My dad suffered from 5 heart attacks, and my grand parents died from heart disease. So, at the age of 38, when I started having chest pains, it scared me. I knew I had done over 25 years of damage to my body struggling with anorexia, bulimia, diet pill adductions, and compulsive/binge eating. I went to get a physical and my EKG came back not great. My doctor sent me for a stress test, which came back not great either. I was then scheduled to go get an echocardiagram and given nitro pills, just “in case”. I knew what those were because I saw my dad take them when he had chest pains. I was terrified. After my echo, the Doctor came in and told me, if I didn’t lose weight, and start exercising, I was not going to live to see my son grow up. In that moment, I knew I had to change, and I did! I took ownership of my life and decided to fight for me! I am proud to say, now at almost 41, I am finally free of my eating disorders, my heart is healthy, I have lost over 120lbs, I am confident in who I am, and on a mission to help as many as I can to learn how to be confident.
I have the opportunity to visit the VA hospital monthly in the Cardiology division and encourage and mentor our Vets who are getting echocardiograms. I know how scary it is laying there, not knowing what the monitor is showing! I feel like the Lord gave me a second chance at life, and I have a purpose to help me a light to those walking in fear and darkness. My parents were Veterans and I truly feel our Veterans deserve so much love and support we all can give them. Especially, since they protected us and fought for us in the service! It truly warms my heart when I can just put a smile or ease fear with my words when I am visiting in the cardio wing of the hospital. God bless our Vets! And if you are having to have heart tests, trust the process, and know there is always HOPE! I am living proof!
Crowning Confidence by Brandi Jo 