Tag Archives: healthcare

You’re in My Care…

During the mid 2010’s I was employed by The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), the same hospital at which I am now receiving treatment for my leukaemia. Although I was hired on a temporary contract to manage a provincial digital health project, I was required to go through the same orientation as any other employee. I vividly remember the opening presentation by then TOH CEO Dr. Jack Kitts.

In addition to welcoming new employees to the organization, Dr. Kitts presented TOH’s mission, vision, and core values. I was particularly struck by TOH’s vision: treat each patient like you would a member of your family. The goal is to communicate to patients through your actions the message “You are in my care.”

Every employee, from the doctors to the nurses to the housekeeping staff can relate to this vision. They can easily envisage how their work might impact their Mom, Dad, or grandma. Little did I realize at the time that I would benefit from the attitude that the TOH vision engendered.

During my hospital stays last year, I would have bad days when I was either very uncomfortable or even in pain. On one of those days, I asked the nurse for medication to address my discomfort including a pain killer. After taking my vitals and giving me my medication, the nurse patted me gently on my leg and told me that I’d be OK. I immediately recalled Dr. Kick’s presentation and TOH’s vision and realized that I felt in this nurse’s care.

The next day, when the nurse came by to take my vitals, I told her that I found her simple action extremely comforting. I asked her whether any patient had commented on her use of a gentle touch to communicate empathy and compassion. When she said “no”, I told her that this simple gesture was a powerful way to connect with a patient and to continue doing it. Tears soon welled up in her eyes (as they did mine) and she managed a weak “thank you.”

Over the next several weeks I made it a point to notice the different ways in which each nurse expressed the TOH vision. I’d then share with them what I observed, explain how much their action meant to me, and encourage them to continue doing it. Tears were shed on more than one occasion.

I’m an ardent believer in the power of technology to transform healthcare, not by replacing healthcare professionals but by giving them the time to make me feel that I am “in their care.” I am grateful for the compassionate care I have received from each and every healthcare professionals I have encountered. I hope that in my professional life I can help them spend more time interacting with patients.

Thanks for listening.

Mike

T+37 (Weekly Clinic Visit)

Although it is now several days after the event, I wanted to share an update from my weekly TCT clinic visit. I will endeavour to provide clinic visit updates each week as soon after the visit as I can.

Since leukaemia is a form of blood cancer (sometimes referred to as a “liquid cancer” to distinguish it from cancers involving solid tumours), blood testing is used extensively to track recovery progress. While there are many test results of interest to my medical team, key indicators include:

  • Hemoglobin. Contained in red blood cells, hemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs to cells throughout the body and carbon dioxide from the cells to the lungs to be exhaled. My hemoglobin is now is the normal range for the first time since my relapse.
  • Platelets. Involved in the clotting process. Platelet count, which was in the normal range when I was discharged from hospital, has dropped over the past few weeks. There are several possible explanations for the decrease. My medical team is not overly concerned by the decrease but they will continue to monitor the platelet count.
  • White Blood Cells. Fight disease and foreign bodies. There are many different types of white blood cells, each of which protects the body against a different threat. My white blood cell count is just below the lower edge of the normal range.
  • Neutrophils. A type of white blood cell that attacks bacteria. Like my white blood cell count, my neutrophil count is just below the lower edge of the normal range.

Another concern that emerged since just before I was discharged from hospital is periodic high blood pressure. Given this concern. I take measurements multiple times per day. At the previous weekly clinic visit Tracy and I reported that that majority of these readings were high, both systolic and diastolic. The two doctors with whom we met that day seemed reluctant to believe us and asked that we record our measurements.

Anyone who knows me can imagine what the spreadsheet I presented the medical team at the most recent visit looked like :). Based on numbers on a piece of paper they now believe us and I was prescribed medication to control the high blood pressure.

Overall, I appear to be progressing well in my recovery. I still tire easily but I am told that I put my body through a major trauma and it needs to time to recover. Rest is part of the recovery process.

Thanks for listening,

Mike

T+35 (Happy New Year!)

A little over two weeks has passed since I last published a blog post. As scheduled, I was released from hospital on December 20th. I am thrilled to be home, sleeping in my own bed, eating what I want (when I want!), and, getting outside occasionally.

My medical team warned me that I would be very tired my first few weeks I was home and they were right. Up until recently, I was napping at least once per day, going to bed by 9pm, and sleeping in past 8am (which for me is a big deal). What energy I did have was spent hanging out with Tracy and my daughter (Breeze) who was visiting with her husband (Brendan) for the holidays.

Now that the holidays are over and I am slowly gaining back some stamina, I am hoping to post more often. I have been thinking a lot about what happens next and, given that dying is a distinct possibility in the next 12 to 24 months, about my mortality. I am to find the words to express these thoughts so I can share them with you. I’d also like to write more about my experiences as a patient in the Ontario / Canadian health system. 

To everyone who has contacted me in some manner to express their support, a heartfelt thank you. Your kind words have helped me through some low points and made dreary days a little brighter. 

Thanks for listening,

Mike