Pastor John Gray is in a critical care unit (CCU) after being diagnosed with rare blood clots in his lungs called saddle pulmonary embolism (PE).
The pastor’s wife, Aventer Gray, took to Instagram to advise her followers of her husband’s grave medical condition.
She shared several photos in a post on her @iamaventergray Instagram page on Sunday, July 10.
She captioned the post: “Hello family. My family and I stand in need of a miracle. Please keep my husband @realjohngray in your prayers…”
Aventer, who shares 2 minor children with Gray, went on to explain he “was feeling a little different” over the past few weeks. He went to the emergency room on Thursday “and was immediately admitted to CCU with a saddle Pulmonary Embolism in the pulmonary artery and more lung blood clots.”
Aventer continued:
“The Saddle PE is in a position that could potentially end his life if it shifts at all. The clot burden is severe and only God is holding it in place. He is currently in CCU and based on CT & Echo we will need two types of surgery due to the pressure now on the heart within the next 24 hours. To place this in perspective, the doctor said that people have come into the hospital dead with this exact scenario he walked in with.
“The Doctor said God has to keep him through the night and he can not move, not even get up to walk to a bathroom.
“Ok, COOL! Thanks ma’am! God isn’t done! I don’t care what CT, ECHO, All or any of the tests show! It’s clear God isn’t finished. Clots have to bow to my God! That’s all! I need as many people who believe in the miracle healing power Of Jesus Christ to join me and my family and our church as we cry out on behalf of John W. Gray III.
“I’m rocking with God, Relentlessly!”
What is a saddle pulmonary embolism?
A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that causes a blockage in the main pulmonary artery in the lungs.
A saddle pulmonary embolism is so named because of its position in the main pulmonary artery trunk between the lungs.
A saddle PE is a large blood clot that lodges where the main pulmonary artery trunk branches off to carry deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart into each lung to be oxygenated.
Any PE is dangerous because clots block blood flow in one or both lungs. A large saddle PE blood clot can break off and cause multiple blockages in both lungs leading to right-sided heart failure and death.
What causes saddle PE?
The blood clot (thrombus) typically breaks off in the veins of the arms or legs (DVT) and travels to the pulmonary arteries in the lungs where it becomes lodged and blocks the flow of blood around it.
What are the signs and symptoms of saddle pulmonary embolism?
Some patients diagnosed with saddle PE don’t show signs or symptoms. Signs symptoms of a saddle PE are the same as any other PE:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- cough
- coughing up blood-tinged sputum
- difficulty breathing
- rapid heart rate
- irregular heartbeat
- low blood pressure
- fatigue, tiredness
- lightheadness or dizziness
- fever
- cold, clammy skin
- blue skin (cyanosis)
- leg pain or swelling (if DVT)
- fainting
How is saddle PE treated?
Saddle PE is treated the same way that other pulmonary embolisms are treated with blood thinners such as heparin, warfarin, and/or clot-dissolving medication. Sometimes surgery is necessary to remove large blood clots or to place a filter to trap clots.
A PE is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency medical treatment to restore blood flow to the heart/lungs before irreversible damage or death can occur.
If you believe you have a pulmonary embolism, seek emergency treatment or call 911 immediately.
