After raising my family , I went back to WVNCC . 6 weeks before graduation and internship , I had a heart attack and required open heart surgery . i was taken to Pittsburgh for my surgery and at that time was told I would be very lucky to be alive in 1 year . I changed my lifestyles drastically . The following year i went back , had to retake the second semester all over again . During internship my dad died af a masive heart attack . When I went back to my internship , I realized that since my own surgery , when i was tired , I was tired and made careless mistakes .( In the OR there is no time for this kind of mistakes ). Totally changed my mind as to waht I wanted most in life . When Wheeling hospital started their open heart surgery program , I was asked to do a program called " Mended Hearts ". I became their coordinator and was there for about 12 or 13 years . My job description was to meet with all the families during their patients open heart procedure , and once the patient went to their step down unit , I met with the patient . I also scheduled all Mended Heart meetings and their speakers too . I attended all the national conventions and was on board with our local American heart Association chapter .After changes at Wheeling hospital , I moved the entire program to OVMC ( where i still am ). I have since started another support group . it's for grandparents who can not see their grandchildren for a variety of reasons . there I conduct metings each month along these lines . I have learned to appreciate all life has to offer , and to always take the time to smell the roses !! Back when i was a student at MFHS , if someone would have told me I'd be doing what I'm doing today , I would have thought they were crazy . I was very quiet and shy in school , but not now . I honestly believe MFHS has helped pave my way and helped in what i have become !!!!!