Brightening lives… and warming hearts!
Rita's Story

“I wanted to jump up and down as I watched the screen,” said David Corner. 

No, he wasn’t cheering for his favourite hockey team during the Stanley Cup Finals, Corner was watching his wife, Rita swallow food for the first time in several months following her stroke.

On January 6, 2009, as he was leaving for work, Dave found his wife Rita laying on the floor in their family room.  She wasn’t moving, and didn’t respond to anything he said.  She had suffered a severe stroke.  Paramedics transported Rita to their local hospital where the initial diagnosis was made.  

Rita was immediately transferred to London and after being stabilized began her long journey toward recovery at Parkwood Hospital. 

For seven weeks, she lived with a feeding tube.

As her strength increased, the care team at Parkwood Hospital wanted to test Rita’s ability to swallow.  They used a special diagnostic tool called an X-ray fluoroscopy unit, and conducted a modified barium swallow study to observe her swallowing patterns as food and liquid moved through her pipes and valves.  The equipment gives real-time, moving images of the internal structures used during the swallowing function.  While the patient is in one room supported by a caregiver, technicians are able to watch the action on a screen and can observe if any material becomes trapped and whether it’s heading down the right passageway. 

There were three stages to Rita’s test – each one with different degrees of solid food. 

“We were so excited as she was able to successfully complete each stage,” said Corner. "We knew we had turned a corner toward her recovery." Immediately following the exam, the tube was removed and they made a visit to the cafeteria.

Initially Rita was very cautious as she approached her first meal –  but as time passed, her anxiety lessened and she felt comfortable eating once again. 

A new X-ray fluoroscopy unit is just one of the projects that donors can support through St. Joseph’s 2009 Season of Celebration Campaign.
Donate to Season of Celebration Online
or by calling the Light Line at 519-646-6085

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