My origin story: I was born in Detroit, Michigan, and moved to Vancouver Island in 1954. I was raised in Crofton, Chemainus, and Nanaimo. I moved to Victoria for a number of years but have been living in Nanaimo since 1995.

My age: I’m 70, but most days I feel 60.

Occupation: Retired, but still work on a casual basis at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo.

My heart health experience

I was an independent, outgoing 56-year-old, so it was nothing new when I decided to go on a solo camping trip in July 2007. When I left on my trip, I felt tired and weak, and even had to have a friend set up camp for me. But I was well aware of the signs of a heart attack and never dreamt that these could be symptoms for something as serious as a heart problem.

Before I continue, let me share some of my health history. Twenty years before the heart attack, I’d gone to see a heart specialist after having chest pain, as well as pain in my left arm on many occasions. I was told it wasn’t my heart – it was most likely acid reflux. Even after the doctor’s diagnosis, I was still anxious about my chest pain, but resigned myself to the fact that I’d have to live with the pain.

For about a year before I had the heart attack, I found myself becoming short of breath quite easily. I couldn’t even climb stairs without losing my breath. I finally went to the doctor and, after wearing a heart monitor for 24 hours, I was told that I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I was given medication for my condition, and my doctor advised me that both physical activity and a diet change would improve my health.

I didn’t think it was that serious, though. The doctor didn’t make it seem like a big deal, so I thought the medication was all I needed. So, even though I had three major risk factors for heart attack, I did not quit smoking, take up regular physical activity, or change my diet.

Ignoring my symptoms

Fast forward to about six months before my heart attack, around January 2007. I was tired all the time. But because this wasn’t a classic sign of a heart problem, and I was on medication, I wasn’t too concerned. Besides, many women I knew around my age had a similar complaint.

Six months later, when I went camping, I was in denial. On my second day of camping, I felt awful and rested most of the day. By day three, I felt so tired and terrible that I couldn’t even get out of my chair when my daughter, Stephanie, came to visit. Stephanie insisted that we go to the hospital. On the way there, we stopped at my sister’s house, and the visit left me so exhausted that I decided I’d be better off to go home and go to bed.

The next morning, I felt like there was a 2000-ton truck sitting on my chest. I was alone. I realized I needed to call an ambulance.

At the hospital in Nanaimo, the doctors examined me and told me I’d had a heart attack. I spent three days there and was then transported by ambulance to the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria where I underwent an angiogram. There were three blockages in my heart, all under 90 per cent. Although my condition called for angioplasty, I was told that my high blood pressure dictated that I needed open heart surgery.

I was a wreck. I didn’t really understand that they would actually have to cut my chest open. Three days after the angiogram, I underwent triple bypass surgery. After the surgery, I spent seven days in hospital before going home to Nanaimo.

Recovering one day at a time

The road to recovery wasn’t easy for me. I went into a deep, dark depression. It was total fear. I’m usually pretty upbeat, but I began to experience deep anxiety. I hadn’t been warned at all that this could happen.

Luckily, my sister Debbie, who also lives in Nanaimo, was retired and I was able to spend my days with her. I also went through some counselling and sought out a support group. Through the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Heart-to-Heart program, I was able to meet other people who had been through a similar experience.

Since my heart attack in July 2007, I’ve revamped my lifestyle and eating habits. I’ve quit smoking, bought a treadmill, exercise regularly, cut out salt, and learned how to eat healthier and lose weight. I read labels a lot now. I’ve also joined Weight Watchers International and have actually been able to lose about 30 pounds.

I’m also taking the time to share my story with others in the hope that my experience will influence other women and men to be aware of the varying signs of heart disease.

For me, my heart attack experience wasn’t the classic chest pain, nausea, sweating, and pain in the left arm. I just felt awful. So, I like to encourage women to keep questioning their doctors if they feel something is wrong. I look in the mirror now and I think, “Wow! There’s colour in my cheeks. I haven’t seen that colour for years!”

What are the benefits of belonging to the Nanaimo Heart Sisters?

As a co-founder of the Heart Sisters, I can honestly say that I have met the most wonderful women who have all become my friends. When we get together we share our stories, sometimes medical related, and sometimes just what is going on in our everyday lives.

These women are all different ages, some are retired, and some still working outside the home, but the one common thread among us is we are all survivors of some form of heart or stroke issues. What I hear most often from the group is that if you haven’t experienced what we have, then you cannot understand what we have been through and continue to go through on a daily basis. The Nanaimo Heart Sisters is truly a group of WARRIORS!

Diane has also done extensive work as a volunteer heart and stroke educator on Vancouver Island.

Read about her inspirational work here.