Rehab centre gives hope for
the future
(Excerpted from
an article by David Windrim published in the Beach
Metro News on April 8, 2003)
Psychology service helps patients recover body and mind from heart disease
Rehab centre gives hope for
the future
We received the dreaded confirmation at 6 p.m. Feb 9,
2002. Blood tests confirmed that a heart attack had
occurred. My coronary arteries were severely blocked
and a triple bypass was performed to restore the blood
flow to the heart.
Recovery was long and slow for open heart surgery is very invasive. However, in a few weeks I was able to do most things required for self-care. I should note that, without the loving care provided by my wife, I could not have survived the first few months at home.
The medical team placed a high focus on walking, and I was allowed to increase my time by one minute per day, so that in two months I was up to 60 minutes. It was about this time that my cardiologist referred me to the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute for cardiac rehabilitation at their Rumsey Centre.
Toronto Rehab was the prime contributor to my recovery, which is still in progress. Exercise, good eating and sleeping habits are now part of my daily living experience. I have lost weight, I am stronger and actually look forward to each tomorrow.
Psychology service helps
patients recover body and mind from heart disease
Jovita Augustine Pillai has long known that one day she might require heart surgery. Pillai's sequence of health problems that led to heart disease did more than affect her range of motion, they affected her mood and her outlook on life. "My mood changed, says Pillai. "I was very frustrated and would cry because I couldn't walk."
Dr. Lorne Switzman, a clinical psychologist at Toronto Rehab, says that many patients tend to access the service at different stages in their recovery and, like Pillai, may not be ready when they first enter the year-long program to seek out their help.
Some patients simply need the facts. They want to be reassured and to know what to expect at what stage in their recovery from heart disease. And while many patients don't need the help of the psychology service, Dr. Switzman estimates that 20-30% of the patient population does need significant intervention.
Pillai has been seeing psychologist Dr. Sharon Jankey since last December. "I like her because she listens," says Pillai. As a result of seeing Dr. Jankey, Pillai has a new family physician and is being treated for previously undiagnosed sleep apnea. Pillai still finds it difficult to walk and in addition to her cardiac rehab is also doing water therapy on her own.
| If you are a past or present patient of Toronto Rehab's Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention Program and are interested in sharing your story of recovery, please send an email to:publicaffairs@torontorehab.on.ca. |