This section is for YOU. Please take a moment to share your story and how you have gone Red.
If you are a survivor, your friend or sister has been affected by heart disease or have taken steps to change your lifestyle, please do share. I look forward to reading it!
I thank you for your courage and for opening your hearts to women across the world.
My 25 year old daughter Krizinne is an incredible woman. Having survived numerous illnesses through her life, she still has the will to live. This fighting spirit will be to her benefit during the upcoming and pending heart transplant. Due to cardiomyopathy, caused by the chemotherapy drug Adriamyacin, Krizinne’s heart is enlared and will not last much longer.
In 2006 Krizinne was feeling fatigued, light headed, & short of breath. Walking upstairs was a challenge. She did not ignore the signs and made appointments with doctors and oncologists.
Please heed warning signs. Your body is talking to you. Make your doctors listen. You know your body better than anyone.
Amy Cross
By: Amy Cross on February 26, 2008
at 6:42 pm
Hi all,
My name is Kimberly Lenda, and I am a heart disease survivor. I was born prematurely and was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease shortly after birth, as well as another severe health problem. While open-heart surgery solved most of my cardiac problems by the time I was 2, I still deal with residual effects every day. I carry Medic Alert cards, medication for the “just in case”, and of course, the scar is a constant reminder.
I am now one month shy of 23, and as I continue on as an “adult”, I am learning what it really means to take care of myself. I no longer have parents holding my hand making sure I go in for my yearly appointments. I have had to find the motivation within myself to continue my heart health.
I have “gone red” by a) doing something nice for ME once in a while, and b) reaching out to others with heart experiences.
Kimberly Lenda
By: Kimberly Lenda on February 27, 2008
at 3:04 am
What brave, beautiful women you all are! It’s high time we all tell our stories to inspire other women to take care of themselves. I wear my Go Red little red dress pin more and more often.
I have congenital heart disease, which I didn’t know until I was 22 – ten years after I was given radiation treatments for Hodgkins’ disease. The treatments saved my life but had long-term side effects. In 1981, at age 25, just before my daughter was born I went into heart block and got my first pacemaker. My Dr. says I’ll need a new aortic valve in the next few years, but I have to be optimistic – I hardly ever even catch a cold, and I thank God every day for the many years of excellent health and wonderful life I’ve been given. And people like you, Dawn, inspire me to do even more! Thank you.
By: Leta on February 27, 2008
at 11:35 pm
I got my little red dress pin a few years ago when I was asked if I wanted to volunter as a heart disease survivor when a Go Red Event came to town . I’ve been wearing the pin off and on ever since.
When I was 35 a was so week and had cold/flu systoms. My son was four months, my daughter 5 years old and my husband was out of town. I was so afraid I was going to drop my son and not be able to take care of my daugter that I went to the hospital. After a lot of tests was told I was in the final stages of congestive heart familiar. Later I found out it was do to cardiomyopthy (very enlarged heard that was not pumping well).
Today I’m 40 years old and just volunteered to be a coach for my sons Kindergarden soccer team. I pay attention to what my body is telling me and enjoy everyday I have with my family.
Hearing your story and others just inspires me to do more and enjoy life. Thank You.
By: Teresa Skaggs on February 28, 2008
at 4:44 am
Teresa, how scary! I’m so glad you are still there for your kids! I have congestive heart failure as well, since about ‘94. I never wanted people either to avoid me or feel sorry for me because of my medical history, but I’ve come to realize some people are actually inspired by me. Also, now that my daughter’s grown and on her own, I don’t much care what the rest think!
By: Leta on March 1, 2008
at 6:42 am
Hello Ladies,
I first got involved with the Go Red movement after I received my red dress pin in Feb 05. I have Macy’s to thank for that and each year since I’ve done what I could to help. I recently received a reply from one of the Senators whom I had signed and sent the Red Dress Paper Doll Petition to.
He supports it. YES!! Gotta be happy for everyone who’s on our side.
In the near future I’ll have to have my aortic valve replaced. I was born with a bicuspid valve that only has 2 leaflets instead of the normal 3. It’s now severely calcified and it’s just a matter of time. The only detailed info that I had until Dec 06 was that I had a heart murmur (noticed by the school nurse when I was in third grade) and possibly MVP also know as mitral valve prolapse.
I also have the kidney stones issue, but that’s the least of my worries. I’ll have my third Echo test done soon, this will be stress test #2. Going every 6 mos. I’m determined to beat this thing. It took my dad when he was only 44 (heart attack.) I’ve outlived him by 3 years already, luckily. My heart beats rapidly like I’ve run a marathon, even when I first wake up. I have to stop and rest when going up a flight of stairs. I haven’t had the chest pains or pain down the shoulder and arm yet. I hope it won’t get that far. If anyone has a similar story, I’d like to hear it. I’m a mom of 4, all grown now.
This needs to be where my life begins.
Take care.
Barb
By: Barbara on March 1, 2008
at 4:16 pm
When I was 23 weeks pregnant with my first child I learned that heart disease isn’t something that only happens to old men who smoke and eat bacon. Nope, heart disease happened to my unborn baby.
My baby had five open-heart surgeries before he had three birthdays. Now, almost five years of advocating for Congenital Heart Disease causes, it finally DAWN-ed on me (I live in Colorado and have met Dawn and seen her speak), I shouldn’t take my own healthy heart for granted – ever! I’m at risk for type-2 diabetes and have lost three grandparents to heart disease.
So, time to practice what I preach and take care of my own heart. I have a daughter too, with a perfect little hearts, and I want her to be the first generation of women in my family to beat obesity and grow up taking care of her health.
It’s my job to be a good example for my kids, my nieces, my friends; now is the right time to start. I’m so glad I visited this site. I needed a kick in the butt!
Amanda
By: Amanda on March 2, 2008
at 6:46 am
Hi Dawn,
I am your husband Randy’s cousin. I also have heart disease. I had my frist heart attack in my early 40sand another one 18 months later. My dad was Randy’s uncle Martin Simon. Heart disease runs rampant in this family.It has claimed all of their generation and now is creeping into my generation. I have a 30 year old son who takes lipator for high cholesterol. I applaud your efforts to make people aware, especially women.
Please write.
Lani
By: Lani Meinig on March 3, 2008
at 7:05 am