Join us on November 5, 2011 for the Greater Washington Heart Walk!
Help us raise $2 million! Register today at
http://greaterwashingtonheartwalk.org/

If you are a company, church or civic organization that would like me to speak at one of your events, please contact me at deanna.linz@heart.org! I am a survivor, you can be too! Get educated, learn your numbers and what they mean. Lets get up and get moving together!

If you raise $25 or send 10 emails from your Heart Walk Website between today and August 31 you will be eligible for a $100 groupon card. Groupon is a deal-of-the-day website that is localized to this area. Everyday Groupon features unbeatable deals on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in your city. One winner will be selected at random from all of those eligible . . it could be YOU!

The American Heart Association is the largest voluntary health organization working to prevent, treat and defeat heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. These diseases, the Nation's No.1 and No.3 killers, claim more than 865,000 American lives a year. Thanks to all our walkers, donors and volunteers who have accepted the challenge to help fight heart disease and stroke. We cannot achieve our mission without each one of you

With sincere heart~

Deanna

You know how time passes you by and sometimes you just forget. For me it was survival I suppose. Honestly, at times it seems so much like a blurr. I had one of my great friends AJ remind me of things that were just two years ago and yet in my head...its a lifetime.

Today while at National Naval Medical Center/the new Walter Reed Medical Center we ran into one of Carter's doctors. He reminded us of what I had forgotten, well not really...but reality hit. They talk about Carter ofter as he is the ONLY case most remember weening off an epinepherine drip. Usually as he put it, was a time to say goodbye.

Carter is a miracle and our Rocky.

I have to admit that the past few weeks have been rough on so many levels. Its really not been a feel sorry mode but more like what did I do in my last life kind of state. I mean seriously, so much was just brought on by me but COME ON, REALLY! I had an amazing time in Chicago because I was surrounded by SO many incredibly ladies. I know so many people REALLY do not understand why we subject ourselves to five complete strangers and call it fun, but we do and HEY, I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING. Although Disney is looking pretty good to me at this point.

After we left Chi town and drove to get out furry family, I decided that there was no better way to end a trip then to take off the back of our bumper by BACKING into a ditch!!! Yes, idiot...please check here. Then we get home and one calf is swollen and THANK GOODNESS I work for AHA that I was admitted to NNMC for a DVT. Then, apparently, I am allergic to contrast because hey I am also allergic to milk, Plavix and at times a few family members so its just gotten better.

I did attend our all staff for the American Heart Association which was amazing! First, I can jump rope in 5 inch heels with HEART CHASE and yet FALL just walking on my own two feet. How I just wanted to lay there and cry but I was SO horrified, I brushed off, prayed for coffee and a quick exit and now I am the proud owner of a bruised ego and a third degree burn from a LEAN CUISINE CHEESE POCKET on my chin. REALLY, YEAH...really and a broken wrist!

Out of all this, this is God purpose. We sat there through seminars and encouragement, bathroom breaks and me discovering that I will NEVER book a trip via a tour guide to meet the ultimate reason.

What people do not realize is what the American Heart Association does. I get asked ALL the time, where does the money go. I can pull up to the pie chart and it will tell you that 93 cents on every dollar goes to the cause. Yeah...what does that mean????

There is a young lady in Virginia that was not feeling well and collapsed at school. She was blue. The American Heart Association Doners had supplied AED's to the school and no one thought it may save a life.

The nurse used the AED and saved her life. She had an irregular heart beat and now has a pace maker.

At that point I got it. This is what I do, this is who I am, and this is the reason why.