Fr. Dale Matson
“But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
I
have been diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). It has been less than a
year now and after my cardiologist implanted two stents to help blood circulation
to my heart, I live quite a different life. I am more anxious.
I
had a severe G.I. bleed the first day of this year because of 3 undiagnosed
preexistent ulcers combined with dual antiplatelet therapy to thin my blood. Dual
antiplatelet therapy is standard protocol for those with stents but I was more
prone to bleeding. It has been a long road back since that time and I no longer
am anemic. I had another bleed and the cardiologist took me off Plavix after 6
months. I am still on a daily dose of baby aspirin. Although the cardiologist
has limited my maximum heart rate based on treadmill performance, I am still
able to get into the mountains even for an overnight with a backpack. I use a
heart monitor watch and keep an eye on my heart rate.
I
have been on two kinds of antacids to keep my ulcers from bleeding again. A
recent endoscopy biopsy indicated that my ulcers were not the result of
bacteria. The ulcers were probably the result of years of overuse of aspirin
and ibuprofen.
During
the last 8 months, I have conducted a great deal of research on my CAD etiology
and treatment. There is good universal treatment advice including change of
diet, loss of weight and exercise. I have always had enough exercise even to
excess. I have reduced the size of my meals and avoid foods with a high
glycemic index that encourage insulin spikes. It is a low carbohydrate diet
with plenty of fruit and vegetables, adequate hydration and monounsaturated
fats. I am at my high school weight with a BMI of 22. I take several
supplements that include vitamins and minerals. I do not take statins to reduce
my LDL cholesterol but I do take sterols and stanols. This is not just to
discourage the build up of plaque in the arteries; it is also to lower blood
viscosity so the heart does not have to work as hard. There is an optimum
amount and mix of chemical interventions for each person. After that, the
effort is counterproductive.
Eventually however one must ask, “To what extent is the
solution only a chemical solution?” Every pill that has efficacy also has side
effects. For example beta-blockers that lower blood pressure may also cause
depression. Cardiac patients are often depressed? Is it any wonder why
depressed cardiac patients who take beta-blockers are even more at risk?
I also get adequate rest and don’t ‘overdose’ on what is
going on in the world through excessively watching the news. In short, I don’t
seek out things that stir me up and I do surround myself with things that calm
me down like beauty, music and Scripture. There is no shortage of Scripture
that points to hard heartedness, being stiff necked and needing a heart of
flesh. In short Scripture tells us to repent of our ways and give our lives and
hearts to Jesus.
There is another factor that I believe is downplayed by
cardiologists but understood by psychologists. To what extent is CAD influenced
by our thoughts and emotions. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that our
emotions play a significant role in the development of CAD. To understand this
we have to look at the root of the problem and that is inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s response to stress. Anxiety
and anger are two emotions that have been demonstrated to be associated with
inflammation. http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223%2813%2900947-5/abstract
I
am not an ‘Alpha’ male but I am a ‘Type A’ male. I am impatient, aggressive and
ambitious. It was actually cardiologists that coined the term ‘Type A’ but
cardiologists currently are more concerned about CRP than the significant contributing
personality features. They acknowledge that lifestyle
changes (behavioral) help but avoid emotional traits that create the lifestyles.
Maybe they think this will be addressed in support groups.
I
must confess as a Christian pilgrim beyond the three score and ten years
granted me that I still lack much real progress in spiritual development. I in
no way am dismissive about what I have stated previously but the ultimate
solution is spiritual since each of us is ultimately terminal. I have always
been a late bloomer. Part of that is lack of progress is preoccupation with
myself. I am what can be referred to as a “Carnal Christian”. I am living a
life that St. Paul refers to in Romans Chapter seven not Chapter 8. In spiritual
development, I am mostly in the “Purgative Stage”. I have given my life to
Christ over and over and taken it back over and over. I too rarely trust my
Savior who has guided and protected me from the world, the evil one and myself since
day one. Why can’t I cast my anxiety on Him (1 Peter 5:7)? Why am I still afraid?
(Isaiah 41:10) It is not so much a fear of death as a lack of trust that by
every measure should have been in place long ago. I am not as prideful however.
I
believe my conclusion about trust betrays my personality. It is the impatience
about trust. Trust is a process not just an event. I am left with this
evidence. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your
paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
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