“I expected to wait hours. That’s what you hear about trips to emergency departments,” says Sean, an East Toronto resident. “But I was quickly called for triage, then vitals, bloodwork and an ultrasound. I barely waited between each step.”
The ultrasound imaging revealed blood clots in Sean’s bladder, which prompted an immediate CT scan for a more detailed view. The scan showed a large mass on his left kidney that was most likely cancer. “I felt the floor drop out from under me,” says Sean, whose thoughts soon turned to his wife and daughter.
When he asked his emergency doctor if the mass could be removed with surgery, she pledged the team would work on getting answers. But first the clots in his bladder urgently needed to be cleared.
That’s when Sean was moved to a different department to meet with Dr. Ryan Groll, Chief of Urology. Dr. Groll spent 30 minutes flushing the clots out — an uncomfortable procedure to say the least. “Dr. Groll stayed calm and kept checking in with me to take breaks when I needed to catch my breath,” he says.
Going the extra mile
Upon learning her husband had come to us for help, Sean’s wife Cheryl arrived in our ED looking for him. A nurse who cared for Sean earlier walked her through the hospital to find him.
“It wasn’t part of the nurse’s job, but she took the time because she cared,” says Sean. “That kindness meant a lot to me. As much as I was concerned about myself, I was more worried about Cheryl being anxious and frightened. I’m glad she wasn’t alone and had someone, not only to guide her through the hospital but to comfort her.”
Sean returned to the ED, and within half an hour Dr. Groll joined him to share more information on his condition. “Cheryl and I had so many questions, and he came with answers.”
Dr. Groll confirmed the large mass on Sean’s kidney was likely cancer and that it needed to be removed as soon as possible. Dr. Groll’s schedule was completely full for the next two months. He knew surgery couldn’t wait, so he had already contacted his colleague Dr. Amanda Hird, a urologic oncologist who works at our hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
From the ED to surgery in a week
The partnership between our hospitals helped expedite Sean’s operation, which Dr. Hird performed at Sunnybrook. “Instead of waiting weeks or months for surgery, I waited just seven days,” he says.
Dr. Hird removed his kidney, which had a 20-centimetre tumour weighing over two and a half pounds. “Dr. Hird called Cheryl to say I was in recovery and everything went well. Cheryl was so relieved to hear my surgeon say I came through alright. That personal touch meant the world to our family,” says Sean.
“I have my life back because Michael Garron Hospital acted fast and with purpose,” he continues. “I’m impressed and grateful for the excellent care I received, care that donors help make possible.”
Out of immense gratitude, Sean and Cheryl donated to our hospital. Their gift supports our most pressing needs, including medical equipment and facility enhancements that support patients.
Join Sean and Cheryl in supporting the heart of the east. Please give at mghf.ca/donate