I love life, I love the light

But later in life, a period that is particularly sensitive for women, she experienced a great deal of stress and suffered a heart attack before the age of sixty. Since rehabilitation options nearby were limited at the time due to COVID-19 measures, she decided to take additional care of her health herself – she attended a self-funded follow-up rehabilitation program for coronary patients at the Šmarješke Toplice spa.

My memory of the day of the heart attack is filled with great gratitude toward the medical staff and gratitude for being alive. When the emergency team carried me on a stretcher from my house to the ambulance and closed the doors, I thought I would not live to see my sixtieth birthday. I was deeply moved by my daughter’s tears as she said goodbye to me. From my hometown of Šentjur, I was taken to the University Medical Centre Maribor. There, a medical team received me, performed the necessary examinations, and inserted stents. The team was professional, kind, and compassionate. After the procedure, I was taken to intensive care. During the night, I suffered another heart attack, and the next day I was transported by ambulance, accompanied by a doctor, to the Celje General Hospital.

I clearly remember that already three days before the heart attack, I felt moderate chest pressure when walking uphill, and a squeezing sensation in my legs above the ankles when standing still. On the day of the heart attack, June 20, 2020, in the late afternoon, I was cleaning the chicken coop of our eight hens. My face felt unusually warm, and I was quite irritable. After an hour and a half of cleaning, I felt a strong pressure between my breasts, like a 150-kilogram weight pressing on me, which did not subside. I went to the bathroom and noticed in the mirror that my face was completely pale. I called my daughter and told her to call a doctor immediately because something was seriously wrong with my health. I lay down. Very quickly, a doctor and a nurse arrived, recognized a heart attack, and called the emergency team from Celje General Hospital.

Since the age of thirty, I had a feeling—though I cannot explain how—that my heart was the weak point of my health. Therefore, I paid great attention to preventive check-ups and a healthy lifestyle. My cholesterol and blood pressure were within normal limits until about fifty-five, after which they became borderline. However, I was not prescribed medication. My life contained plenty of stress—especially the year 2017, when my grandson was born prematurely and my husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He passed away in February 2018.

On my mother’s side, we have a family history of cardiovascular diseases—my older brother died of a heart attack at 55, my eldest brother had bypass surgery at the same age, and I experienced a heart attack at 59. I sincerely hope my youngest brother will not develop heart disease.

I was on sick leave for four months. During this time, I rested, regularly went on short walks, and thought about how I should live on, what means the most to me, what I should give priority to, how many life milestones I will still reach. It was difficult for me. Sometimes I was sad.

After the heart attack, the doctor prescribed rehabilitation in the Celje hospital, but at that time it was unfortunately not carried out due to measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. I was only called for rehabilitation in Celje in September 2021, and I completed it in February 2022.

In the family, my daughter and son-in-law immediately took over my duties with great understanding, and my daughter and son told me that they are very happy that they still have me and that their only wish is that they would continue to have their mother.

I also received understanding and support during my sick leave from my employer, Mayor Marko Diaci. I manage a library and the Ipavec Cultural Centre in Šentjur. I am grateful to him for that. My tasks were distributed among my colleagues, which additionally burdened them alongside their regular work, but they accepted it with understanding. I am grateful to them for performing my work during my absence.

I am not burdened with worry about what will happen if I am not able. Our life is simply a short journey. And our path is continued by our descendants. My daughter and son are provided for, they have families. We get along well. I very much wish and strive for good relationships among us, for coexistence, peace, and conversation. I live in the house together with my daughter’s family, so I do not know loneliness.

After a heart attack, fear of recurrence or death is indeed present. All living things are transient, and I am also part of this transience. Support in seeing the light is spirituality for me. I love life.

Even before the heart attack, I devoted quite a lot of attention to a healthy lifestyle—movement, body weight, rest, and socializing with friends. After the heart attack, I further limit the intake of fats, sweets, and dairy products. I eat more fruits, vegetables, and fish. I regularly go for walks, at least 30 minutes daily. As much as possible, I avoid sadness, anger, arguments, and stressful situations. I HAVE SLOWED DOWN THE PACE OF MY LIFE. I follow the advice of a classmate: Rest, even active rest, is the only medicine that does no harm, even if you take it in unlimited quantities!

This year, I noticed online that rehabilitation is also organized in Šmarješke Toplice for coronary patients who are still working. I invited a friend, and she gladly accepted my invitation. I like the group Nordic walking in the surroundings, lectures, socializing, and exchanging experiences with people who have gone through a heart attack. I was especially amused by participants who came from Ilirska Bistrica.

My friend and I were also impressed by the beauty of the Dolenjska landscape and the richness of cultural heritage—we visited the gallery in Kostanjevica na Krki and the castles Otočec and Struga. Unfortunately, I was somewhat limited by a viral infection and could not complete all examinations or try all health services. But I will certainly come again.

I would like to participate in the program every year, to have a check-up with a cardiologist, to check and improve my fitness, and to exchange experiences with people who have the same diagnosis. The relaxed atmosphere and beautiful nature are also very pleasant.

I will join an association of coronary patients in January. I hope they will accept me. Until now, I have not been able to coordinate my work and association obligations.

As long as we are healthy, we have many wishes. When we become ill, we have only one—to be healthy again. I wish the readers health, much joy, and light in life. Let us slow down the pace!