Joanne

3 years since diagnosis

Age at interview: 62

Joanne first though she had a cold that wasn’t getting any better. Finally, after mentioning her symptoms to a friend, who then suggested that it could be something to do with her heart, and urged her to seek further tests. Her first cardiologist told her that her heart ‘was weak’, but did not give her any additional information, such as why this was happening, what the treatment plan was, or what to expect, and that was the last she had heard back from her. A nurse friend suggested Joanne to seek care for another cardiologist in Toronto, which provided her with the care she needed, ultimately receiving a pace maker and a defibrillator in Nov 2021, and her energy has returned and no longer need naps. Having had her heart failure symptoms chalked up to menopause, Joanne urges women to trust how they feel and to advocate for themselves if they are not being heard. Now living in Timmins, an app on her phone allows Joanne to enter daily data for her Toronto team to monitor. She now has a better outlook, knowing what to expect with living with heart failure.

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More content

• Stigma & Gender Bias – Joanne
  Joanne found 'menopause' is often the diagnosis for women's issues.
• Finding Support – Joanne
  Joanne is thankful for the opportunity to speak to another patient about a device.
• Impact on Daily Life – Joanne
  Joanne expresses frustration for not being able to do household chores like she used to.
• Access – Joanne
  Joanne speaks about the lack of cardiologists in her area and how getting a second opinion in a larger centre was critical to her receiving care.
• Diagnosis – Joanne
  Joanne questions what caused her heart failure and is still unclear about 'why.'
• Impact on Work, School, Finances – Joanne
  Joanne says out of pocket expenses are still an issue, despite supportive programs for those living in the North.
• Backstories – Joanne
  Joanne is told that her heart is weak.
• COVID Challenges – Joanne
  Joanne reported little interruption to her care due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
• Advice for Women Experiencing Heart Failure – Joanne
  Joanne advises advocating for your own health.