Dale’s near-death experience
“Queensway Carleton Hospital saved my husband’s life,” says Barrhaven resident, Wendy Small.
One morning, her husband, Dale, woke up with an incredibly stiff neck and shoulder. He tried physiotherapy, over-the-counter pain medications and then finally, a trip to QCH for medical tests.
At the hospital, Dale underwent an ultrasound to rule out an infection of the bone and was properly treated for his pain. Emergency medicine physician, Dr. Gina Manca, also drew a blood culture that was sent to the lab for analysis within 48 hours. Dale was eventually discharged from QCH with strict instructions to return should his symptoms worsen. They did, to the point where he developed a fever and became very weak.
“He was going downhill very quickly,” said Wendy, who, as a long-time nurse at QCH, knew something was seriously wrong with her husband of 37 years. “Just then, the phone rang, and it was a nurse from QCH saying to bring Dale back. They had just got the result of the blood culture. He was growing a Strep A bacterial infection.”
At the hospital, Dr. Graham Mazereeuw, an emergency medicine physician, could see the right side of Dale’s neck was starting to look red and swollen. A CatScan revealed the infection was spreading towards the chest wall. Dale was going into septic shock and needed surgery.
In the operating room, doctors and staff were able to safely remove the lethal bacteria before it spread any further. Otolaryngology surgeon Dr. Winsion Chow, updated the family with the good news.
“Dr. Chow had this calm demeanor – he was just what our family needed at that time,” said Wendy.
Post-surgery, Dale was moved to the ICU and intubated. He was later transferred to QCH’s Myers Automotive Acute Care of the Elderly Unit (ACE Unit), where he remained until his discharge. The retired public servant made it home for his 68th birthday, two days later.
“When I go in to work, I hold my head high. I’m proud to be part of this organization.”
Dale is now back to doing many of his regular activities, including gardening and cutting the grass.
“It was quite the experience, that’s for sure,” said the father of two kids, and grandfather of five. “I wouldn’t want to go through it again. I’m glad I’m alive and here.”
In honour of the incredible care that Dale received at QCH, the Small family chose to recognize their care team in a meaningful way by making a donation to QCH Foundation and honouring each of them as a Champion of Care.
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