Heart and Soul | heartofgold

Photo Credit: Taken By LaLa Photography

Kimberly's Caring Heart

The Beginning:

I was born with an abnormal heart valve. We were told a couple of

years ago that I would need a replacement. Two weeks before my

(first) surgery February 12, 2009, I experienced shortness of breath .

I knew something didn’t feel right. I made an appointment with the

doctor. A test was ordered, and a surgery date was scheduled. I

contacted my family & friends and began to pray & focus on what

was getting ready to take place in my life.

Blockage occurred after the first surgery. I received a pace maker

(second surgery), February 16 th , 2009. On June 23rd, 2010, after a

regular check-up (pace maker reading) at the doctor’s office, my

third surgery (pace maker revision) took place the following day.

I received my first pacemaker battery replacement; December 2015.

and the second set of batteries; December 2024.

Support System:

My heart valve surgery took place on February 12th, 2009: Before the procedure , I contacted my family members, Pastor & Church Family, employer, co-workers, friends, neighbors.

My (strong) support system provided prayers, phone calls, flowers,

books, beautiful cards, hospital visits, home visits, and meals.

It was important for me to provide support for my husband &

children. We discussed the surgical procedure with our children. It

was necessary for us to continue providing a secure & stable

environment for them. The door is always open anytime for the kids

to come to us with any questions or concerns.

My Faith:

The valve replacement surgery was successful, then I developed

blockage. The doctors notified my husband that I would need a

pacemaker to help my heart function. It was unplanned but

necessary. The second procedure took place four days after the first

procedure. We prayed with the Chaplain before the heart valve

procedure. I also received visits from the Chaplains (by my request);

throughout the time I was hospitalized: a total of eleven days.

June 23 rd , 2010, I returned to the hospital: outpatient surgery: pacemaker revision. My pacemaker battery replacement procedures took place in 2015 and 2024,

My Faith in God, support from my husband, family, Pastor & Church

Family, medical staff, friends, neighbors, Radical Love Family, co-

workers, and employer continues to play a major role in the healing

process. I know that God loves me & promised never to leave me

alone. He helped me get through this time of testing. Jeremiah

30:17 states: “For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee

of thy wounds, saith the Lord, because they called thee an Outcast

saying, “This is Zion, who no man seeketh after.”

Acceptance is crucial during the recovery stage; not living in denial,

but accepting the daily challenges occurring inside my body, coping

with breathing issues on a daily basis, living with a pace maker,

taking coumadin for the rest of my life, dealing with the discomfort

in my chest. Where does my help come from?

Believing and trusting God with my life. I know without a doubt that

he is a healer. God is also loyal & faithful. Psalm 107: 1 “O Give

Thanks unto the Lord for he is good: for his mercy endureth for

ever.”

My Greatest Supporter:

My relationship with my husband is even stronger. We were married

in 1993 and promised to love each other unconditionally. He

continues to provide emotional, physical, mental & spiritual support.

While I was recovering, he helped the kids with their homework,

made daily trips to the grocery store, ironed the kid’s clothes,

worked hard every day and spent quality time with me. I thank God

for my soulmate.

Affects on the Children:

When I returned home from the hospital, my son (age 10 at the time of my procedure), quietly

walked in my bedroom and prayed by my side every night. It was

very important for him to thank God for healing his mother. When

my daughter, (age 7 at the time of my procedure), saw the scar on my chest (incision from heart

surgery), it made her very uncomfortable. She thought I was in pain.

I spoke to the school counselor about the issue. My daughter

eventually touched the scar and saw that I wasn’t in pain. I’m happy

to say, my daughter is now comfortable with the scar. After my

surgery, our children asked about the limitations, when I would be

able to drive again, how did I feel overall. We continue to keep the

lines of communication open in our home.

It’s very important for our children to express their feelings. I

continue to pray for my husband & children. We are determined to

face any obstacles “together” with God’s guidance.

Through FAITH, FAMILY, & FRIENDS, I’m able to face each day &

know within my heart that God continues to bless me & my

family. Everyday is a GIFT from God.

The Rest of the Story:

Why I decided to raise awareness instead of suffering in

silence:

Sharing why I made a decision to raise heart and stroke awareness…..

After my third surgery, in 2010, a friend asked me, “What do you plan to do with your second chance at life?” By that point, I had volunteered for more than a decade for various nonprofit groups throughout the Metro Atlanta area,

So, I made a decision to give back to by becoming a volunteer for the American Heart Association

I share my story of survival from heart valve replacement and three pacemaker surgeries , my high and low moments – plus provide heart health tips at health fairs and networking events throughout the community.

I also created a website, & health blog to provide a format for cardiac patients and their families to follow my heart journey and provide encouragement.

I can personally connect with cardiac patients and their families because I’m a survivor and they need to see and hear from a person who can relate to their health condition.

Why I advocate throughout the community:

to help patients and their families maintain a positive outlook on life.

The Purpose of my Passion Project (Heart Collage): created in 2014.

to raise awareness, honor every family affected by heart disease and stroke and celebrate my recovery from heart valve replacement and four pacemaker surgeries

My Sister/My Best Friend (Another Calling to Advocate):

Sharing why I made a decision to promote lung cancer awareness…

To honor the life and legacy of my beautiful sister, Dr. Karen Leigh Bryant (a non-smoker) who was diagnosed in February of 2022 with stage 4 lung cancer and transitioned :April 30th 2022.

To Advocate for Early Detection, and bridge the gap between patient and doctor - Promoting Communication: One of the Keys to Recovery.

To Empower Lung Cancer Survivors: Target Group - Single Parent Households.

To connect with the Medical Community concerning the growing need to offer a Patient Guide for patients and their families, after receiving diagnosis (sharing community resources, including mental health).

To support medical research to include underserved communities, and highlight the ongoing need to address Cancer health disparities in America. Target Group: Racial/Ethnic Minorities

One of the important parts of my recovery has been to educate and empower other heart patients about my story of triumph and healing, encouraging them to track their symptoms in a journal, cultivate a strong relationship with their healthcare providers, suggesting heart-healthy recipes, connecting them to resources or even just being there to listen as they work through their own struggles.

" Encourage One Another Daily"

Yes, I Can "

Sharing how I stay positive, focused and encouraged

a) I find one reason to smile every day

b) I maintain a positive outlook on life

c) I rely on my faith in God to keep moving forward

d) I depend on my family and friends to always offer words of encouragement

e) I focus on the good, despite my health obstacles and the grieiving process

Please feel free to share the special message ( daily affirmation) below with anyone coping with health obstacles on a regular basis.

Today, I choose happiness: despite my current health challenges : I will maintain a positive attitude: I’m beautiful, loved, and blessed

Organizations & Programs I Support:

American Heart Association Georgia State Advocacy Committee Member, American Heart Association: Heart Walk Alumni , You're the Cure Advocate ,Support Network & Go Red for Women Supporter , Live to the Beat Ambassador, Heart Valve Voice US Ambassador, PCORI Ambassador, ARCHI Champion, Piedmont Patient Advisor ( on-line), American Heart Association’s: Peer Review committee member, Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic :Health, Patient Advisory Group , Volunteer Gwinnett Supporter, Piedmont Women's Heart Program Supporter, SCHEQ (STEMM Cancer Healthcare Equity) Foundation supporter, American Cancer Society Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Hope Lodge :Decatur, GA: supporter

Memorable Collaborations and Achievements...

2025 Morehouse School of Medicine/ Georgia CEAL : Civic, Advocacy, Leadership and Engagement Training and Policy Workshop

2025 ARCHI Champion .

https://archicollaborative.org/

2025 Gwinnett County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc Community Impact Award Recipient,

2025 American Heart Association Research Administration: Volunteer Appreciation Recipient: Strategically Focused Research Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic Syndrome: Heterogeneity in Women

2025: American Heart Association Support Network: Top Contributor

2023 Senate Resolution and Yellow Rose : Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award Recipient, 2022, Gwinnett County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc Community Salute/ Recognition.

Community Servant of The Heart: Nominee: Friends for Life Foundation, a 501c (3) organization of Phi Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc . annual "Heart Of Giving " Celebration ( November 2015)

American Heart Associaiton Heart Valve Ambassador/ Inaugural Group ( July 2015)

Service Award/ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Celebration; Gwinnett County

United Ebony Society Of Gwinnett Inc February 2014, The Daily Point of Light Award

The Points of Light Foundation : January 2014

Power To End Stroke/Gold Level Ambassador.

Amercian Heart Association: November 2013

How You Can Help:

be proactive, network, reach out to a nonprofit organization, volunteer : make a difference...one day at a time