Friday, November 19, 2010

The importance of respiratory physiotherapy

We've been remiss for the past little while to post here, but assure you all will become much more active in the near future. We have much to share, and apologize if you've yet to hear back personally via emails, those too will be caught up very shortly. 

In the meantime, we'd like to share this brand new video clip produced by Dr. Roger Goldstein, the respiralogist in charge of the (cutting edge) respiratory physiotherapy program I attend twice weekly here in Toronto. Patients from all over Canada travel in the hope of being assisted here. 


Although this clip focuses on those with COPD, all those who attend the in or out patient program at Westpark Hospital actually represent many assorted and various lung diseases, and not just COPD. 

I spent seven weeks as an inpatient, living at this physiotherapy hospital almost two years ago now, the best thing to come my way since my diagnosis with "Mounier-Kuhn Syndrome" for sure! My wife jests with me often that it compares to the "Hotel California", because one can always get in but never leave. And I've never left, that's true. Even the staff there have informed me - I am theirs now (forever more), with at least one mandatory yearly inpatient refresher course to monitor my lung and overall health for continued care through both pre and/or post transplant.

My initial hospital exit pass from that seven week stay was only offered under the condition I promised to continue with three more months of twice weekly out patient sessions. These though have remained a constant necessity as the staff feel my case renders a longer and more continuous flow of monitored and charted health care. 

Here is where I admit, this hospital has steadily become a lifeline to me with care and support like no other, with staff (same as shown in the video who also care for me), and patients also suffering from lung disease who absolutely "get" what I'm also having to deal with. 

Thank you Dr. Goldstein for implementing this program, and for all other respiratory doctors across Canada who are bringing it to other cities in order to assist others with lung diseases.