Preserved: Part 1
During my childhood, I enjoyed good health, albeit with a few unusual symptoms. Looking back, I had more stomachaches than the average child, and I distinctly remember my mouth itching, especially during those cherished moments with my grandma in the barn alongside the horses. These memories hold a special place in my heart, as my mother was often busy supporting my sister and me by herself. However, when I turned 14, everything changed. My mother started dating again, leading to a significant adjustment in our lives. We moved in with her fiancé, leaving behind the farm and my grandma. Little did I know, this transition would mark the beginning of a challenging journey filled with mysterious health issues.
The Onset of Mysterious Symptoms
Shortly after moving away from my grandma's farm, I began feeling perpetually exhausted, accompanied by severe neck and head pain. My mother, a nurse, took me to her clinic, hoping to find answers. The doctor she worked for, after evaluating me, concluded that nothing was amiss. However, my symptoms persisted. It wasn't until my spleen became enlarged, and my mother insisted that something was wrong, that I was finally tested for the Epstein-Barr virus, which yielded a positive and alarmingly high result. The prescribed treatment was rest, but my life was never the same after that diagnosis.
The Domino Effect of Illness
In the months following my bout with mono, a cascade of new symptoms emerged. Eating would often trigger severe nausea, leading to episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. Even something as routine as taking a shower became a precarious endeavor as I started experiencing intense dizziness, frequently leading to fainting spells. My mother couldn't detect a heartbeat during these episodes. Still, I would eventually regain consciousness, a detail we shared with emergency room doctors during our countless visits. Testing for seizures and trying various medications proved futile. These mysterious symptoms persisted for two long years, during which my mother's engagement ended, and we found ourselves moving once again.
Seeking Answers with a Cardiologist
Desperate for answers, my mother sought guidance from a colleague who recommended consulting a cardiologist. I was 17 years old by then, and our hope rested on this appointment. When we met with the electrophysiologist, he decided to conduct a tilt table test. The day of the test arrived, and my mother sat in the waiting room, her heart weary and crying out to God. Strapped to a bed, the medical team tilted it upright, intending to observe my heart's reaction to the change in position. To our astonishment, I lost consciousness within seconds. As the familiar stomach pain signaled an impending episode, I could hear the panic in the room as I slipped away. My mother recounted the staff rushing out of the room, calling a code, and scrambling to get crash cart. My heart had stopped completely.
A Life-Saving Discovery
By the time the crash cart arrived, the doctor had lowered the bed, and I had regained consciousness. They had recorded my heart stopping for a full 18 seconds. An emergency dual chamber pacemaker placement was immediately scheduled. However, it was only after the surgery that the cardiologist candidly admitted his ongoing perplexity regarding my erratic heart and along with the other complex symptoms I was battling. Beyond the pacemaker, there remained a disconcerting uncertainty about how to tackle the broader scope of my condition.
It was the unwavering determination of my mother, guided by faith and supported by our creators providence, that led us to that pivotal appointment. Though we left that day without all the answers to why my heart was faltering, we clung to a glimmer of hope that the pacemaker might bring about a positive change. It did, but as you'll discover in part two of my journey, the road ahead held its own set of challenges.