This year, this walk is a bit more personal. In November 2023, my mom had a heart attack and went through open heart surgery. She had a double bypass and a vein graft from both thighs because the first vein was closed off. In the ICU they noticed her chest tube was filling up. She went back in for a sternotomy due to a collapsed lung and adhesions in the left apex of her lung which caused a hemorrhage in her chest wall. What was an outpatient test turned into a 14-day hospital admission.
3 months later, February 2024…. My dad is admitted for a triple CABG and vein graft. It was found out he has a rare heart structure where the right artery crosses his heart and intercepts with the left artery and wraps around his entire heart. In the ICU my dad ended up having a cardiac tamponade and had to be reopened 10 hours after his first surgery. What was an outpatient test turned into a 5 day hospital admission.
We are walking together - not only for our own health, but also for yours. And for the health of our parents
The Heart Walk is a time of celebration, joy, and inspiration. It's also an event where people work together to support one single goal - to create a world free of heart disease and stroke.
This year, as we celebrate the Centennial of the American Heart Association, we will move into our second century with Bold Hearts focused on the work ahead while celebrating our lifesaving history with those who have made it possible. This relentless pursuit will continue until heart disease and stroke no longer exist.
Be a relentless force. Be a supporter of critical research. Be a lifesaver. Be a part of an unstoppable team. Join us now and walk to save lives.
I am thankful for the cardiologist, Zubair Syed and his team. As well as the surgeon Juan Bonilla and his team. I am thankful for all the wonderful nursing staff at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.