Nurse Tiffany Cannon’s Journey Through LVAD
In the latest episode of Nurse.org’s Nurse Converse podcast, Registered Nurse Tiffany Cannon and Nurse Shenell Thompkins discuss Tiffany’s experience with heart failure and her adjustment to living with a left ventricular assistive device (LVAD) after labor and delivery. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a potentially life-threatening pregnancy-related condition characterized by left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure.
Continue reading to learn about Tiffany’s story as both a nurse and a patient.
The Journey
During labor, one of Tiffany’s labor and delivery nurses quickly realized something was seriously wrong. It was discovered that Tiffany was in heart failure and underwent an emergency C-section. She experienced peripartum cardiomyopathy, which is a potentially life-threatening pregnancy-related condition characterized by left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure.
Following the C-section, she was transferred to the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU), where her family learned that her ejection fraction, a measure of the heart’s pumping ability, was just 5%. In comparison, a normal ejection fraction is above 60%. Tiffany reflects on the emotional and psychological impact this had on her and her family.
Receiving the LVAD
As other medical interventions proved insufficient, Tiffany decided to receive an LVAD. This heart device, surgically installed through the stomach and attached to the left ventricle, helps circulate oxygenated blood throughout the body. The HeartMate III, the newest model developed by Abbott, is a significant advancement in LVAD technology. It is designed for patients with severe heart failure and as a bridge to heart transplant, offering improved durability and reduced risk of complications.
Tiffany received the HeartMate III via open-heart surgery and made significant lifestyle modifications, including changes to her bathing, diet, and sleeping habits. Infection control is critical when a foreign object is present in the body. Tiffany explains her precautions, such as preventing injury while taking blood thinners to prevent clots or making arrangements for traveling with LVAD equipment.
Returning to Nursing
Determined not to rely on disability, Tiffany chose to live actively rather than just exist. With her husband’s and colleagues’ support, she returned to nursing, initially providing hemodialysis in acute care settings.
However, due to the demands of on-call work, she transitioned from a hospital to a clinic setting. Tiffany empowers her dialysis patients by sharing her journey, offering them hope and a new perspective on their lives.
Advocacy and Awareness
Tiffany is passionate about empowering nurses to be intentional and compassionate toward their patients, even in challenging situations. As an Abbott Ambassador, she inspires patients, including potential LVAD recipients, to understand that living with an LVAD does not equate to a death sentence.
Nurse Cannon has transformed her journal from the most challenging period of her life into a book titled A Journey Through the Supernatural Healing. Six years later, she continues sharing her story to uplift nurses and patients.
Highlighting Maternal Mortality and Disparity
It’s crucial to note that over 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable, underscoring the urgent need for improved healthcare practices. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2020, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women was 55.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is 2.9 times the rate for non-Hispanic White women. These stark disparities in maternal mortality rates highlight the need for increased awareness and action to ensure equitable healthcare for all women.
The World Health Organization defines maternal death as the death of a woman during pregnancy or within 42 days of the termination of pregnancy, regardless of the duration or location of the pregnancy. This includes deaths from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not those resulting from accidental or incidental causes.
Social determinants of health create barriers for many individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups, preventing them from accessing fair opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health. Healthcare providers can improve the quality of care by asking better questions to understand their patients and the various factors affecting their lives.
In Conclusion
Tiffany Cannon’s journey through heart failure and life with an LVAD is a powerful testament to resilience, determination, and the impact of compassionate care. Her story offers valuable insights and inspiration for both patients and healthcare providers. As a nurse who has experienced the challenges of a life-threatening condition firsthand,
Tiffany’s advocacy for intentional, compassionate care is genuinely heartfelt. Her efforts to empower patients and nurses underscore the importance of empathy, support, and education in healthcare.
Read more about Tiffany’s journey in her book, A Journey Through the Supernatural Healing, on Amazon. Feel free to connect with Tiffany Cannon via email at Tiffany.Cannonjourney@gmail.com.
Tune in to Tiffany’s episode on “All One Nurse,” “Nursing With Heart: Nursing with an LVAD with Tiffany Cannon,” to delve deeper into her nursing journey, patient perspective, and personal insights. Tiffany’s story reminds us that with the proper support and determination, it is possible to overcome even the most daunting challenges and make a meaningful impact on others’ lives.
🤔Nurses, what do you think about Nurse Tiffany Cannon’s experience with LVAD? Share your comments below!
