"My heart failure team"

I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, bigeminy heartbeat and lbbb in November 2023. This came as a complete shock as I had put my breathlessness and tiredness down to being overweight. I was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast in November 2023 with abnormal ecg and chest pain. It was after this visit I was referred to a cardiologist who is Dr Muir in Belfast City Hospital where an echo was performed and I was diagnosed with DCM. I am only 54 years old and this literally floored me. 

I am under the care van of Heart Failure Clinic in Lagan Valley Hospital, Lisburn.  

I have had 3 appointments with them so far and I needed to let you know about my experience with the team. 

I can only praise this team. Grainne, the nurse who I have seen on two occasions is nothing but EXCEPTIONAL. My sister comes with me to my visits due to other disabilities that i have. 

Grainne answered every one of my questions with so much care and respect. She honestly could not be a better example of what a nurse should be. My own son is a nurse in England so I know what can be expected of the profession. 

I have just come to terms with my condition and it is very frightening. All of my other disabilities can be seen in the physical body so when I was diagnosed with DCM it seemed to be a bit unnatural as obviously you can not see the workings of the heart. 

Grainne reassured me on my last visit yesterday that the whole team are there for me 110% and at any time. 

She discussed all of my concerns with utmost respect. She is the most courteous, caring and informative nurse that I have ever had the privilege of meeting. 

I never leave feedback on line and I wasn’t aware that I was able to do so, especially within the nursing profession and it only came about when I jokingly asked could I leave a review about how much support she has given and continues to give me. 

I am so delighted that I can leave this review for the whole Heart Failure Clinic team in the Lagan Valley Hospital, Lisburn, Northern Ireland. They are all amazing, supportive, informative, caring team of nurses that I have ever had the pleasure to meet. 

I just want to say a tremendous thanks to them all.