Prior to her illness, Levina had, however, been suffering with the effects of chronic stress for about five years due to extensive workplace stress in her role as an educator.
In December 2019, Levina contracted the flu and within a matter of days her health started to deteriorate. Levina was then transferred to hospital and consequently to ICU and CCU after becoming unstable; having low blood pressure, a fast heart rate and difficulty breathing.
It was determined that along with the flu, Levina had contracted pneumonia and sepsis, and was subsequently diagnosed with a rare condition – circumferential pericardial effusion with right ventricular impairment which is a build-up of extra fluid in the space around the heart.
Levina’s diagnosis meant that she would need an immediate transfer to a specialised cardiology and cardiothoracic centre. Heart surgery, a 6-week hospital stay and initial recovery, was just the start of a long, slow, and frightening journey.
I did my own research and came across the Patient Champions Programme in the Irish Heart Foundation.
She describes that subsequently managing post-traumatic stress as her biggest challenge after her illness. Although this is a challenge; Levina says even though her mother still has nightmares over her diagnosis, her mother, partner, and extended family and friends have been great and helped her through the toughest days following her diagnosis.
Levina reflects on her tough time after being discharged from hospital by saying she felt there was “no patient resources”. Through feeling this way, she took it upon herself to research where she could find some help. That’s when she came across the Irish Heart Foundation. “I did my own research and came across the Patient Champions Programme in the Irish Heart Foundation. The shared knowledge and experience from the programme has helped me a lot. The work that Pauline, the facilitator does, and of which she does so with so much compassion…she is a genius at handling it all”.
Through the programme Levina wants to be an advocate for other people – “It’s very easy to be a statistic – my own voice saved my life”.
Before Levina was admitted to ICU, she said her rapid deterioration was essentially going unnoticed given that it was presumed that she was immunocompetent and able to fight infection. She feels her initial pleas for help, especially when she could barely breathe, were ignored and it was only when she asked a student nurse to get another doctor that her voice was heard and her life saved.
“To now be able to make change is great, it’s a great way to give back. I feel these advocacy programmes are great for your wellbeing psychologically.”
It’s very easy to be a statistic - my own voice saved my life.
She further stressed how important it is for the Patient Champions Programme to continue – “The Patient Champions Programme aim is to prevent future mortality. Information and awareness of all heart diseases and stroke are key. This programme wants to change the mindset of people for example for them to be able to accept their condition.”
Levina also used some of the Irish Heart Foundation’s YouTube videos for physical activity during COVID-19 and found them a great resource throughout her recovery – “I am a lot happier as a person when speaking to people and engaging online about this topic, so it was a great resource to me to be able to start doing some self-managed rehabilitation through the Irish Heart Foundation’s physical activity videos on YouTube”.
Levina also volunteers to offer peer to peer support at the Irish Heart Foundation, where as a phone buddy she rings patients each week to check in with them and have a chat. “It gives me a sense of integrity; I have always championed inclusive communication strategies, and feel that the patient voice can be expressed and heard through this patient advocacy service, which is important when people may feel isolated. It gives the person on the other end of the phone a sense of being understood. I felt isolated because of my own experience, and the Irish Heart Foundation promotes so much, I would be worried if patients thought they and their families didn’t have a voice after what I experienced.”
I would be worried if patients thought they and their families didn’t have a voice after what I experienced.
A few years on, and following a lengthy but steady recovery period, Levina is extremely grateful to have survived and to have made such a strong recovery from where she was. She has since completed a Degree in Leadership, and a Masters in Workplace Health and Wellbeing.
When speaking of the Irish Heart Foundation’s support services Levina said “Before getting involved with the Irish Heart Foundation, I felt isolated and burdened. I would recommend the Irish Heart Foundation’s support services absolutely, you are part of a community. You will feel empowered by like-minded individuals. It’s like finding your tribe”.
2025-06-20
