Today is the second anniversary of my first heart attack. August 14, 2011 was the beginning of my life with heart disease.

But since I was back for round two in September 2012, it’s a little hard to know when to celebrate. Or what, or how. All I know is it is on my mind today. So I decided to make a list of things that I’ve done or that have happened in the last two years. Two years that I lived, and almost always lived well.

In the last two years, I  . . .

Started this blog.

IMG_7397Postponed Noah’s 4th birthday party (yep, mama in the hospital), but pulled it together six days after I got home, thanks to my mom and my Aunt Deb.

Went to rehab and met some great people. Joined the hospital gym.

Slider Group at FinishRan the TC 5K eight weeks after my heart attack. My whole family was there for me.

Noah First Day with MommySent my little son off to pre-k  and my big son off to 5th grade.

Started working with personal trainers.

Went to the Go Red casting call.

IMG_0401Carved pumpkins, made costumes, cut down a Christmas tree. Twice.

Volunteered in the pre-k room every week.

Started another blog with a friend. Love that blog. Love the friend more.

Painted my dining room and my kitchen.

Ran the Polar Dash 10K.

Christine Jen Kristen 2Had a party. On Valentine’s Day. Because hearts.

Adding dirtPlanted a garden with my 4-year-old.

Planned the PTA silent auction.

IMG_6910Started training for the 2012 Twin Cities Marathon. (Yes, I had my doctor’s permission.)

Runs to firstWatched a lot of t-ball and baseball games. Took about 10,000 photos.

Attended my son’s first 5th grade band concert.

IMG_6975Ran the Fargo Marathon relay. And the Fergus Falls Athletic Republic 5K with Owen.

Camp Cousins 2013Hosted Camp Cousins, a week of fun with Aunt Jenny for the younger nieces and nephews. Twice.

Went to Bayfield for the 4th of July with my octogenarian grandparents. Twice.

Family Beach SunsetTook my sons to state parks, the lake, the beach, Minnehaha Park, Florida, Como Zoo. Took 10,000 more pictures.

Gander Meander WinnersPlayed race director for the Wild Goose Chase/Thorson Family 5K.

Organized a lot of closets. Made a lot of labels.

Made a lot of pennant banners too.

Ran a lot of long runs.

Slider Red Dress GroupGot photographed for Minnesota Monthly and some billboards and bus shelters. That casting call? Meet the 2013 Go Red for Women Spokeswoman.

Dropped to the floor and sobbed when my brother had a heart attack, one year and two weeks after mine. He was 32 then.

Hospital Mike Featured ImageTook his kids to my lake for a few days while he and my sister-in-law rested. Helped my 6-year-old niece buy heart-healthy groceries for her dad. Said yes to everything she asked for. Cried when she wasn’t looking.

Sent my little son to kindergarten and my big son to 6th grade. Cried.

20 mile 2012Ran the Ready to Rock 20 Miler in White Bear Lake, closing in on that marathon.

Two days later, gave up one mile into a recovery run. The pain was intense and familiar. I knew.

hospital picture 2012 editedOn September 25, had another angioplasty and a shiny new stent installed. This time, 80 percent block in my LAD. This time, I knew what it was. This time, it never got to 100%. Which is good, because this time, it was the “widowmaker.”

With complete seriousness, asked my doctor if I could run the marathon (now two weeks away). He said no. Not this one, not ever.

Asked my doctor if I could have more children. His words: “if it were my family, I wouldn’t.”

Went home.

Hurt, for a long time.

Agreed to be the PTA president.

Scott at 14Had another party. Because Scott DID run the marathon, and finish his MBA, and turn 39. And because friends and family. I need them.

Scott Mark Tami Jen OwenSpent Thanksgiving with Scott’s family. Twice.

GO RED Feb 22 0213-349Started speaking about heart disease for the American Heart Association. Spoke at events in November, December, and January. Met amazing survivors and supporters. Cried when I saw a room full of red. Made new friends, heart sisters.

IMG_9975Crafted. A lot. Most pretty, some silly, all helped.

IMG_0853Celebrated Christmas. Twice. Easter too.

Ran the Polar Dash 10K in -10 degrees.

runway 2Wore a custom-made dress in a fashion show. Rocked the runway. Bought the dress.

IMG_0990Completed fifteen speaking engagements or events in February (heart month) and March. Made an awesome PowerPoint. Was on the news too.

IMG_0388Bought lots of cute red clothes. And even more red dresses.

Volunteered in the kindergarten room every week.

Started looking for a job.

hospital 2013 1 editAfter months of symptoms, gave in and went back to my doctor. Angio again. No blockage, just microvascular disease and endothelial dysfuction. Translation: symptoms and quality of life issues, yes, but not gonna kill me and nothing to be done about it.

get lucky 4Seven days later, ran the Get Lucky 7K.

Went to Mexico with husband. Because eight years since the last time we left kids at home.

Siblings next genDanced at my cousin’s wedding. Hosted a baby shower for my sister. Attended my brother’s high school graduation. Attended anther brother’s wedding.

Mom and Owen IntrepidWent to another band concert. And a sixth-grade graduation. Toured junior high schools. Bought my son a phone.

Threw a Star Wars 5th birthday party, a movie night 11-year-old sleepover, and a 12-year-old sleepover too. Planning a Super Mario Brothers 6th birthday.

Joined the Run with Heart Team, the American Heart Association’s first-ever charity team for the Twin Cities Marathon. (On doctor’s orders, I will run the 10 mile.)

wild geese edited no filterRan the Fargo Marathon Relay with my brother, my cousin, and Scott. Two weeks later, ran the Fergus Falls Half Relay too.

Had a few job interviews. Updated my resume 10,000 times. Created a portfolio. Networked like a boss. Read Lean In.

Bought my almost first-grader a new backpack, lunch box, and crayons. Bought my almost-seventh grader men’s size shoes.

And today, on the second anniversary of my first heart attack, I’m writing my 146th blog post, editing a profile of a Run with Heart team member, writing a press release for a wellness conference at church, walking my little son to theater camp, missing my big son at sleepaway camp, painting over his little-boy outer space bedroom as a surprise for when he gets home, and somehow need to fit in a 4-mile run.

I have so much to celebrate. It doesn’t matter when.

Luckiest Mom

 

 

 

Comments

  1. I’m exhausted just reading all you do, while I do so little by comparison. Of course I am so much older, but then heart disease has frequently paralyzed me since my HA in January. I do at least 30 mins of exercise a day but after reading all you do I think I should do more and stop being such a wimp! You are so amazing!

    • Hi Barbara,

      Thanks for reading! And, I would be kind to yourself and do what you can and feels right. I keep trying to keep running, but some days it just doesn’t happen. Some days are good, and some are not. Today I’m choosing to remember the good.

      Take care!
      Jen

  2. Stop making me cry!

  3. Kate Edenborg says

    I have been following you ever since my father had a heart attack. I feel like we are often in similar places. I did the half marathon at Fargo. And will be doing the TC10 miler. I hope to see you and give you a hi-five.

    • That would be great! I hope I do see you. I’ll be in the American Heart Association Run with Heart shirt. I haven’t seen the designs yet, but I’m assuming red.

      Thanks for reading and I hope your father is doing well!

      Jen

  4. This is awesome and made me cry. A toast to you…:)

  5. Andrea Egbert says

    Simply put… you rock!!! So fun to read ALL you’ve done! Amazing and very inspirational. So happy to know you and so happy you’re doing well!

  6. As I wipe away the tears, kick kicking butt my friend. You are amazing! And an absolute inspiration. Cheers to many more years!

  7. Sara Waltz says

    You are amazing and inspirational. Thank you for sharing your heart and your world. I got teary over many of your accomplishments. I am so happy for all of you that you have the list you do and that your list can keep growing and growing. Way to go!