Having had migraines for years, I knew I would need that third pill. No more than 300 milligrams of Imitrex, and I would take that enormous, new, blue blood pressure pill my family doctor just prescribed. I was way too young to be having blood pressure issues. But the unexpected has a way of meandering into life.
Still recovering from my neck surgery, my Physical Therapy doc had sounded the alarm bells after taking my vitals. My PT would have to be stopped and the justification was dangerously high blood pressure. My shock had been evident as I had voiced my confusion, “Doc, you must have made a mistake. I have never had elevated blood pressure and surely haven’t developed it in a month.”
The next thing I knew, they had called my family doctor, who had agreed to see me. Dr. Elizabeth Brown, a new physician in the office, completed a pretty comprehensive physical, including an EKG. She told me with heart-warming empathy, “Mrs. Stillman, I am sorry to tell you that it appears you have had at least one heart attack. You have dangerously high blood pressure, so I am writing you a prescription and referring you to a heart specialist.” My mouth had hung open like a cheap fly trap.
To continue reading, please click on MasticadoresIndia ( now called ChewersMasticadores ) and don’t forget to like, follow, subscribe and tell your friends about the magazine. Happy Wednesday everyone, sending out love, hugs and blessings to everyone.
Fantastic, Joni!
Thank you Tim so much for reading and commenting. Big hugs and appreciation. 🌹🦋🌹
My pleasure, Joni. I really enjoy your writing. 🙂
Thank you 🌹🦋🌹
love the start of this Joni and you keep forging ahead in story! Congratulations!💗
Thank you Cindy for reading and I hope you enjoy the end of the story too. Thank you for reading and many blessings. Love Joni
You’re an amazing author Joni, I love your writing💕🌸
Thank you, Henrietta. I was a little nervous about sharing this story as not many people know about it. It happened a long time ago and it was a difficult time too. I was recovering from my neck surgery, and this happens. God has always been with me and He obviously gave me a chance to make the decision. I am grateful. Thank you for reading it Henrietta it takes a while to read a story. Big hugs, Joni
Another great write, Joni! Every detail was so real, I felt like this was happening to me. We all have our beliefs, our fears, our questions. For me, this was an amazingly comforting account of what happens when we die. Superb, Joni!
Oh thank you so much Nancy. I didn’t see all the amazing things other people did but it was weird listening to people talk about you like you were not there. Very strange indeed. I felt so peaceful, honestly I was still recovering from my neck surgery caused by a water skiing accident, and I felt amazing. I made the right choice. God has just always been with me. Thank you Nancy. I hope to read you in one of the three English Masticadores sites or on Literary Revelations. Big hugs and love, Joni 🦋🌹
Joni, I can relate in a small way to what you wrote. I have arthritis and spinal stenosis; when I get a bad flare up, the pain in unbearable. In 2018 I went to the ER with pneumonia and there were no available rooms in the hospital at the time. I spent hours lying on a stretcher in the hallway waiting for a room and my spinal stenosis became aggravated as a result. I was begging for something for the pain and was finally given a shot of demerol. Joni, my pain was gone after that and it’s so easy to see how people become addicted to drugs. The whole time I was hospitalized for pneumonia, I was completely pain free; it had been so long since I was without any pain , I had forgotten what it felt like! It was incredible to feel no pain at all, to be free of any discomfort. I can understand what you meant about being free and happy; that feeling of was one of total peace. It was one of the most reassuring and comforting times of my life! Thank you for such a beautiful, reaffirming piece. 💕
Nancy, I am so sorry you have this to deal with. How horrible that it takes getting hospitalized for people not to have to suffer all the time. So unnecessary too. I have had two C3-C6 Spinal Oblations and one without any medication before the surgery. They go in with about a 5-inch needle and burn the nerves at an extremely high temperature. I have had two. I appreciate you telling me this, Nancy. Honestly, it means so much to me. People who live with constant pain, or most days have pain, know how wonderful it feels to get relief from that. I did feel wonderful. Yet my daughter was in another Country studying for her master’s, and we were having a difficult time, and I didn’t want anyone to feel guilty. I also wanted to be there for my family. I would have begged God to take me if it had not been for them. That is just the truth. Some people won’t like this comment and find me selfish, but they have not walked in my shoes, and I know that when I get to heaven, there will not be any more pain. I hope you have a great neuro-specialist and that you are under the best of care. Blessings to you and seriously, Nancy, thank you for sharing this story with us, it has meant so much to me, knowing that someone else will feel the same way. Love you, Joni
Joni, I do not think you’re selfish at all. I understand what you mean about begging God to take you if it had not been for your family. I’ve had those thoughts. I don’t have them much at all any more because I know there’s help – not a cure but relief and I’ll gladly accept that. Bless you, Joni. You are an exceptional person. 💗
Nancy, thank you so much for your kindness. That actually makes me feel so much better. I am sorry you have experienced this feeling, and it is not a good place to be in, but thank you for your honesty. Many resources are available if we need any intervention these days, which is excellent to know. You are like a kindred soul, my brilliant and dear storyteller friend. I send you lots of love, hugs, and blessings, Nancy. Joni
A wonderful story of God’s faithfulness in life and death. 💚🙏
Amen, thank you Cassa. I feel I don’t deserve his grace but then who does I ask myself. Blessings my friend. Love Joni 🌹🦋🌹
A gripping story Joni, well told. As someone that had a similar experience, I can relate and I know what you mean about it not being scary, more peaceful. I’m certainly glad that you are still with us to share your amazing journey! Love to you dear friend! ❤ 🤗
Wow, I can honestly say I am not that surprised. You strike me as an incredibly intuitive and creative soul. I will say the same thing you did, and that is this, I feel blessed to know you, Tiffany. I really do, and you are unique. We don’t know today, but I would want God just to take me home. Selfish or not, I think many creatives think differently than many people. I also believe we are more sensitive, and we feel pain deeper. Maybe that is a line of crap, but I just believe it. Sending my love and praying that God will bless this upcoming month and you will feel uplifted. I love you, Tiffany. Joni
An impressive and pondering story, dear Joni! Thank you for revealing it, for your courage. 🤗
Anca, thank you so much for reading my story. It is all true, and I have no fear of dying. Thank you for your very kind words and big blessings to you my friend. Big hugs on this Easter Sunday, blessings and love, Joni
Thank you for sharing your experience, my dear friend! It takes a lot to get to the point of no fear, I believe you! Wishing you peaceful, enjoyable, loving holidays! ❤️
Thank you very much. Big hugs my friend. Have a truly blessed week. I am glad you believe my story as I would never make up something like that. ❤️
Such near death experiences have been extensively studies. No explanation for the phenomenon has been found other than God.
Amen, thank you Anna for reading. You are right of course. I don’t remember the name of this book I read written by two cardiologists who had set out to confirm their atheism was true. Instead they both ended up faithfully believing in God. There were episodes one and particularly where it was a child, and the little boy described to a T while laughing about the bald spot on one of the surgeons heads. He also explain many other things in great detail. There was no way that he could’ve possibly seen what he saw as he was a little boy and there were not mirrors in a position where he could’ve seen what was going on plus with all the draping that happens with a surgery like that it would’ve been impossible. This study lasted for quite some time and in the end they’re finding was there Hass to be a supreme been and people do not die when they leave their bodies, they go elsewhere. Happy Easter my dear friend, it is so nice to hear from you. I hope and pray that Retha and the kids are doing well. Scott and I will say a prayer together this morning for the family. God has been answering my prayers lately as I have been praying more. I hate to admit that I have been in a funky space and have felt a bit removed from God lately and that’s all me. Evil, I believe is everywhere around us these days, and I pray for God to take the evil away from our home and our world, especially those things that I am exposed to. He has already began to answer my prayers. God always does answer my prayers, and God always will. However, I need to, except whatever happens in my life is God’s will and I have absolutely zero control ultimately. I love you Anna. 🙏🙏🙏