Just a little somethin' somethin' for all you Rockermoms to keep the love flowin'.
I was living my life "La Vida Loca" or at least as loca as this mom likes to live it, but in any case- I was happy. I have three children, ages 22 (Monique), 24 (Marlena), and 27 (Mitchell) that I adore with all my heart and soul and a grandchild due sometime in February 07. I have a sister, with whom I am very close, and a brother, as well. Life was just fine, when all of a sudden- boom, my chest starts hurting and I end up getting a stent placed in my heart.
A stent gets placed when one doesn’t eat the right things, smokes and doesn’t get enough exercise. A valve to the heart gets clogged up with all that bad stuff and a heart attack ensues. The stent opens up the clogged artery and one feels ten years younger! My family was scared for a minute but soon life was back to normal. This all happened about a year ago. I didn’t stop the smoking, nor the bad eating habits. And on top of that, I took my medications only when I would remember to do so (which wasn’t that often).
Three weeks ago, out of the blue I suddenly felt extremely weak and within minutes I was not responding to my family’s questions. The ambulance came and once again I was back in the emergency room. I was having another heart attack. This time I had to literally hang on for dear life! I knew that while the doctor was on his way in to do yet another surgery on me, my life was from second to second. It took all my will, strength and faith in God to keep myself alive before and during the surgery. I wanted to live and I wanted to see my grandchild and I didn’t want to see my family suffer my death due to my stupidity.
I’ve been given a second (and most likely a final) chance at life. With a lot of help from my family (with special love and kisses to my sister) I’m watching what I eat, smoking a lot less (and hoping to eventually stop), exercising more and taking my medications religiously. My life has and will continue to change for the better. I’m sharing this story with all of you because heart disease is the #1 killer of women. One out of every three women will have heart disease. If you want your family to be in pain because they suddenly lost you to heart disease, or if you want your loved ones to live with the financial (as well as the mental) burden of having to take care of you because you’ve had a heart attack and are now unable to take care of yourself, just feign ignorance (like I did) when it comes to your body and what you put into it. I refuse to see my family in that much pain ever again. This mom is lucky to still be rockin' and would love for all you other moms to please be aware that if you love your family, love yourself by taking care of yourself.
For information on heart health and support visit: The American Heart Association, and Mended Hearts
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