I spend a lot of time in the outdoors—much of it leisurely walking as I observe my surroundings. I look for and photograph plants and animals and it takes patience to do so. I sometimes cover a lot of ground but it takes me all day to do it. In other words, I’m not a power walker.

Last August Rob and I adopted our dog Bodhi (Bo-dee). My walks changed. Bodhi wants to explore, run, exercise. so now I take dog walks in addition to my nature walks. Bodhi loves to go to the park and we walk the same path every day to take him there. That path includes a very long and rather steep hill. Going down was easy. But coming home, we had to walk up the hill.

The hill was difficult for me. By the time I got to the top I’d be seriously short of breath and I had chest pain. I’d walk the rest of the distance home slowly and by the time I got to my house I recovered. Rob didn’t have that much trouble on the hill. I figured I did because I used to smoke. Or maybe because I need to lose weight (doesn’t everyone?). So I pushed myself from August to October trying to get to the top of the hill with no problem. It never worked. Rob suggested (more than once) I tell my doctor about the chest pain and shortness of breath. Instead, I kept pushing myself.

Finally in November I had my annual checkup. I did mention the hill to my doctor. That started a chain reaction. There was a stress test, lab tests, echo-cardiogram, heart catheterization, and finally—I was told that I had a blocked artery that couldn’t be repaired except with open heart surgery. A heart bypass! Over some shortness of breath! Who knew?

So, here it is February. I’m back to work. I’m just fine. I had the surgery—it was this new minimally invasive (through my ribs) surgery. I’m almost back to 100% and I can walk the hill without chest pain or shortness of breath!

It’s mortifying to think that every time I tried to master that hill I was pushing my heart to its limit. The doctor told me that the location of my blockage was such that had I had a heart attack, I’d be dead before I hit the ground.

February is National Heart Month. Have a checkup. You can’t be a mentor, leader, and activist from your grave. In between your teaching, nature walks, gardening with kids, and listening to kids, be sure listen to your body. One of my doctors said you should never be aware of your heart. In other words, if you have chest pain (at all) shortness of breath, tire easily, tell your doctor. I am living proof that we shouldn’t poo-poo signs and warnings.

I’m grateful to Rob and all of my doctors. Grateful we adopted Bodhi and I had trouble on that hill. I was a walking time bomb with no clue I was in danger. Now I’m 25 lbs lighter and watching my carbs, and eating a heart healthy diet (BTW, not difficult at all).

As for you—please get a checkup. You and I are doing very important work by helping to connect children with nature. I heart you! Don’t be a statistic!