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Breathing Easy Again, Thanks to St. Joe’s
For three years, Doug Wilson struggled to breathe. His right lung was filling with fluid, and every few days, doctors had to drain it. Despite these efforts, his condition persisted, leaving him gasping for air even during simple activities like walking across his yard.
Everything changed when Doug was referred to St. Joseph’s Health Centre. What he expected to be a routine consultation turned into an urgent medical intervention. An ultrasound revealed a significant chest infection, and he was admitted immediately for emergency surgery.
Doug spent nearly a month at St. Joe’s, with two tubes draining his chest and a vacuum apparatus by his side. Recovery was challenging, but the unwavering support from the medical team made all the difference.
“The nurses were absolutely phenomenal,” Doug recalls. “The attention I got was beyond excellent.”
Before his procedure, Doug expressed his fears to his surgeon, Dr. Parente, saying, “If my heart stops during this procedure, please don’t start it again.” Dr. Parente responded with confidence, “Do you see all this equipment? Do you see all these people? We can handle anything.” This reassurance gave Doug the confidence he needed to face the surgery.
Today, Doug is breathing easily again and back to enjoying the activities he loves. “A year ago, I couldn’t even get through the day without struggling. Now I’m out doing yard work, shoveling snow. At 87, that means everything to me.”
Doug’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact of donor support. Because of generous contributions, patients like Doug can count on expert care when they need it most.
