In my almost 83 years on this earth, I have overcome many serious medical conditions and diagnoses.

When I was a baby, I had double pneumonia. As a young child, I had mastoiditis and needed to have the mastoid bone removed. At 10 years old, I had rheumatic fever and was told that I wouldn’t live past age 20.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I had to have an emergency c-section and almost died. In my mid 40’s, I had severely high blood pressure which caused Bell’s Palsy and could have caused a stroke or heart attack.

At 73, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Lymphoma and almost died from the effects of chemotherapy. Shortly after being in remission from the cancer, I was in a severe car accident where I suffered a fractured pelvis and broken ribs. Later, in my mid-70’s, I suffered a severe strain of pneumonia that could have killed me if not caught. At 79, I underwent open heart surgery to conduct a double bypass and replacement of two valves.

I give all the credit to God for keeping me safe and being my strength through these tough and trying time.