Two nights ago, I felt some discomfort of my chest. There was no pain, but uncomfortable enough to keep me awake until almost 3 am that I dozed off.
I woke up feeling fine. It was a busy morning. By 12 noon, I hurried home to send Chris to school. At 1 pm when I took a quick rest, I felt my heart pumping fast and my hands shaky. Having the thoughts of the previous night’s discomforts at the back of my mind, I drove to a medical centre. I was seen by a GP. An ECG done. My blood pressure was sky high reading at 156/96 and pulse rate 90. Said the GP, “The ECG data shows some changes.”
I was referred to a physician in the same centre. By then, the BP was 140/80 and pulse rate 70. He said the ECG looks normal to him. The physician asked, “Are you stressed?”
With two different opinions, I called a friend who is a cardiologist working in JB. I emailed the ECG to him to which he replied with this,
The ECG shows Q wave in leads III and aVF , this suggest previous/old inferior myocardial infarction.
Three doctors, three opinions, I thought it’s no harm trying another friend who is a cardiothoracic surgeon across the Causeway. He called back telling me that the ECG looks normal to him. He asked a few questions, and said this,
I think you are stressed.
Four doctors, four opinions. The patient knows better. It’s God’s shouting (it’s not whispers anymore) – Slow Down. I have been squeezing many extra hours into my days. He has divinely directs my eyes, ears and mind to what’s urgent and important.
I have picked this picture (above) to write this post as a follow-up of my post on “hideaway”. The little girl (Rachel) in the “hideaway” has an injured knee. What’s urgent and important to an “injured” heart? Like the little boy (Chris) in the other “hideaway” looking forward to be -
Refreshed for newness
Recharged for vibrance
Redirected for His ways
Reminded of His providence
Reduced to be humbled
Reprimanded for many thoughtless acts and words
and
Restore into what He wants me to be
I shall be resting upon His bosom. I shall sit at His feet.
But, I shall be back, soon, very soon, with this sunny smile of Chris, God’s willing!
Friday, March 7, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Hey sister – Better take things easy…
xD
Friday, March 7, 2008 at 8:58 pm
James,
Yes, taking things very “easy” now! Thanks!
Friday, March 7, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I just want to say Oh No!! I overstretched myself for years and did not know it until I ended up in the hands of capable doctors who literally told me off. Two of them gave me very different opinions. The third one gave me a correct diagnosis.
But with God’s blessing and care I am sure you know best.
20/20 – work twenty minutes, rest twenty seconds.
Exercise!!
Boil San Char in water and drink it throughout the day. It is calming and it will lower cholesterol fast!!
Take care of the blood pressure.
God bless
Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 7:37 am
Thanks, CY. Yes, I read your sharing in the Connection!
Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 7:42 am
OMG. Do slow down, and take it easy. i know it is difficult, esp with the elections, and your job requires you to be there out and about with all those filings and deadlines. But dont ignore the little signs you are getting. Go hideaway!
Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 6:40 am
Do take care, Yan, and try and take it easy. I know it’s a stressful period for you, but steal whatever time here and there to catch your breath, and take 5, OK?
Be praying with you to feel all better already! Love these pictures of Chris and Rachel.
P.S. There’s a tag for you on my blog, but don’t worry about it. Just do it if you like later, it’s entirely optional. I included you in the tag, before seeing this latest post of yours. Rest well, that’s most important now!
Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Sorry to hear about your scare, Yan. I guess sometimes we have to listen to our bodies when they tell us to slow down — just like I have to listen to my aching shoulder and slow down as well.
Try to take things easy (easier said than done I know) and take care *hugs*
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 7:06 am
Make sure you have enough rest each night, for a start.
Belated birthday greetings to your hubby.
Rest in Him
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Hope you are better now. Take care.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 8:48 am
Hi Yan
Hope you are feeling better now. Here’s a few verses to encourage you, I think they are so powerful and comforting:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? ”
God bless you and your family.
Alan Teoh
Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Slow down, pal, before you get slowed down
It’s never in God’s providence for anyone to get burnt out. Suggestion: go for that much delayed cruise holiday.
Monday, March 17, 2008 at 11:24 am
can it be a result of all that running around & deadlines because of the elections?
“be still, & know that I am God”
Monday, March 17, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Rest easy. S l o w…d o w n.
Shirley Buxton
Monday, March 17, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Dear all,
stay-at-home-mum
bp
just me
petertan
Alan Teoh
fishtail
doc
shirley,
Thanks so much for that “Oh, Dear!” that soothes the soul and brings down the blood pressure!
Indeed, in our busyness, there is no better place than to sit at His feet!
I am back!
Yan
Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 11:03 am
Hey P,
Really enjoyed reading your article! Thanks for sharing!
Take a break – sip on some green tea, watch the children play. Share an ice cream with them, tell them wonderful memories of when you were growing up… My kids are teens now, soon they’ll leave home for college or university… I thank God for lots of wonderful memories we have together. Remember, we can have many jobs or careers but we only have one shot with our kids. Make it good!