My Father was a stubborn man, to a fault. He was a worker. We were Pemberton's and that is what we did with pride. My Father, in all of his judgement, one day brought a man home to dinner. We were living in Georgia and this just wasn't something he usually did. I was about 12 maybe and I still remember it. My Dad was just that kind of man.

I had dreams and my Dad encouraged them. He always said if you give up your dreams you die.

I miss him....

He always hated April 1. I  think he was mocked for having this as his Birthday. His youngest Brother, 25 years later and yes the same parents share the same Birthday. What can I say, Grandma was fertile:)

My Dad, well lets just start this out by saying he cut his finger off at the shop a month prior and drove himself to the hospital.

I was working as a buyer at HSN. I was not far from my parents business and drove by at 10pm at night at times to find my Dad still there. I worry about my Brother because of this but hey, he won't listen to me. I am the little sis...we can talk more about this later.

My Dad  had a conversation with an insurance lady. This was about 9am. I still cannot remember why I did not have my car that day but EIGHT HOURS later, my Brother took him to the hospital. He could not catch his breathe. I do remember him telling me on the phone, tell your Mom I am fine.

He was admitted to Largo Medical and had a double valve replacement. That "full" feeling after his argument with the insurance lady was Congestive Heart Failure.

My Mom was always the sick one and this was just something he ignored because he was the caregiver.(My Mom had multiple heart surgeries)

I carried a pager from the hospital. I remember after the surgery I just walked outside and took a breathe. I was elated.

I also remember crossing the bridge when they transferred him at 5am only to realize I was on the wrong bridge.

Then there was the text. I went to the hospital. I watched the numbers drop. He left us....at 54.

April 1was my Father, Harold Thomas Pemberton, Birthday.

I love and miss you daddy....everyday

Listen to your heart

I am so proud of my work as an Ambassador and Spokesperson for the American Heart and Stroke Association. Life, by the loss of my Father, brought me here over 10 years ago and then again in 2006 by the loss of my Mother and my heart attack and surgery last year. I remember I first got involved with "Train to End a Stroke" in Florida. It was an amazing experience full of amazing stories and heart breaking moments we discussed while walking. I learned at that point that it is really is about WALKING THE WALK.

This past week reminded me why advocacy is so important. Why sharing my story is so important. Most of all, I was reminded again just how short life is with all of its uncertainties. Life is short and that stares me in the face everyday.

I woke up a week ago Tuesday with a sudden snap in the back of my neck. My eyes were blurry and I just could not focus as hard as I tried. My husband was in the shower and I went to him to tell him my vision was blurry. It was literally seconds later that I no longer could form a single word. Everything just was gibberish. Andy called 911. The strange thing is that I could understand what was happening but I could not vocalize. To say I was scared was an understatement because I new through my work with AHA that this could be devastating. I just remember trying to say Carter's name and I couldn't.

I spent 4 days in the hospital. Thank you Shady Grove Adventist Health care for ONCE AGAIN supplying amazing health care. It was determined that I had a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

What is a TIA or transient ischemic attack? (Courtesy of http://www.heart.org/)

A TIA is a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke.

Most strokes aren't preceded by TIAs. However, of the people who've had one or more TIAs, more than a third will later have a stroke. In fact, a person who's had one or more TIAs is more likely to have a stroke than someone of the same age and sex who hasn't.

TIAs are important in predicting if a stroke will occur rather than when one will happen. They can occur days, weeks or even months before a major stroke. In about half the cases, the stroke occurs within one year of the TIA.

What causes a transient ischemic attack?

TIAs occur when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery, and part of the brain doesn't get the blood it needs. The symptoms occur rapidly and last a relatively short time. Most TIAs last less than five minutes. The average is about a minute. Unlike stroke, when a TIA is over, there's no injury to the brain.

What are the symptoms of a TIA?

It's very important to recognize the warning signs of a TIA or stroke. The usual TIA symptoms are the same as those of stroke, only temporary:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

The short duration of these symptoms and lack of permanent brain injury is the main difference between TIA and stroke.

TIAs are extremely important predictors of stroke. Don't ignore them! If symptoms appear, CALL 9-1-1 TO GET MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY. A doctor should determine if a TIA or stroke has occurred, or if it's another medical problem with similar symptoms. Some examples are seizure, fainting, migraine headache, or general medical or cardiac condition. Prompt medical or surgical attention to these symptoms could prevent a fatal or disabling stroke from occurring.

For stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE.

I was scheduled to emcee the DC Miss and Teen International pageant but was unable too. My sincere thanks to Ginny Meerman for stepping in for me. I heard you do a great job!

This week, with sad remorse, did not start out any better as I arrived home with THANK GOODNESS, no long term effects of my "episode" as the doctors love to call it. A friend of Andy and I's, and such an AMAZING and KIND man, passed away on Monday night. Andy Odenthal, 22, passed away suddenly at the gym from a previously undiagnosed heart condition. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

It is so important, regardless of your age, to really learn your numbers (cholesterol, BP, Blood Sugar, Trig) and get a baseline EKG to understand if you are at risk. Heart disease is not prejudice and being your own advocate can save your life.

Listen to your heart...and your head....learn to live. www.heart.org/ http://www.goredforwomen.org/

PS~I'll be walking in the START!American Heart Associations Greater Washington Heart Walk again this year. I hope you can join me!

Besides the fact  that I look like a pale cat alley cat in the photo:) (bronzer can be your friend!), today was a great day for many reasons! I was invited to present a "Lunch and Learn" for the American Heart Association! Who doesn't love a good power point and a free lunch! Thank you Cheaseapake Candles for the invite and all who attended. It was a nice turnout!Ashley Smith, Miss International, also attended and looked stunning as ever!

I know heart health is not on the forefront of most peoples mind but when your heart stops so do you.

I also got a followup EKG from Adventist Healthcare and everything came back NORMAL!!!! Very happy. Oh and then I went to the DMV. Nothing is normal about that...ugh!!!!!

Listen to your heart, today and everyday...