I walk because I know that with every step, I am saving lives. This year, I am also saving my own life. On May 2nd, 2024, I woke up feeling bad and took myself to the ER. After a few hours of testing, I was diagnosed with Aorta Aneurysm/Dissection and doctors only had a short time to save me. I'm so glad I paid attention and listened to my body that morning. I was told if I had ignored how I was feeling that day, I may NOT wake up the next morning beause at that moment it was looking not so good for me. Still shocked at the news, all I could do was cry and pray. My mind was racing, thoughts were all over the place. I felt so helpless at that moment. I was then quickly airlifted to the other Duke Hospital (Durham) and the wonderful doctors/staff at Duke Thoracic Vascular Wing went straight to working on me in the OR that night and worked til the wee hours in the morning.
I had no idea that something like this would EVER happen to me. While I was laying there thinking to myself in the OR while waiting for Dr's to begin my surgery, "I am a pretty healthy active woman and my family hadn't had any heart issues in the past, so my question was, where did all of this come from???? and why me?" BUT, The best feeling in the world was waking up the next morning. I really still can't explain it but after opening my eyes, I cried and praised God for delivering me thru this. This new born feeling was very real!
Now, with the help of my doctors at Duke Hospital and AHA, I'm learning every day what can cause this and how to look out for signs so it doesn't happen again. You have to be your own Advocate in your health and to stay in the know. So I'm in study mode and following my Dr.'s instructions every day. This was definitely life-changing and a big eye opener.
I will be walking my 1st Heart Walk in September (My Team: The Beat Goes On....).
We're all tied to heart disease and stroke in some way. We have to change that. Will you help me?
Your donation will fund groundbreaking research that literally keeps hearts beating and helps people have longer, healthier lives.
This year, as we celebrate the Centennial of the American Heart Association, we will move health and well-being forward in important and critical ways. This relentless pursuit will continue until heart disease and stroke no longer exist.
Have a heart and help me reach my goal today.
