Hakuna Matata: A Journey from Heartbreak to Healing
The Wake-Up Call
On April 11th, I thought I was battling a severe case of acid reflux. I tried to push through the discomfort, convinced it was just another bout of GERD. Two days later, when it happened again, I waited for my husband to finish work to take me to urgent care—still certain it was just heartburn. I was wrong. Urgent care sent me to the ER, where tests revealed a terrifying reality: I had suffered two heart attacks. I was transported by ambulance to the hospital immediately.
The Invisible Cause
The most shocking part? My heart catheter showed no buildup. My cholesterol was fine, and my blood pressure was healthy. After a battery of tests, the doctors reached a sobering conclusion: my heart attacks were caused by extreme anxiety and panic. For years, I have struggled with my mental health, but I never imagined it could physically break my heart. Now, I find myself in a cycle of "panicking about panicking," where my mental health has become an urgent physical priority.
The Path Forward
I am choosing to reclaim my peace. I plan to get a visible tattoo of the phrase "Hakuna Matata"—a permanent, daily reminder to breathe, stay grounded, and refuse to let anxiety take the wheel.
How You Can Help
I haven’t been able to work since December due to a knee injury, and the financial weight of this journey has been heavy. I am reaching out to my community for support: To cover the cost of this meaningful tattoo as a tool for my recovery. Any additional funds will go directly toward the hospital bills from my cardiac care. There is absolutely no obligation to give, but your support—whether through a donation or simply sharing this story—means more to me than words can express. Thank you for being part of my support system and helping me heal, inside and out.
The Wake-Up Call
On April 11th, I thought I was battling a severe case of acid reflux. I tried to push through the discomfort, convinced it was just another bout of GERD. Two days later, when it happened again, I waited for my husband to finish work to take me to urgent care—still certain it was just heartburn. I was wrong. Urgent care sent me to the ER, where tests revealed a terrifying reality: I had suffered two heart attacks. I was transported by ambulance to the hospital immediately.
The Invisible Cause
The most shocking part? My heart catheter showed no buildup. My cholesterol was fine, and my blood pressure was healthy. After a battery of tests, the doctors reached a sobering conclusion: my heart attacks were caused by extreme anxiety and panic. For years, I have struggled with my mental health, but I never imagined it could physically break my heart. Now, I find myself in a cycle of "panicking about panicking," where my mental health has become an urgent physical priority.
The Path Forward
I am choosing to reclaim my peace. I plan to get a visible tattoo of the phrase "Hakuna Matata"—a permanent, daily reminder to breathe, stay grounded, and refuse to let anxiety take the wheel.
How You Can Help
I haven’t been able to work since December due to a knee injury, and the financial weight of this journey has been heavy. I am reaching out to my community for support: To cover the cost of this meaningful tattoo as a tool for my recovery. Any additional funds will go directly toward the hospital bills from my cardiac care. There is absolutely no obligation to give, but your support—whether through a donation or simply sharing this story—means more to me than words can express. Thank you for being part of my support system and helping me heal, inside and out.