Cathy

3 years since diagnosis

Age at interview: 43

Cathy resides in Quebec and was active in the military for 22 years, until she had to retire 2 years ago due to heart related issues. Cathy had no idea that there was something wrong with her heart until she was getting some tests done for a minor surgery which showed that her ejection fraction was low. In 2019 Cathy was told she had heart failure. Going from a busy mom, wife and military member to a heart patient was difficult for Cathy. Her heart disease has affected her whole family and she often wonders “why me?” Cathy is followed by her cardiologist every six months and is currently stable. Her advice to other women is to listen to your body. In 2023 Cathy was implanted with a pacemaker and defibrillator.

Go back

More content

• Mental Health & Emotional Support – Cathy
  Cathy describes how fear affected her whole family.
• Reflections on Identity, Life and Death – Cathy
  Cathy's physical fitness used to define her, before HF.
• Impact on Work, School, Finances – Cathy
  Cathy shares her disappointment about having to give up a career that she loved.