God's timing

“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” – Proverbs 12:15

November 21, 2025, I suffered a heart attack. Let me explain how this went down. On a Thursday evening, we went out to dinner with our life group, and we ate at Sakura steak house. I ate some mild spicy foods as I would normally do, think Wasabi and ginger sauce. That night after going to bed I had a case of what I thought was heartburn, so I got up twice to take some antacid tablets. Pain subsided and on Friday I had a visit with my new primary care doctor to discuss blood work results from previously in the week. I did not mention the “heartburn” episode for the previous night as I did not think it was relevant. I left the doctor’s office and while driving started to have the worse case of heartburn while feeling nauseated and a small pain in my left arm. I told Jayne that I really feel heartburn, again thinking it was wasabi. As we were grocery shopping, I started to eat some of the food out of the cart to combat the nausea. Pushed through the pain and about an hour later felt a bit better. We discussed going to the emergency room but again thinking heartburn. Now I know I have been told that heartburn is a sign of a heart attack but being a little scared and a little stubborn I really chose not to go to ER.

That night again had heartburn in bed again while taking antacid tablets. Saturday was a normal day then Saturday night another episode of heartburn. Jayne and I sat up in bed from 2 am to about 330am researching. Again, I chose not to go to ER. Got up Sunday morning at 630, showered, went to church, after church visited friends then went to have supper with Colton for his birthday. We went back to Heather and Trevor’s house for pie and to visit with family. All day long I felt a dull ache in my chest along with being tired. Jayne and I discussed again going to the ER, but I wanted to get through this day for Colton. Driving home we called Brielle who is a nurse, and she said I should err on the side of caution and go in.

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.  I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2 

So, instead of driving straight to the ER we drove home to pack a bag and change into comfy clothes. (ER’s are always cold.) Around 930 pm we arrived at the ER and were seen immediately. Once into the treatment room, nurses Courtney and Bailey were exceptional. We joked and got to know one another. These ladies were very special. After about an hour of getting poked and prodded the ER Doctor came in and said because of my enzyme levels he was activating the catheterization laboratory. (Apparently, they did not have anyone on duty in the lab.)

Right around midnight the nurses rolled me into the Cath Lab to do Cardiac catheterization. As they were preparing me for the procedure, I recall that I really wanted to ask the team if I could pray for them. But Doctor Prasad and his team were working purposefully, and I decided to just pray silently for them. I was totally calm and was not once concerned about how this would turn out. I was twilight sedated, think a good afternoon nap. Because I was never fully sedated, I would often hear the team talking during the procedure and I was thinking, wow what professionalism.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

They found 3 blockages, one at 100%, one at 95% and one at 55-60%. They installed a stent in the 95% blockage (OM1) and angioplasty the 55-60% blockage. The vein at 100% was collateral and was left alone.

After the procedure, as they were transporting me to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit for recovery, I saw Jayne, Heather, and Jeff. This was around 2 am Monday morning. I was shocked to see Heather and Jeff but not surprised. Jeff did tell me he had to stretch the truth to gain access to the waiting room. He told them I was his adopted brother. Not totally a lie, as we are brothers in Christ. I remember thinking I am glad Jayne had someone with her. They escorted me to ICU and stayed with me until about 330 am.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

I got about 2 hours of sleep before the parade of doctors and nurses began. My ICU nurse was John and again my experience with him was nothing short of quality care and friendship. He told me that I would be on bed rest for at least 4 hours post-surgery.  I was wanting to get up and walk to the bathroom. He told me that as soon as we were able, he would get me up to walk. Around this time, he told me that I could not have bacon or a Coke.  What? This was an arbitrary statement, having to do with nothing at the time.

Jayne and Heather came back at 730 am and a bit later my Pastor and my friend Jim came to visit. I stayed in the ICU for about 14 hours, in which I was visited by multiple doctors and other medical professionals. Each person that I encountered was truly friendly and provided me with very good care.

Around 2 pm I got off bedrest and John immediately got me up and took me for a walk. A while later I was looking at the menu to place a lunch order and in walks John with a phone saying, hey I got the kitchen on the phone, and they want to know if you are going to order lunch. I said yes and said I’ll take a BLT. He just rolled his eyes and flatly said NO BACON! We laughed and settled on a turkey sandwich.

At that time, I was moved into a regular room, where we met our son Bryan, wife Ashley, their children Jackson and Claire. As we were settling in Courtney and Bailey walked in to check on me. Like I said before these ladies were nothing short of exceptional. We again joked and they told me that since we had such a good time the night before they wanted to keep the party going. Thank you, ladies, you do not know how much this meant to me.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Bryan, Ashley, Heather, Jackson and Claire stayed until around 400 pm. After that Jayne and were finally alone talking about the events and I learned some things from her that the doctors told her. I ordered supper and we sat and talked. Around 630, Jeff and Tari walked in.  Again, these are dear friends, and we learned it was their anniversary. They left their dinner with their family and came to visit me. I was and am very touched. We visited for about an hour and a half in which we went for a walk around the hospital and generally just enjoyed the fellowship.

After Jayne, Jeff and Tari left I was exhausted and settled in my bed while my evening nurses stopped by and I asked them when they made their rounds during the night if I was sleeping, please do not wake me. However, I was to get my vitals taken at midnight and again at 530 am. Those were the only times I was awakened. Overall, a good night’s rest.

My nurse came by to visit around 615 Tuesday morning and pulled up a chair. We talked about the events, and she told me that I was a lucky man after reading my charts. She also told me that I was not on the discharge list for today but most likely for Wednesday. No problem I said, I assumed the cardiologists wanted me there 48 hours after the procedure.

Jayne showed up around 730 as she wanted to get there early so she could also talk with any doctors that came by. A short time later Quentin and Susan stopped by for a visit to which Quentin brought me a book to read. They visited for about an hour and when they were leaving Jayne and I walked them out. (Jayne and I decided that after each visitor, we would walk them to the elevators.)

A little later Sam comes to visit me. Sam is the kindest soul I know, I love him dearly and he reminds me so much of my grandfather. At the same time the attending physician comes in and thinks that maybe I can come home today because I am progressing nicely. I told him that my cardiologist wanted me to stay 48 hours after the procedure. He said he would talk with them. Again, these medical professionals were truly that professional.

“Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.'” – Luke 10:9

Very soon after they left Becky arrives for a visit. Jayne and I are blessed to have a great church family. Y’all mean so much more to me than just being friends.

After Becky left my cardiologists came in to discuss the procedure and results. As we were having the conversation she said I could be released today and she would discuss with my attending physician about the discharge. From previous experience I knew this was going to be a while.  So around 4pm we get the boot.

I received many phone calls, text messages and emails. After we got home and the week progressed we had friends who stopped by the house and even brought us supper. To that I want to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Now why do I tell you all these details? Even though these doctors and nurses were simply amazing this was all God, because He orchestrated all these events and put the right people in the right times for me. He also gave me complete calmness during the entire process. Never once did I feel worried, overwhelmed or uneasy. I was totally calm.

My God is good and never leaves me. He protects me, He puts me in situations for His benefit and His glory. I can only say that I knew He was there with me and He never left my side. He never left Jayne alone; He was there to comfort her. As I look back on these events, I am in awe at what God can accomplish.

 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8

Now let me digress a bit. Back in August Bryan had an episode where he visited the ER, to which nothing serious developed. His follow up visit was with Doctor Prasad. They were discussing family history; he told Bryan I’ll guarantee that your father has a blockage. Guess who my cath lab doctor was? Yep, the same!

You could say all this is coincidental, but with God there are no coincidences.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

YHWH, I thank You for Your presence, Your guidance, and for preparing everything for Your glory. I am deeply grateful for the comfort and strength Your presence brings each day. Your wisdom helps me navigate challenges with patience and hope, reminding me of greater purpose beyond my understanding. Thank You for providing opportunities to learn and grow, and for allowing me to witness Your works in my life and those around me. May my actions continue to reflect Your glory and honor all that You have prepared. Amen.