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...

Montgomery County March for Babies

Team Captain Update No. 2

February 28, 2011



                                                  MISSION SPOTLIGHT: The Linz Family

Carter Thomas Linz~ Age 2

How do you write about a story you never expected? How do you do it without being a martyr yet just tell your story knowing so many others have it worse. I saw that last week in the PICU at Johns Hopkins. I am covered with guilt because as a parent it always falls back on what did I/we do. There are no answers. They gave us no answers. There were no expectations of us ever having a child. We had had multiple losses.


I lost my parents in 2001 and 2004 from heart disease. I met my husband in 2004. He is in the military and so incredible. From day one we wanted a family. After multiple losses we had Carter at 3:12 am on 1/2/2009.

Carter Thomas Linz arrived like we Pemberton-Linz do - with gusto. He was born weighing 1lb 8oz and measuring12 inches long. He was 17 weeks early and the odds were against him. We always said to them, if he fights, we will too, no option and might I add he pinched his neonatologist when she was trying to intubate him. He is a fighter…my “Rocky”.

Carter spent 165 days in the NICU. He was the “mayor” of NNMC but they saved his life. We are forever grateful. During Carter’s NICU stay he had numerous surgeries-one on his heart, one on his eyes, and one for a hernia-a brain bleed, a G-tube to help him eat and a lot of uncertainty. We were told he would leave the hospital with a trach and blind.

Throughout our journey with Carter, we were told multiple times there wasn’t anything we could do.. In my mind I went through all of the “hate”. I was broken and NO ONE can tell you anything to fix that when it is your child.


Today, Carter is growing and thriving and just celebrated his 2nd birthday. He is currently on O2 (soon to be off and he never needed a trach thank goodness!) and can see great, with his glasses. He also works hard every day to overcome challenges with Cerebral Palsy. Yes, we still have challenges ahead of us, but Carter’s story has just begun…he is meant for amazing things and Daddy and Mommy will be right there with him. God is great.


Story by Carter’s Mommy, Deanna Linz

The beautiful Miss Teen International, Juliana McKee! She helped with the press all night. Thank you Roxana for all you do!

I helped with the sports auction!

What do you get when you combine a silent auction, beautiful dresses, fine wine, inspring stories and multiple volunteers and staff members all there for the cause. The Greater Washington American Heart Association's HEART BALL! The Ritz Carlton hosted the event which brought out some of DC's elite and philanthropist. Juliana McKee, Miss Teen International being one of them!

Some of the amazing volunteers!

I had the pleasure of working the silent auction in the sports area. I love sports so I was more than happy about my assignment. The auction included a bevy of inticing offers and opportunities. In my area, the Capital tickets and all that came with them where a hot commodity and brought a dual of the pens in the last 5 seconds of the auction. We had Yankees, we had the NY Jets, we had Mohammad Ali, we had the Redskins, we had the LPGA, PGA....so you get my point...if you love sports...we had you covered. Sold, sold and sold....it was a success with a great deal of the proceeds going to the American Heart Association. As a heart attack survivor, I am so thankful for those who support and give to AHA. 

So as I go to sleep tonight, I can sleep just a little bit better knowing that today lives were touched and changes were made...in a heart healthy way.

The American Heart Association of Greater Washington raised 910,000!!!! What an amazing event!

I was honored to be asked by Adventist Healthcare to be a featured speaker at their "Love Your Heart" expo at White Flint Mall in Maryland. The turnout was great and the event was a success. The most exciting part to me...well I got to hug the surgeon that did my surgery. Its funny that when you go through a heart attack and surgery, everything is a blurr. Its important to always say thank you and today was my day to do so!

One of the best things about being out in the community is listening to others stories. It is always surprising to me what people go through and how they push through and inspire others.

Kendra Hall I met about a year ago. She is so stunning and of course I encouraged her to do Miss International. (still working on that:) I learned today about her Brother and his enlarged heart. After a successful surgery he was doing well. She was beaming with love when she told me this. Her Brother was killed shortly after in a car accident. There are heros among us..she is one.

Listen to your heart and off to bed...D

Patty MacEwan, VP at the American Heart Association

With Patty. What an amazing and inspiring lady.

I was invited to be on the panel for Prince Williams Hospital in Manassas, Virginia for their Red Dress event. The turn out was great as 75 people registered, had their cholesterol checked and were able to ask questions to the panel in regards to heart disease and stroke. I was joined on the panel by Dr. Taheri (cardiology), Dr Leet (cardiology) and Dr. Chen (Internist). Jenni Chase from WMZQ in Washington, DC emceed.



Jenni Chase, Dr Taheri, Myself and Dr Leet



Dr. Leet founded The Commonwealth Preventative Medicine Institute – an organization offering a unique and comprehensive approach for people interested in optimizing their health and longevity. Dr. Leet felt compelled to help others avoid what he experienced and encountered with his own heart attack. The Commonwealth Preventative Medicine Institute focuses on lifestyle changes and gaining control over their cardiovascular health. Dr. Taheri is currently the vice president of Prince William County Medical Society and serves as a delegate to the Medical Society of Virginia. He is a fellow of American College of Cardiology as well as Society of Coronary Angiography and Intervention. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology. How I ended up with such a distinguished panel still amazes me.

Patty, Dr Leet and I

Patty MacEwan, VP at the American Heart Association was also there to share the message of heart health with Go Red for Women. You often wonder why people go into non-profit, Patty's story was one of sadness but also ispiration for all she does in honor of the Father she lost to heart disease. She is truly an incredible lady who has gone through so much and given back with such passion. Thank you Patty!!! you are so special.

Jenni Chase from WMZQ emceed

 

Thank you to all who came out and don't forget to LISTEN TO YOUR HEART!

With Bob Madigan after my interview



 Today I met a very inspirational man, Bob Madigan from WTOP radio. He is known as the "man around town". He shared with me his journey with heart disease and multiple stents placed and I also shared mine. It really just further brings to mind that there is not one face of heart disease. There are so many.

To listen to a little bit of my interview:

 http://www.facebook.com/l/47c3cvpBnS-vUWzXxuDJZd6EaiQ;ahc.cachefly.net/WAH/audio/20110209-WTOP-Linz.mp3



Thank you Bob for allowing me to share my story and thank you for being such an inspiration.

A little about Bob!

Briefly describe job : I get to drive someone else's car, invite myself to other people's parties, eat other people's food and tell yet other people about it.

Where do you live? Chic downtown Silver Spring @ stately Wayne Manor.



Most memorable story you've covered and why?: I have been blessed to cover stories all over the US and around the world. The most memorable story of a fun nature was the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Diana. Why? Need you ask?



Book currently reading or last read: "How to speak Cobol and Fortran Fluently in 14 Days" and "Murder on the Gravy Train" by Phyllis Richman.



CD most likely to be in your stereo: Anything by William Shatner. What's on my iPod might really frighten you



Best movie recently seen: Good Night. Good Luck! OK, it is not THAT recent but Edward R. Murrow is a hero to me, and I have been lucky enough to be part of several awards in his name.



If you could pick any one man and woman (living or not) to meet for happy hour, who would they be and why? Barack & Michelle Obama, and I would pick up the tab. That way they would owe me one and maybe invite me up to the family quarters for a private tour.



If you were elected mayor tomorrow, the first thing you would do is: Force parking garages to stay open later and on weekends too, and then demand that Metro stay open even later during the week so we can better enjoy happy hours and beyond.



Favorite pastime: Finding the good in people and telling their stories.



And finally: Based on your observations as "Man About Town," what do you think DC's nightlife scene is missing? Hey, don't look at me, I didn't take it! Go ahead; check my house if you don't believe me! And yes, those two big golden lions were under the bed when I got there!


Don't forget...listen to your heart.

Deanna

One of the greatest things about the American Heart Association is their community outreach. What better arm than the retail one! After all, we all love to shop!

Today I volunteered at a Ross Store. Hey, I love to shop so I was good to go with it! Ross Stores is a huge supporter of the American Heart Association. You are able to donate to AHA at any Ross Store now through Feb 13th. I did today and also helped to share the message of living a heart healthy life. (ok and I bought a few things too!:))) So I encourage you to visit a Ross store in your area before next Sunday. Its an amazing cause and a great excuse to shop!

So today and EVERYDAY...LISTEN TO YOUR HEART!

With Ashley Smith, Miss International 2010

Photos courtesy of Mud Productions and Crystal City BID.

Miss Teen Intl 2010 and Miss Teen China 2011

Chelsea Roberts, Miss DC Intl 2010, Ashley Smith, Miss Int'l 2010 and Alexis Harvey, Miss Teen DC 2010

With the beautiful Sarah Fraser from Hot 99.5

What an amazing Team. Roxana is such an inspiration !  Roxana Hoyveda, Director of Communicationa, AHA Greater Washington



With Miss Teen China 2011 and Ashley Smith, Miss International 2010





Working the Go Red Booth! Sticker anyone?

I find myself sitting here wondering about the messages of life. What did I learn today? What did I do today? Have I become a better person? I can honestly say I learned a lot today . I am an Ambassador for the American Heart Association and today I shared my story. I feel like sometimes I am talking about someone else because I still cannot believe it is my story. I mean really, my story? Today is the National Wear Red Day and I did so proudly. I survived what so many have not, including my parents. Heart Disease.

With the beautiful Sarah Fraser from Hot 99.5. She goes goes red for her Grandpa!!!! Loved her!

I volunteered at Crystal Couture for the American Heart Association and Go Red. It was a Go Red Casting but also a night of fashion, festivities and even body painting. One lady was also painted in what they called the "Go Red lady". Amazing work but I have to admit I am avoiding posting her photos because all she had on was paint! Brave and beautiful lady who looked AMAZING. Oh, if I only had the courage, was 6 feet tall  and had a body of steel I could do it! Not....

I was also asked to help host the event and was honored to have met Sarah Fraser of the Kane Morning Show/Hot 99.5. Loved her and I am still hoping she will compete for Miss DC or MD international! She left some big shoes to fill but the job was easy with such a fabulous production company behind me. Maggy Francois, thank you!

It was also great to see the International family out in force as Go Red advocates. Ashley Smith, Miss International 2010 and the beautiful DC queens were also in attendance and looked FABULOUSLY FASHIONABLE in red! Go Red.....

Roxy at work!

Off to bed, a visit to the Ross Stores tomorrow. Ross proudly supports the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women and I proudly support them in shopping!

Tonight and every night....listen to your heart!

Body painting from the neck up!



My Mommy Go's Red FOR ME!