Lisa Hartley from Spalding has heart failure and has been receiving support from St Barnabas Hospice since 2020.
After a longstanding spinal injury, Lisa suffered from a heart attack, meningitis, a brain swell, and she contracted sepsis twice over the course of two years. All these issues combined gave her chronic heart failure, leaving her bedridden.
Whilst in the hospital, Lisa received the devastating news that she only had 48 hours left to live. Against all odds, her condition improved enough for her to be out of immediate danger, but her doctors told her that there was nothing more they could do for her.
However, her heart nurse suggested Lisa get in touch with St Barnabas for support in early 2020. The decision to accept this suggestion has changed her life drastically.
Lisa says: “I was given 48 hours to live but instead, I walked out of the hospital two weeks later to a home that I didn’t think I would see again.
“St Barnabas gives me medical care, as well as counselling on a weekly basis, and help with my mobility. Over the years, they have provided me with a powered wheelchair, a ramp for the house and other specialist furniture to improve my day-to-day. I was even given advice on improving my family’s financial situation, which had been worrying me further.”
A true animal-lover, Lisa owns three horses including 26-year-old Monty, a stallion with the calm and sweet temperament of a dog, as well as a terminal heart condition like his owner. During her long battle with her condition, Lisa’s wish was to ride Monty again, after not being able to get in the saddle for over 18 months.
Lisa says: “It was through Zoe’s physio that I was able to get back to riding after being poorly for so long. She knew that my aim was to get back on Monty, and that’s what happened. It’s people like that, they don’t realise that the job they do gives so much back to others.
“Monty needs me to keep going, and I want to keep going. I’m not ready to give in yet!”
The upcoming HeART Trail, a heart-shaped sculpture art trail set to launch in summer 2023, raises awareness for St Barnabas Hospice and the care it provides to patients with heart conditions, like Lisa.
These beautiful “HeARTworks” can be enjoyed by the whole community, and the aim is to have 40 sculptures up and down the county – from the vibrant city of Lincoln across the rolling Wolds to the East Coast, and as far as our beautiful town of Stamford.
For St Barnabas to launch the Trail, £300,000 must be raised through sponsorship.
Lisa says: “There are so many local businesses that could possibly help this amazing charity that has been going for 40 years. I know money is tight for everybody but please give to a charity that gives so much to so many others.
“It would be fantastic to see a HeART appear in the Spalding area where I live, so I’d love for Spalding businesses and organisations to get involved.”
To find out more about the HeART Trail and become a sponsor, visit: www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/hearttrail
Lisa says: “It’s now over two and a half years since I first got support from St Barnabas. It has not been an easy journey; I currently take 76 pills a day and my health and overall wellbeing change daily.
“But thanks to St Barnabas, I can visit Monty and my other horses regularly, look after them at the stables and ride when I feel well enough. It is through this care, that I can keep on being me.”