June 20th, I dropped from a massive heart attach at my parents’ house. My husband did compressions until the paramedics arrived. I was clocked dead for just under 8 minutes. The paramedics got me back and brought to Centennial hospital.

I got a stent and was placed into a hypothermic coma. they called my husband and told him that if I didn’t wake up in the next 48 hours, he would need to decide. I woke up on my own at 45 hours. I pushed to go home and after physio I was discharged Friday.

Recovery was hard, I struggled with my stamina and walking far… out of breath a lot. I had a 6 month follow up with my cancer gynecologist (first time I’ve seen her since the heart attack) she said something was not sitting right with her and she referred me to hematology. I then went for bloodwork where I was found I was positive for a blood disorder called antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. basically, I am high risk for clotting in my head, chest and legs.

Treatment is basically blood thinners. January 2022, I started cardiac rehab to begin getting myself ready to go back to work… I still couldn’t walk for periods longer than 10 minutes without being short of breath or needing a break.

March 2022, one month left in my rehab, and I started swelling bad in my legs and feet… I had to wear my husband’s size 14 flip flops as none of my shoes would fit me.

I’ve been to emergency twice, countless calls with my family doctor, cardiovascular clinic to check for clots, and heart failure. I told my doctor to run bloodwork for RA or lupus. He did and sure enough came back positive for ANA. Now I wait until November before I’m diagnosed and receive any relief or treatment.

I can’t walk, some days I can’t get out of bed. I’m in pain every single day. no doctors will give me anything as I’m “not diagnosed”. So here I sit swollen, suffering and not being helped by anyone.

It’s inhumane to let someone suffer like this.

My diagnosis ended up being Fibromyalgia and they say it was caused by the heart attack (intense trauma to the body). Also diagnosed with degenerative disc, slipped disc, bulging disc, arthritis in L4 & L5, all in my back.

I was approved for permanent disability, and the government approved my appeal, finally, after 2 years.