Monday Morning I got a call from my son Ben's girlfriend that he was in the hospital. I guess he had chest pains and decided he had to go. I'm glad he did. It appears that he had a heart attack Monday morning! Ben is all of 18 years-old. I was in shock.
The calls thru the morning only seemed to get worse as the term became Heart Attack! My son is a good kid. He eats pretty well for a college kid, is not over weight, has never done drugs, doesn't drink, and has a huge heart for others.
I spent the day calling people and emailing the details of what had happened to prayer groups, family and friends that know Ben. They were all in shock! He was taken to Nothridge Hospital and it seemed like a good one. They did a Angiogram (sp?) and it came back that his heart looked great. The blood work showed a high level of something that was supposed to indicate possible heart issues so they kept him for more testing. They did a couple more tests and came up with nothing other than my son had had a heart attack.
I went to the hospital yesterday, Tuesday, and spent the day with Ben. He was doing fine. But, he had had a heart attack! To freaking weird. The doctor was said to be releasing him later that day but it came around to 4PM before he got to the room. We talked, his mom drilled him on a question list she had compiled. We got no real answers and he said Ben needed to stay another night.
At this point (Wednesday), Ben is home; released this afternoon. He is feeling fine and back at his homework since he missed a few days because he had a heart attack. All the specialist could tell us was it could have been caused by stress or a virus.
Ben is not a stress case. He is very laid back and mellow most the time and that seems totally wrong to me given the fact he was sleeping when he woke up from the pain. Don't think it was stress at all. Then a virus? What virus? They did not find or really test for any such virus. What virus gives you a heart attack at 18 years old?? I never had that one.
So, we got him checked out today and will try and find a specialist that knows younger people, heart issues. I was told UCLA is great and his mom agreed to check out a specialist there for further testing.
In the meantime, I'm glad Ben is doing good and not dead or anything. I have been frustrated by the lack of answers, but given the options, I'm glad he is looking like he will be fine. I have had a lot of people praying for him and would just ask that, if you feel so inclined, that you pray for direction for a second opinion.
His mom and I really want this to be put behind him, and not an issue that will plague him for the rest of his life.
I talked to Ben a little while ago and he was home and glad to be out of the hospital. He sounded really good and was working on getting back to a long day at school tomorrow. Pretty amazing. He will have to take it easy for a few weeks, but the young are soooo strong. He was ready to be back at it yesterday.
Thanks to the many hundreds who have prayed for my boy!!!!! I pray you are blessed 10 times over for sharing in our concern for Ben!
Greg Vail Sax
