COACH Chip's Itinerary - Follow Us

Grow into a community of supporters. 

Tell your friends, neighbors and help fight cardiovascular disease.

Itinerary:   Feb. 3    National Wear Red - support women in the fight
                             against heart disease

Book Signing and Speakng Engagements

        Feb. 4    Mable White Baptist Church   *Book Signing
        Feb. 4    Celebrations Event Cntr.  *Book Signing Launch Party*
        Feb. 7    Warner Robins Rotary Club  *Speaking/Book Signing
        Feb. 25  The Galleria Mall - Centerville
        Feb 26   Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church *Speaking/Book Signing
           Feb. 27  The International Optimist Club *Speaking/Book Signing
        Mar.  1   Mayor & Minister's Meeting

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Call 478-396-8224

Thanks to all for helping to make a difference in the lives of the community, your congregation and your family.  I appreciate the oopportunity to join efforts to save lifes and share with anyone who understands the need to maintain a healthier lifestyle!   To contact me call 478*396*8224. 

~Coach Chip

Itinerary of Events

MORE TO COME . . .


I am looking forward to seeing you!  We will be Chip'n Away at Heart Disease somewhere near you.  February is Heart Awareness Month and I will be out (as usual) telling my story, stating the facts.  Your involvement can help to change somebody's life if not your own.  Take a chance on feeling better!  

We are on this planet together.  We might as well live together, laugh,watch some sports and enjoy good health . . ~Coach Chip

I T I N E R A R Y

Museum of Aviation, W. Robins                     Feb. 1  11:30 a.m.       

Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta       Feb,  2    7:30 a.m. to  9:30 p.m.        

Mable White Baptist Church, Macon            Feb.  4   7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.        

Celebrations Event Center, W. Robins       Feb.  4   4:00 p.m. to  8:00 p.m.  LAUNCH PARTY!!

Warner Robins Rotary Club, W. Robins        Feb.  7  12:00 p.m.                              

Union Grove Baptist Church                          Feb.  19 10:30a.m.                              

Business Conf. & Techno Expo, Macon        Feb.  23 & 24    All day                      

Galleria Mall, Centerville                               Feb.  5 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.       

Int’l City Optimist Club, W. Robins                Feb.  27   12:00                                

Mayor & Minister’s Meeting, W. Robins      March 1  11:45a.m.                       

February - Heart Awareness Month

FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES DEAR TO MY HEART

You can't put a monetary value on feeling well.  Anyone who has been ill even with a common cold can agree.  Because I felt the way that I did, I considered it was normal until the struggle to breathe worsened.


What would you do with a God-given second chance?  My "calling" in life is to share my story and remind the ill that anything is possible.  The thing I find most often with people is they don't have time to hear the impact this has on the body and on a family.  I wrote on my facebook page that when someone sees me shopping for groceries, or at a basketball game they have no idea of the extreme care I still must take with my health.  It is an assumption that well "he don't need nothin'!"

A new game plan has been developed.  Chapter by chapter I am taking the strategy of X's and O's to explain risk factors associated with heart disease wherever I can.  Not just in February or at special events.  You should see me at Kroger!  Though I am not a doctor, many doctors haven't been where I have.  Certainly I  direct anyone to find a healthcare professional to improve their condition.
Itinerary: Feb. 1    Museum of Aviation
                 Feb. 2    Morehouse School of Medicine
                 Feb. 2    Mayor & Ministers Mtg.
                 Feb. 3    National Wear Red - support women in the fight
                             against heart disease
                 Feb. 4    Mable White Baptist Church
                 Feb. 4    *Book Signing Launch Party*
                 Feb. 7    Warner Robins Rotary Club
                 Feb. 25   The Galleria Mall - Centerville
                       Feb. 27  The International Optimist Club

Hopefully I will hear from the colleges and universities in response to my request to give back to the medical community by sharing my personal experience.  They can hear the story, ask me any questions oh yeah,  buy my book "A Second Chance" arriving January 31. 

~Coach Chip

I'm Rolling Right Along

Most people thought I cared mostly about the win/loss column in the record books.  Like me or not, it is my fair and by-the-book work ethics that gave many something to talk about.  "Relax.  Not everybody has the same work ethic or think like you do," my wife would warn.  

With the blessing of another chance in life, I have learned that I have the same passion when it comes to being able to help people.  Whether they are struggling with heart disease or  interested in learning first hand about heart disease and transplantation as it pertained.  
 

I keep rolling right along researching various topics and reading medical advances since my episode that can help to save lives.  Also I am calling on churches, college nursing/medical programs and organizations that may give me an opportunity to share my story.   


A wealth of knowledge & assistance                                               St. Joseph's nurses provide ultimate ;  
from the transplant coordinators.                                                  care to patients.  Thanks Brooke!
Thanks Tracy and Denise.                   

Even though I "talk heart" and heart-related topics it doesn't mean I can't identify with anyone facing or who have faced a major illness.  I am extremely happy to look into the eyes of an overcomer and listen to the story of another survivor. 

   

Drs. Miller and Jensen take a photo with other

heart transplant and LVAD survivors.  9/11

A CHANGE OF H E A R T

Fourteen months since "the call."

At the time this picture was taken I was five months old  from the transplanted heart.  The baby in the group as we had dinner at Mary Macs in Atlanta. 


We (Cynthia & I) were flanked by some wonderful survivors-- other heart recipients that had some similar symptoms and vastly different experiences.  It was a good time.



A change of heart does happen.  Now I wear a red bracelet with the words "A Second Chance."  Not only is that the name of my upcoming publication, but I present a bracelet to any individual that I hear has been given a second chance in life.  They may have survived cancer, a heart attack, or a car accident.  This is exclusive to the folks that can say they are  able to look into the faces of loved ones after a battle to live and know how priceless that blessing really is. 

But let's remember this touches the lives of the donor family as well.   A common denominator is found love/over/ love.  God loves us immensely and I can't begin to tell you how or why he makes His divine decisions.  I can only remember my wife saying. . . God is faithful."  "It is not as it appears and we will know this when He is ready to let us know."  

I have in me a good heart-- a gift.  The name still unknown; along with hobbies, likes and dislikes.  What I do know is that this hero or "shero" is God's child and He will never fail them.  Wherever their mansion is, He has sent angels to bless us both.  

~  Coach Chip 

P.S. Ever write something and hope it is conveying what you feel?

Working the Clock

Hello again:  It has been a good football season.  I was able to travel with the home team for the last couple of games and enjoy watching the competition on the field of play.  Though we didn't get to the GA Dome state championship this year (lost one game away) it was still a great experience.  Yes, we all want to win, but it is, what it is and we'll support as the team tries it again next year.

It is a good feeling to say next year, to plan and continue to pray for yet another year by His grace.  It is good because last year this time, if you don't mind if I reminisce, was not enjoyable.  My battle with heart disease hampered me from truly enjoying anything.  Instead I was recuperating, having biopsies and wishing for a positive outcome.

It did come for me, a positive outcome, that is.  Life is no game and shouldn't be treated as such.  I have learned through my research of this potentially deadly disease that by the time the National Anthem has played at an event, three people suffering with a cardiovascular related illness has lost their lives. 

It is the season to remember the sacrifices we have made or watched as others who have been challenged all seeking victory.  I don't have to wait for a particular season of the year to reflect and give thanks.  No need for a reminder because when you come so near to loosing your life, you will take a deep breath and let out a "thank you God" that has so much sincerity you won't care who hears it. 

The sport that I played, coached and enjoy [basketball] has started for most teams.  I say "most" because the NBA has a late start *Christmas day* this year.  I am helping the varsity basketball team during home games by running the game clock.  It is official .  I am once again in my element and loving every moment of it.   God allows me to ponder the stark contrast of where I was then;  nearly running out of time to this moment in time as a second chance in life.

Read the heart transplant story,"A Second Chance" coming out in February, 2012.  What story can you share?  Come on, don't worry about who knows about your story of survival. .  tell me about it in the comment portion of this blog.  Are you a survivor?

Small Things Can Give Hope

It's a new day,  A bright and cool 4th of November morning. Yesterday I made a big pot of homemade vegetable soup. I am gonna say it was just in time!  I am looking forward to some simple joys today and the rest of this month in which we talk about being thankful.  I don't want to skip to Christmas too soon. 

I'll probably give my lawn a final going over to get it ready for the season ahead.  Maybe get some new weather stripping for the doors since the ladies in the house are talking about putting socks on their feet.  I love the cool weather.

You see, it's stuff like this that really makes me stop to look at the small things that mean so much.  The journey of battling poor health, pain or discomfort can go  unrealized until something happens directly to an individual or their loved one.  Occasionally, we see reports on television and say, "I can't imagine." We might even shake our head in disbelief.  

On Tuesday evening, I spoke with a former student athlete who I coached in middle school and is now in his 30's.  He wanted to talk shop because he is facing an evaluation for a heart transplant at Emory mid-November.  Before hanging up the phone, I wanted to leave him with hope.   Not knowing what to expect can cause a person to freeze in fear.  You talking fear factor, let someone tell you they are about to do something through your jugular.   I reminded him to repeat the promises of God--I am living proof He will bring him through and that he can one day feel better.

Have a good weekend.  Give God glory that because of Him you (we) are able.  And tell Him you see His works even in the small things.

Coach Chip