No one goes to work thinking they will die on the job. but it almost happened to Joe Lafontaine. An ENWIN Utilities employee, he often deals with work related hazards, but his near death experience had nothing to do with what he was doing on the job that day. Starting as a severe headache, the pain increased to the point where Joe thought his head “was in a vice.” Suddenly, the aneurysm inside his head burst, paramedics where called and he was immediately brought to Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital (HDGH).

Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital Interventional Radiologist, Dr. Jack Speirs was able to use angiography suite and C-arm detector to intercede quickly, decisively and prevent this father of two from losing his life. This leading-edge special angiography procedures suite allowed Dr. Speirs and his team to perform an intracranial aneurysm coiling procedure to remove Joe’s aneurysm.

Had this technology not been available, a neurosurgeon would have had to open the patient’s cranium in order to clip the aneurysm at its base. The subsequent hospital stay and recovery time for someone like Joe, would have been lengthy, and at a significantly higher cost to the healthcare system.

Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital has two-state-of-the-art, Angiography Suites enabling our medical specialists to perform a variety of procedures including kyphoplasty, cryoplasty, intracranial aneurysm coiling, and carotid stenting. These procedures are often referred to by many in healthcare as “miracle medicine.” Interventional doctors are able to use up to the minute imaging technologies to access areas deep within the body through tiny incisions. In 2007/08 HDGH performed 2,828 of these highly advanced medical procedures, which are typically only available in teaching hospitals.

Joe has since returned day-to-day routines. He has no limitations on his activities and is grateful to have his life back. The coil remains in his brain but it’s a small price to pay considering the alternative. As Joe says, “I may make the scanners go off at the airport, but at least I am alive.” Thanks to Hôtel-Dieu Grace, Joe believes in miracles!

How can you say thanks to Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital?

All of us are touched in some way, either directly or indirectly, by medical challenges. When it happens, we appreciate having access to the extraordinary care exemplified in the true stories told in these testimonials.

If you or your family would like to say "thanks" to the inspired caregivers of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital for the care they deliver every day, we'd be pleased to discuss how your donation can help us continue to grow as one of Ontario's leading healthcare providers. Call us today.

Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital Foundation

Phone: 519-973-4443