The Better Half of Heart of a Giant Speaks on LWHD

Living with Heart Disease

Anyone facing a heart journey knows how much a support system makes life easier. The core of our support system is often our spouses and life partners. Our talk today is about the better half of Heart of a Giant.

Welcome to Living with Heart Disease. Listen to the patients, support systems, and care providers who have resolved to become healthier. Join host Somaneh Bouba as we share challenges and triumphs. Discover what it means to survive and thrive with heart conditions.

Today’s main guest is Desirée, Bouba’s life partner. Now years into the heart journey, Desirée can reflect on the thoughts, feelings, actions, and questions she had early on. She gives her take on major events that happened in Bouba’s heart condition journey. On top of that, Desirée gets a chance to explain how she processed those moments, and if there is anything she feels differently today.

Bouba says that he wouldn’t be here without Desirée’s love, care, and strength. As a caregiver, Desirée saw Bouba when he was out and about, when he was home, and when he was at the hospital. She talks about seeing Bouba’s energy and presence change depending on where he was. Together, Bouba and Desirée uncover their different perspectives from those parts of the journey.

Back then, the couple was younger, on the way to starting a family, and figuring life out. There are topics that they never officially talked about, which is natural when living life, but doing so now helps them understand each other better. Today’s conversation is proof that communication is necessary, even when we think we know what’s happening.

During this live discussion, we speak about a spouse’s perspective of living with heart disease. Desirée says the journey started off confusing, and shares what troubled her. As communication improved and she learned more, the journey became another part of the meaningful life she creates alongside Bouba. Desirée doesn’t forget to mention all the people who gave her encouragement and support so she could continue to be a source of strength for Bouba and her children.

The live audience is filled with people who witnessed the couple’s growth over the years. Everyone chimes in on the Heart of a Giant couple living such an outstanding journey. Listen as we talk about what major choices the couple made in their journey and Desirée’s story as the dependable spouse in a heart health journey. Enjoy this conversation that reminds us of the huge support that comes from spouses.

Timestamps:

[01:42] - Des and Bouba retell fond memories, such as how they met and their adventures together.

[07:31] - Des shares what went through her mind when learning about Bouba’s heart condition diagnosis.

[16:06] - How did life change after the diagnosis, and how did Des adapt?

[20:25] - Where did Des go to find support for herself?

[27:27] - Des talks about being in Dakar as the couple started to plan family life together.

[33:15] - When supporting someone, it can be difficult to understand personal choices or sensitivities that patients go through.

[39:51] - What was going on for Des and Bouba professionally during the earlier years of the heart journey?

[47:58] - This email prompted Des to make an emergency visit and travel to the other side of the world. What happened?

[01:01:22] - Des recalls the ups and downs of traveling to the hospital from across the world. Who helped her along the way?

[01:11:09] - The journey we’re on together requires resilience and finding meaning in our present life.

[01:15:10] - Let’s hear from our live audience!

[01:25:23] - This is what Heart of a Giant is about.

Links/ Resources:

Desirée Allen

Heart of a Giant

Heart of a Giant Foundation (HGF)

Heart of a Giant on Heart-Failure.Net