Answering My Heart’s Call: A Story of Renewal
The Driving Force Behind My New Journey: From Survival to Renewal
In the summer of 2019, I began experiencing what I thought were minor inconveniences—episodes of discomfort that would steal my breath and stop me in my tracks. I didn’t know then that these were mini heart attacks. Life didn’t come to a halt; it couldn’t. I powered through, ignoring the signals my body was desperately trying to send me.
As weeks turned into months, the episodes became more frequent and more alarming. A short walk from point A to point B turned into a challenge, requiring me to stop and take deep, calming breaths to ease the pain. Simple acts like eating a meal or sleeping through the night became interrupted by these episodes, particularly in the two weeks leading up to what would change my life forever—a major heart attack.
On the day it happened, I was rushed to the hospital, where i learned the staggering truth: my left main artery was 99% blocked. I was on the brink of a major stroke. What followed was a triple coronary artery bypass graft (CABG x3), a surgery that by the hand of God, saved my life.
The morning after the surgery, my heart surgeon came into the room with a look I will never forget. His head was down, shaking with disbelief as he said, “I don’t know how you’re still here; nobody goes through what you went through and survives.” Those words struck me harder than anything else. I realized that my survival wasn’t just a stroke of luck—it was a call to action.
Recovery: A Struggle and a Revelation
Recovery has been far from easy. Every day brings its own challenges, particularly with managing my weight and adapting to the restrictions placed on my body. The journey has been as much about healing my heart as it has been about transforming my lifestyle.
The truth is, my old environment wasn’t helping. It was stress-driven, chaotic, and left little room for the basic necessities of health—like proper nutrition or moments of rest. I knew I couldn’t continue on that path. If I wanted to truly recover, I had to make a change.
The Union House of Hogarth: A New Chapter
This realization drove me to make a monumental decision: to move and start anew. That decision brought me to a historic Georgian Colonial Revival house in Union, SC—a place that would become The Union House of Hogarth.
This house is more than just a change of scenery. It’s a sanctuary for renewal, creativity, and balance. It will serve as a space to nurture both body and mind through art, healthful living, and connection with nature. From hosting intimate art exhibitions to painting get-togethers and cultivating a home garden for fresh, healthy meals, this home represents the future I’ve envisioned for myself—a life free from the chaos and stress that once endangered my survival.
Why I’m Sharing This
Sharing this journey isn’t just cathartic; it’s a way to inspire others who may be facing their own crossroads. Whether it’s a health scare, a lifestyle change, or simply the need to reconnect with what truly matters, I hope my story serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to turn things around.
The Union House of Hogarth is where my new chapter begins, but it’s not just about me. It’s about creating a space where others can find their own moments of peace, inspiration, and healing. This is my journey, and I’m inviting you to be a part of it.