A Heart That Survived, My Personal Trial

For me, it all started a year ago in May. May 16, 2003 to be exact. The thread mill was rolling, and I was feeling fine. Then my Doctor asked,"how do you feel Mr. Williams"? I'm fine Doc, I answered.

Little did I know that this would be a life changing exprience for me and my family.

Fifteen minuets later after a little more speed, and elevation on thread mill. I was now begining to feel effects of increased speed. "How you feeling now Mr. Williams", she(my doctor)asked. "I'm Ok doctor" I replied. Her reply, and much to my surprised was, "well, that's not what machine (EKG)is telling me".

In that one single moment depression set in. although I didn't recognize it for what it was until much much later, I knew something was different.

First, I was confused. What is she telling me? What's she trying to say? What does this mean? There had been no problems with my health before.

Medication History I had been on a very popular "Atorvastatin" drug for over 4 years, and a blood pressure drug for over 10 years. Both were low dosage medication. My physical exams were done annually without fail. My Employer, and because of my job position (high stress)it was a requirement.

So what had happened. For me, there were no answers.

Now here I am uncertain of future, with very few options.

Stents Implants Guess what, three days and two stent implants later, I was told to take it easy for a couple of weeks, no heavy lifting, or strenuous activities. Fine, I thought. I can handle that.

Heart Surgery Five weeks later things are not going well at all. A return to doctor indicates that stent implants had collapsed, and open heart surgery was necessary NOW. Too alarmed to be afraid, my reaction was, oh hell! here we go again.

One evening as Mark retired to bed, he noticed four wick scented candle burning on his night stand as it normally did, he wondered if there might be any connection between scented candle and his symptoms. At that point, he put his head closer to candle and inhaled smoke to see if he would have a reaction and immediately symptoms manifested very strongly. Mark and his wife immediately proceeded to rid their home of candle in their bedroom and others around house. Mark's alarming physical symptoms disappeared.

As you festively decorate your home during any Season, bring ambiance, tradition and warmth to your family with natural glow of candles. When choosing candles to burn in your home, carefully take into consideration that not all candles are made same and some candles may be exposing your family to a toxic and unhealthy environment. According to American EPA, certain candles when burned release carcinogens (cancer causing agents) such as benzene and toluene into air and are toxic when inhaled. These toxins will also settle on surfaces in your home. Candles made from paraffin, which is a derivative of petroleum wastes, create both smoke and soot which carry toxic substances. One air quality researcher has stated that soot from paraffin candles contains many of same toxins produced by burning diesel fuel. Some paraffin candles also have lead core wicks which upon burning emit small particles of lead into atmosphere.