Today is my phone interview that is part of the application process for the WomenHeart symposium this October......
Keep your fingers crossed that I won't say something stupid.......LOL - just kidding (well, sort of)....
I've been a busy person these past few weeks -- sorry I've been missing in action from this wonderful place! We are re-decorating the family/dining room and kitchen. I've been painting and making new curtains, and the place is finally coming into the 21st century! So nice -- not finished yet, but at least we can tell how it is going to look.
A friend of mine who is 84 years old was diagnosed with lung cancer, and she had her surgery on Monday, so I've been spending most of my time between her house and the hospital for the past couple of days. Thank the Lord, they were able to get all of the tumor, and she won't have to have any chemo. That is a blessing. She is recovering nicely, but has some painful days ahead of her, so we're praying for her strength. They have been like second parents to us all these years.
My daughter graduated from highschool (homeschooling) this past week. She is so excited she is about to burst!! LOL It has been a long difficult year, but she finished and we are so proud!! Yesterday we registered for her first year of college (actually she has already had one semester of college during her junior year of high school). This will be the first year in 24 years that I have not had a child home with me all day every day........I have mixed emotions; part of me is so excited to be able to have some time to myself, but another part is going to miss the chaos that was homeschooling and having children around all the time. Do you realize that I've been in business for 20 years, and I've never had uninterrupted work? HA HA HA I love those interruptions, though, so I'm not complaining. But imagine how much more time I'll have once I can work without interruptions? HA HA So I plan to enroll in some photography courses or something...do something for myself (work for WomenHeart if that works out!!!)
Life is definitely becoming interesting......empty nest syndrome sounds like a disease I'll probably enjoy having to a point -- but I will miss my daughter's daily company.
Speaking of work, I'd better get back at it.....I hope everyone has a healthy day today.....
Dana in AZ
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Women Heart symposium....and a regular life update....
- By Dgrant
- Posted June 24, 2009 at 9:22 am · 14 replies
- In How heart disease has changed my life
- Shared with the public
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14 replies
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- By martzj
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 1:00 pm
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"It certainly was interesting and enlightening and honestly, a little disheartening in a couple of ways--one, that other women have had the same experience I have (no one, not even in rehab, told me about WomenHeart), and two, the idea that some people might not think I'm "suitable" to represent women with heart disease, because my case isn't in the majority--I'm not an older woman, I don't have a lot of risk factors, etc. "
I hope I get to type this because my Murf kitty is stomping back and forth across the keyboard. Women your age group are VERY prevalent on this site (I had acute MI, 41) so you would indeed be suitable in every way. Plus, you reside in the Research Triangle area (Duke, Chapel Hill, Raleigh) and could outreach a large population there.
I got my application submitted just in the nick of time...seemed like the conference call was the next day. Fascinating to hear other women from around the country. Some even want to expand the program from domestic to international...in person. Great things are going to come from these symposiums.
cheers,
Jaynie
- By AlaskaGirl
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 12:04 pm
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We had two opportunities to participate in a conference call last year as one of the requirements. I missed the first one because of the time difference between Washington, D.C. and Alaska - I couldn't figure out if it was 3 or 4 hours difference and guessed wrong on the first call.
Once I did connect on the second call, it was wonderful. It was the first connection with all those other women who "Got It", as you said. I loved your response listed above.
There is no experience like Mayo Symposium, and I walked on air for weeks after I got back home.
The Advocacy Institute was also very wonderful!
I will, hopefully, be going to the Support Network Meeting in November in San Antonio, Texas. So many wonderful connections with this organization.
- By Kennarina
- Posted June 26, 2009 at 7:52 pm
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Hello Heart Sisters,
I can't remember a conference call as part of last year's application process. Of course, I can't remember what I had for supper last night.... :-)
Mayo '08 grads, did we have a conference call? Is this new? Sounds like such a great idea, as there are so many questions that can be addressed in advance by WH staff.
I was interviewed by our local paper last week, and the reporter asked me: "What was your favourite part of going to Mayo Clinic?" I answered without a second's hesitation: 'The opportunity to spend five days with 45 other survivors who 'get it'!" We were all so different, ages 31-71, yet we all share one rare experience: we each know what it's like to be handed a heart disease diagnosis. Nobody outside of that place, not our family, not our friends, not our co-workers, can truly 'know' what this means - and suddenly here's a huge room filled with women who do know. Such an indescribable feeling every morning at Mayo to look around and see so many other survivors at every turn. And not just surviving - but each taking it one big step forward in spite of that diagnosis, beyond what's happening to ME-ME-ME, moving towards how they can help other women out there, too. It felt like the relief we can feel on this very support site when we realize that finally we've found others in the same boat - except magnified a zillion times over.
We were also told that WH receives many more Symposium applications than they have space for each year, so unfortunately they can't say yes to everybody. They also look for balance in age/geography/race/diagnosis and other demographics, so you may not be in the right demographic group one year but will be the next. So if for whatevever reason you can't attend this year, don't give up - keep next year's Symposium in mind!
AlaskaGirl/Sharen is so right - your WH community presentations after you get home can indeed take on a life of their own! It's important to pace yourself and not, like I did at first, decide to take on the whole world right off the bat.
Good luck to all of you who applied.
XOXOXO
http://www.myheartsisters.org
- By Dgrant
- Posted June 26, 2009 at 12:10 pm
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Thanks for the encouragement, Alaskagirl.....I did enjoy the conference call, it really made me excited about the possibility of attending this year.....but we'll see!!! Waiting now!!!
Dana
- By AlaskaGirl
- Posted June 26, 2009 at 11:54 am
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For all of you who have applied to WomenHeart, congratulations on your decision to do so. Now that the paperwork is in, relax and enjoy your opportunity to participate in the conference call (whichever one you are able to participate in). It is interesting and fun and hearing from other women in like circumstances is a real boost and an little peek into attendance at WomenHeart Mayo Symposium. I attended last October and it was, indeed, a life-changing event for me and others. There will be closeness with the other attendees you can't imagine. Please take every opportunity to interact with as many of your classmates as you possibly can - you never know what you will learn or experience with those ladies until you try and get to know them It's very worthwhile. Also, getting out and doing your speaking engagements is very empowering and they take on a life of their own as you speak and you see the responses to your words. Good luck to you all and I can't wait to hear how it goes for you. Welcome to the SISTERHOOD OF THE HEART. AlaskaGirl
- By laurahc
- Posted June 25, 2009 at 10:40 am
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It certainly was interesting and enlightening and honestly, a little disheartening in a couple of ways--one, that other women have had the same experience I have (no one, not even in rehab, told me about WomenHeart), and two, the idea that some people might not think I'm "suitable" to represent women with heart disease, because my case isn't in the majority--I'm not an older woman, I don't have a lot of risk factors, etc.
I really felt for the woman on the call with cardiomyopathy and if she's reading this, I hope she knows that I for one definitely feel like she belongs here and is welcome with us.
- By chill
- Posted June 25, 2009 at 10:15 am
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Hi! Hope the interview went well! I applied too, but could not be on the conference call as we had our Emergency Exercise yesterday and was impossible to take the call. Need to call and get rescheduled. I know they must have received many applications. Wouldn't it be fun if we finally got to meet one another...we will have to let everyone know when acceptances are out so we can see who all from this site will be going. It would be such a fabulous opportunity...everyone in my heart support group that has gone has just raved about it. Good luck to us all...and if we aren't accepted, there is always next year. Think it is one of those things worth it to keep trying!
- By Dgrant
- Posted June 25, 2009 at 9:38 am
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I hope I get to meet you there, too!! Wouldn't that be great? Now we wait a few weeks......pacing, pacing, pacing....LOL
- By Shadbones
- Posted June 25, 2009 at 9:24 am
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I to am trying to go. I liked the listening to you all on the call. but I sure hope I get to meet you there. I am still working part time after 29 and half years I really want to do something to help others. I know I was real scared when it happen to me...good luck to us both...Still rainy wet weather here in Maine...Where is summer?????
- By MMaslek
- Posted June 25, 2009 at 7:28 am
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Good Luck!!!! I really wanted to attend but they say you have to be symptom free for x amount of time & I didn't make the cut. Bummer!! Hopefully you ladies will get in & then you can share lots of wonderful info with us here!!!
- By 1spudcat
- Posted June 24, 2009 at 10:57 pm
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Hey Dana, I sure do hope you make it to the Symposium. Time just doesn't seem to go by fast enough unless it comes to your children. Then it seems to be way to fast. Sooooooo perhaps your time will be filled up this coming year as a Womenheart Champion, God only knows :o).
Glad to hear your friend is doing okay.
Spuds
- By Dgrant
- Posted June 24, 2009 at 4:04 pm
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Not exactly an interview -- I guess I misunderstood. But it's a very interesting conference call -- still on the phone listening. It is very exciting and makes me really want to attend -- fingers crossed still!! LOL
Dana
- By laurahc
- Posted June 24, 2009 at 12:15 pm
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I'll be on that conference call this afternoon, too. Fingers crossed! :) Congratulations on your daughter's graduation--I imagine it's a bittersweet time, both happy and sad.
- By Rose
- Posted June 24, 2009 at 9:53 am
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Dana,
I hope you interview goes well and you get selected. You seem to be just what they are looking for.
You will miss your daughter but I think you will soon find that having some time for you is pretty good. She will never be really gone.
Let us know how you make out with Women's Heart.
Warm Regards,
Rose
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