Family tired of waiting for a biologist, 60 hours in Seven Oaks ER

The family of a 81-year-old Winnipeg man, suspected of having cancer, is frustrated that he waited about four months for a biopsy with no consultation in sight.

George Myer received a CT scan and MRI scan in mid-September which showed growth in the upper lobe of the right lung.

His daughter, Kathryn Braun, said he was determined to fight the disease, but in recent days that positive outlook has given way to discouragement and exasperation.

<img src = "https://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/400*711/NEP5292571.jpg" alt = "George Myer received a CT scan and MRI scan in mid-September, which showed growth in the upper lobe of your right lung, but you still do not have a biopsy. (Provided)

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"He's feeling downcast now and frustrated. He thinks he's being forgotten and ignored," Braun said. "As a family, we are very upset."

The family asked for the help of Liberal MLA Jon Gerrard to clarify their situation.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Gerrard, a former practicing physician, said a biopsy is critical to developing a treatment plan for Myer. He said the procedure should have been done within a few weeks, or at most one month, of the diagnostic tests.

"Based on imaging tests, the almost certain cancer diagnosis was made," Gerrard said. "But there was no tissue diagnosis because there is no biopsy. This tissue diagnosis is absolutely critical to the development of a care plan."

Myer, a diabetic for more than 40 years who had a successful surgery on Oct. 30 to improve blood flow in one of his legs, was taken to the emergency department of Seven Oaks Hospital in a weakened state with considerable pain On Christmas day. He waited on a stretcher in the emergency room for about 60 hours before being hospitalized, his daughter said, adding that he remains in the hospital.

Braun, a nurse, said she was not impressed with the care she received at the hospital in Seven Oaks, which should be converted into an emergency care center in September as part of the provincial government's hospital reorganization plan.

"He was not getting the care he was supposed to get," she said. "He has had wounds and was not being repositioned." He was unable to move very well on that stretcher alone.He had lost medications while he was there.He was not getting proper control of the pain while he was there.He was not checked every hour , which is a standard for nursing care. "

A spokeswoman for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said the organization is restricted to what it can say about the situation because of privacy legislation. He said that WRHA has empathy for Myer and his family.

<img src = "https://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/400*468/NEP5292569.jpg" alt = "George Myer was taken to the emergency department of Seven Oaks Hospital on Christmas Day. litter in the ER for about 60 hours before being admitted and remains in the hospital. (Provided)

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"Seven Oaks Hospital has been in contact with Mr. Myer and his family to review schedules and care at the Emergency Department of Seven Oaks Hospital," Scott K. Sime, director of communications, media, public affairs, and government affairs at WRHA. , said in an email.

"In addition, we are currently making arrangements to meet with Mr. Myer and the family to review their entire care situation – which includes the time that precedes their current hospital stay."

The Health Minister, Cameron Friesen, opined with a statement.

"My thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.Although (the Personal Health Information Act) prevents me from discussing details related to Mr. Myer, I am sure that WRHA has made contact with the family and will continue to meet, to ensure that issues are addressed and Mr. Myer receives the appropriate care he needs. "

Braun said his father suffered a fall at home in September that took the tests that led to the suspicion of cancer. An injury was found in Myer's brain, and a later image of his trunk revealed that of the lung.

Gerrard expressed concern that the long wait for a biopsy and treatment of the elderly at Seven Oaks Medical Center are the result of hospital reorganization initiatives.

"There have been changes in the health system that, in my opinion, are very problematic and contribute to that," he said.

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