Agh no you didn't just say that?

Since 2001, I have been volunteering, advocating, employed by and spokesperson for the American Heart and Stroke Association. It started with me and my Mother and Father. I think I new EVERY hospital in the St.Pete/Clearwater area. In Florida, trust me we have a lot! It was not my story. It was not something that I could fathom. They looked fine. They were parents. They looked like parents. They passed in 2001 and 2006. 54 and 56. WAYYYYY to young and they didn't drink, were not diabetic, not over weight but yes stress, smoking and my Dad's workaholic state put a tremendous amount of stress on their bodies. My Mom's first stroke she was in her 30's. I was too young to remember much at all but I think she , like I, just carried all of her stress with her everyday. We as humans are capsules. We take everything in. Literally we take it to heart. Without going all Deanna drama, my parents were alive when I had my first case of stress from a bad accident.  My Mom had just had valve replacement, I was in the hospital on and off for months in Chicago and it was like arms reaching out with no one there. My Dad was such my savior. He got me home. That was a journey. (Jerry Springer anyone?)

I honestly never thought, hey, I have heart disease...hello???? What does that mean?

So fast forward and yep, here I am in 2014 after stent placement, 2 surgeries in my LAD and speaking about heart disease in women. Difference is, I am a Mother so maybe I was listening this time. So I am doing an interview at NBC Washington which was just a great experience BUT the cardiologist sitting next to me on air stated the longevity after stent placement was 2-5 years. I was in the middle but I swear you could have seen me doing the math in my head followed by HELLO I AM RIGHT HERE! My first surgery was done in 2010 and then in 2013. Does it just close? What does that mean? Is there not a detour here sign?

My other Mother Judy texted me today to remind me its our Birthday month. Oh no, its happening, I'm 29 again and she better stick around too!

What am I truly doing for my health? What am I repeating? How do I change? What am I changing? Lifestyle choices. What can't I change history. What I don't want to repeat, history.

Here's to your heart~

D