sample_data/Patient_HeartFailure_Interview.txt

Interview Transcript - Patient #2
Date: October 20, 2025
Interviewee Type: Patient
Condition: Congestive Heart Failure
Age: 68 years old

Interview Content:

Interviewer: Can you describe what it's like living with heart failure?

Patient: It's challenging. Every day is different. Some days I feel pretty good - I can do light housework, go to the grocery store. Other days, "I'm so short of breath just walking from my bedroom to the kitchen that I have to sit down and rest." And my ankles swell up like balloons. It's frustrating because I used to be so active. I played golf three times a week, worked in my garden. Now I'm lucky if I can water my plants without getting winded.

Interviewer: Tell me about your medications. How many are you taking?

Patient: Oh boy, let me think. I have a pill organizer with morning and evening sections. I'm taking... probably 12 or 13 different medications. There's the water pill, the blood pressure pills - I think I'm on three different ones. Then there's the heart medication, the diabetes medication, the cholesterol medication. It's a lot. Sometimes I look at that pill bottle lineup on my counter and just feel overwhelmed.

Interviewer: Do you ever have trouble remembering to take them all?

Patient: Honestly, yes. Especially the evening ones. I'll be watching TV and realize at 10 PM that I forgot my evening meds. A couple times I've taken my morning pills twice by accident because I couldn't remember if I'd already taken them. My daughter bought me this automatic pill dispenser that beeps, which has helped a lot. But I still mess up sometimes.

Interviewer: What about the cost? Is that an issue?

Patient: It's a huge issue. I'm on Medicare, but even with Part D coverage, my copays add up to about $300-400 a month. That's on my fixed income. "Last year, I was supposed to start a new heart failure medication that my cardiologist was really excited about, but my share was going to be $180 a month just for that one drug. I couldn't afford it."

Interviewer: Have you ever skipped doses or stretched out medications to make them last longer?

Patient: I'm embarrassed to say yes. When I was in the Medicare donut hole last year, I started taking some of my medications every other day instead of every day to make them last. I know I wasn't supposed to, but I couldn't afford to refill them all. "I ended up in the emergency room with fluid overload - they said my heart failure had gotten worse. Spent three days in the hospital." That hospital bill was way more than the medications would have cost, but in the moment, I couldn't see another option.

Interviewer: How do you feel about your doctor and the care you're receiving?

Patient: My cardiologist is wonderful. He really listens and he's patient with all my questions. I see him every three months. But I wish there was more help with the day-to-day management. Like, how much fluid should I drink? When should I call if my symptoms get worse? I have phone numbers I can call, but I always feel like I'm bothering someone. A nurse who could check in on me once a week or something would be amazing.

Interviewer: What would improve your quality of life?

Patient: Honestly, just having more energy. I want to be able to do simple things without feeling like I ran a marathon. And less swelling - my feet and ankles swell so much that I can only wear these ugly slip-on shoes. I'd love to wear my nice shoes again. Also, not worrying about money and medications would take such a weight off my shoulders. Every month I'm juggling which medications I can afford to refill on time.

Interviewer: How has heart failure affected your emotional well-being?

Patient: It's been hard. I feel like a burden to my family. My daughter has to drive me to appointments because I don't feel safe driving when I'm short of breath. I've had to give up so many activities I loved. Sometimes I feel depressed about it all. The doctor offered antidepressants, but that's just another pill to take and another copay. I'm trying to stay positive, but some days it's really hard.