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Working oustide my comfort zone....

Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tuesday afternoon I received a phone call from Adrienne Dern with the Pulmonary Hypertension Association in Maryland. This woman is the VICE PRESIDENT of the PHA and was calling ME to ask a favor. The PHA is helping to sponsor a 30 City Tour Medical Education Program.



One of the cities and physicians chosen to be part of this program was Omaha and MY ph doctor, Dr. Austin Thompson. The Omaha program was scheduled to be held Wednesday evening (that would be the NEXT day, Wednesday evening). The PHA representative who was suppose to give a slide presentation about the PHA and then introduce Dr. Thompson, ended up having an attack of gall stones and would not be able to make the trip. Ms. Dern told me that Rino (as in Rina Aldrighetti, the PRESIDENT of the PHA) mentioned I might be willing to help them out and asked if I would step in and take this woman's place! (I have no idea how he even knew I existed!) So, in front of a room of 40 + medical professionals I talked through 13 slides about the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and their various medical programs, organizations, etc. I then got to introduce my PH doctor. I was thrilled to be able to tell the room that due to his good care for the last 5 years, my pulmonary pressures were in the normal range at rest! Then, I was able to sit down and eat my dinner. I was so stinking nervous!! But, I'm really glad I got a chance to do it, especially since it's PH awareness month. I told the people during the introduction that they didn't realize they were going to get a 3-D presentation, including a live ph patient!

So, that's my story. Oh, in case you were wondering, I did reward myself with a Blizzard!!

I thought I'd take a moment and share a couple of pictures of "the babies" from when Chris and his puppy came to visit a couple of weeks ago.

Asa chilling....



Deeoji chilling...



And, Haver wondering, "How long do I have to lay like this until I get a treat!?!"



Thanks for reading.

Annette

4 comments to Working oustide my comfort zone....:

Colleen said...

I'm so proud of you!!! I would be nervous, too, but I think I'd also be glad to let MEDICAL professionals know about this dang disease! That's just as important as informing every day "normal" folk!! I'm glad you had the chance to do it, and a free dinner!!
HUGS!! :)

dab said...

Bravo! Good for you! Sounds like the first grade teacher still knows a thing or two about show & tell!

Anonymous said...

Way to go, girl! I'm so impressed that I'm a friend of a nationally known speaker and so very proud of you. You are truly the voice of PH and I'm sure you did a fabulous job.

Di said...

Annette,
They could not have chosen a better spokesperson! What a lucky group they were to hear from someone like YOU. I am so proud of you, as I know the entire group was.
I am sure that Blizzard tasted extra good. hugs, di