Hi everyone. Just stopping by to let you know the latest issue of the zine is available for free download and, as usual, features some fantastic creative contributions by members of this forum. This month's theme was Medical Terminology and Communication and I think everyone found it a bit of a challenge, so even more thanks than usual to all who contributed. Not sure yet what August's theme will be, but I'll let you know in due course and am happy to take suggestions!
It's a project I run as part of my PhD (which looks at written/literary representations of chronic heart disease and how that relates, or not, to patient experience) so it's not affiliated in any way with British Heart Foundation. However, as quite a few folks from this forum are regular contributors, I try to share here when the new issue is out or we're seeking contributions
My research project as a whole is funded by the Wellcome Trust, although the collaborative zine is just one small part of that project. Incidentally, the Wellcome Collection library are in the process of adding previous editions to their zine archive, so our haikus are going to be preserved for posterity.
Everyone who's contributed has been so generous in sharing their experiences and I think the zines give a really unique and helpful insight into what it is like to live with a long-term heart condition. Previous topics have been a bit less obscure (medication, exercise, etc.) and those have been particularly enlightening. I know of a specialist heart failure pharmacist, for example, who has shared the medication issue with colleagues as he felt it gave patient perspective on the drugs he prescribes in a way he hadn't experienced before. So, while it's not linked to BHF, I hope they would agree with the project's aims and approve of its outcomes, enough for me to share it on the forum anyway.
No, I don't think it's necessary for me to ask their permission to share a not-for-profit collaborative creative project that people can choose to engage with or not - I'm not selling anything, sharing personal info, or offering medical advice, so I don't see what forum rules I would be in breach of. I know other forum users (especially those who've contributed writing) like to know when the new issue is ready, so I would hope the forum administrators would agree it's appropriate for me to share that news here? If not, they can certainly let me know and take down the posts about the previous 8 issues.
if it is ok with the adminisrators that is fine. We have had a lot of people recently using this site for 'fringe' heart matters and this is why I queried your post.
Laura helped me along the path of understanding not long after I had the diagnosis of Heart Failure. As a forum member she has been invaluable to lots and lots of people struggling with Heart Failure. Keep up the good work Laura and I for one am waiting patiently to be able to say Hello, Dr Laura Dropstitch
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Heart attack on 2nd Sept.
Heart valve replacement. 
Keeping on top of your heart health exercising with other heart patients! 😊
Now taking spironolactone
