Prayer For A Friend

A friend of mine, and quite possibly a friend of yours, too, has been hospitalized. How, in this huge network of bloggers and readers, could we have a mutual friend? With this 'go-getter' of a gal, it's possible! I'm speaking of Beth Davis, 'PlusSizeMommy'. If she's not currently an acquaintance, I can guarantee a warm-hearted response to any comment or message you might leave on her blog, and as you get to know her, a friend for life. Last fall, I traveled as a guest to Bentonville, Arkansas to visit Walmart headquarters with several other moms, including Beth. Even though we had never met in person, Beth had such a warm and caring personality, as though we had been friends for life, and had even prepared in advance "goodie bags" to pass out to us for our return trips home on the plane.

Over the weekend, Beth woke up with chest pains and kind of just swore it off as sleeping a little wonky the previous night. However, Easter morning, upon waking, the pains were even worse. The trooper she is, she went about her day, most likely hanging in there for her 4 kids to make sure they had the Easter experience they had been looking forward to. By Monday, though, she states that the pains had become unbearable and decided it was time to get ahold of her doctor. Unfortunately, there were no available appointments until the next day.

At this point, some of us may be wondering why she didn't go to the ER. I don't have her answer to that question, but feel that it could be suitably answered in a separate blog on another occasion about women, chest pains, and how there is not enough emphasis on the fact that women, too, have equal reason to get themselves to the hospital at the first signs of chest pains. After thinking about Beth's situation, I determined that I most likely would have made a conscious choice to wait it out until I could I could get to my personal physician. In a 'man's world' of chest pains, I probably would have felt intimidated, and that my symptoms might not have been taken seriously enough at the hospital. I'm not speaking for Beth as I don't know the reasons behind her personal decisions, these are just my own thoughts. It does leave to question, though, what would you do? But, that can be left for another time.

Beth got in to see her doctor on Tuesday morning. After a thorough examination, it was found that her oxygen levels were deteriorating. An ambulance was called immediately and Beth was rushed to the hospital. After stabilizing her, and many tests later, it was determined that there was most likely a blockage somewhere, quite possibly in her heart. This morning she is receiving a heart catheritization to be 100% sure of what is happening to her and where it is located. She promised to keep us updated on her condition.

Please take a moment in your day today, to think about Beth, what she must be going through and say a little prayer for her and her family.