“Healer of our every ill, light of each tomorrow, give us peace beyond our fear, and hope beyond our sorrow.”—ELW 612

Many of you have been asking, “How are you?” This isn’t always a quick and easy answer and sometimes I do say, “I’m doing just fine.” As most of you know, I spent a few days in the hospital early in February because I was experiencing arterial fibrillation. When I went to the ER my heart rate was at 160, I was short of breath and didn’t feel well at all.

I received two medications while in the hospital that most people get two doses of and I got five of each but finally my heart went back in rhythm. I had the usual tests like an echocardiogram and a stress test which revealed that mechanically my heart was fine but I was experiencing an electrical problem (that’s how my primary doctor put it.) The many blood tests also revealed that I was severely anemic which can cause a fib.

For the first two weeks after I was released from the hospital, my heart stayed in rhythm. The last week in February brought a couple of days where my heart decided to race then beat normal and race then beat normal. But because I wasn’t in pain or short of breath, no one seemed too worried.

I don’t know what caused the a fib in the first place. The heart doctor has theories but nothing has been proven. It will be close to the middle of March before I see the two doctors I am to follow up with so in the meantime, I am in a holding pattern. I do have a heart monitor that I wear all of the time that keeps the doctor aware of what is going on with my heart.

I give thanks for your many prayers and I am grateful for your concern. I am back to work almost full time but some afternoons I get sent home to take a nap. I am also thankful that you all are watching out for me. I’ll keep you informed as I know more but for now, “I’m doing just fine.”

As I often do, I included part of a hymn at the beginning of my article. I am the type of person that often thinks in song. Meaning that I often draw on song lyrics to express an idea or make a point. What I know is that through this time and long before, Jesus has been with me on this journey. I’ve had moments where I have needed to ask for Christ’s Peace to alleviate my fear. I know that Jesus is the light of the world, the light of each tomorrow, but also the light of today. And so, I am trying to recognize and bask in that overwhelming light as I try to prayerfully wait for what comes next.