Becoming a patient: a daily exercise in accepting reality

~ Carolyn Thomas ~ 22 Comments

by Carolyn Thomas   ♥   @HeartSisters

It isn’t often I recommend children’s books to my readers – but I love Judith Viorst’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.*  This classic 1972 storybook had a profound personal impact on me as a young Mum while I was reading it aloud at bedtime (many, many, many times) to my own kids. It’s a story that teaches us how tough it is some days  to accept reality.  Here’s what I mean:     Continue reading “Becoming a patient: a daily exercise in accepting reality” →

Linda’s wise advice about open heart surgery

~ Carolyn Thomas ~ 20 Comments

by Carolyn Thomas   ♥  @HeartSisters

At age 61, retired Canadian high school math teacher Linda Vardy underwent triple bypass surgery – after being told for almost a year that all of her cardiac test results were “inconclusive”.  Later, Linda sent me this list of what she had personally learned before, during and after that open heart surgery experience – tips that she hopes can help future patients facing the same procedure.

Continue reading “Linda’s wise advice about open heart surgery” →

Women’s cardiac care: back then, right now and into our future

~ Carolyn Thomas ~ 21 Comments

by Carolyn Thomas    ♥   @HeartSisters

Earlier this year, the American Heart Association published a comprehensive article called “The Slowly Evolving Truth About Heart Disease and Women”. This fact-packed article felt like an emotional roller coaster ride – from despair to frustration and then maybe even hope for our future. So I’m sharing my favourite excerpts from this article today – especially for my readers living with heart disease. Get onboard and buckle up as we explore some heart truths together with the AHA:  Continue reading “Women’s cardiac care: back then, right now and into our future” →

When you have a ‘silent’ heart attack

~ Carolyn Thomas ~ 13 Comments

by Carolyn Thomas    ♥   @HeartSisters

Perhaps you’ve heard the term “silent” heart attack. If you’ve experienced this cardiac event, you might recall having only mild cardiac symptoms at the time, or symptoms that didn’t feel like they were heart-related – or even no symptoms.  In fact, you may be unaware that this has happened to you at all until later medical tests reveal evidence of heart muscle damage in the past.  Continue reading “When you have a ‘silent’ heart attack” →