Stories of hope and healing, the best of our three years

While Health Matters is coming to an end on CJAD 800 by next week, Tarah Schwartz shares some of the most memorable moments from the last three years on Health Matters. In this episode, Suzanne Legge Orr introduces her journey as a co-chair of the Dream Big campaign at the MUHC Foundation and the significance of giving back. Mark Goren speaks about his father’s battle with pancreatic cancer and how this experience inspired his family to fundraise for the MUHC Foundation to help other families have positive outcomes. Dr. Genevieve Chaput discusses the common misconceptions and evolving landscape of palliative care. And, Mike Griffiths, a patient undergoing treatment for an antibiotic resistant infection that has kept him in the hospital for months, shares his experiences of receiving care and treatment at the MUHC. 

Alors que à Questions de santé prendra fin la semaine prochaine sur CJAD 800, Tarah Schwartz nous fait part de certains des moments les plus mémorables des trois dernières années de l'émission Health Matters. Dans cet épisode, Suzanne Legge Orr présente son parcours en tant que coprésidente de la campagne Osez Rêver de la Fondation du CUSM et l'importance de donner en retour. Mark Goren parle du combat de son père contre le cancer du pancréas et de la façon dont cette expérience a incité sa famille à collecter des fonds pour la Fondation du CUSM afin d'aider d'autres familles à obtenir des résultats positifs. La Dre Geneviève Chaput parle des idées fausses et de l'évolution des soins palliatifs. Enfin, Mike Griffiths, un patient traité pour une infection résistante aux antibiotiques qui l'a maintenu à l'hôpital pendant des mois, partage son expérience des soins et des traitements reçus au CUSM. 

Transcript

Tarah Schwartz: 0:00

Hello, I'm Tarah Schwartz and this is a special Best Of addition of Health Matters. As you may have heard next week is our final episode of Health Matters here on CJAD 800. It has been an absolute pleasure. Ahead of that we are sharing some of our favorite memories and moments from the last three years. Throughout the show, you'll hear stories of the incredible impact our community has made from patient stories to doctors who are saving and changing lives. We launched the MUHC Foundation's Dream Big campaign in September 2020. The campaign is dedicated to raising$200 million to transform the MUHC, which is one of the world's newest and most advanced teaching hospital networks into a leading international hub for innovative clinical research. And we are getting closer to that goal every day with donations of all sizes to the MUHC Foundation. We are incredibly pleased to report that we are more than halfway toward our $200 million goal. Suzanne Legge Orr is the co chair of our Dream Big campaign and she joins me now. Suzanne, thanks so much for being with us.

Suzanne Legge Orr: 1:10

Thank you, Tarah. Nice to be here.

Tarah Schwartz: 1:13

I have had the pleasure of getting to know you a little bit over the last year and a half. I would love people to get to know you a little bit here as well. So tell us something about you, tell us a little bit about Suzanne Legge Orr.

Suzanne Legge Orr: 1:27

Wow.

Tarah Schwartz: 1:28

I know, a big question to start with. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Suzanne Legge Orr: 1:32

Okay, well, I am a very happy person, happily married to a wonderful man whom I share my life with for the last over 40 years. I have three wonderful children who we are extremely proud of. My dear mother is living in the city. So it's my sister and I have tons of cousins and so I'm surrounded by family in Montreal, and elsewhere across Canada and around the world. What can I say, I've loved living in the city. We lived in Toronto for many, many years and lived in Montreal and I feel a citizen of both cities and love to travel. I've traveled the world on different occasions, some with a Red Cross, some with a very dear friend and with my family. So I am feeling extremely blessed and very happy. And that's how I think of myself today.

Tarah Schwartz: 2:38

That's wonderful. And you mentioned that you traveled the world some with the Red Cross. So I've know you've contributed to many philanthropic causes over the years. Why did you decide to get involved with the MUHC in the Dream Big campaign?

Suzanne Legge Orr: 2:52

I have been involved in a number of different organizations who are very dear to my heart, and the MUHC, and being aligned with the hospital was never something I did except years and years ago, I joined the board and a friend of mine co founded called Therapeutic Crowns Canada, and we put therapeutic crowns into children's hospitals across Canada, which was incredibly rewarding. I think from that was born an interest in hospital work, I don't speak sort of medical speak, if you will. But I know that the work that the MUHC is doing is incredible. It's the research part, I know, capital campaigns based on brick and mortar, like we have to get there. And then we've turned this corner and we're into the research and when you listen to the doctors and the researchers and talk about what they are doing around the world and Canada and certainly in Montreal and the MUHC being a leader in Canada. It's just exciting. It really got me excited. What can I say?

Tarah Schwartz: 4:15

No, I agree. It is exciting. It is exciting to hear the doctors and the researchers talking. I've actually seen you giving tours to companies and people that you've gotten excited about the MUHC Foundation and the money that's going to research, I've seen you do part of those tours to help them show in a sense, what their money will do and what it will accomplish. What are those experiences like for you, where you're bringing people on tours that you've introduced to this new passion that you have found?

Suzanne Legge Orr: 4:42

First it's become so dear to my heart and I get so excited about it. And when you see the eyes starting to sparkle about the impact that a company can do for example, we bring in a major corporation, and they're making a donation, and we can tell them that is exponentially going to make a huge impact on Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and indeed throughout the world. When they know their dollars are going to be put in a spot where it's exponentially made an impact and they get excited. They want to know more and I'm not the leader but we always are with doctors and you Tarah. It's who have the hard facts and the answers and the scientific knowledge. That's to me, I find that very exciting to be able to bring them in part my excitement, and then watch them feel that same excitement of how we're going forward with a lot of these projects that we're doing.

Tarah Schwartz: 5:58

As someone who watches it, I can definitely attest, I feel your excitement. I know that you do, too. We are speaking with Suzanne Legge Orr, and we're talking about philanthropy and her role as a co chair of the MUHC Foundation's Dream Big campaign. So Suzanne, the foundation is now more than halfway towards meeting our goal of raising 200 million, so about 106 million now, what does it mean to you to have passed this milestone as someone who was there from the start, and now we're pushing through the halfway mark?

Suzanne Legge Orr: 6:28

It's obviously incredibly exciting. We all know, the first two years, we launched in 2019. And the first two years were incredibly difficult because most people, individuals, or corporations had to really focus on the immediate, which was dealing with their own families, their own companies, and how they were going to readjust to what was our became our new life for two years. So putting their focus on other things like getting involved or learning about the MUHC, or other organizations, became a little bit of a backburner. So it was difficult, but they're all there and they're all here excited again, which is wonderful. But I think one of the really exciting things about this campaign so far is that, as I spoke about individuals in giving, or corporations and giving tours, with their, their charitable donation team and CEOs, it is really to individuals who have been affected by the MUHC one way or another or just part of our community. When they give their donations, their individual donations for something that is deep and they care about, it makes the corporations feel excited that the community is giving back at whatever level they can. To me, that's been one of the most exciting things because it's not just you don't get to over $100 million with just corporations. That's the community coming forward and realizing how important this research in this hospital is to their lives and the lives of so many people.

Tarah Schwartz: 8:19

Yeah, I so agree with you about that, Suzanne, and I'm so glad that you brought that up, because it is something to give a million dollars. But I've heard doctors and researchers say it as well, that if one company gives a million, that's great, but if 1000 individuals give $20, it amounts to a wonderful amount. It shows them that the community is really behind them. So every single small donation shows them that the work that they're doing, and that the care that they're giving is really worth it. And I love that so I'm so glad that you brought that up. Do you pass on your philanthropic ways to your children? How do parents do that? Is it as simple as leading by example?

Suzanne Legge Orr: 8:58

For my husband, Jeff and I would say yes, I don't think we sit around and lecture our children on how much to give, I think it's, they see our excitement, and it's part of our life. It's just part of how we live our lives and talk around the dinner tables. And absolutely, they care about the world themselves. I know that they're all active, but it's not a sitting around. It's by action. It's as you said.

Tarah Schwartz: 9:29

It's nice. That's nice. 2 million of that 106 million was raised very recently during our MUHC Foundation's Le Bal Rouge gala which I know that as you mentioned your wonderful husband Jeff, such a beautiful couple in every way possible, heart and soul. And what was the gala like just as we as we close off our interview, tell us a little bit about what that evening was like for you?

Suzanne Legge Orr: 9:52

Well, it was really fun. I will say that when we decided to go ahead with this when the Foundation decided to go ahead with this. I think it was back in the fall, I was worried that we were moving in a direction that are we going to be ready. I think that mindset was for so many people. At what point are we really going to get out and get away from this? And as it approached it, I think it was one of the first time so many people came in and enjoyed the music and being together, dancing and maskless. And yes, those people who are vulnerable still have to be careful for sure. But for those that have had it or feel immune, it was just a really exciting celebration of Dr. Don Sheppard, who was the previous head of MI4 and one of the pillars of the campaign. It was just a fantastic way to be together and celebrate and kick up your heels a bit. It was a great evening.

Tarah Schwartz: 10:58

It was indeed, Suzanne Legge Orr, I want to thank you so much for all that you do for the foundation. I know that we are all very grateful that you are our Dream Big campaign co chair for all that you do. So thank you so so much.

Suzanne Legge Orr: 11:10

Thank you, Tarah. Have a good day.

Tarah Schwartz: 11:13

You too. Coming up, a family working together to help further cancer research in gratitude for the care their father received. I'm Tarah Schwartz. Welcome back to a special Best Of edition of Health Matters. Celebrating some of our favorite conversations from our three years on CJAD 800. When your loved one is ill you do everything in your power to help them from supporting them through surgical procedures or treatments or driving them to appointments. There are so many ways to help someone who is on a health care journey. The Goren family knows firsthand how difficult that can be. Morty Goren was visiting Delaware when he started to feel ill, what happen next was long and arduous for him and his family. But it has a happy ending. Mark Goren, Morty's son joins us now to tell us more about the story and why they decided to get even more involved. Thanks so much for coming on the show Mark.

Mark Goren: 12:06

My pleasure, Tarah. Thanks for having us.

Tarah Schwartz: 12:09

Your father Morty. So he began to feel unwell on a trip to Delaware before coming home to be treated at the MUHC. Take us back to what happened.

Mark Goren: 12:19

It all seemed like such a whirlwind. So many years ago, eight years ago. So we had taken to a clinic here in the West Island and doctors there, saw things that they didn't like, so they sent us to the hospital. And it was actually pretty quick. He was diagnosed quickly. He was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer at that time.

Tarah Schwartz: 12:41

Oh, my goodness. And what did the doctor say about his diagnosis?

Mark Goren: 12:46

There was a concern until we saw Dr. Zogopoulos at the MUHC. He said that our father was a good candidate for whipple surgery, which is a very extensive, difficult surgery to go through. At the end of the day, when they opened up, my father to go through with the surgery, they determined that the cancer had spread, so they had to close them up and suspend that surgery and move to Plan B.

Tarah Schwartz: 13:16

What was plan B.

Mark Goren: 13:18

Chemotherapy, healed up from the incision, and what they had done, obviously wasn't the same level of recuperation that the full surgery would have been, which would have been quite quite difficult for my father. But at the end of the day, he was able to heal up and get into chemotherapy pretty quickly.

Tarah Schwartz: 13:40

What were some of the biggest concerns for someone who doesn't know pancreatic cancer, what doctors tell you about lifespan and what the survival rates are like, tell us a little bit about what your big biggest concerns were, what your family's concerns were and how you were dealing with that?

Mark Goren: 13:56

I'll never forget it. First of all, I went to the pre op, meeting with Dr. Zogopoulos and my parents. One of the questions I had for Dr. Zogopoulos was what this was going to be an hours and hours long surgery. I asked him at what point during the surgery, that we know that we're sick, but there hasn't been spread that you're moving forward with the surgery. And he said, If you don't see me by noon, we're good.

Tarah Schwartz: 14:21

Oh, my goodness.

Mark Goren: 14:22

And then we were sitting in the family room and he came in. And he explained to us, it was like, almost exactly knew when he came in.

Tarah Schwartz: 14:31

I was about to say oh my goodness, what time did he come in?

Mark Goren: 14:34

Exactly. I remember sitting facing the door of that room, and locking eyes with Dr. Zogopoulos and I don't know if he'll remember this. But I knew in that moment that he remembered the conversation we had in his office. He explained everything to us. And then my father we saw him in the in the recovery area. To your question when he came up to speak to the family, he basically said get everything in order. This is not the best of situation.

Tarah Schwartz: 15:13

Oh my goodness. So what happened then Mark?

Mark Goren: 15:18

We were all scared out of our mind. But thank God, he was transferred over to the care of Dr. Bouganim. And Dr. Bouganim who specializes in breast cancer care, took on my father's case. And he was the perfect doctor in the perfect moment for my dad. And he jumped in and he tried many different things to find the right combination of therapies and treatments to get him back to where it should be.

Tarah Schwartz: 15:49

We are speaking with Mark Goren. And we're talking about a healthcare scare that his father had and how the family dealt with it and what they've learned. So you mentioned Mark, he got your father back to where he should be. So what does that mean, in terms of his medical status right now? Is he healed?

Mark Goren: 16:08

He's in full remission now. It's really a miracle Tarah. When he was diagnosed, he was we were told advanced stage four, that he would survival rates for pancreatic cancer are no limited five year survival rate is like a 5% chance, if I remember correctly. So we weren't expecting the best. Dr. Bouganim, took in my father's case, you found a combination of chemotherapy treatments that worked, it took a bit of time to dial it in. But once he found it, it started to prove effective. We were blown away by this.

Tarah Schwartz: 16:51

The incredible value of research, I know you call it a miracle Mark, I believe you when you say that, but I mean, I am such a passionate believer in the power of research and that doctors had at their disposal, strong medication that worked to save your father. It's incredible. How is your father doing now?

Mark Goren: 17:12

He's doing great. He's doing great. Now. He's had other challenges. He happens to be a diabetic, he had some heart issues, he was treated also at the MUHC. He had stents put in, but overall, the fact that he's here coming to our, our milestone events, and sensors and all that sort of thing. We couldn't be obviously more pleased.

Tarah Schwartz: 17:39

It's wonderful. I'm so happy. I love to hear happy endings like this. It's wonderful that you still have your father and he sounds like like a lovely person who's very family oriented. Tell me about the decision made by you and your family to take this experience and start to give back?

Mark Goren: 17:55

It really just was sort of by chance. I'm a golfer, and I met your colleague Miguel on the golf course. And we started to talk about what he does. And the story came out just a natural conversation. And, yes, that's if we were interested in sharing that story. And we are strong believers in the care that we get from the hospital and the importance it plays and then the city. And we were very pleased to be able to jump in and do this fundraising campaign.

Tarah Schwartz: 18:33

We're speaking with Mark Goren, and we're talking about the health scare that his father had. How the family is dealing with it and how they've decided to turn this into a fundraiser? Tell us about your fundraiser, Mark.

Mark Goren: 18:45

We are a big family, we have, my parents have four children, we're all married, we all have kids, there's 19 of us in total. Without the benefits of the services we receive and the health care we receive, we would have lost my father, plain and simple. We all feel a strong desire to give back to the hospital that gave so much to us. So we've set a modest goal of $10,000. I believe that we can beat it and do better than that, but I think we'll start small and see how it builds. And we all are pretty well connected, and I think we can we can bring decent exposure and reach to this fundraising effort.

Tarah Schwartz: 19:36

I don't think it's a modest goal, Mark, I think it's an amazing goal. I think you and your family should be so proud that you've been taking this on, it's wonderful. Tell us where the money is going to be going. What are you raising money for?

Mark Goren: 19:46

Well, it's simply to support the research that Dr. Bouganim and Dr. Zogopoulos do for cancer research, pancreatic cancer specifically.

Tarah Schwartz: 19:55

How has this experience changed or has it changed you and or your family Mark?

Mark Goren: 20:01

I think we're just overall a little bit more grateful, a little bit more appreciative, over the last couple of years, we've all had the challenge of dealing with the pandemic. But you can look at that and in many different ways, and we're just happy to have gone through it all together, in a sense. I don't know what else to say about that. I just think we have a different outlook a little bit.

Tarah Schwartz: 20:31

Did you learn anything about yourself in particular Mark?

Mark Goren: 20:35

I think that I've come through this, my wife and I, as you know, appreciating and living in the moment a little bit more. I would hope my brothers and sisters feel the same way. But I think, this experience with my father coming through the pandemic, has just taught us to appreciate what we have and to make the most of things while we can.

Tarah Schwartz: 21:01

I think that's beautiful. I think it's a wonderful note to end on. So if you would like to learn more about Mark's story, his father Morty's story, you can just head to the muhcfoundation.com website, and it'll be there. If you'd like to contribute to his fundraising goal, then you're more than welcome to do that. I'm sure him and his family would be very grateful. I am grateful that you came on the show to tell your story. Mark, thank you so much for being with us today.

Mark Goren: 21:23

Thank you so much for the support that we're getting on this campaign.

Tarah Schwartz: 21:26

We are happy to do it, Mark Goren. Coming up, the MUHC Foundation is so proud to have integrated with the Lachine Hospital Foundation. We speak with one of the hospital's dedicated doctors next. I'm Tarah Schwartz. Welcome back to a special best edition of Health Matters, celebrating some of our favorite conversations from our three years on CJAD 800. Did you know that palliative care as we know it was founded right here in Montreal. Dr. Balfour Mount opened the country's first comprehensive Palliative Care Center at the Royal Victoria Hospital in 1975. There have been many evolutions in the field since it was first created with a better understanding of the need for the care in palliative care. Dr. Genevieve Chaput is the head of the palliative care unit at Lachine Hospital and she joins us now. Good morning, Dr. Chaput.

Dr. Geneviève Chaput: 22:19

Good morning. Thank you so much for having me.

Tarah Schwartz: 22:22

You are so welcome. What do you think when you hear that it was founded in 1975 by Balfour Mount, now you're leading an incredible palliative care unit at the Lachine Hospital? So much has happened between 1975? And now what is what does that bring up for you?

Dr. Geneviève Chaput: 22:39

They bring up a sense of pride that we're continuing the legacy, I think it's important that people realize that palliative care to this day is not the universal and I think we need to continue advocating for it. It's universal access.

Tarah Schwartz: 22:54

Now what was it that inspired you to pursue the area of palliative care?

Dr. Geneviève Chaput: 23:01

That's a tough one, my decision was heavily influenced by the death of a very close friend of mine at the age of 19. Obviously, losing this friend was very difficult for not just for me, but also his family and his friends. And it made me realize how precious life is and how unpredictable and if one is going to go through such a difficult situation. The very least is to make sure that they have access to the proper support the proper care and that is through supportive and palliative care. This is why I decided to work in this field. And this is why also our Lachine palliative care team worked very hard at making sure that we provide services to those people who are going through such a difficult time.

Tarah Schwartz: 23:47

That is that was a lovely answer to a difficult question. But let me ask you this Dr. Chaput, I know that the definition of what palliative care is has evolved a lot of guests is the word. How do you define it? How do you explain what it is now?

Dr. Geneviève Chaput: 24:03

The definition of palliative care is usually quite scary to people who may not be working in it like I do. People associate palliative care with the word deaths and the end of life. There's so much more than that I think we need to work on remembering that in palliative care, there's the word care. And that's the word that we really need to focus about. So what we do is we provide support, symptom management, accompaniment, not only for the person who's going through the difficult time relating to their health, but also their loved ones, their family members. So we take care of people from the moment they're diagnosed. And yes, of course we provide care for people who are at the end, but there's everything in between and we need to remember that.

Tarah Schwartz: 24:46

We're speaking with Dr. Genevieve Chaput, head of palliative care at Lachine Hospital. I think what with my experience with palliative care when my father passed away, palliative care was brought in very late in his diagnosis it was brought in after everything was tried. And the doctor sort of said, okay, there's nothing more we can do. We're going to call in palliative care. That's when palliative care was introduced to us. But I have heard you and others say that you feel it needs to be brought in much, much earlier.

Dr. Geneviève Chaput: 25:15

Yes, I get a little wince when I hear you say that. This is an example of why we need to continue advocating for what supportive and palliative care is. The studies are very clear people benefit from being followed by their physician who may give them active treatments such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, but also with the supportive and palliative care team at the same time, because we do so much more than just the endpoint. And I hope that people will continue to work on having joint care with active care, and also supportive care, because the two and tour are together as one, there's no such thing as a cielo care. So we need to work on that.

Tarah Schwartz: 25:58

So for people who are listening who may be going through this now or may go through it in the future, is this something that they should be vocal about now that they're listening to you and understanding that palliative care needs to come in early? Or is this something they should be asking for?

Dr. Geneviève Chaput: 26:12

Absolutely. I'm glad that you brought it up. I think that people, even though they may be scared about what palliative care is, they should absolutely advocate and they have a voice. And they can say I mean, I tell that to patients that I take care of all the time, I'm so glad you came or I'm so glad that you request it to be seen by our team. And I encourage you to tell people about it. Because as I said, usually when I see someone in the clinic for the first time, they're a little bit scared, oh my goodness, palliative care, we're going to be probably discussing this. And surprisingly, we're talking so much about life, it's about how well do you want to live until you die, most of the times and not everybody is going to pass away, some people are going to go through a life threatening illness and they will recover and supportive and palliative care will take care of you too. So absolutely keep advocating, keep advocating very hard for your right to receive this important care.

Tarah Schwartz: 27:04

That's great to hear. When we have now I know honoring each individual, a patient is an important part of your philosophy. Tell us why that is?

Dr. Geneviève Chaput: 27:14

That's easy. That's because patients are first and foremost, human beings. And because people that we call caregivers, or family members, they're also human beings. And that's why it's important to honor each individual patient because they're human. In supportive and palliative care. We don't ever treat a disease. We don't ever treat a diagnosis, we see a person first and foremost. And if you see the person, you will be able to take care of them so much better than if you just see their disease. And that's why it's important to honor personhood and we take pride at the Lachine Hospital. To do that, to honor personhood is at the core of every intervention. And every interaction that we have with the people that we take care of.

Tarah Schwartz: 27:59

Dr. Genevieve Chaput, who is head of palliative care at the Lachine Hospital. I love hearing you talk about palliative care, Dr. Chaput because you speak about it like it is something you were meant to do. Do you feel that way? You're so passionate and so inspired when you talk about it. Where does that come from?

Dr. Geneviève Chaput: 28:19

Well, my goodness, there's stuff that's gonna be very difficult to answer. But one thing that comes to mind is it's not just me who's working in this service. I'm one part of a very big and caring and dedicated and competent team. And together as one we provide this care. So I'm inspired to see how everybody understands that the core what palliative care is, which is to really take care of you as a person first and foremost. And what do you need? It brings back a lot of the literature that has been out about the 10 golden rules of life, treat people well, but in palliative care, it really is. Teach me how I need to take care of you. And that's what makes all the difference. And that's why I'm inspired to do that because I think it's important to take care of people the way that they need to be taken care of no assumptions on our part.

Tarah Schwartz: 29:16

Love that no assumptions. Now exciting news for the palliative care unit at the Lachine Hospital which is already really like a revered area of the hospital. It is part of Lachine Hospital's expansion and modernization which is going on right now. How excited are you about this process and what can people expect once the renovations and the modernization is complete?

Dr. Geneviève Chaput: 29:41

Yes, we're very excited about the modernization project at the Lachine Hospital because beyond the increase in the number of product care rooms that we will have the modernization project will also give us the ability to offer increased the services in the outpatient setting, so people that need to come into your clinic, people that need help with some pain management or other types of symptoms such as nausea, people who need some some psychological support. So it's exciting to have this modernization project ongoing because it is greater access to the services that we already provide. So as I've mentioned to this date, palliative care is not universal, but it should be. I mean, we have birthing centers, we always have a space for someone when they're going to give birth. And I think it's about time that we start thinking about a full circle of life, and that the end of life is just as important as the beginning of life. And we need to provide that. So the modernization project will just bring us a little step closer to increasing that access to these essential services that are required.

Tarah Schwartz: 30:45

The Lachine Hospital, your staff and all of your patients are very lucky to have you Dr. Geneviève Chaput. Thank you so much for joining us on the show today. It's a pleasure to talk to you.

Dr. Geneviève Chaput: 30:54

Thank you, thank you very much.

Tarah Schwartz: 30:56

Coming up, a patient shares how challenging it is to have an antibiotic resistant infection. I'm Tarah Schwartz welcome back to a special Best Of edition of Health Matters. Celebrating some of our favorite conversations from our past three years on CJAD 800. We've talked on the show many times about antimicrobial resistance, a growing health crisis in which bacteria and other microbes are becoming resistant to antibiotics, disinfectants and other anti microbial products. This means even the most common medical procedure could become more challenging if antibiotics are no longer working. Mike Griffiths knows firsthand about antimicrobial resistance. Mike is a patient who is being treated for an antibiotic resistant infection for the last several months at the MUHC. And he joins me now. Mike, thanks so much for being here.

Mike Griffiths: 31:44

Hi.

Tarah Schwartz: 31:45

So Mike, this all started as a result of your second kidney transplant operation. When did you get that transplant?

Mike Griffiths: 31:52

I got that transplant at the beginning of November.

Tarah Schwartz: 31:57

How old were you then?

Mike Griffiths: 31:59

36.

Tarah Schwartz: 32:01

Now, when was it that you realized that something felt wrong?

Mike Griffiths: 32:08

During the healing process, I was being seen by other doctors and the wound was healing, but there started to become a foul odor. And so I came back, I came back and they said, we're going to start you off on some antibiotics. But with my history, they had a hard time finding which match was best placed for me.

Tarah Schwartz: 32:41

And when you say your history, what do you mean like?

Mike Griffiths: 32:46

I've been through many procedures, I'm on blood thinners, I'm on everything probably you could think of the most recent one of the transplant and the one before that was the Bentyl procedure which actually caused me to start the blood thinners.

Tarah Schwartz: 33:10

We're speaking with Mike Griffiths, a patient dealing with an antibiotic resistant infection. Mike, did you know about antibiotic resistant infections before this happened to you?

Mike Griffiths: 33:22

No, never. Never came across of it. I've been in and out of hospitals since the age of six months. Never did I ever come across being resistant to medication when I take so much of it.

Tarah Schwartz: 33:38

Yeah, it's pretty incredible. And I see this is happening more and more. Now we know that one in four infections is resistant to antibiotics. So you're someone who's actually living it. So are the doctors trying to find different antibiotics that are going to work to treat your infection?

Mike Griffiths: 33:55

At the beginning, I was given some different meds. But thankfully, the team was able to find a match or a combination of what will work for my specific microbial resistance.

Tarah Schwartz: 34:17

Yeah, but I mean, you're still in the hospital. How long have you been in there now?

Mike Griffiths: 34:22

I've been here since March 5.

Tarah Schwartz: 34:29

March 5, wow. So over two months now or just two months now. It must feel incredibly long. I know you have a partner and your children. What is it like for you to have to be in the hospital for so long?

Mike Griffiths: 34:43

It's hard but because I'm getting the proper treatment, I'm able to have a pass. So I get to go home and see them and I come back from my next treatment and it's just a new type of lifestyle that my family and I have to do for the moment, and we're totally on board, like it's at least I don't not see them.

Tarah Schwartz: 35:16

How do you explain that daddy has to keep going back to the hospital all the time?

Mike Griffiths: 35:24

Well, it's hard because you have to really go back, you can't stay if it's for the best, everyone is trying to help daddy get better. If I don't, I can go home and stay home.

Tarah Schwartz: 35:44

That is the obviously the ultimate goal. I mean, I met you in the hospital last week. And because of your infection, and because you're still dealing with an antibiotic resistant infection, people who go into visit you they have to put a mask on and gloves and a gown, like the doctors are still worried that your infection could get worse. How do you feel about are you worried about finally finding a combination that will help?

Mike Griffiths: 36:10

No.

Tarah Schwartz: 36:12

You're not worried? That's great.

Mike Griffiths: 36:13

No, not anymore. At the beginning, I was not anymore, because what I have now, the combination is working. The scans are coming up with positive results. And it's just time motel.

Tarah Schwartz: 36:27

I love that you're so optimistic and so positive. Mike, how would you describe the care that you're receiving at the MUHC.

Mike Griffiths: 36:34

It's never changed since I've started coming here. It's always been direct, straightforward. I'm always able to go home at the end of the day. It's very supporting. There's always someone there ready to talk to. They understand. I've made a few friends here. I really can't describe the privilege I have of being at a functional hospital.

Tarah Schwartz: 37:08

That's lovely. Now Mike, we met because we're doing a fundraising campaign, the MUHC foundation is raising$60 million for MI4. Part of MI4 is studying antibiotic resistant infections. How important is it for you that we make sure that we can tackle this issue moving forward?

Mike Griffiths: 37:28

It's very important. I really hope that we managed to succeed and go further than that, because if this was happening to me, I don't even know how many others in the world are in this hospital having the same issue, like everyone is different to their own treatments, but the more that they're able to do research and do fundraising and whatnot. It will always go further and further and better.

Tarah Schwartz: 38:09

Yes, it will. Final question for you, Mike. What message would you have for listeners about what you are going through?

Mike Griffiths: 38:17

Don't give up. Eventually, we'll get there. I've had my days when I've had a bad day thinking never end but it always does. Wait.

Tarah Schwartz: 38:35

Mike, you are an absolutely lovely individual that I've had the pleasure of meeting in person. You're you're an optimist, and you're full of hope, and you're kind and really just a wonderful human being. I want to thank you so much for joining us on Health Matters, sharing your story with our listeners. You can read more about Mike's story. It's coming out in the Montrealer, which is available tomorrow, or it will be with your Montreal Gazette on Monday, May 9. Mike, thank you so much again for your time, and for everything you bring.

Mike Griffiths: 39:04

Thank you.

Tarah Schwartz: 39:05

Thank you so much for tuning in. The MUHC Foundation has had an amazing three years on CJAD. And we are so grateful for all of it. Health Matters will live on as a podcast for the MUHC Foundation. And you can learn all about that by signing up to our newsletter, which you can do at muhcfoundation.com or by following us on social media. I hope you'll join us again next Sunday for our final episode. Thank you so much for listening to Health Matters and stay healthy.