My name is Ronnetta Thomas, I am a 41 year mother of two. A 21 yr old and a 8 yr old. I am so honored to be a BBB woman. I work in the mental field and also as a nursing assistant. I have been in this field for over 17 yrs and with the recent struggle with a diAgnosis of heart disease I plan to go back to school in the fall for nutrition and health counseling.My story..On feb4, 2015 I experienced rapid breathing and could not catch my breath. I also has a sharp tugging pain in my mid back and shoulder area, as well as a strange jaw pain. I ignored this pain for several days thinking it was my anxiety and stress due to me still silently grieving and still having depressing moments over the loss of my significant other five years ago. On feb 9th, the symptoms still persisted,my breathing was worse and by the end of my workday I decided to go to the e.r. to been seen, once there several test were done with negative results,the nurse even said it was anxiety and asked me had I been tAking my meds my doctor had prescribed. Itwasn't UNTIL the doctor did a nuclear stress test which showed a positive shadowing in my heArt that they knew something was wrong. A cardiac cath was done and they found 90% blockage in my left artery. This blockage was plaque which built up over time hardening the walls of my arteries which was stopping blood flow to my heart.This was due to unhealthy eating, and high cholesterol over the years.This REALLY scared me and I became very depressed. After doing research I realized WHAT'S DONE IS DONE… all I could do now is thank God for saving my life. I am glad I went to the hospital when I did or I may not be here now. I have also to fight this disease, change my lifestyle and to channel my negative feelings into positive actions… I realized this was my calling to learn about disease and get the facts on symptoms and prevention and spread the word to as many woman as I can. That's when I created my facebook group called HEALTHY HEARTS HEALTHY FRIENDSHIPS. Many people hadquestions about what happened to me. Outside of facebook i started walking group in which we walk and I have a table set up at highland park where I provide literature, water and healthy food samples. I also come out to businesses, highrises, group home etc. and spread heart disease awareness and how it is the number #1 silent killer for women. We also provide free information literature and hold free luncheons. My goal is to become a non profit group to share, listen and support one another in living better and making healthier eating,physical, and mental choices. To learn that this disease is serious, and the symptoms in women are different in women becAuse we deal with a lot of day to day stress factors that we simply ignore. I want to be the BBB woman that supports, educates, and empower other women. I plan to beat this heart disease and look toward a new direction of life. GOD does everything for a reason and I believe the reason I am still alive to share my testimony with other woman.
