Lise has always had psychological services upon receiving a heart failure diagnosis.
Transcript
And I’m completely, completely shocked when I hear it. Because when I start talking to people and things like this I’m like ‘Look, I have a psychologist on my team. Well – it’s supplied by the hospital, why don’t you?’ And it’s so rare. It is so rare to be referred to a psychologist, or a counsellor to begin with. And then to have one that accesses – it’s free access, and it’s easy access through the hospital? Like when I even went for the heart function clinic, they had one on their team. And the first thing they said to me is we have the psychologist on this team. We want you to come in for a couple – at least a couple visits. If you don’t feel comfortable then don’t bother but come in for – and they really encouraged it. And then when I went to the pre-transplant again you know knowing you need a transplant. That’s like a big shock. So right away, the nurse said to me I need you to go see the psychologist. You need to see the psychologist right away. And I saw that psychologist every week, and then went down to every two weeks. And then went down every month, and then you know we started, and then she’d be like OK, well let’s set it for three months. And then if you feel like you need it in between – world of difference. Total world of difference to have someone to talk to. Because you get after a while you get you start feeling like you are a burden. Because every time you’re talking to somebody you’re talking about pain and being sick. And limitations and you’re talking about things you sound like you feel like you’re complaining. And so, to be able to do it to someone and not have to worry that’s amazing. And it blows my mind that people don’t have that. That you have to pay for it and like on my extended benefits I only get $500 for that. Well, that’s like 2 visits. So, I don’t understand it. That’s something that really just it blows my mind. You need it. You need it so much. You are lost. You are so lost when you are diagnosed with heart failure.
More from: Lise
More content
- Mental Health & Emotional Support – LiseLise says there's nothing out there for mental health for women with HF or their families.
- Stigma & Gender Bias – LiseLise (and her doctor) worried that her symptoms were all in her head.
- Coping Strategies – LiseLise uses meditation to manage pain and anxiety.
- Coping Strategies – LiseLise adapted her approach to exercise and works within her limitations.
- Mental Health & Emotional Support – LiseLise has always had psychological services upon receiving a heart failure diagnosis.
- Finding Support – LiseLise describes how her sisters' medical expertise lead to her being taken seriously.
- Impact on Daily Life – LiseLise made modifications to her activities to continue living life to the fullest.
- Diagnosis – LiseLise had classic HF symptoms but it took over a year to get a diagnosis.
- Heart Transplant – LiseLise speaks about not feeling ready for a transplant.
- Early Symptoms – LiseLise talks about the weight gain she experienced prior to receiving a heart failure diagnosis.