Power of hope prevails for former Minoru resident

George Gregor marked a real-life first for Minoru Residence in August. The 77-year-old Richmond resident was discharged and walked away from the care facility after making a “miraculous” recovery that no one predicted two years ago.

“Everything is back to the way it was,” said Shirley Nelson, George’s daughter, who also happens to work as a care aide at Richmond Lions Manor. “He’s my dad again.”

George is the embodiment of what can happen when you do no put limits on what is possible in recovery. No one expected George to recover, but he has, much to the delight of both his family and Minoru Residence staff.

Masked by confusion

George arrived at Minoru Residence in late 2014 after aneurysm surgery left the former banker and avid boater wheelchair-bound and care-dependent. It was expected that he would remain at Minoru for the rest of his life.

George and his daughter, Shirley Nelson, are treating everyday together as an unexpected gift.

Despite his reduced physical and cognitive function, there was something behind his focused, yet confused, demeanor that made some wonder if more was yet possible.

“It seemed like he wanted to do something and he was very frustrated that he couldn’t,” said residential care coordinator Delia Dixon. “You could see it in his face.”  His daughter, Shirley, saw it, too, and a routine post-op CT scheduled for late last year served to renew hope that a higher level of function was, indeed, still a possibility for her dad.

Hope for a better quality of life

The CT scan detected a build-up of fluid on George’s brain, a possible side-effect of the initial surgery. The family was notified and Shirley was faced with a daunting decision.

“By this time he was pleasantly confused and content living here at Minoru Residence,” she said. “But I knew that I could never live with myself if there was a procedure available, although not without risk, that could bring my dad back to his former self.”

The surgery to place a shunt to drain the fluid on George’s brain went ahead as planned in January 2016. Within a week things began to change. It slowly became evident to some that residential care may not be the place where George would live-out his days.

By mid-summer, George’s functioning had improved so much that he was ready to go home. He walked out of the facility’s doors, under his own steam, in early July. It’s the first time ever that Minoru staff can remember that a resident has left, looking forward to begin life anew.

“When I first saw the memo about George, I just didn’t understand it,” recalled Winnie Chan, the Minoru Music Therapist who played piano with George at Minoru. “I thought, ‘What does discharge mean?’ Did I read this correctly? This just never happens in residential care.”

Happy endings; new beginnings

George’s recovery was celebrated at Minoru Residence in August where he thanked Minoru Residence staff and his surgeon, Dr. Haw, for their care and attention. George also spoke about his time spent at Minoru which, up until the surgery, resembles pieces of a disjointed, hazy dream.

“I really don’t remember very much…and maybe that’s a good thing,” he said.

For now, George is laying claim to his old life. He attends rehab therapy twice weekly, plays the piano morning and evening, is looking after his own affairs. And, if he passes all the requisite tests, he is also intent upon getting his driver’s license back. “I am getting used to the bus system, but I miss getting into my own car. It’s the freedom.”

As for Shirley, she’s treating every day with her dad as an unexpected gift. “It feels as if we’ve been given a second shot at life,” she said. “We’re having a lot of fun and enjoying every minute.”