Tammy's Healing Journey

The Story of Tammy's healing 
from Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection - SCAD

The afternoon of June 8, 2016, I had severe chest pain, a pain that traveled across my shoulders, down the middle of my back, making my arms and fingers tingle, my hands swelled to the point I had trouble removing my rings, and I would break out in hot sweats. After several hours of the worst pain I’ve ever felt, I asked my kids to pray for me Caden (5) & Kitty (2), and I called my Mom & Dad to pray too, after prayer the pain was almost gone. My husband, David, felt we should go to the ER, just in case it was something serious. I had felt similar pain in February, the weekend my grandfather passed away, the pain at that time was concerning, but I didn’t think much of it as I’ve had short, random, episodes of not being able to catch my breath, since my early 20’s.

 When we arrived at the ER I was admitted quickly. The tests showed I was very healthy, and that there was no reason for a heart attack at 35 years old, but my heart was only functioning at 50%. The doctor told me I had experienced a rare heart attack, called SCAD, Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection. He went on to explain that arteries are made up of 3 layers, if they tear, blood can pass through the inner layer, but gets trapped in the tear and bulges, this can narrow or block the artery, causing a heart attack. There’s speculation that SCAD is stress related, but there’s not really any known cause. This 29-second video from Mayo Clinic explains what happened.

I was taken to the Operating Room, where they performed a Coronary Angiogram through my wrist and placed a stent in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) of my heart. I was awake for the surgery, it was interesting and surreal at the same time.

While recovering in ICU I tried to wrap my head around what had happened. Thanks to my Mom who made a few phone calls, our pastors came to encourage and pray with us. They gave me the verses in Isaiah 41:10-13:

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing, and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of naught. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Just like Jehoshaphat, in 2 Chronicles 20, we are praying, praising and have peace. This is not our fight, GOD IS FIGHTING FOR US!

There were many times that these verses kept me from being scared, I held on to them knowing that God was on my side and I had victory!

Five days after surgery, I went home. My ejection fraction was 35%, ejection fraction is a measurement of the percentage of blood leaving your heart each time it contracts. I was sent home with 5 different heart medications, and a life vest, an external defibrillator, that I would have for at least 4 months.

Every day for 10 months, I experienced heart palpitations, chest pain, and extreme fatigue. I also developed digestion issues, food allergies, horrible monthly cycles, and a many other side effects, due to the medications. The doctors told this was my new normal and I needed to learn to live with it. I didn’t like that, I have a family and wanted to be part of their lives.

To help build my strength back, I went to cardio rehab. After the first month of exercising, eating a low sodium heart approved diet, taking Juice Plus vitamins, and believing God for my healing, my ejection fraction was at 41%. I could send back the life vest!

In October, my ejection fraction was at 50%. The doctor reduced the medications to three pills, at the lowest dose. Even though my strength was coming back, I still had very low blood pressure (80/50’s - 90/60’s), dizziness, aches, and pains. Sometimes it was so bad, I stayed in bed all day. This was very frustrating. I asked God to show me what was going on, medically I was doing great, and I knew deep down that I was healed, but I still felt sick. The Spirit of truth abides in me and teaches me all things, and He guides me into all truths. Therefore I have perfect knowledge of every situation and every circumstance in life, I have the wisdom of God. John 16:13 and James 1:5.


In December, the kids and I read a booklet by Charles Capps, God’s Creative Power to Heal. Several times a day we would read the healing confessions. Whenever I didn’t feel great, Caden and Kitty reminded me to take “God’s Medicine”. This helped to encourage us. The kids took every word to heart, whenever we go out, they are looking for people to pray for. When they’re playing, if one of them gets hurt, the other is right there, laying hands on them, and speaking healing over their body. It’s exciting to see our children growing in God!

A few days before Christmas, my nurse called to tell me I was no longer in heart failure and they reduced the medicine to 2 pills! I still had very little energy and had chest pain most of the time. I would often remind myself, that I would not die, but live, and declare the works of God. Psalm 118:17. The end of March, that confession went from my head to my heart, and things began to change!

In April 2017, I learned that the heart medication had depleted my body of essential minerals and vitamins. The medication side effects were a major cause of the pain, fatigue, and digestive issues I was experiencing. In order to heal my digestive system, I stopped eating gluten, refined sugars, refined oils, dairy, soy, and peanuts and began to follow a mix of Paleo & Mediterranean diets. I ate a ton of fresh vegetables and fruits, clean meats, healthy fats, and nuts. Within one week, the severe aches and pains went away, and I had energy.

 One year after the heart attack, my blood work came back great. The doctor told me I didn't need the heart medication. I stopped the meds cold turkey, but my body didn’t respond well. So very slowly, week by week, one pill at a time, I cut tiny slivers off the pills, until they were all gone. As of February 2018, I no longer take medications for my heart, not even an aspirin! All my cardiologist appointments since then have had good results.

It is finished! I am healed! I am walking in victory! I will live my days in health! (Exodus 23:25, 26)

I am so thankful for family and friends who loved on us, brought us food, cleaned our home, mowed our yard, gave the kids gifts, blessed us, encouraged us, and believed with us that God wants me well! Your encouragement helped me through one of the darkest and scariest times of my life. Thank you!

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