Hospitals and health centers

Veikko Toivion71, life had to end more than ten years ago due to heart disease.

After the ball expansion, Toivio released his feelings through paintings and writing. Finally, a booklet was born “You have to dare to open a new book”from which many other heart patients have gained strength over the years.

– Writing and painting were really therapeutic experiences. I poured into them the fear of death, survival and my thoughts on life. I hope the booklet will similarly help others, says Toivio, who helps others as an experience worker at Sydänliito.

In the book, Toivio writes, among other things: “I realize that I am quite lucky. I have the opportunity to live a rich life. I can plan my life myself. Day by day I start to find interesting experiences that do not require an outside income to achieve. Of course, that is not to the liking of those who try to sell us happiness. Often we do heavy work to the point of exhaustion without thinking why.”

Veikko Toivio’s life was hanging in the balance. Only after the successful balloon dilation surgery did he himself understand how serious the situation had been. Tom Olli

The pace slows down

Toivio’s heart disease gave the first signs at the end of 2012. He was with his son at Pyhätunturi at the time.

– I didn’t keep up with my son, I wondered about it, because my condition was good. So my son slowed his pace, and we progressed more slowly. The feeling passed quite soon, and I didn’t think about it any more.

At home in Tampere, the symptoms returned. Especially walking uphill became difficult at times.

– I had to slow down and sometimes also stop for a while. After a short rest, I felt normal again.

– Something similar happened on almost every walk. I thought it was a temporary problem like an allergy and still wasn’t worried.

The situation worsened significantly two months after the trip to Pyhätunturi. Toivio had only walked a hundred meters from his home when he had to turn back.

– I returned home walking with steps roughly the size of a shoe. It’s even humorous in itself that I wasn’t too worried about my health. I just hoped the neighbors wouldn’t see that I was in bad shape.

The pain also came along for the first time.

– I thought it was the heart. Still, I wasn’t afraid, I thought that if my journey ends here, it has to be that way.

Immediate surgery

At home, Toivio’s wife immediately called an ambulance.

– They took a film of the heart and went to take me to the hospital. By the time I got to the emergency room, the situation had already improved considerably.

The doctor continued examining Toivio. The actual cause of the symptoms was not found, but Toivio was referred for a stress test. The time came in two weeks.

– That time went peacefully. I knew there was something more wrong, so I was happy to get tested.

– Before the stress test, the doctor interviewed me. He stated that the test will not be done because it is such a dangerous situation. I received an urgent referral for contrast imaging, and I was started on cardiac medication.

It took another two weeks to get to the contrast imaging. Toivio avoided straining himself.

– I trusted the knowledge of the care professionals that I would be fine with medication, and I remained calm.

In the contrast imaging, three narrowings were found in Toivio’s heart.

– One was at the beginning of the left branch of the coronary artery. It was about 90 percent blocked.

– If the blockage had worsened, it would have caused immediate death. The point in question is called the “widow factor”.

Toivio was told that there is a ball expansion ahead.

– I was really just thinking that I will either get better or life will end on the table. It’s funny in itself that I was ready for both options. I still can’t say where the deep calm in the situation came from.

The operation was successful. For Toivio, the true seriousness of the situation became clear only after the ball expansion.

– Only then did I understand how bad the situation had been. At the same time, I received instructions from the doctor about dietary changes and exercise. He also said that it is up to me whether I make the changes or come back after some time.

Toivio, a non-smoker, could not be told the actual cause of coronary artery disease.

– The biggest suspicion is a family history, because we have coronary artery disease in our family. I urge everyone who has it in their immediate family to get tested in good time.

Moving forward in life

Toivio’s life continued with permanent medication. He also made clear lifestyle changes.

– I left out sausage and generally hard fats. At the same time, my diet diversified. The use of vegetables, fish and chicken increased.

Toivio also increased the amount of exercise.

– Exercise has played a big role in my life since the surgery. I want to stay in shape because I feel that I have been given another chance.

Toivio also applied for Sydänliitto’s rehabilitation course. There he understood what had happened even more deeply.

– I got a lot of additional information in the course. I was also struck by the note on the door of the pool department, which asked to notify the supervisor of a possible illness.

– When I realized the situation in a new light, I felt great gratitude that I am alive. At the same time, I was very grateful to the nursing staff for the help I received. Without them, my life would have ended.

Toivio began to express his thoughts and feelings through painting and writing.

– The Photos in support of rehabilitation course was an important help. It really got the pictures and words moving and out of my mind, even though I had already unpacked them before the course. Working through feelings and thoughts in this way was really therapeutic. Pain and fear bubbled out of me.

Toivio has also started a new position, he works as a tutor at the University of Tampere.

– As a patient, I participate in interaction training aimed at medical students. I find the task very rewarding, because the students exude a desire to hear and learn new things.

– If we think with a bit of humor, I get new energy at the same time, which is reflected in my life. At the same time, the level of conversation with my wife has also improved, Toivio laughs.