Heart Attack

On August 22 I walked into the Emergency Room with shortness of breath and chest pains. I was in acute heart failure with my heart working at only 20 percent...congestive heart failure!! I was so scared. I had no idea I had heart problems.. I am 58 years old. It took them 6 days to get my heart strong enough to do a catherization..Doctor had to stop. My main artery (LAD) was 80 percent blocked...all from smoking cigarettes!! The only hope I had was for a bypass. I was beyond terrified..my children are 12 and 15..the future wasn't looking good at all. Through lots of prayers and God on the 7th day my heart was up to 53 percent and they were able to put one stent in...I smoked for 44 years. I always thought about lung cancer but never heart disease. I am on day 17 of no smoking. I didn't notice physical withdraws as I was in hospital the first 9 days. Now it is just the physiological parts of quitting. I have even dreamed that I smoked one..I know that wanting one will more than likely always be there but as long as I don't touch them I will be okay. I will be on heart meds for the rest of my life and that's okay. Had I not gone to the emergency room I wouldn't be here to write this.