Today I walk as a survivor and in memory of Phyllis Groom. In 1995, I was a 24-year-old newly married mom who was over the moon with excitement to meet my son. I did not have the typical pregnancy. I did not know at the time, but I had super ventricular tachycardia and suffered with it for several months until I insisted my OBGYN refer me to a cardiologist. By the time I received care from the cardiologist, the damage had already been done. I was taken to the ER in my seventh month of pregnancy, and that night changed my life forever. I lived in a tiny, rural town in Southeastern Illinois. I was taken by ambulance from our local community hospital to a hospital almost two hours from home. An emergency cesarean section was performed, and my son entered the world with a bang. Overnight, my condition deteriorated so rapidly that the doctor came to my room and told me that they were going to life-flight me to a bigger hospital almost three hours away. The doctor informed me that I might not make it, and they made an exception and brought my son to me from the NICU. I was allowed to hold my beautiful baby for just several minutes, and then they returned him to the NICU, and I was taken to the helicopter. I arrived in Indianapolis, and the rest is a whirlwind of emotions, disbelief, and shock. I was told that I had congestive heart failure, myocarditis, a blood clot in my left ventricle, and cardiomyopathy with an ejection fraction of 10. There was talk of a transplant. I was in disbelief that all of this resulted from pregnancy. Pregnancy rarely causes cardiomyopathy, but it does happen. Today, I encourage others to be their own advocates and to listen to their bodies. I urge people to keep asking for help until someone, anyone, takes you seriously.  My story does have a happy ending. I had a phenomenal cardiologist, nurses, and home health aides who kept me going when I felt like giving up. I had an amazing group of family and friends who rallied behind me and pitched in to help when and where they could. My biggest blessing is that I was able to watch my son become a man who blessed me with four amazing grandchildren. I was on Social Security disability for many years. When I was able to work again, I decided I wanted to be like those nurses who were there for me. I wanted to be able to brighten someone's day and let them know to hang in there and not give up. Those nurses listened to me and I mean really listened, they laughed with me, cried with me, and went above and beyond to call the hospital in Evansville so they could update me on my sons condition. I wanted to give away the gifts that were given to me. I was able to pay it forward. I went to school and became a certified medical assistant. Today, I proudly work for a vascular surgeon. Just because someone looks ?normal? on the outside does not mean they are on the inside. I make it a priority to hear what my patients are saying to me. To give extra time to those who need it. A simple hug or a smile can make the difference in someone's day.