Patient Story: Claire Charbonneau

You never know what life has in store for you. That was the case on March 14, 2015 when I went to my brothers house and found him gasping for air. I called 911 and the paramedics were there within minutes. My brothers oxygen level was 48 and in the ambulance, it dropped to 40, and that caused a seizure. When I arrived at the emergency room I received continuous updates on my brothers condition from both doctors and nurses. I was told that he had pneumonia and that he was being admitted to the ICU. When I saw him in the ICU he was in a medically induced coma. There were IV sites in his neck and arms, tubes and machines everywhere. Looking at him I did not think it possible that he could survive. The good news is that he did survive. Thanks to the skill and dedication of the doctors and nurses in the Sudbury ICU, my brother is now at home and doing well. He was 5 days in a medically induced coma and 12 days in the ICU. Our experience at the ICU was made easier thanks to the compassion and kindness that we received from all staff members. Thank you to the paramedics, emergency room staff and staff of the ICU for all helping to save my brother’s life. A special thanks to Dr. S. Sauve of the ICU for convincing my brother to stop smoking and finding him a family doctor. This experience will never be forgotten.

Thank you,
Claire Charbonneau