💥They say dig the well before your thirsty💥

Let’s talk.🗣 As many of you may know I had a scare last month with my ticker🧡; it has been something I had to think about, since my dad died at 44.

I started getting my heart checked at 40 because I knew that it was possible that I may be predisposed to a condition. Last check a few years back was all “clear”; this latest time I scheduled to be checked due to my Smart wrist device @garmin beginning to tell me I had an “Abnormal 🧡 rate”. At 1st I thought that it was an error, I asked my wife if hers ever did that, she said no. So I began to monitor myself, what I ate and when it would go off and I noticed that after big pieces of meat or alcohol it would alert me. I started asking people if they had experienced anything of the sort and it wasn’t common. My wife and I decided that with the “abnormal heartrate alert” and since it had been a few years since my last EKG and check up, it was time to go the Cardiologist again.

We both got checked at the same time; doc came back, told my wife she was fine, but said I had something going on with my heart. He asked me what I had felt, what were my symptoms, what lifestyle habits I had and what was my history (Family history). Told him that my dad passed when I was 2 and I didnt know much. I did know that some brothers on my dad side that died of heart conditions as well, told to me by my aunt. My family (on my Mom side) didn’t have the means to be as close to my dad side of the family that lived in San Diego, so over time they lost touch. When you’re poor, shelter and food are your main concern. My Dad as told to me was the provider and refused to sit on his butt and do nothing, guess I got that from him🤷🏾‍♂️. They scheduled more tests…Stress test, echocardiogram, I wore a chest monitor for 3 weeks. I failed the stress test and then seeing more abnormal function, reduced blood flow and heart function on the echocardiogram they scheduled an angiogram.

In the mean time, they put me on some crazy medication with the concern that I may have a heart attack. It gave me a headache and made me dizzy, which was a side effect. Mixed with not sleeping at night…I was a mess. I prayed, man did I pray and continue to pray…alot🙏🏿. My relationship with Christ helped me, because I think I was depressed🤯. They schedule the angiogram procedure…Immediately!!

I must say how thankful I am to all that reached out to me either phone calls, visits or through social media, and all the prayer warriors out there; you are all very much appreciated.

I can go without mentioning that my wife is the most amazing woman I have ever met, my ride or die. She keeps me strong, has been with me every single step of the way… My Angel.

I’m guessing you’re wondering about my prognosis… first let me tell you what my life looked like during this insane period. I had been killing it at work all month; though we realize quickly it’s not the most important thing, but right now it’s a strong % of how we live and God provided in a big way.

The Angiogram…Going through my femoral artery to look at my heart (heart cath), they anticipated the poor function was due to clogged arteries and that I was headed towards having a stent put in and having to spent 24 hours in the hospital. (We told our babies that we were going on a staycation and they got to stay with friends on a week night). I woke up to no stent…thank you GOD🙏🏿. But the stent would have been an easier answer, it would not have forced me to make some changes in my approach to life. They also thought the wall of my left ventricle was hardening due to blockages, another blessing, this is not the case🙏🏿. After the angiogram went through my groin and sprayed dye in my heart, they discovered I have Nonischemic (not caused by cardiovascular disease) Cardiomyopathy, my heart is enlarged and dilated, which basically means my heart doesnt squeeze the blood out like a normal persons heart, and my heart in trying to compensate is failing…stage 2 moderate heart failure. So there it is.

What’s next? or currently going on… Meds to help my heart function properly and hopefully heal, Mediterranean based diet, a lot of salad and Pho Chandler (lots of veggies😉). I have meat, but in its proper amount now, no more alcohol or cigars, etc (as my doctor puts it, “you can do those things and just not live as long”). I’m down 13lbs in 2 weeks, it’s crazy what a will to live will do for you.

Welcome to my new life #the_persistent_mitchell

#Hopedealers