A tough few days, with a happy ending

As many of you already know from social media, these past few days have been incredibly difficult for me. On Monday night Kevin had a full blown heart attack, and truly, was on the verge of death.

To back up and give you some of the back story, Kevin had been feeling chest pain on and off since we had left for Turkey. He experienced it on the plane ride over to Turkey, and a few fleeting moments while we were on our vacation. When we got back last week, Kev immediately went in to the doctors, and was given an EKG. The EKG came back abnormal, so Kevin set up an appointment with a cardiologist for this Tuesday.

Monday night, Kev played basketball with friends, and after he had come home and showered,  began having very intense chest pain. Kevin has a very high pain tolerance, so I knew something must be wrong if he was doubling over in pain. Kevin went back and forth about whether he should go in to the emergency room, and finally his mom and I convinced him he needed to. I think he knew all along he was supposed to go!

We arrived at the emergency room, and they ushered him in right away. In the meantime, i'm sitting in the waiting room, texting friends and family to pray for him. At this point, I honestly didn't think it was going to be anything major. 10 minutes later, a nurse runs out and urgently asks me to come back.

I walk into a room, and to my horror Kevin is laying on a bed with a  100 wires hooked up to him. There are about 5 nurses running around him, and the room is tense. I finally ask someone what is going on. The nurse looks at me, as if to brace me, and whispers, "he's having a heart attack". I lost it, and began to sob. Shock had hit my body.

Within minutes, they prepare Kevin to ride in an ambulance to another hospital which specialized in cardiology.  I had texted his family and my life group to let them know what was going on. They immediately all jumped in their cars and headed for the new hospital.

The ride in the ambulance was scary because it felt so unknown. I really didn't have any idea why he was having a heart attack, and what that meant for him. For pete's sake, my sweet husband is 30 years old, and in great health. It didn't make sense. 

We arrived at the new hospital, and they immediately ushered him into surgery. This was life or death, and every second counted. I sat in the waiting room alone, silently crying, when an EMT came into the room and prayed for me. He was so kind, and gave me a hug after his prayer. I knew God was watching over me and Kevin.

Soon our family and friends arrived, and everyone was sobered by the situation. They hugged me, prayed over me and Kev, laughed with me, and just were there. I felt so wrapped in love that night. The doctor had told me that the surgery would take 30 minutes. 30 minutes went by and we didn't hear anything. 1 hour passed, and still nothing.

This was the hardest part. My mind wandered. I kept wondering, "is this the last time I'll see my husband?" and trembled at the thought. Every time I went there, I crumbled inside. I would be broken without him. I asked for prayers over my mind and thoughts, and soon I felt a very distinct peace. I had to trust that God loved Kevin more than I did. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the doctor poked his head in and called me back. I took Kevin's parents with me. I had no idea what they were going to say to me.

The doctor quickly explained that Kevin's largest artery to his heart had been completely blocked. He was receiving no blood/oxygen to his heart for the last few hours. He looked at me, and said "if you didn't come in tonight, he would have died". The doctor, however, was baffled why a healthy 30 year old who didn't smoke or do drugs, would have a heart attack. The only explanation was family genes, both his grandfather and great-grandfather had a history of heart disease. The doctor and his team had put a stint in Kevin's artery, which will remain there forever. It had taken longer because Kevin is a tall guy, and they had some trouble getting the cathater through his groin, and up into his heart. {who knew you could go through the groin to get to the heart? fascinating!}

When he was done explaining the surgery, I fought every urge inside me to give the doctor a hug and kiss. He saved my husband's life!! I resisted the urge, but loved him for saving a life!

The team moved Kevin to ICU, where he was monitored all night long. He had some irregular heart beats, which made the doctor nervous. I spent all my time with Kevin, as he slept, took his meds, and was tested. Poor guy, my heart was just so heavy for him. Yesterday around late afternoon, we received the good news that Kevin could be moved out of ICU and onto the cardio floor. He had his own quiet room in the corner.

Last night, he took his first few steps around the hallway, which was a victory. We received some wonderful visitors all evening, and then went to bed. I first climbed in to Kev's bed, snuggling with him for about an hour before the nurse told me I needed to go to my cot. I honestly slept like a baby on that cot…but mostly I think it was the happiness over my husband being alive. ALIVE. One verse God gave me in this time was Nehemiah 9:6, which says, "...you give LIFE to everything". I couldn't help but just praise my God for giving life to Kevin.

Today, after so many lovely visitors came to see Kevin, we were told that Kevin was going to be discharged this evening. It was a miracle! Two days before he was on the verge of death, and now he was going home. We are now at home resting. I'm watching my sweet Kevin laying on the couch, and praising Jesus for his life. I know that life is a gift, and i'm so thankful this week God gave me more time with my husband:)

I just want to end by saying a HUGE thank you!! So many of your have left sweet comments on instagram, Facebook, sent me emails, and even called. We have felt absolutely supported from the first minute of this ordeal. I literally think thousands of people have been praying for Kevin, and WE HAVE FELT THE PRAYERS! Thank you thank you thank you. I cannot thank you enough!!

I promise I will try to respond to emails soon! But know that I read them, and was filled with JOY and BLESSING from them:) Ok, well if you made it to the end of this novel, thank you:) You bless me friend!!

xoxo
Katie (and most definitely from Kevin too!!)