HOSPITAL STAFF WINS DREAM HOME - PAGE 3 Withrawal Management FORE a Good Cause: Programs in Golf Fore Health Sarnia-Lambton Page 6 Page 6 A Publication of Bluewater Health Foundation Volume 14 Issue 1 March, 2014 How Do You THANK People For Saving Your Life? Wendy White holds the sign that got her invited to the set of Breakfast Television. Wendy White has seen more areas him in Ambulatory Care the next “We’ve been so fortunate to have As luck would have it, the Cab- Tell It Like It Is of Bluewater Health’s Sarnia hos- morning. There, he told me I had the excellent care providers that bage Patch 30th Anniversary Bluewater Health continually looks pital as a patient than most people cancer, and that during my sched- we’ve had,” says Wendy. “When dolls were being released at that for opportunities to improve the ever will – and she’s grateful to each uled thyroid surgery, they would I needed something, they were time and BT had received a few standards of service and care offered at our hospitals. “We really and every person who crossed her also do a biopsy.” The swelling there – even when I didn’t know to give away. Inspired by Wendy’s do want every patient to feel safe path. That’s why she stopped by the persisted, however, and Wendy what I needed. They were kind and story and in response to her mes- in our care, and that they have Breakfast Television (BT) set in To- went to the Emergency Department caring, and present without being sage of thanks, they offered them been treated with dignity,” says ronto to show her sign thanking all at the Sarnia hospital. “They gave intrusive. I never had to wait to see to Wendy to take to Pediatrics at Patient Advocate Denise Dodman. the people who provided care to her me such good care in the ED, and “Please share your experience Dr. Yoshida – he always seemed to Bluewater Health – that’s how the along the way. when I was then admitted to the with us – whether we missed be at the hospital!” Coincidentally, visit to MIC fits in. The BT hosts Wendy’s care journey took her ICU.” Surgery resulted in a four- the mark or got it right.” Please Wendy’s sister was undergoing also encouraged people to donate share your feedback in any of the through Diagnostic Imaging, Am- day stay in hospital before being treatment at the Cancer Clinic for following ways: bulatory Care, Emergency Depart- given a diagnosis of non-Hodg- to Bluewater Health. breast cancer during the same pe- • Patients can register ment (ED), Intensive Care Unit kins Lymphoma. “I wish I could do more to thank riod, and indeed, Dr. Yoshida had questions, comments, (ICU), Cardiac Care, Telemetry “I was diagnosed November 29, everyone involved in my care – suggestions and concerns treated Wendy’s mom for breast Medicine (Med-T), Palliative Care, and immediately referred to Dr. my cancer was caught early, and with a nurse, unit manager or cancer just a few years earlier. Inpatient Surgery and the Operat- Yoshida. I began chemotherapy I went from diagnosis to treatment care provider. During her illness and recovery, • Outpatients are encouraged ing Room, and the Cancer Clinic, December 13! I had chemotherapy so quickly,” says Wendy. “I never Wendy watched BT, and she knew to speak to the manager or with consultations along the way treatments every three weeks, and thought about going anywhere they sometimes featured signs be- supervisor of the area. from family physician Dr. Chris experienced every side effect you else. I was so lucky to be able to • Contact the Patient Advocate ing held up outside the set win- Greensmith, Ear Nose and Throat can imagine,” says Wendy. “My get care right here in this commu- through the Contact Us form dows. “My friends and I went to Surgeon Dr. Brian Hynes and On- hair fell out Christmas Day, and nity, where I have my family and at www.bluewaterhealth.ca or Toronto, and I really just wanted to cologists Drs. Ken Yoshida and in January I had to be hospitalized directly at (519) 464-4400, support system. And we have a Ext. 4436. Monique Dostaler. She even got for pneumonia. Three times those hold up my sign to thank everyone really great group of individuals in • If you receive a patient to the Maternal/Infant/Child (MIC) side effects almost got me, but who helped me be a survivor, and the Sarnia hospital.” satisfaction survey from Unit – not as a patient – but more each time, these good people at possibly have it seen on the show,” Wendy’s journey isn’t over yet. NRCC, a company that on that later. the hospital helped me. They took she says. “I spoke to the camera- specializes in hospital Now in follow-up treatments ev- In November 2012, leading up to great care of me, my husband, and man on Thursday, and I guess surveys, please complete ery three months for another year, her scheduled surgery for a thyroid my six sisters – one of whom usu- someone there liked my sign and and return it. All answers are confidential. condition, she experienced swell- ally came along.” Throughout the story, because I ended up getting she sees people in the Cancer • If you receive a telephone ing that concerned Dr. Hynes. “He ordeal, Wendy says her colleagues invited to Friday’s show. Never in Clinic at various stages in their call about your patient own cancer journey. She knows sent me to Bluewater Health for a at the Sarnia-Lambton Children’s my wildest dreams did I think they experience from a healthcare scan, and called me that evening,” Aid Society were extremely sup- would put a microphone on me that whatever their outcomes, professional, please provide says Wendy. “He asked me to meet portive as well. and interview me on air!” “They’re in good hands.” feedback. Employee Life-changing Engagement… Text Message Because Strengthens Everyone Friendship Counts Page 7 Page 8 Volume 14 Issue 1 PAGE 2 Spring, 2014 Upcoming Events SEVEN THINGS Health Watch TO KNOW ABOUT April: Daffodil Month to Fight Cancer April 1: Oncology Nursing Day CREATING A WILL April 6 - 12: National Volunteer Week April 7: World Health Day April 20 – 26: National Medical Laboratory Week April 20 - 27: National Organ and Tissue Awareness Week May 1: Doctors Day May 5: International Day of the Midwife May 5: STOP! Clean Your Hands Day May 6: World Asthma Day May 12 - 18: Mental Health Week and National Nursing Week May 12: Canada Health Day and International Nursing Day May 31: World No Tobacco Day June: Stroke Month and Seniors’ Month June 5: Clean Air Day June 9 - 13: Healthcare Housekeepers Appreciation Week June 15: Elder Abuse Awareness Day Bluewater Health Board of Directors Meetings March 26, 6:00 pm April 23, 6:00 pm May 28, 6:00 pm June 25, Annual General Meeting, time TBD For meeting details and other hospital events please visit the Events Some people are uncomfortable 2. You should appoint two change, through marriage, calendar on Bluewater Health’s website at www.bluewaterhealth.ca. thinking about the impact their Powers of Attorney – One divorce, births, deaths or death will have on the estate Foundation Events looks after your finances and changes to your economic they have worked so hard to the other looks after your May 2 PAIRS Trivia Challenge status, make sure you update build. However, dying intestate – healthcare needs. These peo- May 4 Memorial Wall Dedication Service (see ad page 8) or review your Will. without a Will – can mean your ple do pretty much the same Golf Fore Health (see and story page 6) 7. Don’t forget about your June 12 www.golfforehealth.ca hard-earned assets will not be thing as your Executor, but favourite charity – A one- For further information, please contact Johanne at (519) 464-4405 or distributed as you would wish. A only before your death, if you time gift or ongoing endow- [email protected] Will is the best way to ensure your are incapacitated. ments are just two options to wishes to benefit family members, 3. The government will split ensure your causes continue other loved ones, and charitable your assets if you don’t to have your support. Important organizations are carried out. have a Will – In most cases, Without a legal Will, your loved It is often said that only the rich Information About the surviving spouse inherits ones will have to try to figure out and famous leave money to chari- the first $200,000 of an estate what you would have wanted – ties when they die. That is simply Your Care and the rest would be split and the provincial government not true. Many charities would the following sponsors: between living parents and can decide how to split up your not be existence if it were not for children. ActivEars Hearing Centre assets. A common-law spouse generous gifts left in Wills. 4. Keep the original Will in will receive $200,000.00 and the Thankfully 74% of Canadians Archway Sport and Health Services a safe place and a copy remainder of the estate is split support charities and 35% of Canadian Red Cross at home – There have been equally with your legal spouse and people say they’d happily leave a cases in which the original Clubb Chiropractic Wellness children when they reach the age gift in their Will once family and wasn’t presented and the Centre of majority where you live.