08/23/2026
I decided to post this clip not for sympathy for three reasons. First, no matter how fit or invincible you think you are, listen to your body. I exercise 4-5 days a week. Have never had any type of surgery. About 2 months ago, I started experiencing shortness of breath. Initially, I chalked it up to asthma and environmental issues in the LA area. Then, I started getting a nagging pain near my left shoulder blade area. I initially believed it was just soreness from doing butterfly curls at the gym. After both symptoms persisted for over two weeks, I went to see my cardiologist out of an abundance of caution. An EKG was done and inexplicably nothing unusual? I was simply told to see another cardiologist who performs calcium CT scans of blood vessels. Red flag. Make sure that your cardiologist does intervention and has the capability to perform critical CT scans at her/his office.. Second, we must advocate for ourselves since our medical/health care system is broken. It was a total cluster trying to get a calcium CT scan of my heart vessels. It took nearly two weeks for the first cardiologist I was referred to finally get back to me to inform me that they don't take Blue Shield. Called the second cardiologist for an appt and the first available slot was the day after Dr Chris at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena saved my life during an emergency angiogram. Sadly, I called the previous cardiologist and asked for an earlier appt since the chest pain was worsening and I was told I couldn't be accommodated because Blue Shield had yet to approve the calcium CT scan! In hindsight, maybe I go to the ER sooner to get the critical calcium CT scan. Advocate for yourself! Blessed to have Dr Chris remove a blood clot near my ♥️. Thanks also to alyssa.joyce for being the best night nurse ever. Third lesson learned was to carry on Jesus's purpose for you. Let's live to praise Jesus. Impact the lives of others. No more excuses! Time is precious 🙏
