28 Feb

How I Became a Heart Warrior

Posted by kiropa1 in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , .

I work out almost every day. I eat healthy. I try to manage my stress. By “try”, I’m just being honest. As a mom of three grown and almost-flown children with aging parents, the “sandwich generation” struggle is real. But, I truly live my life through a lens of health and fitness and have done so for years. Truthfully, this has been my focus since I became a mom of daughters. I made a vow to myself to model health and I think I’ve honored that intention.

Both of my parents have had heart attacks; so genetics is not truly on my side. Hence, the hyper focus on health. I’ve run three marathons, many half marathons and countless 10K and 5K races. My heart is strong. It’s the body part of which I am most proud.

Earlier this year, I had bronchitis that would not relent. I want to urgent care desperate for my cough to ease and left with a hint of something bigger to worry about. The doctor listened to my heart and said “do you know you have a heart murmur?”. Yes. Every doctor, nurse, and medical professional who has listened to my heart has made that comment and the conversation always ends there. Until this urgent care doctor.

“Have you ever had it checked?” he asked. No, no one ever mentioned that and my heart is strong, my heart is healthy, I run marathons. “You really should and soon” he replied with a look in his eyes I will never forget. My post-visit summary instructed to get an echocardiogram in the next three days. Very specific and very soon.

I found a cardiologist and waited 6 weeks for that echocardiogram. The technician didn’t say anything, but part of the test involves sound and I hear it myself. Instead of thump thump thump, I hear a tsunami. I knew something wasn’t right.

My appointment was at 4pm on a Friday. At 5:30, while walking our dogs, I get a call. It’s the doctor’s number. A call that soon, on a Friday night, from a doctor, is never good news. And, it wasn’t. I don’t remember all the words but something about severe prolapse, severe regurgitation, enlarged heart, fluid around my heart etc. He did not hedge, surgery was in my very, very near future. I cried.

But, I’m healthy. I’m strong. My heart is my favorite part.

30 Jun

No turning back now!

Posted by kiropa1 in Uncategorized.

Blog Entry #1 – June 28, 2011 (Day 226 of 230)

Good things come to those who wait – a phrase with so many meanings. On November 7, 2010, Brian and I cheered for our friend Tim as he ran the NYC marathon. Inspired, Brian – a total non-runner/avid beer drinker – expressed veiled interest in running in 2011. I called his bluff and applied for early entry on Marathon Monday Mania. He saw my bluff and raised me an early entry attempt of his own. A friendly rivalry was born. Who would win – me a two-time marathoner or him – a fiercely-competitive, losing-is-not-an-option type? Neither of us got a spot. Must answer all questions!

We waited patiently for the April lottery. Again, both of us were denied entry. I sent a quick email to a contact at Dunkin’ Brands – the team with which I ran in 2008 asking if there was any way we could run with them in 2011. I didn’t receive a response until today – two months later – saying they have two guaranteed entry spots and if we want them, we’re in!

Brian attempted to claim “no fair” since he stopped training in April when we didn’t get in. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that stopping implies starting. I’m pretty sure who knows that simple relationship anyway.

When I told him that opting out was the same as conceding defeat, he manned up and accepted his spot – with the caveat that marathon training would get in the way of his curling training. You know, the Olympic sport where you sweep shaved ice? Long story.

So, tomorrow starts our training and today starts this blog. Let’s see if a couple who marathons together stays together? Duh, of course we do. And, oh yeah, I’m on day 226 of working out – I’ve been ‘training’ since November 10.

I can be competitive too, you know!