National Heart Disease Awarness/Women

www.goredforwomen.org/


Ok I know you all read and heard this so many times, but as long as I live I will remind you.
It Can Happen To You!!!!!
No one expected it to happen to me, I was the healthy one, I exercised, I never smoked. I lived by the rules, I knew my family medical history. I thought about my health.

1998, My Blood Pressure was so unstable, the Doctor told me to leave work for a while to try to get it sorted out. After 22 years on a job I did enjoy, I knew he was right.
I was taking pills to function at all. I looked like El Blimpo. (lots of swelling).
My district manager did not recognize me on a trip down in January of 1998.


I have never been Really Obese but I sure looked it. So in March I gave in only to get lots worse.
I had No sense of Self Pushing. I was losing my desire to even try.
I lay around a lot, I slept a lot, The exhaustion was over whelming at times. Some days I needed to walk from the family room to the bedroom, (maybe 40 steps????) I felt like it was miles.
I was so Tired.
However I DID tell the doctor all my symptoms.
My legs hurt when I took my daily walks. I thought, "It sure takes a lot of time to build up muscles, my legs should not hurt this bad,"
My Chest hurt when I vacumned the floors. I had to stop and take breaks. ( I never took rest breaks in my life) I would start a shower, when my arms went up to wash my hair, the pain hit, At Times it was so bad, I would immediately wrap in a towel, drag myself to the closest bed and lay there and pray for "One More Day". (following my heart)

I had a job to do so I did it.
In March 1999, I became really ill. I sweat from the waist up, All but my nose., feet and fingertips. They were icy. I would lay on the floor with my feet literally lying on the brick by the fire but they would not warm. David wrapped them in heated towels. I did not want to talk to anyone, I was so sick all I wanted to do was be a wimp.
I would sit at the computer with no shirt on, a fan on me, wrapped from the waist down in blankets.
Finally I saw the doctor, Diagnosis, "Weird Virus". No lie that is what he said.
OK I trust my doctor, otherwise why even bother to go. It sure felt like a weird virus.
Leg pain, "Diagnosis, Build those muscles up, you need to be more active".
I did, I walked at least two miles when I could and often four miles.
Chest pain? "Arthritis of the breastbone".
In December of 2001 he looked at me and said, "Sue you need to settle down, I am putting you on Prozac."
OK true, I am a type A personality. I want it done now and yesterday if possible.
I took the meds and went on my way like a good little patient.
Funny thing is "I Knew I was dying".

Keep in mind I see my doctor on a regular basis, I tell him all my complaints, I feel like a hypochondriac.
I get up to take my daily walk, Often I get to the end of my block and look at David and say, "I don't feel good today, I am going back home".
I Followed my Heart!!!!
I only get worse. More bloating.
No one notices the changes like that. Not even my doctor. I Lose 25lbs but still look bloated.

In July 1999 I lost my Mom, my physical ailments are not nearly as bad as my emotional pain. I loved that woman. I trudge on, waking daily to tears and pain.
In 2000 I Lose my brother. Again Emotional Pain but thinking I will not live long either.

In 2001 December, David gets really sick and is rushed to the ER with sepsis. I put me aside and took total care of him. I make it through because that is What God intended.
My niece comes to visit in December but lots of days I am so sick, I spend too much time in bed.
David has just recouped and he is not well either. Little did we know this poison would be with him a long time.

July 2002, I crawl out of bed, walk into David's home office and set on his lap.
I cry, I say, "Honey I want to go see my family one more time, I am so sick but I need to do this".
I covered all my bases. I taught my 4 year old granddaughter and 6 year old grandson what to do if I ever lay down and they can't wake me.
I pick out my dress for the funeral. Specific instructions are written down.
We took money we should have saved and leave for a month. We make a beautiful trip back in time. Sheri takes care of Davids payroll business for us.
I do pretty good most of the time, I have a few times of pain but cover it up a lot. I cough at lot at night. My sister is concerned. She hears the nighttime coughs.

I walk the streets where my Dad and Mom walked as newly weds in Louisiana in 1937. I see the train depot where she steps off into her new life.
There was no way and Is no way to express that feeling. I was exhilarated.
I was happy. I had succeeded a life long dream.
I saw aunts and cousins I had not seen in 40 years. They were still as near and dear to my heart as when I was a wee child.
I spent time with brothers and sisters.
When we drove away from Solgahachia, (Roy's Home) I watched as they stood on the country porch and watched as our tail lights dimmed out of view. I was sad.
We drove into Missouri and spent time in Bronson. That too was magical. I told Lou,
"You know, I have done so many things I dreamed of, I wonder if I am now going to die?"
I was serious. She thought it was a horrible statement.
David and I got on the road for home.
As we arrived in Utah we decided to visit, Park Village Utah, Home of the 2000 Winter Olympics. We park and walk down the street. Believe me it was up or Down. No in between.
We go into the Team USA shop and I see the beanies worn by our Olympians. We bought each Grandchild a beanie. We walk on down the street. Again we see the beanies.
WHAT!!!! Half what we paid.
I won't pay that. So we start back up the street to Team USA Shop. I walk 10 feet and stop and hold my chest. It HURTS!!!
I go into a shop and thy tell me to "drink water. It is the altitude."
Everything can be explained away.
The Team shop refunds me the difference so I am OK. We decided to drive to the top of the mountain to the village.
As we climb I can feel the pressure change. Remember I live in California I take frequent trips to the mountains. Why should altitude bother me?
When we arrive at the top a guard helps us, I ask "Is there a lot of walking?'
'Yes Mamn, There is some and you are at a high elevation".
I look at David and say, "I don't feel well, I better not, I am so sorry". (following my heart)
We go to a motel immediately and I rest, He reads the paper. I finally feel like something really light to eat. (following my heart)

We loved our trip but I am so glad to get home, I call my doctor.
Blood test are ordered and I am to go in once they are complete.
As I walk in I am told, "Doctor is behind , you may have a wait."
I am NOT a patient person, but I am determined to sit this one out.
I wait, and I wait and I wait.
Three hours later after many thoughts of leaving, (following my heart to stay) I finally go in.
Clayton, (my nurse) sing songs, "You 're in trouble, You are in trouble"
I ask why, "Your triglyceride are really high, are you sure you did not eat before the test?"
NO I did not.
I ask for a heart test.
Clayton walks back in and says, "He said you had a heart test less than a year ago and passed, it is too soon".
I say, "OK then send him in I want to talk to him, I AM SICK".
( I am usually not so aggressive either)
so today I am patient and aggressive. NOT ME AT ALL.
He comes in and I tell him how bad it is, He knows all the complaints, but as a precaution he says, "OK we will run another stress test".
As soon as we begin he can not read any errors, He tells me to let him know when it is uncomfortable.
Believe me it gets uncomfortable but mostly I am too tired to do it. I STOP the TEST.
They give a nitro and send me to the hospital. He wants to call an ambulance. I say, "NO I have been like this for several years I can make it by myself I have things to do first, One is to pick up my husband at home."
He says, "You may have had a little heart attack," I ask, should I pack a bag, He says, "Just in case but they will probably give you meds and send you home."

Man am I mad!!!!! I better not have damage, I have told them over and over I am not well, they better not have waited until damage.
I call David and he is prepping to take me in, I walk in the door wanting to kick something.
He takes me in his arms and says, "Settle down it will be OK now."
I do settle after a couple of hours I let him drive me in.. I had to settle down first. I was so angry.
As I arrive I ask to meet the cardiologist. Remember I have never been referred to one. Personally.
He come in and explains the procedure to me. I am in agreement and sign all the papers.
As he completes his exam, he says, "Sue you are in really bad shape, Your heart is a time bomb".
Next comes my personal physician, he tells me, "Go talk to your Mom and Dad they are the reason for this".
I tell him, "I can't my Dad died at 42 of HEART DISEASE"
Now I see the surgeon, He walks in, He says, "I am usually here to present options. You have NO options, Either we do heart bypass or you WILL die and soon".
I think I already knew that.
I see David's eyes become very dark, That is a big sign of worry. I can read his eyes. He goes to the car and weeps and prays.
I am calm. Really Calm. I knew he was right.
Less than 12 hours later I am in surgery and I have a 5 way bypass with one artery passed in two areas. I was 100% blocked in my main artery and 80 and 90 in the rest of them.
I was told. "This is usually found in an autopsy, God has a reason for you to be here, you are being given a second life."
I felt like a new life. I was amazed. My outlook changed. I was no longer angry, I was at peace. My thoughts of a funeral moved to the back of my mind and it is now 8 years later and I am good. I AM THANKFUL AND BLESSED

I say this to remind every Woman, _You are as great a risk of this deadly disease as your spouse. More women will die of this disease this year, the the top three other diseases combined., including breast cancer. WHY?? Main reason is you will be shuffled aside by your doctor, they have not caught up yet. Be AGGRESSIVE!!!!
Your symptoms will Probably be different. They are not typical signs. Mine never were.
It can vary where the pain hits, Not necessarily in the heart area, I had a flip flop feeling in my chest pretty often, (that was my heart trying to beat past a clot)
The pain left pretty fast. Once I rested I could continue on.

Please visit the American Heart Association for more information and Remember

FEBRUARY IS GO RED FOR WOMEN.