Widow Maker Denied... Lessons Learned During my Heart Attack

CIO Unplugged. A blog at the traffic circle of professional, personal,
technical and healthcare. Opinions my own. 

I suspect many of us are somewhat driven professionals otherwise we might not take the time to ensure polished profiles and troll LinkedIn. Perhaps deep down we acknowledge our mortality but on the surface we live as if immortal. On April 7, 2018 I experienced my third "near death" experience. My first brush with death was 1989 off the Na Pali coast line in Kauai. Spring break, a freak wave washed me off the cliffs into the waiting grips of a cold pacific rip tide. Miraculously I made my way back to shore only to face the beautiful but deadly cliffs from which I was rescued. In 2015, my quest to reach the peaks of the Seven Summits fell short as I manifested high altitude pulmonary edema on Aconcagua. I was helicoptered from Camp Confluencia. Each time I learned and made life changes but sadly they faded. Third time a charm? I hope so.

I met the widow maker (see video) on the last mile of the 2018 USAT National Duathlon Championships in Greenville, SC. I tried to outrun her to the finish because dang, I never quit what I start. But pride kills. After beating her to the finish, my next race began. Door to balloon in less than one hour. 

Crossing the finish, Bon Secours medicine stepped in and soon I was strapped to a gurney staring at an ambulance ceiling. A nurse gave me her phone. I called wife Simran who for the first time was not with me at a race. I was awash with emotion so my words were few. I was scared and alone and cried. A physician took the phone and relayed the pertinent information.

I spent 5 minutes in the St. Francis ER as the catheter lab was prepped. It was my blessed day. The cath team was on-site finishing a case with Greenville’s best interventional cardiologist as captain. Dr. Nessmith introduced himself and informed me he had already spoken to my colleagues, the world’s foremost cardiologists. I spoke to Simran again as she began her journey to hold me and Dr. Nessmith explained the procedure. I broke down a second time as they whisked me to the lab.

Blood flow restored, I watched my heart fill with blood and dance. 
Dance with joy.

Awake, I was positioned so I could see the artist hands at work. I saw my heart and the coronary occlusion while Dr. Nessmith place the stent that would save my life. Success! Blood flow restored and I watched my muscles fill and dance. Dance with joy. Dance to the beat of its maker. The widow maker could kiss my buttocks this time. Simran joined me that evening and accompanied me back home a day later for medical follow-up. It appears I am on the way to a complete recovery. 

I believe there is a reason for everything. Within 24 hours I knew what the reason was and I would take a heart attack in exchange for the first outcome alone. These are also my encouragements to those reading:

1. Reconciliation of a long-broken family relationship. Call a family member while healthy and extend love and grace. Live in balance.

2. Balance my physical fitness with my spiritual fitness. I spend too much time exercising and not enough time seeking.

3. My identity should be in who I am, not what I do. Who cares what team you are on when you die.

4. I own my health, not anyone else. I can't blame a clinician for my lack of proactive wellness.

5. Increased empathy for patients I serve in my profession. Walk in others shoes while you have the option.

6. Deepened intimacy, next level down conversations with Simran. Don't wait for tragedy to get gut level.

8. Blessings and words of life I received from loved ones:

• Psalm 16:1-11 (I leave my destiny and its timing in your hands)
• Refuah Shelma (complete and wholesome recovery)

9. I serve at an amazing amazing amazing organization with caring leaders. Appreciate your boss and team.

10. Resolve to live life to the fullest. I will accept the risk of an adventurous lifestyle versus dying old accomplishing little. Life is too short to play safe.

11. Loving confrontation is good. My first hospital visitor was friend and TeamUSA teammate Jeff Guara. He grabbed my hands, looked me in the eye, spoke truth to my soul, as we prayed. Wept. Everyone needs a friend like that. Iron sharpens iron.

12. Get routine exams but take heed. Nothing in my history or lifestyle contained warning signs of a widow maker. A five year (current) TeamUSA athlete, I receive annual executive physicals and related heart tests. My cholesterol is <140. My pulse is 40-45. My BP is 110/70. I eat very clean. I rarely drink. I worked out 2-3 hours, 6x weekly.

13. Count your blessings in all circumstances. Heart attack? Big whoop. A TeamUSA teammate lost her life in a car accident driving home. May she rest in peace and her family be comforted.

Sometimes it may just be God trying to get our attention.

I am listening. I have no interest in a fourth wake-up call.