Self-care – Maintaining Your Own Well-being
In this section, we present what women with HF told us about other ways that they manage self-care [read also the complementary section on Coping Strategies that focuses on diet, exercise and other strategies]. Here are the different ways that women enhanced their own well-being and maintained a positive mindset for managing symptoms and mood. Looking forward helped Susan1 who said “…if I think towards the future that will help me mentally.” Others spoke about the power of sharing their stories and connecting with others by journaling or writing, while other women found new purpose in volunteering to help others.
Susan1 says "live in the moment, but plan for the future."
Transcript
Even when I saw my GP this week and I said ‘Guess what? They found some stenosis.’ And they said ‘You know you just keep on smiling.’ I said ‘Yeah because that’s what you have to do, you know’. You just keep putting one foot forward, thinking positive you know? […]
Anne1 says 'when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.'
Transcript
Initially it made me, I guess it made me sad and bitter because ‘why did this happen to me after I do everything right, I live right, I work out hard. You know, why?’ But then so what’s the use of why, you’re not getting anywhere with it, so buck […]
Shelly says that her mindset had much to do with how well she coped with HF.
Transcript
The doctor came out and she was a resident. And she came out and she said – she was asking me all these questions and then after she did my angiogram, about a week or two later she came and see me upstairs on the floor and she said ‘You […]
Writing and Sharing Stories
Several of the women with HF spoke to us about writing about their experiences and how it helped them process the difficult journey and emotions, as well as helped others learn from their experiences. Susan1 said “That’s just again another way that I cope. You know, making sense of what had happened to me, writing a paper on it, using that experience to educate other people you know.” Barbara has “a blog. I write some articles. I’m a writer and I have a couple of books for sale on Amazon so they’re all about chronic illness and helping those with chronic illness” in addition to her online support group. Sharon2 “believes in the healing power of stories”. By leading expressive writing classes, she says, “I believe in the community that’s formed out of stories, it goes back to ancient times. So I’m doing more teaching to help build community if that makes any sense.”
Ronda wrote a book to help her own healing and to help others.
Written testimony
I thought about it years ago, right after it happened and, but I didn’t do it then, and I’m glad I didn’t. Because I was able to capture all these years after it, and what it was like living after it, so. But yeah, it was always in the back of my mind. And it was just something that I thought would help me grow, help me heal, and help others. Because let’s face it, many people are dealing with things like this and they’re having a hard time dealing with it. I wanted to show that there is life after these things that happen.
Lillian posts positive and encouraging things on social media.
Transcript
And I made a switch in my approach to being sick at that point. And up until then, I had been just getting through each thing. Like it was like get through the surgery, get through the first chemotherapy, get through the first four chemotherapy, get through this second four. […]
Volunteering and Connecting with Others
A number of women spoke about how connecting with others, volunteering and helping other people with heart disease gave them a new sense of purpose and meaning, following their diagnosis.
Tara finds volunteering and connecting with others very fulfilling.
Transcript
I wanted to volunteer. So, once I finished that program I applied and started volunteering at VGH. And I would take the women’s blood pressures and that sort of thing. And so, there was, you know, the case manager was so busy. She’s fantastic, but she’s putting monitors on people […]
Kim spoke about how an online program called 'We Chat' created a community.
Transcript
Because I think that that should be like you know, rolled out in other in other hospitals. I think that it would be really good. Because it’s like a community, it’s like you have notices, they have trackers there for you to keep your medication and other stuff. You can, […]
Jennifer describes the benefits of volunteering and advocating for other women with heart disease.
Transcript
And one of the things I always encourage them to do is consider becoming a volunteer, consider advocating for women with heart disease. Because I personally have got so much back from participating and being engaged, that I think all of us should try at least. And you can, you […]
Sharon1 has a history of volunteering – you give back.
Transcript
… he says, ‘If you’re interested, get in touch with these people.’ And why did I call you? Because if people have been good to me, I have to give back. That’s why I do it, if I can help somebody else – I mean, this Heart in a Dish, […]
Stevie wants to make things better for others - to be 'that one now for people.'
Transcript
But yeah, I still have the same friends that were there with me. I keep my circle small nowadays because it’s easier that way. And yeah, I’m part of a women’s Facebook group of heart health and trying doing things like that. I’m slowly finding people around my age who […]
Faith and Purpose
A few women referred to their faith as giving them the strength to cope with their illness. Tara said “My faith has brought me through to a place where I feel cared for and loved.” Ronda said “I rely a lot on my faith for everything, it’s where I draw my strength from and my kids. And I just realised that tomorrow is not guaranteed, and I’m still here. So I have to make the most of that, right? So I’m not one to – in the beginning, I was a bit negative, I was a little depressed. But I didn’t stay there long, because I knew that it wasn’t going to benefit me. So, but yeah, I just do my research, and I have an opinion, so I use it when I need to.”