In a heartbeat, you could be the difference.

9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital don't survive. Most of the time, it's because no one nearby performed CPR. But together, we can change that.

Extraordinary things happen when people take action. A small step. A simple skill. A lifesaving moment. Heart Walk brings communities together to create health and hope for every heartbeat. Every walker who joins, every dollar donated, means more people trained in CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone.

Extraordinary starts with YOU. Help me reach my goal today!

This is a personal journey for me. On December 22,2025, I had triple bypass surgery at KU hospital. This was all unexpected and I had no symptoms that I considered heart problems leading up to this. I am grateful every day for my team of doctors, my family and my dog, Salsa.

This is my story:

JUNE 2025 we were on vacation in North Carolina. We were stopped at a gas station and I had my dog, Salsa, on a grassy hill so she could go potty. It had been raining so the grass was wet, I had sandals on, my mom came out of the restroom and Salsa got excited and started pulling me. Salsa weighs close to 100 pounds and is very strong. I had her leash wrapped tightly around my arm, but she still pulled me and we started going down hill. A semi pulled in to the lot and scared her making her pull even harder. I hit the curb and then fell onto the parking lot and then was dragged by Salsa about 3-4 feet across the pavement with my arm fully outstretched.

JULY 2025 I had my yearly physical 2 weeks after the fall. I told the Dr. what happened and that I was experiencing occasional tingling across the top of my left shoulder and sometimes in my left pinky. This usually happened when I was waking in the neighborhood and would last about 3 seconds. If I did some stretching or belched it went away. This started after my fall. Because of a family history of heart disease, my Dr ordered 2 paths of testing. One for injury to the left arm shoulder and wrist, the other for heart testing. Here we go.

Xrays for heart Normal, Ekg Normal referral for cardiac score ( not covered by insurance because it's not diagnostic but cost $60. GET IT DONE) and image test.

Xrays of wrist show not broken. Referral to orthopedic Dr for next steps.

LATE JULY/ EARLY AUGUST 2025

Heart. Image test are normal , but cardiac score was off the charts at 1454(should be less than 100). My primary Dr called me on a Saturday and said see a cardiologist immediately and referred me. I was told if I was dizzy, light headed, nauseous go directly to ER and don't do anything strenuous. I didn't have any symptoms and told him this. I also said we were getting ready to go to Michigan for vacation. He advised against this but made me promise I would go to Er if needed. Cardiologist had no openings until late December 2025.

Left arm: Mri,xrays and nerve study done. Results rotator cuff intact and good, deep tissue injury to wrist and thumb, slight nerve compression. Results in brace for 6-8 weeks, cortisone injections in the wrist and thumb. Stretching as tolerated.

SEPTEMBER 2025 we went to Michigan and did the 5 mile Mackinaw bridge walk, hiked waterfall trails with 150+ stairs, did light house tours and walked around Mackinaw Island. NO HEART PAIN , DIZZINESS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH. This was after the injections in my wrist and I had a brace on. Very little tingling was happening at this time so we thought great, everything was related to the arm injury and fall.

MID SEPT 2025 there was a cancelation and a consult apt. with a cardiologist was made.

I explained the fall, the tingling, my hiking etc. The Dr said could be muscular from the fall but because my cardiac score was off the charts meaning a lot of calcium buildup, she wanted to do more testing. My cholesterol med was changed at this time.

NOVEMBER 19, 2025 chemical stress test done. I was told it would take about 2 weeks to get the results. Two days later, the Dr called me on a Friday about noon and said her nurse would be calling by the end of the day to do a catheter test the following week and schedules were being adjusted on their end to make this happen. The Dr asked if I was having any dizziness, shortness of breath, pain, etc and said if I did go to Er, then started talking about stroke and possible stents.

DECEMBER 3,2025 heart catheter test done and it was determined I had too much blockage for a stent. They started vein mapping and other tests immediately and said I was being referred to a surgeon to see if I was a candidate for surgery. This could take 2 weeks to 2 months depending on scheduling. My anxiety REALLY KICKED IN. Now I was told to resume normal activity but listen carefully to my body. I couldn't lift over 5 pounds for a week because of the testing and bleeding risk so that meant no work. Time at home let my mind spin.

DECEMBER 16,2025 consult with surgeon at KU hospital. He said I was lucky to be alive. I was 100% blocked in the center of the left lad (widow maker), where it starts branching off. I also had 75-90% percent blockages in other areas. He said surgery would be the following week. We asked to wait until after Christmas and he said that was too risky. He had already adjusted schedules and had me for the next Monday. He said I still had normal ejection fraction, which is the outflow and that was perfect. He scheduled pre op testing for blood, lungs, heart etc for the next day.

DECEMBER 22,2025

SURGERY SCHEDULED FOR 7AM. ARRIVAL AT 515AM. The surgery ended up being a triple bypass and the Dr. Wanted to do 5. Two were too close together and one was too small. THIS REALLY SCARED ME BECAUSE I NEVER FELT TYPICAL HEART SYMPTOMS (DIZZINESS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, PAIN, NAUSEOUS, ETC). I was told that it is VERY COMMON for women especially. Shoulder pain and high cardiac scores are more common in women.

My husband and son were at the hospital the entire time of surgery. They met me in ICU after. I was in the hospital 7 days and had 3 months of cardiac rehab.

This has been a journey that I still continue with as I make life changes and heal. I am truly grateful that Salsa pulled me down the hill which led me to the Dr and for all of the knowledge and skills of my doctors to do various testing and a successful surgery.

Thankfully I am here and able to be with family and friends to support others in their heart journeys.