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Care at North York General got my mother back on her feet

This past summer, I was visiting my parents in North York from Winnipeg, when my 72-year-old mother had a serious accident.

She was mopping the tile floor in the foyer of her house when she slipped and fell. When she was unable to get up, I knew something was terribly wrong. After calling 911, an ambulance rushed my mom to the Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency at North York General Hospital (NYGH). Given the amount of pain my mother was experiencing in her right leg, I suspected she had broken it badly.

Care at North York General got my mother back on her feet

Care at North York General Got My Mother Back on Her Feet

This past summer, I was visiting my parents in North York from Winnipeg, when my 72-year-old mother had a serious accident.

She was mopping the tile floor in the foyer of her house when she slipped and fell. When she was unable to get up, I knew something was terribly wrong. After calling 911, an ambulance rushed my mom to the Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency at North York General Hospital (NYGH). Given the amount of pain my mother was experiencing in her right leg, I suspected she had broken it badly.

When we arrived at the Emergency Department (ED), I was feeling incredibly anxious about my mom’s accident. No one wants to see their loved one in pain. Fortunately, we were seen quickly and the ED doctor took her vitals and sent my mom for X-rays. The results revealed a spiral fracture (where the fracture line wraps around the bone).

My mom needed surgery and was admitted into the hospital. I was thankful that the nurse was very gentle with my elderly mother. After my mom was settled, the nurse suggested I go home to get some rest. I felt exhausted (especially because I was too nervous to eat), but reassured she was in good hands.

Dr. Frank Mastrogiacomo

The next morning, orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Frank Mastrogiacomo operated on my mom’s leg and the surgery went very well. I was so relieved to speak with my mom after the surgery and to hear her voice. Following the surgery, my mom was in acute care for a week before being transferred to the Reactivation Care Centre to continue her recovery, where she spent almost three months.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the Reactivation Centre had been renovated and provided an optimistic bright environment for recovery. My dad and I visited my mom daily during this time to bring her familiar foods, such as fruit and shortbread, as well as reading material and a tablet.

Five days after my mom was transferred to the Reactivation Centre, I had to return home to Winnipeg, but my dad continued to visit my mom and I called daily. In addition to physiotherapy and other medical supports, the Centre offered daily recreational activities (such as singing, painting, and drawing), which my mom enjoyed. She also liked to converse with two other older ladies who had also broken their bones. These activities helped to create a community for patients – many of whom are older and require more lengthy stays.

My mom was discharged home just before Thanksgiving and is continuing to recover at home. She uses a walker to help her get around and attends weekly outpatient physiotherapy for muscle reconditioning. She has resumed daily tasks such as cooking and activities she enjoys such as reading and meditation, although no long walks or gardening yet.

I’m so grateful to North York General for helping my mom get back on her feet and for waiting until she was able put weight on her leg again before discharging her home. It would have been unbelievably difficult for my 75-year-old father to look after my mom if she couldn’t move around on her own, and I appreciate that staff gave my mother the time she needed to return home safely.

Seint, A thankful daughter

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