November 7, 2007, a Wednesday evening, I had just finished working out and decided to shower and eat dinner. While I was eating my dinner I felt a sharp, piercing pain in the center of my chest. I thought maybe I had over exerted myself during my work-out. As I ate, I was also reading a prayer that I had received from my sister.
My husband had just left for Iraq (he has since returned) two days prior, and me and my then 14 year old daughter would be left together for the next 7 months. This in itself was going to be an experience for us. The pains continued as I read my prayer, I told my daughter that I was going to go upstairs and lay down for about an hour and to come and check on me at that time.
Before lying down, I took two Motrin (I found out later this helped with my heart attack). When my daughter woke me up an hour later, she said that we definitely needed to go to the hospital because I did not look good at all. When I tried to get up out of the bed, I couldn't because the pain was INTENSE. My daughter called my sister and she suggested she call 911. I was still in denial that I was having a heart attack. I was only having INTENSE chest pains in the center of my chest (so I thought), besides I was young, fit, my cholesterol and blood pressure was in check so how could I be having a heart attack?
 I phoned my 39 year old sister-in-law who lives in Alabama who had suffered a heart attack 2 years earlier to see what the symptoms were when she had her heart attack. She listed the 5 symptoms she experienced, and as I was on the phone with her I started to have all five!
Needless to say my daughter did call 911; the EMT crew arrived shortly thereafter. I was rushed to Chesapeake General Hospital, where in the ER the EKG proved that I was indeed having a heart attack. I was sent to Cardiology where I received a Catherization that proved I had a blood clot on the left anterior descending artery.
I had a 5 day hospital stay (including 2 days in ICU). During that time, I went through a range of emotions that forced me to go into some serious soul searching. I needed to understand that this illness could be turned around into something positive. Since my heart attack, I have truly found my purpose in life.
In December of 2008, I did not know the first sign or symptom of a stroke. My husband was there for me that night and I am thankful for the medical care that was given to me in the ER that night.
The stroke was scary because I wasn’t in any pain, however I could feel what was happening to my body, but I could not explain it until the symptoms got worse. My husband would watch my entire left side of my body go numb, and at times I could not walk.
We did not wait around to figure out what was going on, we immediately went to the ER. Even while there I don’t think the ER staff thought I was having a stroke, all my vital signs were normal so they sat us out in the waiting room. My husband would time the “episodes.” They started to get closer and closer together and he demanded they take me back for further evaluation.
Because of it, I have very little brain damage from the stroke. I know now all there is to know about strokes, but at what expense?
I had no idea that although I took pride in trying to keep myself healthy that I would experience such life threatening events in my life. Both events were caused by blood clots. I am told by all of my doctors that I am lucky to be alive. Working out and eating right saved my life.
I have a wonderful team of doctors and specialists that I see regularly. I take a load full of medications all day from sun up to sun down every day of the week. I am passionate about ensuring that no other woman has to experience what I have at a young age.
I cannot say how many women I have spoken with since my ordeal that have had the same issues I have, and unless they are actually having a heart attack medical staff has given them Motrin and told that it is anxiety.
As women we have to fight harder to get the medical care we need. Educate yourself on the number #1 killer of women. Make it your mission to tell five women they are at risk so they can learn more and lives can be saved.
Wear red on National Wear Red Day on February 4th. Become a part of the Go Red for Women movement at goredforwomen.org, so we can all live the happiest, healthiest lives we can free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
About The American Heart Association
Heart disease is still the No. 1 killer of women, taking the life of 1 in 3 women each year. This means women you know — mothers, sisters, friends — are dying at the rate of one per minute. It simply does not have to be that way.
At the American Heart Association, we work every day to fund research and fight this killer so that more women can be saved. But we need your help.
This National Wear Red Day, join our mission to ensure we never have to deny research that could save a woman’s life. Help raise the funds needed for lifesaving educational programs and the development of new treatments to fight heart disease.
On Friday, February 4 wear red and visit goredforwomen.org. Make it your mission to save the lives of the women you love. | 
