Our Survivor Story
My name is Michelle Derusseau. In April, 2003 at the age of 39 I suffered a heart attack. An emergency cardiac cath was performed and two stents were implanted in my heart.
Needless to say this came as a complete shock as I had always been athletic and swam three miles a week. That’s not to say I didn’t have bad habits and risk factors, I just had never considered them before. I started telling everyone I met my story, explaining the importance of knowing the warning signs and paying attention to your body. I was lucky, most women die from their first heart attack because they don't have chest pain and they ignore other signs. I have Made it My Mission to tell everyone that would listen that cardiovascular disease and stroke are the number 1 and number 3 causes of death, including women.
Last April at the age of 46, and seven years to the day after my heart attack, I began training for my first triathlon. Many of my friends and relatives have started joining me at 5Ks and on bike rides and several family and friends turn out to cheer us on.
It has been a long, strange trip and an amazing journey. It doesn’t matter if I run or walk... It’s just about doing it. My goal now is to inspire others to challenge themselves. Join me on February 11th at the Oread Hotel in Lawrence as we make it our Mission together to fight cardiovascular disease and stroke in women.
It’s not about the fastest time…
…It’s about the journey.
