Amanda
4 years since diagnosis
Age at interview: 25
In April 2018, a month after celebrating her 21st birthday, Amanda started experiencing symptoms that she’s never had before. Attributing it to exam stress, she found it difficult to lie flat, was sleeping 14 hours a day, lacked appetite, and had trouble breathing. Amanda finally went to the emergency room one evening at the urging of her father where she received a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy. Despite taking the medications the cardiologist had prescribed, she was still not feeling well and insisted to her cardiologist that the medications weren’t working. Amanda was then referred to a specialist where she was formally diagnosed with heart failure in fall of that same year. An ICD was implanted but it did not improve Amanda’s symptoms and Amanda withdrew from university in October of 2018. A month later, a heart failure specialist informed Amanda that she was in full-blown end stage heart failure and that the only ways to survive are to either get a heart transplant or an LVAD. Amanda’s positive attitude helped her get through her heart transplant and helped to build lasting relationships with all the staff that supported her. Now three years after her heart transplant, Amanda has finished her psychology degree and is working towards a degree to become a social worker inspired by her heart transplant experience. Amanda passed away in September 2024; our project team acknowledges and is grateful for her legacy and shared experiences in contributing to this project.
More content
- Stigma & Gender Bias – Amanda
Amanda was told that her heart issue must have been caused by drug use. - Stigma & Gender Bias – Amanda
Amanda was accused of lying when she didn't respond in the typical way to a medication. - Finding Support – Amanda
Actions by the medical staff made Amanda's hospital stay enjoyable and memorable. - Access – Amanda
When hearing that she would need to go out of province for heart treatment, Amanda felt devastated and realized that her life would never be the same. - Access – Amanda
Amanda continued to be dismissed by her cardiologist, in spite of worsening symptoms. - Impact on Work, School, Finances – Amanda
Amanda expresses her pride in finishing her degree and shares the inspiration for more. - Impact on Work, School, Finances – Amanda
Amanda describes dropping out of school due to illness as one of the worst days of her life. - Heart Transplant – Amanda
Amanda struggled with knowing that in order for her to live, someone had to die. - Heart Transplant – Amanda
Amanda talks about medical issues that she has experienced since having a transplant. - Heart Transplant – Amanda
Amanda describes emotional reactions all around her when she learned that a heart had been found.