"From the Heart" Calendar

During 2008, we launched the Women’s Cardiovascular Health Clinic and HeartAWARE, a free screening and educational program to help people identify their risk factors for cardiovascular disease. To celebrate this inauguration, we asked 12 women with cardiovascular disease to share their tragedies and ultimate triumphs in the hope that it would inspire other women to recognize their risk factors and the symptoms of a disease that kills more than one in three women every year.

The response to our programs and the 2008 calendar was far beyond what we imagined and we are pleased to again present 12 amazing women. In this calendar they share their stories about how they have regained control over their health.

Cardiovascular disease includes heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Most people don’t know that it is a life-long disease that kills far more women than men and affects more women than any other disease, including cancer. Unfortunately, millions of women are unaware that they are at risk and many more struggle to make simple changes in their lives to prevent this common disease.

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From the 2008 Calendar: Inspiring Stories from Women with Heart Disease

Betty Thrasher

“It was New Year’s Eve 2006. I had worked at the store all day and I was tired, but my husband and I decided to attend a fundraiser for the Temple Civic Theater. As I closed the car door for the trip home, a violent pain hit me in the chest. I thought I had pulled a muscle. After we arrived home, the pain became worse. Bob called 911. As soon as he hung up the phone, I said, ‘Call and ask them to hurry because I am not going to make it!’ “

I don’t remember getting to the ER or having the catheterization. I did not even know I had surgery for five bypasses. The heart surgeon said my main artery was 100% blocked and the others were not much better. I was a walking time bomb! I was in the ICU for two weeks and in the hospital for a month. My family stood by me night and day and was very instrumental in helping me to recover. I am so grateful that I was able to celebrate my 78th birthday last October!”

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Millie Henn

“A heart event, just like any other bump in the road of life, is always unexpected. I knew I had high cholesterol and that my dad had died at 54 from a heart attack. But I was strong, healthy and active. Until one day I just didn’t feel like myself: a little strange, maybe a little heaviness in my chest, but no pain. I was at school and asked the school nurse to check my blood pressure. She did and said, ‘You are going to the emergency room!’ The stress test indicated a problem; a follow-up procedure showed that I had 100% blockage in one artery and over 75% blockage in another. Two weeks later I was heading into Scott & White for double-bypass surgery.

“Sometime after surgery, a volunteer from Mended Hearts (a support group for heart surgery patients and caregivers) visited and left me a small heart pillow with instructions to hold it firmly to my chest when coughing to reduce discomfort. Within three days of going home I walked around the block
and continued to feel better everyday. That was almost eight years ago and since then I have worked at keeping heart disease at bay. I take my medications, see my doctor regularly, exercise and watch what I eat (at least most of the time). I even joined Mended Hearts because I wanted to be part of the support they offer to heart patients and their families. Life is good, and I am happy to share my story in the hope of encouraging other women to pay attention to their heart health.”

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Carol Allred

“After suffering a major heart attack with substantial damage, heart failure, angina, cardiac procedures and a defibrillator implant within a few short months, I felt thoroughly beaten up and picked on. Needing to put some order back into my life, I decided to learn as much as I could about this disease I’m going to live with for the rest of my life.

“When I discovered WomenHeart, The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, I knew I’d found a special organization for me. Not only did I find a wealth of information about women and heart disease, I began to realize that many women don’t know what their risk factors are or that many women experience different symptoms than men do. As I began to regain my health, I realized this information needs to be shared with other women, which I do as often as I can. Today I advocate for women with heart disease and serve on the Board of Directors of WomenHeart, reaching a national audience of patients and caregivers. My focus in life is so different than it was a few short years ago.”

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Mary Hamilton

“Prior to having heart surgery, I always thought I was relatively healthy. Being trained as a nurse, I didn’t see what was coming but my medical crisis brought about a necessary change.

“I now eat well and exercise in addition to my regular check-ups with my physician. Be aware of chest palpitations, lower appetite, interrupted sleep and an indefinite feeling of weakness or lack of health. These signs often indicate the onset of an illness, including heart disease. Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention. Dial 911 if you feel that you are in danger.”

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Judy Hyer

“When I was first diagnosed with heart disease 10 years ago, I had significant blockage in three heart vessels. The cardiac team recommended treating me medically. You can imagine my relief — NO SURGERY! While the medication worked, I continued to deny my disease; I would exercise for a while and watch my diet and then go back to old habits. After years of this behavior, I had significant chest pain and actually had a mild heart attack. My cardiologist put a stent in the severely blocked heart artery. This time I did pay attention and tried to follow an exercise regimen. After eight months I noticed that I was getting short of breath and increasingly tired. Eventually my symptoms progressed to jaw, arm and chest pain, even at rest. When I told my physician, he sent me straight to the cardiologist who performed a heart catheterization and I found out I needed surgery.

“A few days later another cardiologist visited me and our talk was a life-changing event for me. I learned that there was new blockage in the stent but he also shared that the medical treatment begun ten years ago had worked. My other diseased vessels were improved, I did not have significant heart damage and, if I took care of myself, I could expect a long and healthy life. My surgery was successful and I made the commitment to become the healthiest person possible. Cardiac rehab has set me on that path and after only three months I feel better than I have in 20 years! I am so thankful to the Scott & White team for my care and recovery.”

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Joanna Moore

“About two weeks before this photo was taken I was in the ICU recovering from a heart attack. At that moment, my life changed forever. Knowing my family’s history of high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks, I still ignored my own warning signs: tightness of chest plus neck and back pain. If it were not for the wonderful care at Scott & White, as well as the love and support I received from my husband, I would not be alive today to rearrange my priorities.

“I became a realtor as my youngest child was leaving for college. With this success came high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a life filled with stress. I neglected my physical well-being. Little did I know that burning the candle at both ends would lead me to a heart attack. It is very clear to me now that before I can take care of my loved ones, I must first take care of myself. I must approach my new life with as much vigor as I did my business. This new chapter will be an adventure that is unfamiliar to me, but I am sure it will be the best chapter of my life.”

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Eileen Hurd

“My problems started with numerous, unexpected fainting episodes during dinner or playing golf. A friend insisted that she take me to my doctor’s office where they did an EKG. It showed no problem with my heart, yet as I waited for the doctor to come and talk with me, I fainted again. I was sent immediately by ambulance to Scott & White. There I was given a portable heart monitor (even though I was convinced it wasn’t my heart!). The fainting continued and each time it took longer for me to recuperate.

“The next decision was that I have a loop monitor. This showed that my heart kept pausing for several seconds. During a routine check of the monitor in the Pacemaker Clinic, they found that my heart had stopped again — much longer this time. My doctor was notified and I was quickly taken over to the hospital to have a pacemaker installed. I didn’t realize how restricted I had been feeling until then. I now feel free and able to do so many activities without worrying about whether I will faint again. I feel so fortunate and grateful to have met so many wonderful people at Scott & White.”

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Marie Wright

“I thought it was heartburn, that burning feeling in the middle of my chest. It would come about 15 minutes after I ate and each episode lasted about 10 minutes. By the time I realized I needed to go to the emergency room, I had three coronary blockages — 85%, 90% and 100% blockage of the arteries feeding the heart. I should have died.

“The physicians literally saved my life, using Scott & White’s leadingedge therapies. Now I listen to what my doctors say and do my best to follow their instructions. I pay attention to my body and give the rest to God. Together, God, my doctors and I make an unbeatable team, and I am happier and healthier than I’ve ever been.”

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Mellanie True Hills

“In 2003, I was a high-tech consultant who traveled extensively. It was a stressful lifestyle. One evening, as I got off an airplane, I could barely breathe and my left shoulder ached. I had just read that women have different heart attack symptoms from men, and I had two of them. It wasn’t a heart attack, but it was a 95% blockage in a major heart artery. I had an emergency heart procedure and almost died on the operating table. After that wake-up call, I changed my life and started managing my stress. I knew that I had a second chance for a reason, so I used it to tell others that heart disease is the number one killer of women and stroke is number three. I wrote a book, ‘A Woman’s Guide to Saving Her Own Life: The HEART Program for Health and Longevity,’ to help women create a plan to save their own lives. Today, I speak at heart health events around the country, sharing with women how they can take control and live long, healthy lives.

“Once you have heart disease, you’re more at risk for other problems. A few months after my original incident, I had blood clots and a close call with a stroke due to the most common irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillation. After two years with this life-altering condition, I had surgery to correct it. I couldn’t watch others suffer with this problem, knowing what a huge toll it takes. To provide support for those dealing with this condition, we created a web site (www.StopAfib.org) to help them restore their lives and freedom. We have designated September as Atrial Fibrillation Month to raise awareness of this daunting condition.”

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Elizabeth Delfeld

“Most of my life I have enjoyed great health. The only exception was a genetic eye disease and an elevated cholesterol level. Even knowing cardiovascular disease ran in my family, I have always taken my good health for granted. At least until last year while vacationing in Tennessee, when I discovered much to my amazement I couldn’t walk through a department store without my calves cramping up completely!

“After being diagnosed with peripheral artery disease, I was referred to Scott & White for surgery. One month after bypass surgery, I was able to enjoy taking my one-year-old grandson trick-or-treating for several blocks. I will never take the simple task of walking for granted again.”

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Eva Roop

“I suffered my first heart attack in the spring of 1998 while I was walking the two-mile track at West Fort Hood. I knew my health was not excellent, however, I never expected that I would have a heart attack and undergo open heart surgery.

“I am grateful to the very knowledgeable team of doctors, nurses and caregivers at Scott & White and thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to continue my life with purpose. I am more aware of my relationships with family and friends. I have become a devoted grandmother of six, generous toward others in daily thoughts and deeds and loyal to friends. I appreciate the small things in life, like a rose, a bee, a hummingbird and a bear hug from a grandchild. I stay active by spending more time with family and friends, going to movies, flower gardening, doing crossword puzzles, going to the beach and walking when I can. I am on the road I’m supposed to be traveling — and this journey has many experiences waiting to delight me in the years ahead.”

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Carolyn Mercer

“Early in my career, I worked in management for an international telecommunications company. I never thought about heart disease and felt that I would be healthy regardless of my activities and the foods I ate. However, my job began to require a lot of travel. I started eating fast food because I didn’t have time to prepare healthy meals. Even my exercise program suffered. When I started working in the Texas school system, I made an effort to get my life back in order. However, the damage was already done. I had difficulty walking the school halls, had shortness of breath and was overweight. I knew then that I had to tell my physician what was happening.

“After my physician ordered several tests, I was diagnosed with heart disease and told I must undergo open heart surgery immediately. I had quadruple-bypass surgery in December 2004. In February, I met my cardiologist and at his urging, immediately changed my lifestyle; I lost weight, consulted the dietitian for healthy eating tips and attended cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation has been the best thing I’ve done to help myself. Everyday is a challenge for me, but there are so many things I want to do. I live each day as if there will be no tomorrow!”

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