In this inspiring memoir, Emily Falcon chronicles her lifelong journey with a congenital cardiac condition. In 1982, at seven weeks old, she had a heart attack that destroyed forty percent of the left side of her heart. This was her entry into a world of multiple cardiac procedures, surgeries, and hospitalizations, and a later diagnosis of glaucoma. Balancing these serious conditions defined her life.Falcon’s memoir is a story of survival and how her physical situation shaped and limited her. She never surrendered, never wavered. She always forged onward. Falcon intends this story to be a helpful resource to families, caregivers, and physicians who want to gain insight into a patient’s point of view.In 2017, after a lifetime of feeling that nothing could ever change, Falcon had a second open-heart surgery. This procedure allowed her to participate in a 5K race a mere eight months later. She was no longer stuck on the sidelines. She encourages her readers to advocate for themselves, believe in their abilities, never be afraid to test their boundaries, and feel motivated to make changes in their lives.Buy Links
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Excerpt
What is it like to experience the strength and vitality of youth for the first time at age
thirty-five? This is a story of my personal “Benjamin Button” journey. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s
short story “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Benjamin is born an old man and experiences life in reverse, taking on new abilities as he becomes younger. In my case, as a result of a life-altering surgery, my abili- ties continue to develop, and I feel younger and more fit every
day.
I went from being unable to run more than a few yards to developing as an athlete who
participated in my first athletic event, a 5K race, just eight months after open-heartsurgery. I
chose to move away from the comfort of my medical team and family in Boston to Alaska, where physical challenges were part of everyday life. Whether hiking in Denali National Park, getting lost in the woods, or whitewater rafting in freezing rapids, I found my endurance tested in ways it had never been previously.
I have never had a normal life. At seven weeks old, in 1982, I had a heart attack that destroyed forty percent of the left side of my heart. My heart condition forever altered the course of my life and led to two open-heart surgeries, one at age six and another at age thirty-five.
A little over a year after my second surgery, my cardiac surgeon gave a presentation that featured my medical journey. After the talk, many audience members came up to me and told me they were inspired by my story. I didn’t understand why, or why they called me a hero. I felt like all I had done was go on living and trying, which I did not feel made me stand out. One audience member shared her fears and hesitation about trying to go on a
hike. I responded, “If I can do it, you can too!” Taken aback for a moment, she then agreed to give hiking a try. For the first time, I realized how my story could inspire others.
This book is about my experiences and how I have felt lead- ing a life with complex, chronic
medical issues. Unlike many surviors who have experienced sudden traumatic illness or accidents that forced them to live with newly acquired limitations, I have an uncommon perspective, from both a child’s and an adult’s viewpoint, because I have experienced a rare and chronic illness from
birth.
At times, it might seem discouraging to read about everything I went through, and it might seem as if life will never improve, but it does. The skills and knowledge of my medical team, endless support from my family, and my own dogged perseverance enabled me to live a life no one ever dreamed was possible. No one and nothing, least of all my body, is holding me back anymore. I want to fully explore my abilities after a lifetime of restrictions and live my motto to the fullest: “Don’t waste a second.” By sharing aspects of my journey, I hope my insights can encourage people who doubt their own resilience.
Today, I live in a different world, one that is full of poten- tial. My wish is to show people who
hold back from experiences that maybe they can make a different choice. People with chronic illness can be inspired and learn to advocate for themselves. They can appreciate their level of health and not take it for granted. All opportunities, both big and small, should be embraced. Neverwaste a moment and don’t let life pass you by!
About the authorEmily Falcon lives in Massachusetts. At seven weeks old, she had a heart attack and was diagnosed with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA). This led to two open-heart surgeries, one at age six and another at age thirty-five. She loves travel and animals, both of which have helped her get through difficult times. While living a constrained life, Emily has sought out adventures whenever she can, such as trekking up volcanoes to observe mountain gorillas in Uganda, volunteering with cheetahs and baboons in Namibia, playing with wolves at the Arctic Circle, and eating with orangutans in Singapore. She is now an athlete who participates in a weekly run club and runs in 5K races throughout the year. She hopes to inspire others who have health limitations to never waste a moment and not let life pass them by.
Website: https://www.babyheartspress.com/emily-falcon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/from_sidelines_to_finish_line
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091344267879
From the Sidelines to the Finish Line
Written By
Emily Falcon
Review By
Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews
First, I want to thank Emily Falcon and Baby Heart Press for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
WOW!!! Emily Falcon, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger girl! You are one incredibly brave to open up and share your inspirational story with us in From the Sidelines to the Finish Line! Your story made a huge impact on me as there were some important life lessons that I personally needed to hear. From the Sidelines to the Finish Line is a beautifully written book that will touch a lot of people.
Russ Hoyt President and CEO of The Hoyt Foundation wrote a very beautiful forward for Emily’s book. His story of his brother Rick totally pulled hard on my heartstrings as I have a family member who is a quadriplegic and would do anything to make him feel less disabled. The Hoyt Foundation is an incredible agency that does so much for the disabled community!
From the Sidelines to the Finish Line Emily we get to see all the ups and downs she has experienced throughout her life. She also shares some pictures with us as well.
I appreciated Emily educating her readers by sharing some medical facts, medical terminology and medical definitions so her readers could understand more.
All the pop culture references I totally loved and so envious that she saw Lady Gaga and S Club 7 in concert!
From the Sidelines to the Finish Line is a beautifully written story that had me wanting to jump into the story many times to give her a hug! If you love medical memoirs like I do you need to add this to your TBR list!
