When the Reaper Comes Calling

Is This Real or am I Dreaming
It was around sunrise on March 7, 2007 when I woke up. I immediately knew something was wrong! I was struggling to breathe and I could not sit up. I was very confused and disoriented. It was all I could do to look down at myself and when I did, through the dim light of morning, I could not believe what I was seeing. My flat stomach looked like a puffed out beer belly; my chest heaved as I fought to breathe and I couldn't even see my feet. I began to panic but I knew I had to keep calm through the confusion, I felt like I was stuck in a nightmare.

My Little Hero
It was not long before my 10 year old daughter helped me to sit up. I knew I was in trouble. My daughter called my father and he rushed over to transport me to the ER. When I got to the ER I was immediately taken back into a room. The doctor came back and put my chest film up on the view box. I think I saw the problem before he did as I blurted out, "Look at my heart, it is enlarged!" Disbelief sat in quickly. The confusion was now disappearing. I knew I was in trouble and that my heart was failing. All I could think at that moment was I can't believe this. How in the hell could this be happening to me?

The Reaper Draws Nearer
Over the next several hours every attempt was made to save my life with medicine. My body was pumped full of diuretics and blood thinners. Drugs were administered to try and regulate my heart beat. It didn't work.
It was at this time the cardiologist came in to talk to me. His words were sobering to say the least. He told me very frankly that they couldn't get me out of vfib and that my heart failure was progressing and that he felt I would be dead in approximately 6 hours. He felt that, barring a miracle, I had one chance. He wanted to stop my heart with medication and then try to shock me back into rhythm. The crazy thing is that while this guy is basically telling me that he wants to kill me and then try to bring me back to life, I'm totally distracted by something else. Something totally unexplainable.

GOD Speaks
Okay, I never actually heard a voice but while the doctor is trying to explain this horror to me, I have this experience. I felt as though someone said, "Son, I'm going to show you what is killing you. Either you change it or you don't. If you choose not to, don't you ever blame me again." All the anxiety, confusion, disbelief and anger were lost in that very surreal moment. Without hesitation I agreed to the procedure.

The Reaper Moves In For The Kill
The stage is set. My chest is still heaving but I can see my feet again thanks to the diuretics. I lay alone on the metal table with the doctor and two nurses by my side. I only think of two people. My only fear is for my daughter. I don't want her to grow up without her father. I don't ask God why. Instead I ask him to show me. The medicine, deaths tonic, is now mixing with my blood. I feel myself slipping away. My eyes close peacefully. That is the last thing I remember about that life. The moment I die.

Don't Blink

I just finished listening to Don't Blink by Kenny Chesney and it made me think about my journey and fight against cardiomyopathy. So here goes my first attempt to tell my story. I hope you enjoy it. I will never forget my last normal day at the gym. The day was March 3, 2007. It was back and biceps day with a 6 mile run to finish, and I just crushed it. Little did I know, that would be my last visit to the gym. If I had known maybe I would have taken a little longer or cherished every second of it. However, one of the biggest lessons I have learned from cardiomyopathy is that I took so much for granted. For example, I was a very successful chiropractor in my home town. I had a booming practice. I had won several chiropractic awards. I was on the board of the South Carolina Chiropractic Association. I had been voted best chiropractor in town by the public for many years. Nevertheless, I wanted more and I would work myself to exhaustion trying to do just that.... Don't Blink...

You may think I'm crazy but Cardiomyopathy Saved My Life!

Cardiomyopathy has taught me to slow down...Don't Blink...

Cardiomyopathy has taught me to be thankful for what I have...Don't Blink...

Cardiomyopathy has taught me that children are always watching and your example matters...Don't Blink...

Cardiomyopathy has taught me that God is good...Don't Blink...

Cardiomyopathy has taught me that it is quality that matters not quantity...Don't Blink...

Cardiomyopathy has taught me that family comes before work...Don't Blink...

Cardiomyopathy has taught me that the earth does not belong to us but that we belong to it...Don't Blink...

Cardiomyopathy has taught me that doing the right thing is usually the hardest path but the most rewarding path...Don't Blink...

Cardiomyopathy has taught me that life is fragile and it can be taken from you in a blink of an eye...Don't Blink