The Breath of Life

The Breath of Life

 

My husband and I have been serving a record preservation mission in Lima, Peru. The first year we served was a wonderful experience except for me falling and breaking my two front top teeth. At home in America it seemed like most of my family had some major health issues include my dear dad breaking his neck.  I have learned that the only thing I could do was pray for them and put their names in the temple. I have felt Gods love and presence in my life and the life of my family. Just when I think I am pretty invincible, I find out I am not.

 

I have a new appreciation for the Breath of Life. When you cannot breathe you have nothing. There is a feeling of helpfulness and everything else in life is so insignificant.

 

 

I felt like I was having a panic attach for about three weeks and did not feel hungry. After being in Cusco for 6 six week, I began to realize I could not breath. By the time I made it to the hospital my heart rate was 42 and my oxygen level was 84. Not good!!! This wonderful stake presidency, Dr. Carrasio, took me to x-ray and then walked me to the cardiologist office for an EKG. I had pulmonary edema and heart arrhythmia. I was placed in a hyperbaric chamber to bring me down to sea level. I lived on oxygen for 24 hours. The next day I went in the hyperbaric chamber again. This was the worst thing I have ever experienced in my life. My blood pressure had gone sky high and I could hear the pounding in my ears. The next day I came back to Lima.            

 

I knew the missionaries and Leslie had put my name in the temple. When I was in the pressurized machine I began to think of all the people in the temple praying for me. Later in the week thought about the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles and how they must pray mightily for the names that are in the temples of the world every week. I felt those prayers and knew everything would be all right.

 

I am grateful for the experience and now have to figure out what God wants me to learn. I know I will always have compassion for anyone who cannot breathe. I also understand what it is like at have a panic attack. I could not lie down in bed or stop pacing the floor. I was not hungry and could not eat. I began not to be able to think. I could not read a book and stay focused.

 

I never thought about being thankful for a heart that beat, lungs that help me breathe or a brain that functions normal. Only God can bless us. Only He can sustain us. Only He can cause our hearts to beat and give us breath. He is the only one that knows the connection be between the heart and head that helps our spirit that he can “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down and strengthen the feeble knees” (D&C 81:5). 

I have consulted with the area doctor and the doctor has said that pulmonary edema will return with vengeance the second time and recommended that I not return to Cusco. He also recommended that I not work in the archives around the dirt and dust. I am not sure what we will be doing.