Following is the story of Colette and her daughter Shauna Forrister of North Battleford, relating their encounter with heart disease.
Colette's story (September 10, 2004):
1 a.m. I awoke to a strange noise and could not locate it."
6 a.m. I awoke to the same noise, got up and said to Shauna: "Was that you?" "Yes." "Are you okay?" " I am now but I did not sleep as I could not breathe when I laid down." "Are you okay for work?" "Yes, Mom."
9 a.m. I asked (my husband) Ian to make a doctor's appointment for Shauna today.
4 p.m. Shauna has her appointment.
4:30 p.m. I phone Ian; they are at the hospital for Shauna to have a chest x-ray. "Pick me up when you are done," I say.
5:30 p.m. Still no sign of them.
5:45 p.m. They have not arrived yet and I cannot reach Ian on his phone.
6 p.m. Still no sign.
6:05 p.m. Ian arrives. "Where is Shauna?" She is waiting to be admitted to ICU. Her heart is enlarged." "No, it cannot be!"
6:15 p.m. I phone her boss. "Shauna will not be in to work for awhile, she is being admitted to ICU as her heart is enlarged." "But she seemed great today worked hard, laughing, joking " "I know, I will keep you informed."
6:25 p.m. Arrive at emergency and the waiting begins, answer a lot of questions as doctors begin to probe for answers.
8:30 p.m. Shauna is finally admitted to ICU, under constant watch. We feel helpless and useless as we cannot do much except to be at her side throughout this and show her how much her family loves her.
My name is Colette Forrister and this is my story of experiences during our daughter's, Shauna (age 28), discovery and treatment of an enlarged heart and cardiomyopathy. This is a condition that gradually inteferes with the heart's ability to pump blood, and it took us all by compelete surprise.
Our experience, as parents, was a rollercoaster of emotions: denial, helplessness, uselessness and, of course, trying to keep our concerns and worries hidden from Shauna. Her condition - as with many heart conditions - affects more than the patient. It affects the whole family.
Here is a snapshot of our emotional ride.
Hospital stay: Being there as much as possible. Encouraging conversations and keeping abreast of news about family and friends. Exercising and going for walks as far as the heart monitor would allow us. Listening to the medical staff as they outline the need for medication, diet and exercising. And, as difficult as it was, we needed to talk with her about her wishes for her final rest. We knew that for her to focus all her energy on the will to fight and remain positive, we needed to get those details out of the way.
After hospital: Encouraging the physical aspects as strength increases with walking and exercising. Re-evaluating eating habits and taking the necessary steps for improvements (menus, watching intake). Sticking to medication therapy, keeping all appointments and sticking to diet.
Emotions: From denial to "why don't you do this" to "you should push yourself more" (a fine line between doing good and doing harm). Helplessness, uselessness (the feeling that your hands are tied and you are not doing enough), like you are walking on egg shells. Concern that I am saying and doing the right things, or wondering where the line is between helping and upsetting her. Fear of the unknown.
Concerns and worries about what the next step involves, if it needs to be done where are the finances coming from, keeping an even keel between family members, setbacks in health, is she okay while I am at work? Frustrations ... explaining over and over to family her limitations, her frustration about her limitations, and over the changes to some of her friendships that were causing her stress.
And lastly, happiness and excitement about the improvements in her heart's function, reaching the first goal in weight, reaching the first goal in walking and exercising, fewer appointments to keep, the word that she can go back to work, and knowing that her freedom is coming for a better life.
Most people have their own story - heart disease leaves few untouched. We are so thankful for everyone who helped us through this journey, and to the people who support the Heart and Stroke Foundation who continue to work to find better ways to prevent heart disease.
Shauna's Story (September, 2004):
It all started six years ago in September. I was 28. I had been having trouble breathing while lying down for two nights. I was tired a lot, getting about 16 hours of sleep a day.
Sept. 10 I went to work like any other day, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. I had a great day. I had a doctor's appointment scheduled after work. The doctor thought it was either asthma or pneumonia so he sent me for an x-ray. We found out that my heart was enlarged and I ended up in ICU.
I was scared, helpless and lost. How did this happen, why did it happen? What can we do now? I was also angry and frustrated, especially at family members and others who did not understand how serious the situation was and refused to accept it.
I stayed in ICU for three days before I was moved into a regular ward. I was told if my heart rate stayed steady I could go home.
But my heart rate kept dropping so they sent me to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. I had an echocardiogram and the tests revealed how little blood was being pumped by my heart. They put in a pacemaker, which stabilized my heart and eventually I was able to go home. I still needed lots of rest though, and medications. It was recovery time.
In January of 2005 I was running out of Employment Insurance, so I decided to return to work, part-time. I was a kitchen supervisor at Boston Pizza. My heart was still pumping very small amounts blood. It was a few months later I realized I could no longer continue working. I was still really tired and not able to concentrate at my job. I left work permanently and was on CPP disability.
My feelings of hopelessness continued. Would I ever live on my own? I was determined though and hopeful; I was going to make the best of this situation.
Two and a half years later my heart was functioning at 58 per cent and I was told I could return to work, making sure not to do any heavy lifting or be exposed to harsh chemicals. That meant I could never go back to kitchen work, so I needed to get some training.
I am proud to say the next year I started a business certificate course at SIAST and I have now graduated with an accountancy diploma (with distinction).
I think the key to me recovering so well is following the doctor's orders. I rested as needed, ate healthier, exercised as much as possible (considering restraint of health), lost 70 pounds, took medications as prescribed and most of all kept a positive attitude - even when it seemed I would always live in my parents' basement. I was alive and was going to make the best of the life I was given.
I'm proud of how I handled the situation and of what I have accomplished the weight loss, maturity, going back to school and most of all the person I am today. I could not have made it without the support of so many people, especially my family and friends.
