When my cardiology appointments went from once a year to every six months and then every three months, anxiousness set in. I ultimately went from being healthy to needing two heart valve replacements, one valve repair, and a bypass of a partially blocked artery.
Before my appointment with the surgeon, we called CHM. From our first call, our questions were answered, we felt cared for, and were prayed for by the staff. They even added me to their prayer request list.
The appointment was overwhelming: We thought we were looking at multiple options, but open-heart surgery was my only choice. I was scared; however, God was there. After this appointment, we came home to many cards from CHM staff and members in our mailbox with words of encouragement, scripture, and prayers. My eyes welled with tearsāreceiving those cards immediately after learning I would need surgery could only be Godās timing.
Anxiety engulfed me in the 12 weeks leading up to my surgery. I reached for my phone to do my own research, trying hard to grasp what little control I could. One night, I felt God telling me that I was looking to science and technology for peace and hope instead of Him. It changed my perspective.
Moments of doubt and fear caused me to look toward Scriptures like Psalm 61:2 that says, “From the ends of the earth I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I, my safe refuge and fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.” I collected Bible verses that included the word āheartā to read when I couldnāt sleep instead of picking up my phone or looking on the internet.
“As the early believers in the book of Acts cared for one another, CHM likewise provides a modern example of caring for one another through our healthcare needs.”
I was in the hospital for nine days post-surgery, home for a week, then re-admitted for another week after some unexpected complications. Those expenses added up. However, being a CHM Gold member gave me peaceāwe knew our financial expenses would be met. The hospital finance departmentās experience with CHM made them confident they would be paid, so they were willing to set up a payment plan and extend self-pay discounts while I waited to be reimbursed.
Two years later, Iām doing well in my recovery process and even participated in an American Red Cross 5K heart walk in my city.
Health issues affect all of us at some point in our lives, and Iām thankful for CHM amidst mine. As the early believers in the book of Acts cared for one another, CHM likewise provides a modern example of caring for one another through our healthcare needs.
