NATIONAL HEART DISEASE AWARENESS

February is National Heart Disease Awareness Month

I have a special place in my HEART
for this subject, that's for sure.

As many of you know, I lost my father to Heart Disease.
Some of us are called lucky, if you want to call it that, to go quickly and without a lot of suffering in one fell swoop to a heart attack. While others can linger for years being ill and slowly having their health erode from this horrible disease. I have had it touch me both ways.

My father in law played golf, laughed, joked & had dinner with friends, having a great day, only to come home and have a fatal heart attack in the middle of the night. Luckily for him, he did not suffer. No, only those he left behind did. With no warning, his wife and children had no chance to say goodbye, or anything else to him for that matter (There's a reason to say I love you on a daily basis, for all you stubborn, busy or apathetic people out there). My dad, on the other hand, suffered for a decade only to have his health slowly chipped way by a heart attack and 4 strokes. In the end, his dementia was so bad he barely understood that he had to live out his last 365 days living in a nursing home. If he only knew and could fully comprehend, he would never wanted that for himself.

If only we could rewind our lives. We could have loved better, deeper and harder. We would have said I LOVE YOU more often and we certainly would have taken better care of ourselves. So don't just let
Valentines Day
be the reason you say I love you to the special people in your life.
Certainly don't think because February is Heart Awareness Month it's the month to miraculously change your life. It's not for a month, it's for a lifetime. If you won't do it for you, do it for the one ones you love...and remember to tell them so!!

Comments

Unknown said…
G'morn ~ TY for this write. I am sorry for your losses, too soon.

I speak first hand! We had several unexpected, undiagnosed heart attack deaths, only a couple were known. All my adult life I said I'd have heart issues by 50. When I pointed out these issues I was having, my first Drs. patted my hand (oh, yes she did) & said 'Mrs. Ford, women your age don't need to worry about heart attacks'. I reminded her of our family history & was dismissed. This continued with several other Drs. over a 10 year period until I was
nearly a non-functioning human ... then it got the Drs. attention. Even worse the EKGs showed my medical heart issues & not one of these Drs ever said a word to me ... black & white in front of their eyes to view all that time. I am everso grateful to a cardiac nurse practitioner, Sue Wingate & nurse practitioner, Gail Cavallo who FINALLY listened to me. Sue referred me to Dr. Alan Schneider, a wonderful brilliant cardiac Dr. that literally SAVED MY LIFE ...

Pay attention & be stubborn/persistant demanding attention.

Happy Valentine's
Have a beautiful week.
Hugs, Marydon
Unknown said…
Thank you so much for bringing awareness to this. Let`s take care of our hearts!
WhiteWhispers2u said…
G'Day~ I am right there with you my Dad has Heart disease and suffers and my Grandmother is having Heart issues, so you are right we just never know when it may strike.I just donated to the Heart Association on Friday.Thanks for the reminder though we all could use one.~Kim
Tracey said…
My hubby has had 2 heart attacks, well done for doing a lovely post and bringing awareness to this disease. xxx
BonjourRomance said…
Bonjour dear Gail,
What a touching post, thank you for bringing this to our attention. So sorry for the loss of your father and father in law - yet another reminder to take the time to let those we love know it!
Thank you for coming by about my story. I'm extremely private and had no idea people would even be interested. I really did not intend to tell things bit by bit - HONEST!
We started talking...and talking and knew right then and there we were meant to be - it was destiny or rather a miracle.
This will be our fifth Valentine's together! Our third here in Paris!
Thank you so much for making me feel so much a part of bloggerland. The way you write and your sweet comments let us all know what a lovely person you are on the inside!
Happy week my friend!
Jermaine said…
Dear Gail,

Thank you for this heart felt message. I am so very sorry for the loss of your father and father-in-law. Thanks for reminding us of how precious life is and most of all how important it is to never miss an opportunity to express our love in word and deed to those we hold dear.

<3 jermaine
Natasha in Oz said…
I am so glad that you posted this Gail. My family is one of those families that ends each phone conversation with a "love you" and Hubby and I email each other maybe 10-20 times daily sometimes just to say "I love you"...I am going to email him right now to say it again!

Best wishes always,
Natasha.
Bonnie said…
Hi Gail,
Thank you so much for the sweet note today. I am so sorry about your father and father-in-law. Your post was very heartfelt and it's so true. I lost my Mom (cancer) in late 2002 and I miss her more and more each day. :(

I know I haven't posted much on my blog lately. I really miss blogging and want to get back to it soon as I can. I'm just trying to catch up on so many other things. It seems the hours slip by so quickly and everything takes longer for me to accomplish... I haven't forgotten and hope to make some more posts soon. Thank you for kind words... it means a lot to me.
Big hugs,
Bonnie
charmaine said…
Hi Gail!

You are just the sweetest piece of candy!! I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your father and father-in-law. But I am very grateful to you for bringing to our attention that February is Heart Awareness Month. Thank you, because I had no idea. Life is a gift and we must cherish it and cherish those around us. I just lost an uncle to this disease in December. Yeah, I will make sure that "I love You" will be said much more often.

I also wanted to say thank you for your Super Duper sweet comment you left on my blog!!! You touched my heart. You are a Jewel (a DIAMOND). I'm glad to be back and thank you again for that sweet award. You asked how old my son was? He will be twenty next month. Girl, he thinks he's grown. LoL!! He's my only one, that's my baby! How is your baby doing? I pray all is well with you and yours. Oh yeah, your in Jersey, right? How is the weather over there? I know the East coast is getting hit hard with this cold weather. Stay safe and warm. keep inspiring my friend and stay fabulous!!

God Bless.
XoXo
Charmaine
Auntie Cake said…
What a compelling post to take care of ourselves and those around us. My hubby is actually having a heart monitor implanted in his chest tomorrow,he is young, extremely healthy, works out a ton and watches what he eats. We never imagined this! So sorry for the loss of both your father and FIL, it's always too early to lose someone you love.
Kate
Magdalena said…
This is such a special post, thank you for sharing it. I Iost my grandfather to a fatal heart attack without any warning, he was so active, it was such a shock. Then my dad had a massive stroke a decade ago. He can't talk or walk, but thankfully his spirits are great!! He is always so happy, it is amazing. I try so hard to get my mother to lose weight and exercise but she just doesn't listen. Thanks to your post I will try again!!!
I am sorry for your losses.
Bunny
Jenny said…
What a tender post. I'm sorry for all your losses. But it's so good of you to spread this message.