Medical reports
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Tonsillectomy (English)
For the last several months, Vanessa had been tired all the time. She lacked energy and was sometimes very moody. Nancy, her mother, was very worried. She noticed that her daughter was having difficulty breathing while sleeping. Something was definitely not right, so they headed to the CHUS. As soon as she arrived, Vanessa was placed under a respirator and spent three days in intensive care.
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Amputation or… the CHUS
Réal Babin works as a signalman for the Department of Transport in the Gaspé. On his birthday, August 7, 2002, Réal had a serious accident and was transported to the Hôpital de Mariah where Dr. Éric Anctil, an orthopedist at the CHUS, was temporarily working assisting the orthopedics team. Réal had multiple fractures. After a month’s hospitalization, he was given the most disconcerting news of his life: his right leg had to be amputated. He had to make one of the most difficult decisions of his life: to have his leg amputated or undergo a long and difficult treatment available at the CHUS, which could one day allow him to walk on both legs.
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Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (Nathalie Beloin)
Since birth, 31-year-old Nathalie Beloin has been suffering from polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, a degenerative bone disease causing deformation. Despite her disability, all of this young woman’s dreams have come true. First, she married Sébastien Lachance. Then, she worked harder than anyone else to obtain her degree in architectural design. Her greatest dream, to have a child, remained an impossibility due to her disease. Thanks to the multidisciplinary team at the CHUS, Nathalie and Sébastien are thrilled to introduce Antonin, their “little miracle.”
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Gum Cancer
It all began when Gérard Côté experienced irritation of the gums. He thought it was just something caused by his dentures. A biopsy performed by Dr. Dorion’s assistant revealed a tumour. Dr. Dorion proceeded to remove the tumour and reconstruct Mr. Côté’s gums and jaw. It was a very long surgery, but Mr. Côté had a positive attitude. Like all enthusiastic fishermen, he wanted to be in shape for the opening of fishing season and thanks to his attitude and determination, he got back on his feet.
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Throat Cancer
Former professional wrestler Paul Vachon, better know as “The Butcher,” is fighting the most gruelling and difficult battle of his life. He was diagnosed with colon cancer 12 years ago. The giant fought back but, on the second round, his opponent came back with a bombshell: throat cancer. Mr. Vachon was forced to have his teeth and part of his jaw removed. Now on his 18th chemotherapy treatment, he continues to smile and hope for the best. With a strong will to live, he keeps fighting. This athlete presents us with a testimony filled with hope and comfort for anyone battling cancer.
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Cancer of the Lymph Nodes
Diane Vaillancourt of Coaticook is still smiling despite her illness. Although she has been living with cancer of the lymph nodes for the past two years she looks healthy and in shape. “I have all my hair!” she says proudly. Her good humour is due to the ice caps used by the CHUS’ chemotherapy centre. This revolutionary method that minimizes the effect of chemotherapy on hair follicles, without a doubt, greatly helps the morale of people afflicted with this terrible disease that is cancer.
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Laryngeal Cancer
This is the story of a singer who experienced persistent illness. Not only did this worry her, but it became more and more bothersome, and prevented her from performing. She undertook a journey leading her to different types of practitioners who all had one thing in common: they promised to heal her. What they succeeded in doing, for a full year, was to take her money in return for empty promises that still left her with her illness. Finally, she decided to consult Dr. Dominique Dorion at the CHUS who quickly noted that in the past year, the cancer had progressed. The patient had laryngeal cancer and the only solution was to remove her vocal cords. The singer sings no more.
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Lung Cancer
On August 23, the life of Claudette Goyette was turned upside down. She suffered a coronary. While undergoing tests, doctors found lung cancer. A smoker for more than 20 years, she had smoked up to a pack of cigarettes a day at the height of her addiction. She had to wait six weeks following her coronary to be operable. She was operated on last October 14 by surgeon Dr. Échavé who removed two lobes from her right lung. She recovered well and quickly from her operation, and looks forward to a full recovery.
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Lung Cancer (Raoul Morin)
In September 2005, Mr. Morin visited the CHUS for gastroenteritis. Due to his dehydration, doctors decided to keep him under observation for 48 hours. During his hospitalization, he underwent a series of tests, including an X-ray of the lungs. Back home, he received a phone call. Dr. Coll, a pneumologist, was requesting he come in for an appointment at 1 p.m. the next day. His secretary stressed the urgency. Once at the office, Dr. Coll asked a series of questions and finally showed him an X-ray of one of his lungs where a white mark could be seen… it was cancer.
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Cardiology – Rehabilitation Program
Jean-Guy Brière was struck by a massive heart attack and found himself in the CHUS’ emergency ward. The decision was made to immediately put him under the care of the cardiology department. Their goal was to return Mr. Brière to as normal a life as possible. The treatment provided was successful and he returned to his regular activities sooner than expected, since his condition appears to have returned to normal. In addition to the usual care, he is benefiting from a research program that he is registered in. His attending physician is impressed by Mr. Brière’s discipline and how he has taken charge of his recovery, which has resulted in his excellent physical condition.
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Étienne-Le Bel Clinical Research Centre
The Centre de recherche clinique Étienne-Le Bel (research clinic) is the result of an excellent partnership between the CHUS and the Université de Sherbrooke’s faculty of medicine. The results are impressive: the clinical research centre has close to 100 researchers, among the best in the world. See and hear impressive testimonies from patients who have participated in the various research programs, and from seasoned, passionate young researchers who talk about arthritis, lung disease, prostate cancer, diabetes, sudden infant death syndrome, and hypertension in pregnant women. These testimonies are just a few examples of the contributions of the more than 250 people devoted to improving the health of Quebecers by developing new diagnostic methods and treatments…. And it’s happening right here in the Townships!
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Bariatric Surgery (AnnieKim Doyon)
AnnieKim was morbidly obese and weighed 273 pounds. She would go out only at night to avoid verbal abuse. People suffering from morbid obesity must lose weight to avoid problems and death linked to cerebral pseudo tumour, diabetes, heart problems, and general health problems. Other problems include back and leg pain, shortness of breath, and in many cases, women suffer from uterine fibroids, which can cause infertility. The only exercise AnnieKim was capable of was swimming in a pool but she didn’t have the courage to wear a bathing suit. On October 5, 2007, she underwent an RY isolated gastric bypass procedure, formerly known as a stomach staple. This procedure consists of reconstructing the digestive system. The surgery, which can now be performed at the CHUS using laparoscopy, takes but a few hours. To date, AnnieKim has lost over 100 pounds.
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Surgery for Snoring
Thanks to a simple surgical procedure, Dr. Dominique Dorion’s snoring no longer affects his family’s sleep. In 2005, Dr. Dorion underwent surgery for snoring (cautory-assisted palatoplasty) performed by one of his coworkers, Dr. Pierre-Hugues Fortier, otho-rhino-laryngologist who performs this surgery. This very recent procedure consists of reducing the thickness of tissues that obstruct air passage using cauterization. The procedure takes all of 30 minutes under local anesthetic.
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Pain clinic
Marie-France Dozois, age 47, had been suffering from chronic lower back pain since the age of 19. It significantly disrupted her life. She isolated herself not to show her pain and to avoid being pitied. Later, she became bedridden, losing control of her life. Marie-France has been monitored by Dr. Christian Cloutier for three years now. She has regained her good mood and can even take up sports again
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Epileptic Seizures
Marie-Ève experienced her first epileptic seizure with convulsions at the age of 16. According to doctors, Marie-Ève had suffered epileptic seizures since she was eight months old. Once she reached adulthood, her seizures occurred at a frequency of five to ten per month. Marie-Ève is under the care of Dr. Charles Deacon, a neurologist at the CHUS. She had to take medication to control her condition. In the fall of 2003, she was told that a delicate operation could help her; it would remove the seizure focus, in other words, the part of the brain where seizures originate. Dr. David Fortin and his team performed the operation on November 24, 2003. Marie-Ève no longer has seizures. She can finally go about her business, work, and most importantly, finally be alone with her daughter!
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Unclogging Arteries
We all know someone whose life was completely turned upside down by a “cardiovascular accident” more commonly known as a stroke. This devastating medical occurrence, caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain or a rupture of blood vessels in the brain, happened to Yvan Martel’s father who was diagnosed with the same problem. Dr. Andrew Benko decided to perform a procedure to correct the situation.
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Diabetes and Obesity (Thérèse Blais)
Thérèse was 58 years old when she decided to join Dr. André Carpentier’s research project. She had a friend who suffered from diabetes and she wanted to help advance the research. Since the end of September 2004 Thérèse has been part of a research group led by Dr. Carpentier. Being part of this group includes attending a first meeting that provides information on what the research involves and how the participant is expected to contribute. The candidate then undergoes a blood and glaucoma test to determine their eligibility for the study. From these tests, the staff at the CHUS determined that Thérèse’s blood sugar level was too high. She became one of Dr. Carpentier’s patients!
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Diabetes and Prostate (English)
His name is magical in football circles. It is linked to the glory years of the Montreal Allouettes in the 1950s. Bruce Coulter led the Bishop’s University Gaiters to the highest honours awarded in Canadian university football. The Bishop’s football stadium was renamed after him. Member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, Bruce Coulter could not ward off a disease that affects men of his age, despite his physical fitness, which others would have thought would make him invincible.
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Genetic Diagnosis
At the CHUS, laboratory services in medical genetics can facilitate making a precise diagnosis, establish a prognosis as to a disease’s development, guide the choice of treatment, and evaluate a predisposition to developing cancer. Would you like to know if you are predisposed to developing a disease (such as certain types of cancers)? Are you a carrier of a bad gene that could put you at a 50% risk of developing this disease at any time? Through the testimonies of the Côté family, we can learn about genetic diagnosis and learning to choose life. Genetic diagnosis can help reassure the patient and can lead to preventive treatment through close monitoring.
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Organ Donation
The complicity and team spirit among doctors, nurses, and other staff members involved in the process of tissue recovery and organ transplants at the CHUS is remarkable and inspiring. This is exemplified in Annie Chouinard, a young nurse who supports and helps families with their choice.
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Planned Giving
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Child epilepsy
Elizabeth is a six-year-old girl with epilepsy that started around the age of two. Her parents had to witness the troubling manifestations of this disease about 300 times a day. With the help of neuropediatrician Dr. Walti, they have greatly improved their quality of life.
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Pulmonary Fibrosis (Paul-André Chénard)
Paul-André Chénard was 55 years old, planning to retire within the next few years. He and his wife had lots of plans. Unfortunately, he began to have health problems: he would get out of breath doing the least little thing, he was having dizzy spells; performing even the simplest task became a real challenge. His doctor suggested he follow a stricter diet… but nothing was working. That’s when he decided to consult a pneumologist. The diagnosis: he had from two to six years left to live… Paul-André was suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The story of Paul-André and his wife is one of courage.
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Brigitte-Perreault Fund
(to improve care)
The CHUS Foundation’s Brigitte-Perreault Fund was established in 2004, following the death our young colleague of the same name, whose battle with cancer cut her professional career short. This Fund has three objectives: to improve the quality of care; to enhance safety in terms of infection prevention and the undesirable effects resulting from certain examinations and treatments, and especially from medication; and to develop a more humanistic approach to care. This Fund contributed to four projects this year.
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Maxillofacial Surgery
The day of his birthday, Pascal was in a car accident. He was not wearing his set belt and his face smashed down on the dashboard and steering wheel. When he arrived at the CHUS, our traumatology team quickly took charge. Dr. Dominique Dorion and his team reconstructed Pascal’s face. He was hospitalized for 12 days and was seen by a number of medical specialists: Dr. Joncas, orthopaedist; Dr. Dorion, who is an ears, nose and throat specialist; a neuropsychologist, among others. Dr. Dorion performed a very difficult four-hour procedure, just to reconstruct Pascal’s upper lip.
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Gamma Knife
On the morning of September 8, 2003, Samuel complained of having a headache. His mother gave him some Tylenol and told him to stay in bed but by evening, Samuel was still not feeling better. He was crying and running around, saying over and over how much his head hurt. The child’s behaviour was far from normal. The decision was made to seek medical advice. Under observation, his condition did not improve, so doctors decided to transfer Samuel immediately to the CHUS’ pediatrics department. There, a scan was performed, which enabled the physicians to detect a brain hemorrhage. Immediate surgery was required to remove the blood inside his brain. Samuel spent 11 weeks in the intensive care unit. For five of those weeks he was in a drug-induced coma. His road to recovery was not easy. He caught different infections: pneumonia, due to his respirator and a urinary tract infection due to the catheter. Samuel suffered from a malformation of the blood vessels in his brain. Three possible treatments were offered to Samuel’s parents, one of which was to wait for the arrival of the Gamma knife. This was to provide the least risk to Samuel’s life. August 18th, 2004, was the big day; Samuel was the first patient to be treated with a gamma knife at the CHUS. In three months, Samuel will undergo tests to verify if all of the malformation has been destroyed.
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Genetics
In the first months after her birth, Zoe’s illness was detected thanks to the urine screening program. She suffers from a urea cycle enzyme deficiency. This means that her body cannot eliminate proteins, which accumulate and turn into ammonia. The combination of a special diet and medication has allowed Zoe to manage her illness and to develop and grow normally. Zoe’s case is a living example of the remarkable teamwork done at the CHUS. Now a 15 year old, Zoe lives an active life and follows her low-protein diet. Her illness doesn’t stop her from participating in her favourite sports. The genetics team at the CHUS is the only one worldwide to offer this screening program.
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Glaucoma
Roxanne has been suffering from juvenile arthritis since the age of six. As a complication of this disease, she developed a chronic eye condition known as uveitis in which the tissues around the pupil become inflamed. As part of her treatment, Roxanne had to put drops into her eyes. A side-effect of these drops is the formation of cataracts. At the age of 8, she had surgery on the first eye and then at the age of 10, on the other eye. At the age of 9, she had glaucoma in both eyes. In April of 2002, at the age of 17, she was operated on her right eye by Dr. Blondeau to treat the glaucoma. This operation is not common; it consists of installing a drain in the eye. Roxanne recuperated for two months, refraining from any physical effort. Today, she can do things she couldn’t do before, such as simply driving a car.
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Dynamic Graciloplasty
Figuratively living in the dark for 25 years is an almost unbelievable story. This was the case, however, for Ms. D. who was unaware, as thousands of others have been, of the nature of an illness that is still too taboo as a topic of discussion. Thanks to a procedure performed at the CHUS, the only place in North America, she is now able to enjoy life at the same rhythm as everyone else.
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Kidney Transplant
Mireille Dionne, a young lawyer, almost missed out on having her dream of becoming a mother come true – because of her need for a kidney transplant. The expert team at the CHUS is taking care of her; everyone wants this promising young woman to continue her path to success!
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High-Risk Pregnancy
Sylvie Allard of Saint-Bonaventure was pregnant. She knew deep down in her heart that something was wrong. On her own, she decided to consult the specialists at the CHUS. Future news would confirm that her intuition was right: the birth would likely be premature and her baby’s life was in danger. Respiratory distress and brain hemorrhages are the two main causes of death among premature infants. Sylvie gave birth at 34 weeks and there were complications during delivery …
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Uneven Limbs
Thanks to a procedure discovered in Russia in the 1980s, it is now possible to lengthen limbs and replace bones following an accident. This procedure extends bones in a leg or arm using fixators, trunnions and rays, which are similar to bicycle spokes. Dr. Gaétan Langlois lengthened one of seven-year-old Maxime Giguère’s legs, and in another case, replaced a bone Régis Simard had lost in an accident.
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Acute Myocardial Infarction
On Saturday, September 23, Andrée and Lucien Chabot left their home in Boucherville and headed for their daughter’s cottage at Lac d’Argent to admire the fall foliage. When they arrived at their destination, Andrée wasn’t feeling well. She was taken to Magog’s La Providence hospital, where doctors diagnosed an acute infarction and determined that she had to be transferred to the CHUS. Here, Dr. Richard Harvey performed new angioplasty procedures that saved Andrée’s life. The leading cause of death in human populations is still heart disease. Thanks to the care of our hospital’s staff and new medical technologies at the CHUS, Andrée will be able to enjoy the fall colours once again and spend precious time with her loved ones.
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Bone Infection (English)
Olivia was a little three-year-old girl at the time. Everything was fine until the day she came down with a very high temperature. As soon as she arrived at the hospital, the pediatrician on duty realized something was very wrong – Olivia was lethargic and feverish. He was afraid that she had meningitis. After the child had spent four days in the hospital, doctors were able to identify the bacteria that was attacking her: Golden Staphylococcus. From that moment on, they were able to give her the antibiotic that would be most effective. When she was discharged from the hospital, Olivia had to take antibiotics intravenously for another five weeks. There were two options to provide her medication: a somewhat cumbersome device that would stay connected to her all the time and automatically administer the correct doses at the right moments, or another solution: having her mother Beverly give the injections to Olivia through a tiny catheter attached to her arm. For the next few weeks, Beverly gave her daughter the injections she required four times a day, administering four doses with each injection. Today, Olivia shows no sign of ever having had this infection.
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Legg-Calvé-Perthes Syndrome
Avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The head of the femur degenerates due to a reduction in blood flow and loses its roundness. This disease affects children between the ages of four and eight, usually boys, and evolves over a period of two years. Symptoms include hip and knee pain. The delicate treatment procedure involves recovering and remodelling the head of the femur to make it resistant to wear and tear.
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Crohn's disease
Isabelle is 27 and has been suffering from Crohn’s disease since the age of 13. She has undergone multiple surgeries that involved the removal of several centimetres of her intestines. At the age of 24 she became pregnant and her health improved. Three months after she gave birth, the disease hit hard again. She went back to hospital where surgeries and hemorrhages followed one another. A few months later, thanks to the team at the CHUS, Isabelle is doing better.
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Congenital Malformation
Sleep apnea, caused by a congenital malformation of the brainstem, is a very rare disease. Fortunately, the CHUS has specialists with expertise in this field and equipment enabling them to make a diagnosis and intervene quickly… before the disease causes devastating health problems and causes irreparable damage.
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Gastroschisis Congenital Malformation
Laurence had an intestinal malformation at birth. Doctors had been able to detect this problem in the 13th week of her mother’s pregnancy. After she was born, the baby girl underwent seven operations.
Laurence still has to be fed intravenously in the hospital, but she is doing much better. She is able to go home for short periods of time, but her parents have to bring her back to the CHUS every day to spend the night!
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Maternity – Pediatric Surgery
Too many parents have to go through the very upsetting experience of spending day after day at the bedside of a sick child. These premature newborns have to spend the first weeks of their lives in an infant incubator in the intensive care unit for newborns at the CHUS and many have to undergo delicate surgical procedures. Fortunately, in Sherbrooke, we have young pediatric surgeon Dr. Sandeep Mayer and his team.
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Meningococcemia (English)
Michael Cross, a 16-year-old resident of Toronto, has come a long way. In October 2000, Michael was stricken with a terrible bacteria –, meningococcemia – the same one that had attacked young people in Windsor, Ontario. For over a month, doctors at the CHUS fought to save his life. All of his organs had failed. At one point doctors feared they would have to amputate one of his feet. The efforts of our specialists were not in vain; Michael survived. The only sign he has of his brush with death is a tiny scar.
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Congenital mitochondrial myopathy
Kelly was like every other child until the age when most little ones learn to walk. Her parents and daycare educators became worried about her development. Kelly had no desire to walk. At first, it was thought that the problem could be solved by having her wear braces, but a year later, Kelly still showed no interest in walking. The muscles in her legs and thighs weakened and Kelly became more and more winded. Her learning and emotional abilities were not affected however. Her family doctor decided to have Kelly undergo a series of tests to find the exact source of the problem. Dr. Guillaume Sebire and a multidisciplinary team then got involved to help the young patient.
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Neuromodulation
Jacqueline Roy was incontinent for several years. Her problem started gradually, at first feeling a bowel movement but not always being able to hold it, and it worsened over time. She began going out less and less often. Her incontinence had become a prison keeper. The team of Drs. Tu and Devroede performed surgery on Ms. Roy, installing electrodes. This procedure has completely changed her life. She was able to return to an active lifestyle and go out with peace of mind. Ms. Roy was the first woman in Canada to have this procedure. Neuromodulation had previously been used in cases of urinary incontinence; this was the first time that the principle was applied to a case of fecal incontinence.
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Neuronavigation
Jonathan Dumas is a 28-year-old pharmaceutical representative living in Val-Bélair. He and his partner Josée had lots of plans. After their wedding, they bought their first house. Their next dream… to have a child! In June 2003, that dream faded; Jonathan was having terrible convulsions. When the diagnosis revealed that he had a 10 cm x 7 cm x 3 cm brain tumour, his whole life became a nightmare.… The cruel and hopeless sentence: “Enjoy life now… you haven’t much time left!” was of no comfort. Dr. David Fortin was able to help Jonathan…. Could Jonathan ever recapture his dream?
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Neurostimulation
A few years ago, no one would ever have imagined that a doctor could make pain go away. Stéphane Gagnon can now attest to this fact thanks a procedure performed by neurosurgeon Christian Cloutier at the CHUS. As a result of neurostimulation, this patient’s unbearable pain has disappeared. Electrodes placed on parts of his nerves and stimulated by a tiny battery installed under the skin, stop the pain trying to pass through. This rare type of surgery could provide the same results for commonly experienced pain, such as migraines.
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Airway obstruction
This young 24-year-old woman had been in great physical shape before her life changed in 2001. Over a period of three years, little by little, Veronique’s respiratory tract contracted to the point that when she breathed, she would wheeze as though she had asthma. She felt that air wasn’t passing through her trachea as easily as it had before and became out of breath just from walking. Véronique was suffering from a narrowing of the trachea, known as tracheal stenosis. To enable air to pass through her trachea, otorhinolaryngologists Drs. Dominique Dorion and Pierre-Hugues Fortier, had to perform a rare procedure.
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Perineology
Perineology is a topic that is addressed very delicately in the medical field. This is because this specialty focuses on problems that are hidden and that everyone wants to keep under wraps because they feel it’s “shameful.” It is for this reason that Dr. Alain Watier brought together a team at the CHUS-Hôtel-Dieu to provide care that is unique in North America and that draws patients from the four corners of the province.
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Phenylketonuria (Maternal PKU)
At the age of seven months, Maryse Isabelle was diagnosed with phenylketonuria by medical geneticist Dr. Bernard Lemieux. Several years ago she experienced her first pregnancy and ate as she always had. She carried her child to term but due to a number of malformations, the baby was unable to survive. After this heartbreaking ordeal, the couple still wanted to have children. Maryse adhered to a very precise, strict diet and regularly met with dietician Lise Reid, Dr. Lemieux in genetic medicine, and her gynecologist, Dr. Louise Constantineau. 2003 was a challenging year for Maryse Isabelle and her partner, but it ended on a high note with the birth of William on November 14th. He is in perfect health.
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Multi-trauma victims and the trauma room (English)
The traumatology department at the CHUS was the recipient of the 2001 Award for excellence in public administration in Quebec, officially known as the Prix d’excellence de l’administration publique québécoise 2001.
The CHUS’ traumatology objectives are to:
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Reduce the waiting period spent in emergency for every trauma victim
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Transfer patients to the operating suite where the problem will be resolved within a short time frame, with the goal of reducing complications related to delayed resuscitation
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This reflects the “golden hour” philosophy according to which time is critical to obtaining positive results.
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Removal of a kidney by laparoscopy
Christian Dupuis is 43 years old and the father of Jacob and Raphaëlle, 12-year-old twins afflicted with cerebral palsy. In May 2002, Christian received news that turned his life upside down: he was suffering from severe kidney failure. His only chance of survival was a kidney transplant but the waiting period was likely to be years.… In the meantime, he had to undergo hemodialysis treatments three times a week.
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Endoscopy procedure
It was in May 2006 that 76-year-old Gilberte Boily first complained of having abdominal pain. In September of the same year, Dr. Georges Rateb, a gastroenterologist at the CHUS diagnosed a cancerous lesion in her intestines. On November 7, 2006, Ms. Boily had painless surgery by means of an endoscopy procedure using a natural passageway, with no anesthesic, no incision, and no hospitalization to the patient’s immense relief.
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Respiratory rehabilitation program (MPOC)
Mr. Dugal suffers from chronic bronchitis that once made his life miserable. Since he has been monitored by the CHUS, he has been given a second wind. His quality of life has improved, and he can even exercise daily.
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Radiation therapy under anesthetic (English)
John Millington, a 40-year-old man with cerebral palsy, has experienced a series of tragedies ever since he was born. A new diagnosis disrupted his life once again. He had a new battle to wage – John had to fight cancer. To combat the disease, he needed radiation treatments.… Due to the incontrollable spasms that wrack his body, radiation could not be given to him. John’s parents, Robert and Ingrid, were dismayed. Then, anesthesiologist Dr. Linda Gagnon tried administering the treatment John required while he was under anesthetic. A first in Sherbrooke, this innovative procedure presents a ray of hope for everyone afflicted with a problem similar to John’s.
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Research on chronic pain
Rolande, who is 58, has had fibromyalgia for 20 years. Her symptoms appeared shortly after the occurrence of milestones in her life. However, doctors did not give credence to this woman’s symptoms; she was even treated in psychiatry. Luckily for her, Dr. Serge Marchand is a physician for whom psychological health is not at issue and pain is very real. He established a pain centre at the CHUS’ clinical research centre. His research is focused on two areas: sex hormones and pain development.
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Elbow reconstruction
Mrs. Bonsergent-Levrerac had a bad fall when she was on holidays in France. She came back to Quebec with an undiagnosed elbow dislocation. Unbearable pain led her to the CHUS. Dr. Balg performed a complex reconstruction of her elbow, a very rare type of surgery. After several months of physiotherapy the clinical result is excellent.
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Straightening legs
All her life, Gina had hoped to see the day when she would no longer suffer from her handicap. As a child, she dreamed of dancing, playing tennis and simply running, but a lack of calcium as a baby had changed her life forever. Gina had very marked deformations in both legs. Dr. Frédéric Balg used the very rare Elizarov technique to help make this young Columbian’s dream come true. It took all of Gina’s courage and determination after a seven-hour operation to ensure that her deepest desire would become a reality.
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Spondylolisthesis resection
Jessica suffered from a significant handicap caused by the slipping of a segment of her spinal column. This problem generally appears early on, around the age of three to four years, when children are in an upright position, and it may become accentuated during the adolescent growth spurt. With slips of more than 50% surgery is recommended, because there is a very significant risk of progression. Jessica had a slip of more than 75%. Dr. Cabana therefore decided to perform this very delicate procedure, a first in the Estrie region.
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Mental health
Mental health is directly linked to psychiatry – a fact that mustn’t be denied. Mental illness long suffered from taboos that society is just beginning to erase. The CHUS-Hôtel-Dieu has become better and better equipped to help those who, until recently, had to withdraw from normal life because of their melancholy, their problem, in essence, their illness. By concentrating our efforts and creating specific work teams in this field, we are managing to improve access to mental health services, and most importantly, access to specialists. Rehabilitation workshops to help people with mental health problems, programs that accelerate interventions and adapted spaces are all tools that play a role in what we now call mental health care.
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Treatment satisfaction (Ralph Farley) (English)
Lawyer Ralph Farley was admitted to the CHUS on October 15, 2006, following a pulmonary embolism. Ever since his experience as a patient at the CHUS, he has been eager to tell others about the exceptional care he received.
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Adult palliative care
At the young age of 26, Patrick was confronted with a harsh reality. Cancer was ravaging his body and it could not be cured. He was put in touch with the palliative care department at the CHUS-Hôtel-Dieu. Although it is popular belief that palliative care is limited to easing the suffering of those whose days are numbered, visitors are quick to notice that the involvement and dedication of the qualified and attentive staff do more than help with pain. It is very comforting – and paradoxical – to realize that the palliative care employees at the CHUS also provide hope!
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Pediatric palliative care
As new generations of doctors and health professionals arrive on the health care scene, more and more methods and services are being developed to provide greater support to those afflicted with illness, and those coping with the loss of a loved one. Everyone is shocked to learn that there is a palliative care department for children. But, death has no age limits. Our pediatricians have had to prepare themselves to face such tragic situations. They have developed a program unique in Canada to help parents and friends of young patients who, despite the relentless efforts of their healthcare professionals, succumb to cruel diseases. Follow-up during the grieving process extends the relationship between parents and specialized staff, helping the child’s loved ones deal with a pain that will heal only with time.
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Ankylosing spondylitis
Ever since he was a young boy, Bruno has had difficulty performing simple movements like walking down stairs. It was only at the age of 20 that he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, commonly known as “bamboo spine.” This is a hereditary disease.
Only 10% of people with this disease have a spine that is so curved that surgery is required to straighten it. Bruno fell within this 10%. If his disease was not controlled, it could attack his rib cage and cause severe respiratory problems.
Not only was Bruno’s day-to-day life affected, his body was wracked with pain and the disease was slowly destroying his morale. The surgery was very risky and could have resulted in serious complications, but Bruno remained positive.
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Arterial stent - Stroke (English)
Earlier this year, 76-year-old Montrealer Raymond Van Frank had a stroke resulting in aphasia, affecting his language skills. The installation of a small stent in the carotid artery should have been a simple procedure but radiation treatments for cancer in a vocal cord 20 years earlier had left the artery 80% blocked. After two unsuccessful attempts to unblock the artery, Montreal specialists referred Mr. Van Frank to Dr. Andrew Benko, interventional radiologist and chief of angiography at the CHUS. Dr. Benko did everything possible to save this patient’s life and Mr. Van Frank can’t thank Dr. Benko enough for his efforts.
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Streptococcus – Flesh-eating bacteria
The nightmare for Martin and his family began on March 26, 2007, and ended ten days later. This 34-year-old young man was in a coma in intensive care for ten days. It all began with a flu that turned into pneumonia and then into septic shock. Then he was diagnosed with a bacteria called Streptococcus A, commonly known as "flesh-eating bacteria." This bacterium is known to cause severe infections of the skin and muscles. Despite his young age and his good health, Martin had a 50 to 70% chance of dying in the first few days. His wife was at his side supporting him throughout this terrible ordeal.
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Hypothalamic syndrome
Beauharnois, September 2001: Sylvie Paquin gave birth to a healthy little girl. Life should have been wonderful for this first child but three years later, with no warning, everything changed. Audrey was diagnosed with hypothalamic dysfunction, which affects a region of the brain, causing a disruption of her bodily functions. At the age of six, the young girl had to be connected to an oxygen tank 24 hours a day or she would have died. This disease is very rare; Audrey’s was the second or third case in Quebec. According to Judith Simoneau-Roy, the endocrinologist-pediatrician who treated Audrey at the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, such cases can be counted on one hand. The child could not be cured; specialists at the CHUS could only ease her symptoms. Audrey died in February 2008.
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Brain tumour treatments
On November 2, 1999, Solange Roy-Audit was admitted to the CHUS’ emergency ward. After a more than 20-year struggle, disease was determined to prevail… a brain tumour was discovered. The diagnosis announced certain death. On November 4, a ray of hope appeared: Solange met Dr. David Fortin who administered a revolutionary treatment that would change her fate. "It’s the miracle that will save many lives, beginning with mine. Peace and serenity have replaced anguish and despair... On my birthday, I celebrated my first year of life with my family!"
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Severe cranial trauma (English)
Young Clay was about to turn 6 and within a few weeks, enter a new world. This was July, summer time, and Clay was anxiously waiting to make his new friends at school. Fate landed a hard knock – he was the victim of a violent accident, resulting in very serious injuries. He had broken bones everywhere and serious damage to his head and face. Worst still, he was in a deep coma.
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Cranial trauma (English)
Nathan was leaving his grandfather’s driveway in a Go-Kart when he was hit by a scooter. He wasn’t wearing a helmet and his head suffered the most significant injuries: facial fractures, the nose almost ripped off, the left eye out of its socket, jaw fractures, missing teeth and a hole in the skull. During a nine-hour operation 50 screws were put into his jaw and 60 pins in his skull. He is doing better now.
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Psychiatric trauma
Fifteen years ago, police officer Pierre Melançon was attacked while on duty. This fateful event completely changed his life and handicapped his existence. His relationships with family and work colleagues were deteriorating fast.
His feelings of incredible guilt and shame prevented him from seeking help. He felt terrible and lost control of every aspect of his life, eventually sinking into a deep depression and attempting suicide.
Pierre has now broken his silence and agreed to tell his story. He wants people to understand that talking and breaking the isolation have helped him. Thanks to the support of Dr. Julie Marchand, his relationships with others have improved and he is currently preparing to start working again, but in another field.
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Traumatology
At the age of 70, André was an antique tractor buff living on a small farm in St-Herménégilde. He owned eight tractors. On September 5, 2005, André’s passion was the cause of a serious accident. He fell from a moving tractor and was run over by the vehicle. Upon his arrival at the CHUS, the quick and well-orchestrated management of his situation by Dr. Marcel Martin and his team saved André’s life. Dr. Martin nicknamed this patient the "tractor miracle."
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Ear tubes
Dr. Dominique Dorion has a message for all parents whose children suffer from chronic ear infections. Should we install tubes in our children’s ears?
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Liver tumour
Alexandra had been suffering from stomach aches for some time and didn’t feel well (experiencing fatigue and migraines). She consulted her family doctor who prescribed a number of tests. Her situation worsened and she ended up in the emergency room. Her treatment involved a two-part procedure. On October 9, 2003, she underwent a first operation; this was followed by with a second one on November 5. First, Drs. Vincent Bettschart and Bao Bui performed an embolization of her liver, in which they blocked some of the veins that enter the liver. During the time between the two surgeries, the part that was no longer nourished atrophied (shrank) and the other section expanded. The second operation consisted of removing the atrophied part of the liver where a tumour was located. Alexandra was the first patient at the CHUS to have this type of surgery. Before her operations, Alexandra had no special diet or dietary restrictions. Following the surgery, all she needed to do was let nature takes its course. These days, Alexandra feels great and has no pain.
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Brain tumour (Nathalie Buisson)
Nathalie Buisson was a professional in the field of dance. In early 2004, this young mother learned that she had a brain tumour, an oligodendroglioma, a very aggressive type of tumour. Nathalie’s cancer was incurable and there was nothing medicine could do to help; her condition was terminal. With this diagnosis, she began to research possible types of treatment for brain tumours. The best treatment to date is offered at only one place in North America by Dr. David Fortin, a young neurosurgeon and neuro-oncologist at the CHUS. Nathalie may have a chance.
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Brain tumour (Paul Gosselin)
Paul Gosselin had a glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive types of cancer. Dr. David Fortin performed delicate brain surgery while Mr. Gosselin was in a semi-comatose state, then the patient had chemotherapy. Paul Gosselin and Maryse Jean decided to get married regardless. The couple asked that their guests make a donation to the CHUS Foundation in lieu of wedding gifts.TOP OF PAGE
Burn unit
The events of September 11, 2001 remind us of the importance of having a university centre close by. Every medical specialty and a wide range of equipment capabilities are grouped together at the CHUS. The burn unit at the CHUS-Hôtel–Dieu is a physical location within a care unit that is isolated and completely devoted to the treatment of burn victims. It has all of the equipment necessary for the specialized treatment of burn victims who are cared for by a multidisciplinary team.
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Liquid breathing
Gilles Jacques is 45 years old and suffers from hereditary angioedema. Four other members of his family suffer from this infection. This disease provokes problems related to swelling often caused by stress. On August 2, Gilles went to the Centre hospitalier de Thetford Mines due to swelling in his shoulder that was slowly spreading to his neck. After waiting 2½ hours in the emergency room, his situation worsened and he could no longer breathe. Despite efforts by doctors, Gilles could not be ventilated. Three days later, Gilles was in a coma and in grave danger. Doctors decided to transfer him to the CHUS for an experimental treatment that only Dr. Olivier Lesur could administer.
