I never would have believed it

If someone were to have told me back in the spring of 2006 that I would be on the American Heart Associations Go Red posters for 2009 I never would have believed them.

At the end of September while driving to work one day I heard on a local radio station that they were teaming up with AHA to find nine "leading ladies" in Western Massachusetts for the 2009 Go Red campaign. You could nominate yourself or someone could nominate you. The deadline for nominations was 10/31/08. I thought about nominating myself all month long. Finally, early afternoon of 10/31/08 I decided to nominate myself. I made it perfectly clear at the beginning of my one page essay that I was NOT nominating myself because of the perfect healthy lifestyle I was living. My platform was the incredibly hard time I had finding a good cardiologist and how difficult it is for me to take all the meds that I am supposed to take as well as be able to afford all the food I should be consuming to keep myself healthy.

My essay (smallest font I could find so I could say everything I wanted to) must have made an impression as I received an e-mail this afternoon at 3:36 pm EST that I had been chosen as one of the leading ladies!! I either made an impression or only nine women were nominated! LOL.

Anyways, December 11th the other leading ladies and I will be having our pictures taken by a professional photog, we will be on the posters they send out, we have the opportunity to be in a fashion show kicking off Women's Heart month as well as a special get together for the unveiling of the posters.

I can't believe that I actually nominated myself. Well, I when I really think about it I guess I'm not surprised because I went through such horrific treatment (as many of you ladies have) that I feel so strongly about women needing to know - go with your gut, you are allowed to question your doctor and fight for your life - that I am going to do it. I was such a wall flower up until this heart attack. It's definitely a change for the better. I'm not real outspoken but I do make my thoughts known on certain subjects and this is one of those subjects near and dear to my heart (pun intended).

I won't divulge names but I will mention this tremendous support group and the fact that many, many of my heart sisters would not be in the health situation they are in if they had been listened to originally.

Wish me luck, you have all been such inspirations to me! I can't thank you enough.

AuntieMom

By itseybit
Posted November 22, 2008 at 7:55 am
Report post

I think that Great !! Everything happens for a reason Right !! When I was in Hospital in Houston,they ask if I would like to be in some ads they were going to do.My surgery was 09-04as told I have a palysis-08 and after I came home I couldn't getmy voice back to normal,had to wait 2 months nd go to Nose,ear and throat doctor I was told I have a paralysised left vocal cord,but yesterday I called doctor to start,and find out what I need to do.Doctor incharge is to call me Monday.They want ladies to know I had no high bp,or sugar,didn't drink or smake and at that time I was about 149 lb and I country&western danced and nevr sat still. all I had was fast pulse.
You have a Ball and I know you are going to help lots of ladies

By Ecksunbeam
Posted November 22, 2008 at 10:19 am
Report post

Dear AuntieMom,

This is very cool! I have the Michigan AHA calendar for 2008 and they do a very classy job.

Say, "Che-e-e-e-e-e-s-e."

May the Blessings Be!

Sherrie

By heartmother
Posted November 23, 2008 at 10:57 am
Report post

You go girl:) I know exactly why they picked you!!! You have the problem most of us face finding a doctor and affording the meds. Thanks for puttin it out there!!!

By 1spudcat
Posted November 23, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Report post

Auntie Mom. How great is that!!! I know you will use this opportunity to get your message out and help so many others. This is so great! Good for you stepping out and becoming a voice for so many that can not afford their meds and/or receive the diagnostic or preventive care that is so important to our ongoing health. Spuds

By georgiagirl
Posted November 24, 2008 at 7:11 am
Report post

Wow! that is incredibly exciting.... obviously meant to be :) I can tell that you are fired up and ready to share your message with everyone and become a voice for change and vision for how it should be for women with heart disease in the world. It is so great that they chose you with that message and "heart" for the job !!

Hugs, Pam

By georgiagirl
Posted November 24, 2008 at 7:12 am
Report post

By Rose
Posted November 24, 2008 at 10:53 am
Report post

Congratulations, how wonderful for you. You showed great courage nominating yourself so you would have the opportunity to speak for others who may also be wallflowers and can't speak up for themselves. You should be very proud of yourself. I hope you have fun while doing this.

Warm Regards,

Rose

Welcome to Inspire!

Explore topics in this journal entry and replies:

10 replies

Add to the discussion

You