If you ever get sick in Canada, and are in need of hospitalization, Cape Breton is the spot to be. Seven weeks is what I have spent in hospitals in the past 6 months. My ordeal started in March with a severe case of diverticulitis and came full circle in late August when surgery was deemed to be the only solution. It has now been 4 weeks since I had sections of my bowel removed and I feel well on the mend and thankful for the Canadian Health System.
After my first bout in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney in the spring I wrote the following article for the Cape Breton Post as my way of saying thanks to the many dedicated health workers. Now that I am on the mend, I want to express once again my thanks and great admiration of those who devote their lives to improving the health and well-beings of others.
Cape Breton Post
Good health is something that most of us take for granted. Because of my own recent health scare, I now have great empathy for those who suffer from disease or long-term illness and a greater understanding of how lives can be forever altered, sometimes overnight.
On April 23rd I walked away from the Cape Breton Regional Hospital (CBRH) with a better appreciation of life and our health care system and a renewed respect for those professionals who commit themselves to helping and improving the health of others.
My ordeal began in late March. My illness, although painful, was generally not considered life threatening. Thanks to the swift action of my Doctors at the Highland’s Medical Centre in Neil’s Harbour, I ended up in the Emergency Dept. of the CBRH. Tests revealed that I was suffering from a severe case of diverticulitis, a disease I knew little about.
The ordeal caught me by surprise. Little did I know when I was admitted to the hospital on March 26th that it would be weeks later before being released. More discerning was the fact that I was self-employed and had no idea when I could return to work.
My treatment took a great deal of time and it was somewhat of a roller-coaster ride. My Surgeon’s strategy produced the results we both wanted and the need for surgery was eventually diverted. This came with great relief as an operation and recovery would have put me at greater financial risk. At least for now I feel I have a fighting chance.
Except for a couple of days when I was a child and the occasional day-surgery, I have not spent any time in a hospital, so doing so came as a tremendous shock.
I cannot say enough positive things about the quality of treatment I received and commitment of all whom I came into contact. In the 25 days I spent at the CBRH, I had the chance to interact with and get to know cleaners, food servers, blood, diet and radiology technicians, LPNs, Nurses and Doctors. I also became close with room-mates and their family and friends.
I have always had a special spot for those who devote their lives to helping and caring for others. It is like they are born with an innate ability to be consistently caring and loving and are not turned off by things that would send most of us scurrying. I witnessed many parts of their jobs that are not pleasant.
It took my illness for me to recognize that Health Care is turning out to be this Island’s biggest and most vibrant service sector. This might be considered unfortunate because it is directly related to our aging population. On the other hand, many of us will benefit as we grow older.
More importantly, I also discovered it is being guided by service excellence. In the 25 days I spent at the CBRH, not once did I encounter anyone who provided anything less than the best they could offer in a manner that was both professional and caring.
My stay was an eye-opener in many respects and left me an altered person. I am not sure how just yet, but I do know that I have a more profound appreciation of the important things in life, my family and friends and I have become more mindful and aware of the value of good health and the impact of lifestyle on one’s well-being.
I want to extend my gratitude to all CBRH staff with special thanks to my surgeon Dr. Clay Butler and Dr's. Ken Murray and Estelle Cameron and to the competent teams that make up the 4D Surgical Unit. The Nurses, LPN’s and support staff were an inspiration, always courteous, caring and there when you needed them. I am forever grateful to those I called my Angels, Melanie Gallant, Maria Weir, Jeannie Boudreau and my cousin Ann Marie Wall.
I am also thankful to live in a Country that values its public Health Care system and proud of the role of my former boss, Allan J. MacEachen, who helped establish this program in the 1960s..
Last but not least, I urge all to take preventive measures. Pay attention to your body. If you have reason to be concerned, poor eating habits and/or are affected by stress, take corrective action or you may not get the chance later. Learning more about diverticulitis and the dangers it presents would be one positive step in the right direction.
Bob Doucette