It was like a blow to heart\meet

When some get very excited and overwhelmed about something when he hear it

Is that correct? This is the first time I meet a survivor from there

is it correct to write "like a blow to my heart"?

I asked him in Yiddish: "," dear jewish, "Would you tell me, where are you from?"

I'm from Mephiaschana," he answered. It was like a blow to heart. This is the first time I meet a survivor from there