The Lakeshore Hospital is the place that I rushed to when I got my first braxton hicks contractions at 30 years old. I was a first-time mom-to-be and I was scared. I got support and relief with my mother who stayed by my side.
At two weeks overdue, after 24 hours of labour and an emergency c-section, I had my first son at the Lakeshore Hospital. While I recovered over five days, friends and family came in and out to meet our baby. I was immensely happy and filled with emotion. It was a moment in time I will never forget.
Exactly nine months prior to the day, I said goodbye to my father in the emergency ward of the Lakeshore Hospital. After nine months of a torturous cancer, a shocking change in health led to an ambulance ride, an ordeal of ICU trauma and then some calm. Suddenly things changed again, and when we knew the end was near, we were given a small room in emergency to say goodbye.
I was forever changed when I walked out of those emergency doors with my mother, my sister and my husband, and walked to our car without our head of the family.
Two year later, I was living at the Lakeshore Hospital on full bedrest while pregnant with my twin boys. I got to know the maternity ward staff inside out. It was in eerie feeling, experiencing the same solitude my father had faced for a completely juxtaposed reason.
My husband and I counted down the days to see if I could reach full term so I could deliver at the Lakeshore, but my twins had a different idea and could not wait. Instead, I was transferred to deliver in a hospital that had a NICU for them. It was hard to say goodbye to the staff that had nursed me for so long.
Four years after that, I was saying my goodbyes again. Cancer was taking my mother, and I had three little ones that loved her with all their hearts. They drew drawings and we taped them on the wall of her room. They shared hospital food and gave hugs. And suddenly, alone with my sister, we said goodbye again.
That night, I left the hospital an orphan. I didn’t want to leave. I never wanted to come back.
In all these instances, my family, my life, changed. In all these moments, I was in this hospital. I am grateful for the walls that held us, the staff that supported us, and the equipment that was there to help us.
Like every hospital, there is always more that is needed. This year, the Lakeshore Hospital is reaching new partners such as myself in the plan to upgrade of its Intensive Care Units, mental health and geriatric departments.
Knowing my community and my area, I know these are all well-needed developments. One tagline that the hospital is using on their promotional material is “Life can change in an instant.”
Sometimes, you want your life to change, sometimes you don’t. In both cases, you need help. I certainly did.
This year, I have partnered with the Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation for my charity event, Shopping From The Heart. The proceeds of our event will be going exclusively to the Lakeshore General Hospital.
I appreciate those that support the event by attending, sponsoring, and having a great night. I also appreciate those that support my charity by donating.
If you would like to attend, there are so many new and improved additions to this evening, you will have a wonderful night out. Tickets can be purchased in advance here. If you purchase a VIP ticket, you will receive a grab bag filled with surprises from our sponsors.
If you cannot make it, but would like to donate you can also do so by clicking here. Any amount is appreciated to reach our goal.
Thank you.
For more information on Shopping From The Heart, please visit www.ShoppingFromTheHeart.ca