Six years ago today I survived a Heart Attack.
When I look at that statement I am still surprised at the mix of emotions I feel. Anger, frustration, guilt, gratitude. Six years ago today I survived a Heart Attack. When I finally got someone to listen to me after being sent home twice from the emergency room, the damage was done. An artery in my heart completely blocked, 100% blocked, damage to my heart, scar tissue forever, and a fear that I have never known in my life...a fear that walks with me every single day. Because no one would take me seriously. I didn't have the 'normal' symptoms. I wasn't sick enough. 100% blocked. Medicine and machinery has given me six years and I hope many, many more. Medicine and machinery should have found the problem before the damage was done.
Listen to your Heart. You know your body. You know when something is not 'right.' You know...don't take the chance...LISTEN.
with eternal gratitude,
mama pajama
JoJo...
ReplyDeleteYou speak FROM your very heart my friend. TELL THE WORLD! We are listening!
I'm soooo happy you survived!!!
xoRebecca
Oh my gosh. I want to know the REST of the story. What happened. What happened to make them know you were sick. What did you end up doing.. details please.. I'm so glad you are ok.
ReplyDeleteHow very sad that you were not treated immediatley. Often, women have very different symptoms than men. Unfortunetly, men are usually the prime gender in many studies.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you are here today, living, breathing and blogging!
Great post!
ReplyDeleteJoJo, THis happens more than I care to tell. Doctors simply don't take women's symptoms seriously. Look at me 8 years of struggling... finally a proper diagnosis. 8 years of my life i've had to learn to just let it go. You my friend, this is unexcusable in my opinion. You are not the first woman i've heard this from.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right when you state, "listen to your heart". The body doesn't lie, ever. When you THINK there is a problem, there most likely IS a problem.
Be well friend.
Tammy
I'm glad you were finally diagnosed, but sorry to hear all you had to go through before hand. I'm glad you are still around though:))
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a great week so far:)
JoJo God Bless you for still being hear and getting the word out! (doctors - esp men doctors don't listen to women the way the should if you ask me!!) Take care and so glad you are here :-))
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice.
ReplyDeleteHallie :)
Shelby,
ReplyDeleteI have chronicled the days before the diagnosis, I will go back and find it and get the link for you.
Thanks everyone for your happy comments..it is so great to be here!
We do know when something is wrong, but the docs think we are crazy most times. I am so glad that you survived that, but sorry you weren't heard before it. Makes me sad and mad. But you are a great spokeswoman for that today. Thanks for reminding us. ILY girl!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless~
Debbie Jean
I am so glad that someone finally listened, and that you are here to tell the tale. I have just spent some enjoyable time reading your old posts and I found the one where you talk about finally having pain relief. Other than keeping the darn patch on, I am finding it amazing not to have to take pain pills. I didn't think it was going to work at first..but then it kicked in. Amazing. I am looking forward to having you as a blogger buddy. We red heads have to stick together, right?
ReplyDeleteXOSue
I agree with Shelby....I don't know the story either.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you survived and are a blogging friend!
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ReplyDeleteHi Jojo,
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to have you survive and teach us all to listen to our bodies. They have a lot to tell us if we will listen.
Hugs,
June
Email me anytime. The link is on my blog. You didn't post anything specific, you just mentioned it in your comments to me. I am having a bit of a struggle with getting used to it and would love any help that I can get. It's different when I am now the patient and not the nurse anymore. I have the same collapse at L5-S1.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful that you survived, and grateful too that you have shared your experience with us. We need to remember that we are the ones who know our bodies, and that somehow we have to make the medical professionals listen. Great reminder. May you have 60 more years to remind us!
ReplyDeleteThanks for those words.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you had a heart attack! Girlfriend, I am so glad you persisted. We must take responsibility and be our own advocate, you've proven that.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad they finally listened.