A huge shoutout to the Neurosurgery wing at Foothills

[CaptainCrunch]

I just wanted to throw this out there.

Last Thursday I got the call that nobody wants to get, my mother had been rushed to the hospital. She was confused, She couldn't walk, it was a scarier then hell situation. Lets be frank, my parents are of the older variety so you expect these phone calls. But when they happen, you're never ready for them.

We found out that she had two subdural Hematoma's on her frontal lobe, one on each side of her head. It explained, the loss of strength, co-ordination, ability to walk, zero verbal skills and no memory.

the doctors decided to drill into her skull to relieve the pressure, but couldn't do it for several days due to her doctor prescribing asprin which actually made things worse.

So on Monday night they did the procedure (Who knew that you had to be awake while they drilled into your skull). Anyways, I went back yesterday and my poor mom was unhappy because they had shaved her head and she had two tubes in her skull and was hauling around what seemed like litre bags of stuff. But she was closer to being back to the feisty old woman that I knew and loved. She was able to walk by herself, albeit more like a shuffle. Her verbal skills were way better, she could actually use a knife and fork and cup. It was an amazing bounce back.

We also found out as her memories started coming back that last Tuesday while she was carrying laundry that she fell and banged her head against the wall very hard and blacked out, while my dad was out.

Anyways the point of this. Sometimes we gripe about medical professionals because all we hear is the one side with the unions and the job actions. But I talked with the doctors and the nurses who put in 16 hour days in a very tough and heartbreaking field which deals with strokes and brain damages and other things. They do it with a lot of positivity and a lot of humor and a lot of compassion.

I wanted to point out that the staff that works at unit 112 at Foothills hospital are the very best type of people, and the work that they do for people like my mother and the other patients goes so far above and beyond the call of duty that its actually inspiring.

To me as they prepare to send my mom home probably next week that they saved Christmas and you can't ask for more then that right?

Sometimes the best Christmas stories don't involve presents, or stories of Santa Clause or Reindeer or Grinches. They involved the simplest sentiment of all, Gratitude.

[woob]

Thanks for sharing this CC. Glad to hear your mom is on the mend and doing well.

[agulati]

Hoping for your mom to have a quick and complete recovery.

Thanks for the story. Credit where credit is due.

[rain_e]

Hope she has a full recovery!

[1stLand]

Glad your mom is okay CC.
Stories like these serve as a reminder to appreciate your loved ones.

[Ozy_Flame]

I have a friend who is a neurosurgeon in at Foothills. Smart guy and they have passion for their job. Top quality physicians work in that unit. Glad to hear your mother is on the mend.

[undercoverbrother]

People forgot how good our system really is CC.


I am happy to hear your mom is on the mend.

[Nyah]

They saved my brothers life after a head injury almost 10 years ago. Outstanding staff.

Glad your Mom's doing better, cc.

[t0rrent98]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I just wanted to throw this out there.

Last Thursday I got the call that nobody wants to get, my mother had been rushed to the hospital. She was confused, She couldn't walk, it was a scarier then hell situation. Lets be frank, my parents are of the older variety so you expect these phone calls. But when they happen, you're never ready for them.

We found out that she had two subdural Hematoma's on her frontal lobe, one on each side of her head. It explained, the loss of strength, co-ordination, ability to walk, zero verbal skills and no memory.

the doctors decided to drill into her skull to relieve the pressure, but couldn't do it for several days due to her doctor prescribing asprin which actually made things worse.

So on Monday night they did the procedure (Who knew that you had to be awake while they drilled into your skull). Anyways, I went back yesterday and my poor mom was unhappy because they had shaved her head and she had two tubes in her skull and was hauling around what seemed like litre bags of stuff. But she was closer to being back to the feisty old woman that I knew and loved. She was able to walk by herself, albeit more like a shuffle. Her verbal skills were way better, she could actually use a knife and fork and cup. It was an amazing bounce back.

We also found out as her memories started coming back that last Tuesday while she was carrying laundry that she fell and banged her head against the wall very hard and blacked out, while my dad was out.

Anyways the point of this. Sometimes we gripe about medical professionals because all we hear is the one side with the unions and the job actions. But I talked with the doctors and the nurses who put in 16 hour days in a very tough and heartbreaking field which deals with strokes and brain damages and other things. They do it with a lot of positivity and a lot of humor and a lot of compassion.

I wanted to point out that the staff that works at unit 112 at Foothills hospital are the very best type of people, and the work that they do for people like my mother and the other patients goes so far above and beyond the call of duty that its actually inspiring.

To me as they prepare to send my mom home probably next week that they saved Christmas and you can't ask for more then that right?

Sometimes the best Christmas stories don't involve presents, or stories of Santa Clause or Reindeer or Grinches. They involved the simplest sentiment of all, Gratitude.

Amen, I would also like to give a big shoutout to the people at Foothills, mostly in the ICU area and 112 as my Father was there a month ago. He went in with an Unknown high fever/Infection and they were giving him all sorts of antibiotics to see what kind of fever/Infection he had.

On the 2nd day he was admitted to ICU because he was unresponsive in the morning and was put on life support with a breathing tube and all the works, he also had a part of his head shaved because they had found liquid in his head and had to drain it out. He was probably there for about 2+ weeks before he was somewhat mobile and was moved to 111 to 112.

He's been out of the hospital for about 2 weeks now and slowly walking and eating on his own but still has to check in with the Rockyview Hospital Thursday (dec 4) for surgery behind his nose because they found a possible tumor or something else that may have caused him to have a high fever/Infection.

We were told that he may or may not have Meningitis but the doctors aren't 100% sure yet until he has his surgery at Rockeyview.

[burn_baby_burn]

My wife had a brain tumor removed there in May. I could complain about some of the small things, but for the most part, I was blown away at how great the care is. My wife is 100% back to normal and all it cost us was 10 days of parking.

[Jimmy Stang]

Best wishes to your mom! May she have a speedy recovery!

It is also nice to hear a positive story about health care in this country. More often than not, the bad stories get traction in the press, etc. but in my own personal experience, the nurses and doctors have always been exceptional whenever I, or someone I know, has needed them. It is nice to read something uplifting.

[rayne008]

Funny someone mentioned parking, my brother had neurosurgery this summer at FMC, and somehow parking seemed to be the most stressful part of the experience. We are very lucky to live in Calgary, AB, Canada.

[Northendzone]

the healthcare system is a mess for a variety of reasons, but not becasue of those on the frontlines.

glad to hear your mom will be fine.

[btimbit]

Jesus, I thought the title said "shootout" for a split second.

Thanks for the story, very happy it's all working out for her.

[PaperBagger'14]

The Foothills Neurology department is fantastic and I'm happy to hear mama bear is doing well. My mom had trigeminal neuralgia about 3 years ago and the neurosurgeon that took care of her was incredible (thank you so much Dr Kiss). She went from being in agony and screaming in pain every time there was a rush of blood to her head to being 100% within a few weeks except for a large scar. We are very lucky to have gifted and passionate medical staff here in Canada.