“Their efforts inspired me to donate to the Foundation”

A pattern of unexpected falls persuaded a patient to check himself into VGH. After receiving excellent care from our ED “angels”, he writes to say he’s inspired to donate to our VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, so that others can receive the same care as him. Read his story below…

I have been having issues with my mobility to the point that I have had 3 falls recently.

On Thursday, December 3, 2015, I went to the ER at Vancouver General Hospital. I was a little bit concerned about going there as I generally look and feel healthy and felt that I should not be there. From the time that I arrived until I left, I knew that I had done the right thing. From the person who gave me my wrist band (cubicle 4) to the triage nurse, to the blood technician to the ER doctor, Dr. Abu-Laban, to the resident neurologist, everybody treated me exceptionally well. As a matter of fact Dr. Abu-Laban told me that he was glad that I had come in.

I arrived in the ER at 9:40 am and decided to track how long everything would take. I will not get into details but by the time I had had my CT Scan, only 2 hours had elapsed. And half an hour later Dr. Abu-Laban was giving me the results. It turns out that I have a benign tumour on my brain. This was actually good news to me as I thought that I had the onset of Parkinson’s Disease.

Apparently I will be contacted by the neurosurgeon, Dr. Peter Gooderham, and there is a possibility that I will be having surgery at VGH. I have to say that my experience in the ER has put me at ease with any potential surgery in that hospital.

Please compliment the entire ER staff on their great treatment and wonderful bedside manner. Their efforts have inspired me to make a donation to the VGH Foundation.