Care Chronicles: Meet Calvin

Calvin’s Story

In 2013, Calvin found himself in the emergency room at Mease Countryside Hospital diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. Uninsured and unable to afford the recommended follow-up care with a community cardiologist, Calvin was referred to the CFC for care where he was evaluated and treated by volunteer physician, Dr. Richard Murbach. Calvin was surprised and extremely grateful that the CFC was able to provide the specialty referral and the costly monthly medications needed through the Clinic’s medication program.

Unfortunately, medication therapy was not enough to control his atrial fibrillation (Afib) and his heart failure progressed significantly. To address the uncontrolled Afib, Calvin was then referred to Clinic community partner, Clearwater Cardiovascular Consultants, for a cardiac consultation, stress test, and ultimately successful cardioversion. He is now in normal sinus rhythm and has had significant improvement in his heart function.

“With my kind of condition you have to have treatment, or I’d be gone. It’s not going to go away– it’s not going to stabilize by itself.”

Within the past year, Calvin also developed diabetes. Thanks to medication management and surveillance by CFC clinicians along with his determination to adopt healthy diet and lifestyle changes, his glucose levels are now normal. Along his health journey, Calvin has received many clinical services including INR monitoring, echocardiograms, nephrology, urology, and gastroenterology care along with the medications needed for control of heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol, and stroke prevention.

“The Clinic allows me to be able to use the money I do have for other necessities like food, transportation, and housing. It’s like a little relief that until I can get that job that gives medical care or have more money to afford insurance.”