends. When I got back to the office I started feeling worse and finally walked down the hall to the clinic and had my blood pressure checked. It was 162/98 which is very high. The nurse asked if I wanted to lay down and I said “no”, I would go back to work. Later as I was getting ready to leave for the day I started feeling light headed and flushed so I walked back down the hall to have my BP checked again. This time it was 182/118. She had me lie down in a back room and kept checking. In 15 minutes it was 210/124 which is really, really high and could have put me in jeopardy of having a stroke. She called an ambulance and I was taken to the hospital. They gave me 3 nitroglycerin pills and by the time I got to the hospital it was down some.
15:35 – 182/118
15:40 – 196/112
15:32 – 192/124
15:35 – EMS contacted
15:45 – 200/120
15:48 – 210/124
16:20 - Transported
But, as I was lying on the table in the clinic earlier I really thought I was going to die. I cried out to the Lord and asked Him to help me. I wanted to play with my grandkids; continue to work with my band and learn to pay guitar better; lead worship; spend time with my wife and children. I wasn’t afraid to die but just didn’t want to make the trip on that day. I also did not want a stroke and find out how that can ruin your plans.
I spent a miserable night in the hospital, hungry and hooked up to a heart monitor, BP machine and oxygen monitor. I passed the EKG’s and stress test and they let me go. But, I had already resolved that God had given me a warning and I would not dismiss it.
Since that time I have meditated on His words of healing promises and have adjusted my diet. I have started exercising and am now taking a second BP pill. I am still on most of the medicines I was on but am working to wean myself as God gives me wisdom to. I am not heading into this as a fool, but prayerfully and slowly. It has taken my body a week to adjust to no sugar but I now have plenty of energy.
I did wake up this week (2 weeks later) with severe vertigo but I think I have determined the reason. I have been having problems sleeping because my nose stops up after an hour or two into the night. I am confident it is because of allergens or dust in the air. I bought an air purifier today at Walmart and I hope that can make a difference. We’re also going to vacuum the room thoroughly and air it out to insure a cleaner environment. I have been using a nose spray nearly every night and am trying to wean myself off it now. It’s hard but I’m sure my sinuses will clear up soon.
I have worked this weekend Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 7pm to 7am and have been surprisingly energetic. I haven’t felt tired or sleepy very much and have been able to walk the hallways a few times during the night without getting fatigued. I didn’t sleep much Saturday but did sleep better on Sunday with the aid of a Benadryl. I hope I’ll be able to quit taking sleep aids soon but have to insure I’m rested to do my job effectively.
I have eliminated nearly all sugar except for honey and realized tonight that I also need to cut back the carbs a great deal too. I don’t feel like that’s too much of an issue but it’s not as easy to eliminate from your diet as sugar is. I’ll do the best I can and will hope God will bless the effort and help me lose weight quickly.