[__ Prayer __] My moms heart

[Nikki]

My mom has still been out of breath. She had the double bypass in March of last year, another catherization in October (that's when they found the left main artery graft had narrowed), was put on medication to help open the narrowed artery, but it hasn't worked.

I went to the doctors with her today and her diagnosis is simple:

Either start exercising or die.

UGH. :

The artery that has narrowed is the left main one. THE most important one of the heart. I remember when she had her bypass, he said that the blockage was in the worst place it could be in a person.

She has very few options right now. The meds are obviously not working. He said to put in a stent would be even more risky than leaving it alone because if the slightest thing goes wrong or it doesn't work the way it should afterwards that she would die. And doing another bypass is out of the question right now.

He told her that her only option is to exercise (something she has NOT been doing), build up the muscles of her heart and get her heart in good condition. The heart can actually form NEW bypasses on it's own which would prevent the strain on the main one. Here's some info on that:

The heart is actually very good at growing tiny little arteries we call collaterals. These collaterals can act as nature's own bypasses. If one of the heart arteries is completely blocked, one of the other heart arteries will grow these little blood vessels over to the plugged artery.

Unfortunately this is a very slow process and these little arteries often are unable to grow big enough to supply an adequate blood supply to prevent chest pains. Interestingly, daily exercise is one of the best ways to encourage the growth of these collaterals.

She is to walk VIGOROUSLY for at least 30 minutes a day. I came home with her and we walked. I thought I was out of shape, but after seeing her, I feel pretty darn good about myself. Within just 2 minutes, she was so out of breath she could hardly talk. We walked maybe 1/4 or 1/2 of a mile. But she needs to start out slow. I'm gonna try to talk her into a tredmill because I know she won't get out and walk in the heat of the summer. And she won't go to a gym.

The cardiologist also turned to me and said that if I didn't start doing the same thing, that I would end up just like my mom. This may actually be a blessing in disguise for me. I'm willing to exercise to keep my mom around longer. I wasn't willing to do that for myself.

Just include her in your prayers please. He's going to see her in 6 months and is hoping to see a big improvement. I knew exercise was important, but never really knew JUST HOW important it really is. I do NOT want to lose my mom, so I'm gonna be on her case daily now. She's VERY scared right now.

 

[Blazin Bones]

Dear heavenly Father, we come before you now lifting up Nikki's mother. Lord as you know, she's having issues with her heart. Lord, while the situation does not look bright, we know that you are able to provide all the light she needs. Lord, put the desire to exercise in her, and allow her heart to gain strength. Lord, Most of all, we ask that your will be done. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

[Nikki]

Thanks Tim. Sorry I haven't replied before now. School is KILLING me.

My mom just had an elliptical delivered yesterday, so she's getting started on that! YAY! That thing is HARD though. Have you ever tried one? I thought I was gonna die... :

My mom on the other hand, looked like a pro. She was doing it so fast that I thought she would fall off it!