When Anne Griffin talks about her heart journey, she does it with the calm honesty of someone who has spent her life caring for others. A family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner,
Anne is no stranger to healthcare. But last year, the roles were reversed.
In April, Anne underwent an aortic valve replacement at Baptist East in Memphis. She had known about her heart condition for years, but as time went on, it became clear surgery was the next step. Like many patients, recovery came with questions and a little anxiety. What would she be able to do again. How long would it take to feel like herself.
Anne already had part of that answer.
A friend who had been through cardiac rehab told her about the program at Bolivar Hospital and about Cardiac Rehab Manager Penny Sparks. She told Anne how wonderful Penny is. So Anne told her doctor she wanted to come to Bolivar. It is close by, and that means everything.
That closeness to home was not just convenient. It was personal.
Anne is deeply involved with her family, especially her grandchildren. Penny worked with her schedule so she could finish rehab in time to pick up her grandson from school, just a couple of blocks away from the hospital. She is very flexible and very friendly. She does not give me more than I can do, but she still challenges me, Anne said.
Like many patients, Anne admitted she felt a little anxious at the start. Even with her medical background, it was different being the patient instead of the provider. She was not sure how much she was going to be able to do. But Penny started her out slow and worked her up from there.
Week by week, Anne began to notice real changes. More stamina. More energy. More confidence.
At first, stairs were her biggest challenge. They would leave her winded and push her heart rate up fast. Now, she says she is knocking it out without getting short of breath, and her heart rate stays in a much better range.
That progress has shown up in everyday life too.
Not long before Christmas, Anne worked a full day at the nursing home where she now works one day a week. Then she went with her family to the lantern festival at the Memphis Zoo. By the end of the day, her phone showed she had walked about three miles. I did not think I would be able to do it, she said. But I did, and I was amazed.
For Anne, one of the biggest strengths of the program is the one-on-one attention. She has done physical therapy before where staff were working with several people at once. Here, Penny is watching her heart rate and rhythm the whole time. Even her heart rhythm has improved.
Anne also credits Penny with helping her better understand things like medication timing, diet, and how small changes can make a big difference. Even when you work in healthcare, when it is you, it is different, she said.
Today, Anne says she can do her job without having to stop and rest the way she used to. That is a big accomplishment. She can just walk through and do what she needs to do and be done.
When asked what she would tell someone who is nervous about starting cardiac rehab, Anne explains that the program is not one size fits all. It starts with an evaluation and is then tailored to each person’s abilities and needs. It is not a cookie cutter program. It is built around you.
And when it comes to why it matters that this care is available in Bolivar, her answer is simple.
It is close to home, and that makes it more accessible, she said. You do not have to spend two hours driving just to get there. And the quality of care has been fantastic.
She also believes smaller hospitals offer something special. You get more personal care. They are able to really tailor it to you.
For Anne, cardiac rehab has not just been about exercise. It has been about getting her life back. About having the energy to work, to spend time with family, and to do the things she enjoys without feeling exhausted.
Her story is a reminder that high quality heart care does not always mean going far away. Sometimes, it is right here, close to home, with people who know you, encourage you, and walk with you every step of the way.
At West Tennessee Healthcare-Bolivar Hospital, cardiac rehab is helping patients take stronger steps forward, one heartbeat at a time.
