Cristal’s Story: A Portrait of Life After a Heart Attack
Sometimes a portrait is about more than how you look. For Cristal, it was about recognizing how far she had come.
On April 8, 2018, five days before her 45th birthday, Cristal almost died.
The pain in her chest came suddenly, tightening around her heart. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she wondered if she was having a heart attack, but at 44 years old, the possibility seemed almost impossible. She was rushed to the emergency room, where doctors confirmed that she was having what is commonly called a “widowmaker” heart attack, caused by a complete blockage of the left anterior descending artery.
She made it to the hospital in time, but the experience was far from over once she went home.
In the months that followed, Cristal continued dealing with chest pain, an elevated heart rate during periods of stress, and a blood clot in her leg. She eventually returned to the hospital for an angioplasty. Her doctors could treat what was happening physically, but after coming so close to losing her life, Cristal began looking at her health and her life differently.
She knew something had to change.
More Than Her Physical Health
Cristal had already survived a lot before her heart attack.
Her earlier life included traumatic experiences and abusive relationships that had affected her for years. Through all of it, she kept going. She handled what needed to be handled, pushed through difficult circumstances, and learned to rely heavily on herself.
Nearly losing her life changed her perspective. She thought about her son and grandbaby, the relationships that mattered to her, and how much life she still wanted to experience. She also began recognizing that some of what she had carried for years couldn't simply be pushed aside anymore.
Cristal decided to ask for help.
She began therapy and was eventually diagnosed with Complex PTSD. The diagnosis gave her a way to better understand some of what she had experienced and how it continued to affect her. Therapy helped her process her past, recognize patterns she wanted to change, and establish healthier boundaries in her relationships.
Her faith also played a significant role. Cristal describes her therapist as a godsend and views the heart attack as the catalyst that pushed her toward making changes she had needed for a long time.
Over the next several years, she worked on her relationships, became more intentional about her physical and mental health, and began allowing herself to experience parts of life she hadn't before.
By the third anniversary of her heart attack, Cristal found herself in a very different place.
And she wanted to celebrate it.
Why Cristal Chose to Be Photographed
That's when Cristal reached out to us.
She told us she was in such a good place in her life and wanted to celebrate all the positive changes that had happened over the previous three years. The heart attack was part of her story, but the photographs weren't about being sick. They were about the woman she had become afterward.
She also hoped that sharing her experience might help someone going through a difficult chapter of their own.
I'll let Cristal tell you the rest.
In Cristal’s Own Words
We asked Cristal about her heart attack, the changes she made afterward, and why she ultimately decided to celebrate this chapter with a portrait session. Her answers have been lightly edited for clarity.
How did your near-death experience make you want to turn your life around?
I realized how precious our lives really are and how much I had taken for granted. All I could think about at the time was my son and grandbaby. I wanted to live to be here for them and watch my grandbaby grow up.
In regards to what you do for a living, how have your lifestyle changes influenced you day-to-day?
I talk with numerous people on a daily basis. I am more relaxed and at ease now. Of course, my career has always been somewhat of a sanctuary for me and has helped to keep me grounded in some of the most challenging times in my life. I think my lifestyle changes have helped me in being able to motivate people in a positive way.
If you could give some advice to the you of five or ten years ago, what would you tell her?
Hindsight is always 20/20. We all have regrets and wish sometimes we could change our past. However, I am a strong believer that the experiences we go through are for a reason: to help us grow and learn from our mistakes. I feel like if I had not gone through the difficulties I had, then I wouldn't be the person I am today. Those experiences have helped me to relate to so many people on different levels.
What wisdom can you share with others who may be going through a rough patch with their mental or physical health right now?
I would say you are not alone. So many times we isolate ourselves due to feeling shame. It's okay to ask for help when you need it. That was the hardest part for me to do, but I knew I couldn't go on without getting professional guidance. This being said, it is also important that you find people you feel comfortable with who have your best interest at heart.
What prompted you to seek a portrait session with us?
I am at such a good place in my life right now and really just wanted to celebrate all the positive changes that have happened over the last three years. My hope is that whoever sees this can take something positive from it to help them on their journey.
How did you feel after doing the shoot?
The shoot was fabulous, it was really a dream come true! I am extremely pleased with how everything turned out. The bonus was meeting and forming a friendship with Chris and Arleen.
Why Stories Like Cristal’s Matter
We tend to think portraits require a traditional milestone. They don't.
Sometimes there's a birthday, pregnancy, career change, anniversary, or another obvious reason to be photographed. Sometimes you've simply reached a place in your life that feels worth remembering.
Cristal had.
Years later, I'm still grateful she trusted us to create the portraits that marked it and allowed us to share the story behind them.
Continue Exploring
Is There a Chapter You Want to Remember?
If something in Cristal's story has you thinking about your own, start there.
You don't need to know exactly what kind of session you need or what the photographs should look like. Tell me what brought you here, and we'll figure out the rest together.
Schedule a consultation and tell me what brought you here.
