Nola was just 28 when she was diagnosed with heart failure following a virus.
“It was a massive shock to hear my heart was failing, and that it was having a knock on effect to all my other organs. I was told by Harefield Hospital that I wouldn’t make it through the operation for a heart transplant, and that is where Isabel Hospice were able to step in,” she said.
“As my condition worsened, I was having to crawl to even get to the bathroom. My then 15-year-old son Kayden was amazing, but my life was just falling apart. I opted to have a big and risky operation to have a LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) fitted to pump my heart. It’s portable and I carry it in a small bag. It was lifesaving at the time, but afterwards I struggled with depression and felt very low. I was only 38.
“One day at the hospital heart clinic, my cardio nurse introduced me to May, the Isabel Hospice Heart Nurse Specialist. I was shocked, as for me the Hospice only meant one thing, but in fact, May has helped me get my life back.
“May suggested I started attending the Hospice Fatigue and Breathlessness sessions at their Living Well hub. Sometimes I felt too tired to go, but when I got there, the exercise and camaraderie made me feel amazing. It was fun! Sitting after the class chatting, the other patients and I bounced off each other, and gave each other tips. I told one lady that the bath was my safe place when I couldn’t breathe and was anxious. The next week she told me she had tried it, and it worked for her! That was a great feeling.
“I’ve been discharged from the Hospice now but I know May is on the end of the phone if I need her. I don’t know how she does it, but she makes you feel calm. When she speaks, you know everything is going to be alright. We chatted about difficult subjects, making a Will, what clothes I want to wear when I am buried and if I want my hair up or down.
“I have a really supportive family, but there are somethings you don’t want to talk to them about as you don’t want to upset them. May has so much knowledge, and she makes you feel at peace. It’s a wonderful thing knowing that Isabel Hospice are there for me, whatever life brings.”
Over the last few months during Covid-19, due to her heart condition, Nola and her son have been shielding. Her mum has been coming in PPE to change her dressings and Nola had to take a break from work at the Co-op.
“I’m so happy to be back at work although it is really tiring. Some of the regulars have missed me which is nice. Mum and my son have been amazing and I am glad to be back out in the world.”
Our work with heart failure patients has been generously funded by the Hertfordshire Community Nurses Charity, enabling people like Nola to live well, safe in the knowledge that help and support are just a phone call away.
