Wow, it's been a long time since I've updated my blog! I'm still doing extremely well. Exercising every single day for 70 minutes at a very hard pace. I am amazed after every workout just how much I am able to do. I've come from 5% EF all those years ago to 35% when doctors said it was impossible after this much time. The reason for this post today is to ask anyone reading that believes in the power of prayer and the healing power of God to agree with me for 50-55% EF on my next echo which should be this November. I know it is possible with God and I'm believing it!
This week, I'm going to miss my daughter as she travels to Florida for International Youth Convention with her youth group. She flew for the first time in her life this morning! Praying God fills her with his spirit and she comes back changed forever and on fire for God. She already has such a servants heart!
I know God has more in store for me too and I'm ready to do what he his asking. I have heard him speaking to me a lot over the last couple weeks. He didn't heal my heart for my own comfort.....time to get out of the comfort zone a bit more! Ready to be a giant for God!
About Me
- Kimberly Binkley
- At age 39, I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy. I was given days to live with a heart function of 5% at that time. I was also told I needed a heart transplant to survive. I am now a 13 year survivor and have not had a heart transplant. I am married to my best friend, Steve and have one daughter, age 19. I'm sharing my journey to help others and because it "Matters to my Heart."
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Go Red for Women Essay
Ok, I thought I would post my short essay that I wrote to try out for the spokesperson for Go Red for Women. Cincinnati didn't go tryouts this year via video. This is my 3rd year trying out. I sure would love to do this but haven't heard anything so I don't think I was chosen this year either. So, there's always next year! Anyway, here's my story I posted on the Go Red for Women website.
Hello, my name is Kimberly Bnkley. I've often heard the phrase, "knowledge is power." but I have to say I disagree with that statement. Acting on that knowledge is where the power comes. I am one woman but I can speak volumes for a cause that matters to my heart and has become my passion. I am a heart disease survivor. I have been "living" with heart disease now for 9years. I was 39 years old when I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. I had 5% heart function at that time. I was told I would not leave the hospital without a heart transplant but by the grace of God, I did. I have to say, I am here today because of prayer and I believe that firmly. You see, when I was 39, I did not know that heart disease was my greatest health risk. I didn't know the symptoms of heart disease and I didn't know that more women die of heart disease than any other cause. My diagnosis came as a huge shock to myself and to my family. I was in the best shape of my life when I was diagnosed. I exercised, I ate right, I was at my perfect weight.....very physically fit but a virus attacked my heart and did it's damage. Had I known the signs of heart disease, I would have insisted on testing on my heart much sooner. Over the last 8 years, I have had my ups and downs with this disease. A few years ago, I became ill with bronchitis twice within a very short period of time. This caused stress on my heart and once again doctors discussed placing me on the heart transplant list. My heart failure specialist wanted me exercising but at that time I was fearful to do this on my own. So, I had them refer me to a cardiac rehab program so I could regain the confidence I needed to get back into a regular exercise routine. I also got a new bi-ventricular pacemaker that now included a defibrillator. My doctor told me if I wanted to avoid the transplant list and live longer, I needed to be exercising so this is what I did! At this point, I had 20% heart function and doctors needed to see that increase to at least 35%. So, I was one woman on a mission and I am very determined once I set my mind to something. I started looking at my portion sizes and realized that even though I was eating heart healthy foods, I was eating more than proper portions. So, my first change was to cut the portion size down to what I should be eating and no more. Secondly, after my cardiac program was finished, my family and I joined the YMCA. Exercise is no longer a "maybe I'll get to it" thing, it's a "I'm not compromising my excercise time for anything" thing! My heart matters and what I do for it matters very much to me. I exercise every single day for at least 60 minutes. I am able to do much more now than I could in the beginning and I feel so much better for doing so. I have lost 40 pounds and I am at the healthy weight for my height. So, with those changes also came good changes in my heart health and my fitness level. My last echo now says my heart function is at the 35% that my doctors wanted to see! Now, I attribute this to prayer because I had people specifically praying for 35% heart function but I do know that eating right and exercise had a lot to do with my improvement. I now no longer need to be placed on the heart transplant list and I feel absolutely wonderful! I can hike, bike, do aerobics......you name it, I can do it! I now take the stairs instead of the elevator too! I am healthier now than ever and I have no restrictions! I tell everyone about heart disease. This is my passion. I speak from my heart to help other hearts avoid what I have gone thru. You see, I am one very determined woman and I know my life's mission is not accomplished yet! I do all I can to teach others healthy eating habits and about the benefits of regular exercise. I also make sure they know heart disease is the number 1 killer and what they can do to prevent it. I see my doctor regularly. I know my numbers and I encourage others to do the same. I have learned that knowledge isn't power. Acting on that knowledge is power. I am one voice, I am one woman, I am one heart disease survivor that chooses to live and to live well. There is no room for compromise when it comes to my heart and the passion I have for others. When it comes to loving your heart, today is the day to start. Tomorrow may be too late. Go Red for yourself today!
Hello, my name is Kimberly Bnkley. I've often heard the phrase, "knowledge is power." but I have to say I disagree with that statement. Acting on that knowledge is where the power comes. I am one woman but I can speak volumes for a cause that matters to my heart and has become my passion. I am a heart disease survivor. I have been "living" with heart disease now for 9years. I was 39 years old when I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. I had 5% heart function at that time. I was told I would not leave the hospital without a heart transplant but by the grace of God, I did. I have to say, I am here today because of prayer and I believe that firmly. You see, when I was 39, I did not know that heart disease was my greatest health risk. I didn't know the symptoms of heart disease and I didn't know that more women die of heart disease than any other cause. My diagnosis came as a huge shock to myself and to my family. I was in the best shape of my life when I was diagnosed. I exercised, I ate right, I was at my perfect weight.....very physically fit but a virus attacked my heart and did it's damage. Had I known the signs of heart disease, I would have insisted on testing on my heart much sooner. Over the last 8 years, I have had my ups and downs with this disease. A few years ago, I became ill with bronchitis twice within a very short period of time. This caused stress on my heart and once again doctors discussed placing me on the heart transplant list. My heart failure specialist wanted me exercising but at that time I was fearful to do this on my own. So, I had them refer me to a cardiac rehab program so I could regain the confidence I needed to get back into a regular exercise routine. I also got a new bi-ventricular pacemaker that now included a defibrillator. My doctor told me if I wanted to avoid the transplant list and live longer, I needed to be exercising so this is what I did! At this point, I had 20% heart function and doctors needed to see that increase to at least 35%. So, I was one woman on a mission and I am very determined once I set my mind to something. I started looking at my portion sizes and realized that even though I was eating heart healthy foods, I was eating more than proper portions. So, my first change was to cut the portion size down to what I should be eating and no more. Secondly, after my cardiac program was finished, my family and I joined the YMCA. Exercise is no longer a "maybe I'll get to it" thing, it's a "I'm not compromising my excercise time for anything" thing! My heart matters and what I do for it matters very much to me. I exercise every single day for at least 60 minutes. I am able to do much more now than I could in the beginning and I feel so much better for doing so. I have lost 40 pounds and I am at the healthy weight for my height. So, with those changes also came good changes in my heart health and my fitness level. My last echo now says my heart function is at the 35% that my doctors wanted to see! Now, I attribute this to prayer because I had people specifically praying for 35% heart function but I do know that eating right and exercise had a lot to do with my improvement. I now no longer need to be placed on the heart transplant list and I feel absolutely wonderful! I can hike, bike, do aerobics......you name it, I can do it! I now take the stairs instead of the elevator too! I am healthier now than ever and I have no restrictions! I tell everyone about heart disease. This is my passion. I speak from my heart to help other hearts avoid what I have gone thru. You see, I am one very determined woman and I know my life's mission is not accomplished yet! I do all I can to teach others healthy eating habits and about the benefits of regular exercise. I also make sure they know heart disease is the number 1 killer and what they can do to prevent it. I see my doctor regularly. I know my numbers and I encourage others to do the same. I have learned that knowledge isn't power. Acting on that knowledge is power. I am one voice, I am one woman, I am one heart disease survivor that chooses to live and to live well. There is no room for compromise when it comes to my heart and the passion I have for others. When it comes to loving your heart, today is the day to start. Tomorrow may be too late. Go Red for yourself today!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Megan Moss
Megan got her heart on Sunday! According to her blog, she is doing very well. Doctors are amazed. Please keep her recovery in prayer and pray there are no complications from the transplant. You can follow her story at http://www.megansheartstory.blogspot.com/
Friday, April 16, 2010
Pray
http://www.megansheartstory.blogspot.com/
Please pray for Megan Moss. She has the same heart condition that I have. I know miracles happen because I am one. Today, please pray for her miracle. She is awaiting transplant right now.
Please pray for Megan Moss. She has the same heart condition that I have. I know miracles happen because I am one. Today, please pray for her miracle. She is awaiting transplant right now.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Salt Free Taco Seasoning
Ok, if you're living with heart failure you have learned by now that you can NOT use the packaged taco seasoning mixes. Here are a couple different salt free taco seasoning recipes that are pretty good. Just remember to look for salt free chili powder because some chili powder is very high in sodium.
First Recipe
6 tablespoons chili powder (look for the unsalted version)
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Place all ingredients in a zip lock sandwich bag and shake!
Here's a slightly different recipe.
4 teaspoons minced onion
2 teaspoons chili powder (again, get the unsalted version)
1 teaspoon corn starch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or more if you like it hot!
You can store in an airtight container for up to 1 year.
First Recipe
6 tablespoons chili powder (look for the unsalted version)
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Place all ingredients in a zip lock sandwich bag and shake!
Here's a slightly different recipe.
4 teaspoons minced onion
2 teaspoons chili powder (again, get the unsalted version)
1 teaspoon corn starch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or more if you like it hot!
You can store in an airtight container for up to 1 year.
Remember to Go RED on Friday
Go Red for Women day is this Friday, Feb 5th. Wear your red to help bring awareness that heart disease is the number 1 killer of women. Take this info to heart and do something to keep your own heart healthy!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Exciting News
Wow...it has been a while since I updated my blog! I just want to update you all real quick and give you a couple dates to be remembering. I have very exciting news. In November, I went for a routine echo to check and make sure I had not lost any heart function since after 8 years doctors felt sure I would not see improvment. They had done everything they thought possible to bring that about with medication adjustments, etc and we had no luck. This year, I had people specifically praying that I would go from 20% heart function to 35% since this is the numbers doctors kept telling me I needed to get to. So, in November when I went for my results of my echo........the news is, my heart function improved from 20% to 35% and the size of my heart decreased to a tad bit bigger than a normal size heart. My nurse, Pam and I were in tears and we celebrated together that day. This is huge after this amount of time. I am exercising every single day at the Y and I feel great. This is nothing short of a miracle. So, please if you are reading this no matter what the situation is for you.....NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up hope! I love the words from this song that say: I've seen dreams that move the mountains, hope that doesn't ever end, even when the sky is falling. I've seen miracles just happen, broken hearts become brand new.....that's what faith can do! Keep the faith! Never give up, no matter what you are going thru. I am trusting God for complete healing of my heart and I'm expecting it! So, if you would like to pray for me, pray that I get 55% heart function as this would be in the normal range. I know it can happen and I am expecting it all in God's time.
ok...so the dates to remember are Friday February 5th. This is national Go Red for Women day to help bring awareness that heart disease is the number 1 killer of women.
Also, if you are in the Cincinnati area, the God Red Luncheon is going to be held Tuesday, May 4th at the Duke energey Center. It's an awesome event if you have never been.
I am also going to try out for the Go Red casting call again this year so wish me luck! I'd love to represent for this cause and tell the world what God has done for me! So that's the latest news. I'll try not wait so long before updating again! Keep doing what your doctor has told you to do.....it will pay off! Keep praying!
ok...so the dates to remember are Friday February 5th. This is national Go Red for Women day to help bring awareness that heart disease is the number 1 killer of women.
Also, if you are in the Cincinnati area, the God Red Luncheon is going to be held Tuesday, May 4th at the Duke energey Center. It's an awesome event if you have never been.
I am also going to try out for the Go Red casting call again this year so wish me luck! I'd love to represent for this cause and tell the world what God has done for me! So that's the latest news. I'll try not wait so long before updating again! Keep doing what your doctor has told you to do.....it will pay off! Keep praying!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)