Jim’s story

Living with severe heart failure and COPD

“My heart is badly damaged. Apparently, it’s now only working at about 10-15% of what it should be. I also have a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), so I get out of breath very easily.

My mum, her family and some of my brothers have heart problems. In June 2013, I had my first heart attack while driving and crashed into a garden. Thankfully, a theatre nurse was passing and helped to pull me out and started to resuscitate me before the emergency services arrived.Then I had two more, smaller heart attacks, was given seven defibrillations (electric shocks to the heart) and put in a  medically induced coma for a couple of days. Afterwards, I was shocked to learn that the top half of my heart was badly damaged and hardly beating. A stent was fitted to keep one of my arteries open.

I’m a busy person, so I was worried how this would affect my life. But you can’t wallow in your problems, so I just made jokes about it. Luckily, my wife, Janice, is always there for me – I’d be lost without her.

Further health challenges and stroke recovery

After a further major heart attack in 2016, another stent was fitted plus an internal defibrillator to help if I had another heart attack. Then, in September 2017, I had a major bilateral stroke caused by a blood clot at the base of my brain, affecting both sides of my body. A further clot exploded in my lungs causing blockages in the blood vessels (pulmonary embolisms). Fortunately, my speech and movement have recovered.

At the start of 2025, I was excited to buy a 1964 mark one Cortina for me to fix up – something I’d been really looking forward to. But, just three days later, everything changed when I had another small heart attack and a stroke. Mentally, I took a nosedive.

Struggling with daily life

I have to take about 15 tablets a day plus a puffer for the COPD and I was struggling to leave my house. If I lay flat, it felt like I was breathing underwater, so I was sitting in a recliner, but it was small and uncomfortable and I wasn’t sleeping well.

I just thought ‘what’s the point of being here if I’m too ill to do the things I enjoy?’

How Farleigh Hospice changed my life

My cardiac nurse gave me a leaflet about Farleigh Hospice. At first, I didn’t want to look at it with Janice, as I’d always thought that hospices were only for end of life care. When my nurse explained that Farleigh also helps people live well with life limiting conditions, I felt reassured and agreed to be referred.

Emily Stowe, Farleigh’s Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, visited us at home and was very upbeat and helpful. Farleigh Hospice provides practical support to help its patients have a better quality of life and make the most of what time they have left.

Practical support for breathlessness

She arranged a new, bigger chair for me and a special adaption for my bed. I also joined the hospice’s Relax and Breathe group, where I learnt new techniques to improve my breathlessness. Finally, I was sleeping more and feeling much better!

Patients at a Relax and Breathe group

Emily calls regularly to check how I’m doing. She also organised some medication to make my breathing easier, for days when I need to be more active. I bought myself a mobility scooter and now go out on trips with Janice again.

Regaining my independence

Farleigh’s help really has been life-changing. I’m feeling much more positive because I’m now achieving more and I’m no longer a prisoner in my own home. I’ve even started working on my Cortina, which I didn’t think I’d be able to do!

Jim’s 1964 Ford Cortina

As my health is more stable, I’m going to be discharged from Farleigh’s care, but Janice and I know that fantastic support is still available if we need it again in the future.

I would 100% encourage anyone with similar health problems to contact Farleigh. They have helped me no end and I feel like I’m back to my old self again!”