ANNUAL CAMPAIGN 2015-2016

Victoria Day, 2015

Dear (Name here),

It was May 18th, one minute I am enjoying the sunshine on my face as I pedal my last few miles from home (looking forward to that cold beer waiting for me on the patio), the next, I am on the ground, face down on the hot pavement and people, many people, are shouting and hollering, telling me not to move.

“What the heck happened”, I think. I slowly recall when I was biking that I began to feel dizzy, so dizzy, and started to veer to the right side of the road to rest until the sensation passed. I indeed stopped, but clearly from falling off my bike which I have absolutely no recollection of. I feel like I am missing minutes of time but when I am alert, I start to feel what I can only describe as paralyzing pain on my right hand side and any attempt to lift myself up is useless.

I recognize a face in the crowd above me, a friend, Aaron who tells me he called my wife, Kally and she will meet me at the . I am still quite confused but remember being placed on a board with pain shooting through me and going in the ambulance to the Emergency Department at the Sackville Memorial Hospital.

After receiving an X-ray that discovered four broken ribs and a fractured shoulder blade (can’t tell you the pain I was in) the dizziness returned and I passed out again! I woke up once more to voices and faces staring at me and heard, “so now we know what happened to him on the bike.” It became immediately clear that the broken ribs and fracture were the least of my worries.

At this juncture the medical professionals decided I would be transferred by ambulance to The Hospital where they would be awaiting my arrival.

1 My heart rate was very slow, (sometimes it was 20 seconds before the next beat) so for the transfer I was hooked to an external pacemaker. Every time my heart stopped this machine would literally send shocks to my heart – one of the most painful things I have ever experienced in my life – but it was essential to keep me alive at this time.

Once at The Moncton Hospital, they installed a much more comfortable temporary pacemaker (inserted through a vein in the neck). During the procedure, I must have passed out again because the next time I woke up (which seemed only to be a few minutes later) I was beyond surprised and confused to see my brother and sister by my bedside, considering they live in Montreal. I didn’t realize that I had been unconscious for about 15 hours and that my family was told to stay nearby as they didn’t know if I was going to make it through the night. What a revelation to wake up to!

After being bed ridden and flat on my back for ten days in intensive care, I received a proper pacemaker. A good thing, especially if I wanted to get back on the bike again. It’s amazing what two weeks in bed will do to your muscles. I felt like an old man when I got up for the first time on day 11. I had two nurses holding me up as I felt like I was going to collapse. My legs were like jelly. When I eventually sat up for an hour and a half, it was a complete celebration and I was totally exhausted!

This whole thing, however tragic, is not completely unexpected. You see I live with a disease called Fabry. It’s as unpredictable as it is rare. The incidence is roughly one in 100,000.

Fabry disease is caused by the lack of or faulty enzyme needed to metabolize lipids; fat-like substances that include oils, waxes, and fatty acids. A mutation in the gene that controls this enzyme causes insufficient breakdown of lipids, which build up to harmful levels in the eyes, kidneys, autonomic nervous system, and cardiovascular system.

I’ve known about Fabry since I was 16 years old and I’ve known to expect changes in my health throughout my life. Changes like having atrial fibrillation (an irregular and often rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow to the body), needing cardioversion three times (an electric current is used to reset the heart’s rhythm back to its regular pattern), dealing with kidney issues and now, needing a pacemaker. It sounds scary but it’s actually been a pretty sweet ride for someone with this disease. I’m one of the lucky ones!

I’m thankful because this last incident could have been much, much worse. I’d hate to think what would have happened if no one found me, or if it had happened in traffic. I’m also thankful because I’m surrounded by people who love me. My wife Kally who somehow finds the strength to keep it together, my kids Gabrielle and Nicholas whom I love and who I know love me, a brother and three sisters who are always there for me, and a fantastic employer, co-workers and wonderful friends who have shown so much compassion, care and understanding.

I am also beyond thankful for the first respondents, the emergency staff at the Sackville Memorial Hospital and the entire staff of The Moncton Hospital for the professional and expert care I received. I couldn’t begin to name or thank all the nurses who took such good care of me during my two week stay especially Stephanie, Sonia, Janice, Michelle (even if she’s a Bruins fan), Vicky (who’s also a decorator), Shany, Maureen, Amanda and Bonnie–but I will never forget them. They become more than care givers, they feel like family. And let me tell you, having your hair washed for the first time after two weeks (and a bike ride) feels like you won the lottery–best day ever!

2 I went home exactly two weeks to the day this happened. It took a good month for the pain to subside to be able to sleep comfortably. I was not permitted any heavy lifting and was told not to raise my arms over my head for 6 weeks for the pacemaker to set into the tissue properly, and 8 weeks to allow my ribs and shoulder blade to heal (with a lot of physiotherapy) before I could climb back on my bike again!

On July 11th I went for a short but wonderful bike ride and haven’t stopped since. I remain thankful and still feel like one of the lucky ones and will embrace this thing called life one day at a time with much appreciation.

To use a biking analogy, it’s been a difficult climb but I’m hopeful that I’m heading towards a nice flat road in a straight line, with a slight wind at my back.

And a cold beer waiting on the patio.

Cheers!

Francois Giroux, Grateful Patient

PS Please join me in making a gift to the Friends of The Moncton Hospital’s Annual Campaign this year. Trust me when I tell you that you never know when you might need to access the services of TMH. Together we can help enhance patient care. See the exciting campaign details below.

The Moncton Hospital (TMH) has, for decades, been the heart of our community, providing high quality compassionate care for our loved ones. Every day, we see the impact donations to the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation have on patients and their families. 2015 marks the 50th year of fundraising to improve the stellar care our hospital delivers by providing leading edge tools and facility enhancements for those whose lives depend on it. This year is no exception.

You can help give a future patient hope, by supporting our annual campaign to raise $950,000 to enhance patient care in The Moncton Hospital.

Three areas that will be supported at TMH by our annual campaign include the adult Intensive Care Units (ICUs), the Maternal and Fetal Healthcare Unit and three Units. Critical Care Smart Beds

Our ICUs treat critically ill and severely injured patients who need close observation and use more monitoring equipment, intravenous lines and medications than the regular nursing units. From stroke and heart attack to car accidents and injuries, the demand for The Moncton Hospital’s ICU services is constant.

3 18 critical care Smart beds are urgently required for all three adult ICUs The Moncton Hospital has to support patient-centred care including: one of the busiest ICUs in the province. In fact, last • Coronary Care Unit (CCU) offers specialized care for patients who have suffered heart fiscal year, 1,632 patients attacks, have unstable angina (chest pain), irregular heartbeat and other cardiac conditions (6,704 patient days) that require continuous monitoring and treatment. received critical care in one of these three Sharon E. Harrison Medical Surgical (MSICU) • provides care Intensive Care Units. The to critically ill medical and surgical patients including those who require ventilation. existing ICU beds, which are between 13-20 years • Irving Neuro Intensive Care Unit (NICU) specializes in managing the unique needs old, have more than well of critically ill patients with life-threatening neurological and neurosurgical conditions served their time and such as a massive stroke, bleeding in or around the brain, brain tumors, brain trauma, purpose. They are nerve damage and spinal cord injuries. requiring more and more servicing which is posing a These beds are technologically advanced and specifically designed for the types of challenge for our patients cared for in an ICU setting. They monitor all patient movements, notify medical technicians. professionals of every subtle movement, come with a bed-exit alarm to prevent falls and other risks, have the ability to weigh patients and assess their risk for bed sores (pressure ulcers), have simplified brake controls and are motorized to make patient “A bed that improves care, transport easier as well as offering complete side rail coverage. reduces risks to both patients and staff, and New Designated Green Space has specialized features promoting rest and Another one of our projects this year is the creation of a unique, secure and welcoming relaxation for the patient green space in an enclosed roof area for patients who live with mental illness that will help is a welcome addition foster social interaction, relaxation and wellness. A safe and specially designed outdoor green to our ICUs.” space will encourage their wellness by participating in therapeutic, recreational and physical Cathy Barter, Nurse activities without having to leave hospital property (which they are often not permitted to Manager of the Neuro do). It will include things such as benches, a raised garden area, giant games, basketball Intensive Care Unit net, sprinkler, picnic tables, artificial grass, awning, swing and more!

The Moncton Hospital has three units that would utilize this green space at designated “No one is immune times; Provincial Adolescent Psychiatric Unit that provides crisis intervention and to addictions and mental assessment to children up to the age of 16 in who are referred by their health problems. Patients medical professional; Youth Wellness Unit that is for local children up to the age of in psychiatry are people, 16 seeking treatment for emotional issues; and the Adult Psychiatric Unit. Families just like you and I. We all understand the need for will also be encouraged to get involved in healing activities with their loved ones. stress reduction, Individuals admitted to one of the three units can be suffering from various forms relaxation, privacy, respect and of addictions and/or mental health issues including thoughts of suicide, anxiety, freedom; all things that depression, bi-polar disorder or schizophrenia just to name a few. in-patients can access in this green space.” In New Brunswick, one in four people will experience mental health problems during their lifetime; access to a calming outdoor area while in the hospital is Petrea Taylor, RN PhD (c), crucial for recovery. Clinical Nurse Specialist

4 Making Deliveries Safer for Mother and Baby “We are committed to transforming mental The Moncton Hospital is one of only three maternal fetal care clinics in the province as well and creating hope. An on-site green as one of three neonatal intensive care units. It welcomes over 1,335 babies into this world space will have a positive each year. Every single pregnancy and birth is handled by a highly competent and dedicated impact on those suffering team of healthcare professionals specializing in women and children’s health. from addictions and mental illness by inspiring Presently, vital patient information is recorded numerous times manually; a waste of hope, helping people precious human resources which would be better spent caring for patients. The recover faster and Sophisticated Perinatal (period before and after birth) Fetal Monitoring and Data building a culture in Technology is an improved process that will be instantly available from not only the which everyone believes patient’s room and at the nursing station, but also in more remote locations such as the that life is worth living.” doctor’s offi ce. Jill Leblanc-Farquharson, Director of Addictions The challenge our physicians are faced with now is that the entire obstetrical record, since it and Mental Health is charted by hand, is not easily retrievable. This advanced fetal monitoring technology will provide up to the minute crucial information, tracking vital signs and health data during the labour and delivery process when time can be of the essence. If there is a concern, seconds “The need for immediate count. A quick decision in these precious moments can save a baby’s life. and complete information access is critical in the maternity and labour Together as a community we are and delivery areas of transforming and saving lives The Moncton Hospital. As a high-risk referral We never know when one of our family members, friends, neighbours or even ourselves centre for surrounding will access the services of The Moncton Hospital. During a time of illness, no matter how communities, The brief or long term it may be, we all want the most advanced equipment, treatment and Moncton Hospital is focused on reducing healthcare environment possible. the risks associated with Your support will help provide superior bed care for our critically ill patients just like labour and delivery. This technology will help us do Francois, purchase sophisticated decision-making technology to make the labour and our jobs so we can make birthing process safer for mother and baby as well as create a green space to promote quick decisions to ensure healing for addiction and mental health patients, giving these patients a genuine chance the best care for mothers to have a life beyond their illness and symptoms. and babies.”

Dr. Ken Gillespie, Obstetrician/ Gynecologist

Your gift, right now will make an immediate and measurable difference in the quality of care The Moncton Hospital provides to patients and their families. Thank you for making 135 MacBeath Avenue Moncton, NB E1C 6Z8 your donation with the enclosed pledge form or online at Tel: (506) 857-5488 www.friendsfoundation.ca/donate Fax: (506) 857-5753 www.friendsfoundation.ca [email protected]

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