The Vital Beat

All stories

Catherine Willis has lived with Type 1 diabetes for over 55 years. Even though she has faced some challenges, she still has a positive outlook on life.

Diabetes: Over 50 years of struggles and triumphs

In 1961, Catherine Willis went into a coma and her parents didn’t know what was wrong. Despite the terrible storm, they ...

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Krysta Smith with her sons (from left) Reed, Finn and Callum. Photo by Carla Nahirney.

Breastfeeding mothers need support

Few moments were as bittersweet as when I breastfed my third (and last) baby for the last time. The truth is ...

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Peaceful passing: hospice care embraces family’s wishes

When 71-year-old Garry Lefebvre’s cancer prognosis became terminal, his family had limited knowledge of what palliative care could offer, but they ...

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Setting up a total knee replacement for success

Extreme pain and the erosion of things she loves to do—this was Gail Philip’s reality. Her knees were so bad that ...

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10 tips to get ready for your knee replacement surgery

Be as healthy as possible. Eat healthy foods, drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest and exercise.Get dental work ...

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