07

I had my first open heart surgery in November of 2010 after being diagnosed with a bicuspid heart valve and an aneurysm on my aortic root. Then on May 4, 2018 I had my 2nd open heart surgery…this one happened to be an emergency. I had a horrible headache for several days with a fever and ended up with strep B bacteria in my blood which led to Endocarditis. I was recovering beautifully from heart surgery and then 10 days later, while waiting for my discharge papers and eating lunch, I had a

February

2019

07

Today as every single day after my stroke I am celebrating life, I had a hemorrhagic stroke back in  August 2018 and now I can say I am happy and thankful to be alive I am a fortunate stroke survivor, here is a little bit of my story. It was a Thursday August 23rd around 11:00am I was at work when all sudden I had a big headache, I got deaf for a moment on my left side and I could not see anything on my right side eye; my peripheral vision was affected. A coworker took me home I went directly

February

2019

02

The questions after a stroke and the fear of what’s to come can be overwhelming. Life, in an instant has changed. The physical and emotional trauma can test your will and leave you mourning who you used to be. …Or you can accept the challenges that face you, motivate yourself to achieve goals and adapt to your new self. This is not the end of your story. The potential of a blank slate is there if you want it. Things are different now—but life can still be enjoyable and a wonderful thing.

February

2019

02

I woke up in the middle of the night.  I had been doing this quite a bit since I was pregnant with our second child.  I wasn’t hungry and when I tried to read, the words weren’t making much sense.  I laid on the couch so I wouldn’t disturb my husband who had been really stepping in and taking charge with everything because I had been so sick.  I felt uneasy and uncomfortable, but eventually, I crawled back into bed because I needed to sleep before work the next day.  When I finally awoke, it

February

2019

31

I was diagnosed with lupus in college. Lupus coupled with APS (clotting disorder) almost took my life in 2005. I survived a very rare and fatal form of APS that causes multiple organ failure. The “almost dying” thing is not new to me. I vividly remember talking to God at this time in my life and rededicating my life to Him. I told Him that if I survived, I’d spend the rest of my life serving Him in His kingdom. I strive to uphold my end of the bargain. He sure did. So when I had two

January

2019