Six heart surgeries and three pacemakers later, Tammy Goddard reveals what it’s like to not just survive but thrive and flourish beyond extraordinary circumstances.

Do you have a thing for love stories? Do you enjoy tales of human achievement and inspiration?

Well, you’re in luck. I’ve got both genres right here and, trust me, you may not make it past the first few sentences in this piece without a tissue or two handy.

So let's start at the beginning of our tale which finds us rewinding back a few weeks ago when a local husband and police officer wrote in to our magazine to express how much he loves his wife. "I'm not very good with words like my wife is, but I hope I do her some justice. She loves your magazine and I know she would be honored, and probably a little embarrassed, at this nomination," the husband began.

His wife, Tammy Goddard, has had six (yes, six) heart surgeries. "She's on her 3rd pacemaker," the husband, a Loudoun County deputy, continued. "We've had difficulty having children due to her heart problems. We were very fortunate to have kids, but it did nearly kill Tammy. Our beautiful children are now six and seven, and I am not kidding when I say she is the world's best mother. She is magic with them. They adore her."

Okay, you're busting out the Kleenex® right about now, aren't you? Well, the poignancy of this story has only just begun, so pace yourself with those tissues so they last beyond the rest of the husband's letter, which continued to explain how Tammy works hard to not let her health problems get in her way. "If anything, Tammy values life much more dearly than most. She says she has a lot of ‘nervous energy.’ I think it's because she wants to squeeze every last drop out of each day in case she doesn't get another one."

I had the gracious pleasure of meeting Tammy in person and can validate that she does, indeed, aim to live every day to the fullest. "I think my experiences have changed me profoundly," she shares carefully, as if to measure the depth of her acknowledgment. "I have been given a new point of view. I definitely recognize how short and delicate − yet valuable − life can be."

Truly, who could walk away from such grave medical circumstances − even flat-lining once at 21 years of age − completely unchanged? Tammy admits openly to being fully transformed from her near-death experiences. "Given my health challenges, I know I tend to take on too much," she shares with a hint of guilt. "But I refuse to sit still for one single moment. I just cannot waste any time. Time is to be cherished because, for me, I don't know if I'll be around tomorrow or the next day. My goal is to leave my mark or a lasting impression with the people I love most."

That would explain why this lovely soul with fiery red locks and a passion for writing is determined to rise to every occasion possible. Organizing and planning her 20-year high school reunion, for example, is one of those activities Tammy takes straight on and dives into, head first. Not to mention her jewelry making, which she admits she often makes while watching TV due to having bouts of "nervous energy." And the local Brownie troop in her area? Yeah, Tammy leads that, too.

Think that's all? Ummm, well, no. I'm hardly finished listing all the other things Tammy does such as authoring a regular column for Wired Women, a monthly newsletter for women with pacemakers. Tammy also authors her own blog, The Bionic Mommy, a name inspired by her son who says his mommy has "gone bionic" (due to her pacemaker).

We are also told Tammy has recently started working for the Arc of Loudoun, a non-profit for people of all ages and disabilities. "She works in their school for autistic children. She's also aiming to be a parent advocate teaching other parents about IEPs. Our son, born with some difficulty due to Tammy's health, has special needs − another cause for her to chase with passion," her husband had lovingly shared in his letter to our magazine staff.

Despite all of Tammy's many extensive extracurricular activities, her primary aspiration is to become a published writer. "It's my life's long dream to author a book or a memoir," Tammy claimed. She recounted the many years she spent fantasizing about one day becoming an author. "I can't stop writing. It's what I do. I keep notes everywhere with tons of book writing ideas that strike me as worth pursing," she confessed with glee.

Today, the fantasy is becoming a reality. Tammy has been working with a literary agent who is coaching her through the process. "My book has five parts and I've already written two," she humbly boasted. "I want to do this for my kids. I want to set an example for them, especially for my daughter."

To keep up with all things Tammy and follow along her book authoring journey, please visit her blog, The Bionic Mommy, at www.mamatazz.com

---

MAYRA RUIZ MCPHERSON is the founder of Ruiz McPherson Communications, a marketing ingenuity and digital PR company based in Dulles, Virginia. You can follow her on Twitter at @mayraruiz, via her practice’s Twitter handle @ruizmcpherson or on Facebook at facebook.com/ruizmcpherson.