Growing up, I came from a pretty athletic family. My sister played volleyball, basketball, and softball; my brother played soccer, hockey, and baseball. My parents and siblings were big golfers, too. I always kept active and enjoyed being out in nature. I enjoyed walking my dog, hiking, and lots of other forms of exercise but nothing competitive. For awhile, I was into racquetball and tennis, and then cross country skiing, biking, and a little bit of kayaking. This activity was mostly reserved for weekends and I was consistently active through the years.
Of course, dancing was my first love and I was involved in either taking classes, performing, or some combination of the two from about age 4 - 28. I finished graduate school when I was 28, and since then, my work as a dance/movement therapist has been a priority. I am active in my work with the different client populations (groups and individuals) I serve. However, it doesn't result in any sort of aerobic workout, or strength training needed to keep in really good shape. My work is about being witness to, educating, and facilitating therapeutic process related to individual treatment goals and objectives, based on the body/mind connection. (*To learn more go to: Creative Arts Counseling and Consulting.)
Many of you know about my own health crisis which prompted the start up of this blog. I'm currently writing about my journey through illness, and hope to finish this book next year. It chronicles the past several years, where I was faced with my own health crisis and will highlight lessons learned on the road to recovery from heart disease. From 2004 - 2009, I had 3 heart attacks and 3 angioplasty procedures, a total of 9 stents, and a heart bypass operation last December.
Within this time frame, from September 2008 - September 2009, I was fortunate to have a whole year without any heart "events". During this year, (my second year at a new job), I had begun to build up some vacation time, so I was able to go a few places. That spring I went with my husband to the Catskill mountains, and we climbed one of the highest mountains there, Slide Mountain. (picture t
o the right..."almost to the summit!") To be able to complete this, felt like a huge accomplishment and both my husband and I were very proud.Accomplishing this goal, felt so good, I decided to set another one. I wanted to try and run a half marathon. Of course, I never had run more than 2 or 3 miles in my life. I was inspired by a friend of mine who had gone from never having run before to finishing the Marine Corp Marathon in the same year. My goal at that time was to try and complete a half marathon. I tentatively had two picked out: The "More" magazine 1/2 marathon; or the Lake Placid 1/2 marathon. The summer of 2009, I was just getting to where I could run a 5k without stopping. However, that fall, my plans had to be put on hold indefinitely as this was when I had my third myocardial infarction, the most serious of the three.
Continuing to have angioplasty and stents placed in my LAD after each heart event seemed ridiculous to me. The LAD is the Left Anterior Descending Artery; it is also referred to as "The Widowmaker" due to how deadly blockages prove to be in this important vessel. Each time there had been an "event" it had been the result of a problem with this vessel. The stents never corrected the problem, they served as a temporary "fix". In my case, I believe that the irritation caused by the stents increased the inflammation and proved to be more of a problem than a solution for me. (*This is my opinion only; Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition. This information in this blog is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease.) You've heard the definition of insanity (usually attributed to Albert Einstein)? "Insanity is continuing to do the same thing over and over, and then expecting different results."
I then had a total of 9 stents which the Doctor's referred to as a "full metal jacket". Soon enough, I suspected the stents would close or crack, cause pain, and flu-like symptoms leading to another heart attack. I didn't know how many more times I could "bounce"' back. I was exhausted. In December, my question was answered. On December 10th, 2009, I left work early, feeling like I had the flu. I ended up driving myself to the hospital where I was told I needed to have open heart bypass. The recovery process was long and painful. For the first time in many years, I felt some optimism because I kept my heart in very good shape throughout all of these "events" and "procedures". With the one new artery (which is what I needed), I was told that my heart was now "pristine".
Although this period of time had taken its toll on my spirit and psyche, I knew that if I kept bri
nging my body to yoga, meditation, nature, etc.. and continued to nurture myself, and allow myself to be nurtured and loved that the resilient nature that is inherent in each one of us would break through and my "light" would shine again.It's been 11 months now since the operation. I'm healthy, grateful, and enjoying life today. I'm looking forward to participating in the "It's a wonderful run" 5k on December 11 with Danielle. I'm still not running the whole 3.2 miles, but I'm working on it, and enjoying the process.
While I don't think of myself as particularly wise, I have learned a few things. Two of these are: 1. Our natural state is one of Health. Our bodies want to heal. This is documented in ancient texts and by modern research. 2. Radical Acceptance for where you are in every moment allows you to begin to realize the power and perfection of Now. You're perfection right now, in this moment, no matter whether your goal is to finish a 5k or an ironman/woman event! That being said, we still have to take action toward our goals and so I must close for now, to go out for my run/walk.
To your health,
Chris
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition. This information in this blog is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease.
