Interview CH25

Age at interview: 8
Brief Outline: Andre was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy at 3 months old. Treatment: he takes Verapamil and has to limit his physical activities. He has annual check ups. Her 6 month old daughter has a VSD, diagnosed when she was 3 months old. It is expected that the hole will close on it's own, without the need for treatment.
Background: Diagnosed at 3 months. Parents' marital status: married. Occupation: M-Cardiomyopathy Association, F- Sales & Marketing Manager. Other children: 6 mths old and 3 yrs old. The family do not live close by to a specialist hospital.
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Describes her feelings when she discovered her son had inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
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Describes her feelings when she discovered her son had inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
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They try to make follow-up appointments fun when the whole family go for check-ups for...
They try to make follow-up appointments fun when the whole family go for check-ups for...
Explains that it is difficult to get the right balance in letting her son who has hypertrophic...
Explains that it is difficult to get the right balance in letting her son who has hypertrophic...
She has learnt to accept that it is not possible to predict what might happen in the future for...
She has learnt to accept that it is not possible to predict what might happen in the future for...
Explains that she found it difficult talking to her son about the risks involved with his genetic...
Explains that she found it difficult talking to her son about the risks involved with his genetic...
When did you first tell him about his heart?
I can't remember the date but he's always known. It's kind of like he's always known. I tried, I tried my hardest to make it, to put some positive sides to it. You know, I said to him, you know, we're all different and it's, it's, will probably make your life more difficult but when you have to go through things that you also gain strength and are able to help other people and, you know, it just makes you a better person all round. So far he buys that one.