Kim

1 year since diagnosis

Age at interview: 45

Kim lives in Ontario and has been diagnosed with a number of chronic conditions. While being prepped for a medical procedure Kim felt short of breath but brushed it off. In addition to shortness of breath Kim began retaining fluid in her abdomen. She went to the ER several times and was told that her symptoms could be related to her asthma, COVID or a respiratory problem. Kim returned again to the ER was told that her condition was serious. She was admitted and diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Since being diagnosed Kim has learned a lot about her condition. She is followed by a telehealth program, has been walking more and has reduced sodium in her diet. Kim spends a lot of time managing her illnesses and uses online resources to keep things organized. Kim credits her medical team for helping her learn more and understand her heart disease by explaining things in plain language, allowing her to ask questions, providing opportunities to enroll in research and creating opportunities to connect with others who have heart issues. Kim is now a patient advocate and sits on a heart failure related board.

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More content

• Self-care – Maintaining Your Own Well-being – Kim
  Kim spoke about how an online program called 'We Chat' created a community.
• Finding Support – Kim
  Kim talks about how having a friend sit with you in the hospital can make a big difference.
• Finding Information & Cardiac Rehab – Kim
  Kim credits a hospital resource platform for helping her manage her heart failure.
• Medications – Kim
  Kim is grateful for the medications but notes there are also challenges.
• Early Symptoms – Kim
  Kim describes how scary it was for her when she felt like she could not breathe.