A Stroke, a Life Saved, and a Heartfelt Thank You to Guelph General

Summary

A story of how compassionate care at Guelph General inspired a community member to give back.

What started as a peaceful visit to the nail salon quickly turned into a life-changing moment for Kate From and her 85-year-old mother, when her mom unexpectedly suffered a devastating stroke while at the salon.  One that would alter both of their lives in profound ways. Throughout her life, Kate’s mom had undergone several heart surgeries, but aside from her dementia, she seemed to be in relatively good physical health.

That all changed, while receiving treatment at the nail salon. When she had the stroke, Kate immediately called an ambulance, and recalls in awe, “The ambulance was there, almost before we even hung up the phone.”

Upon arriving at Guelph General Hospital, Kate’s mom was met with expert care. An ER doctor quickly consulted with a surgeon in Hamilton to assess the severity of her mother’s condition. Once a treatment plan was devised, Kate’s mom was admitted to Guelph General, where she would spend the next seven weeks under constant care. “They are absolutely incredible there,” Kate says with conviction. “They know what they are doing.”

As Kate’s mom suffers from dementia, some days it can be difficult to manage her, but Kate and her brother Rick were amazed by the compassionate care their mother received. “They were all so good to her. Not just the nurses, but the whole staff. There was one custodial staff member that would come in every day and talk to my mom. It was just an extra level of care we weren’t expecting.” She goes on to say, “Whether it was someone who worked in physio or a PSW, it didn’t matter what their role was or what they were doing, my mom was their focus.”

As her mother continues her recovery at a long-term care facility, Kate is profoundly grateful for the care her family received at Guelph General. Kate’s mother had been a monthly donor to the Foundation of Guelph General Hospital for years, but after the exceptional care her mother received following her stroke, the family wanted to do more. In honor of the extraordinary staff and the care that her mother received, they decided to make a one-time donation to the hospital. “I can’t say enough [about the care and staff] at Guelph General. That’s why we wanted to make this donation to say thank you.”