3rd annual “Caring for Kids” Radiothon
I was filled with pride yesterday while driving into the hospital … my sister and her 2 kids spent some time on the radio talking about their experiences at the Montreal Children’s hospital - trying to help out during their annual fund raiser. Kids were so cute (on CHOM, mix96 and CJAD radio), and it dawned on me how much help this hospital has been to our family and our city. (You can donate to the campaign online today at CHOM.com)
Nicholaus got to sit between Terry and Ted on the show, joking around with them and reading off the telephone numbers for people to call in, and telling them about his guitar and the music he plays on it. Fun stuff. He also told them a bit about his birth. Nick had a difficult birth at the Cowansville hospital, he got stuck in the birth canal and had to be removed with vacuum forceps. He had stopped breathing a few times and a hard time breathing breathing in general. He also had damage to his head (which was cone-shaped from the forceps) and possibly had damage to his ears and brain. A bit out of the league for a small hospital, so they called the Montreal Childrens for help. The MCH has an amazing service for these circumstances, the unit at 9C has a dedicated ambulance that is setup to go out and get children who are in trouble at other hospitals. They came and got him and checked him into the MCH, where he stayed in an incubator for about 2 weeks. Was a difficult time, but the people there were great and he pulled through and is now a healthy, trouble-free 11 year old boy - we’ve got the MCH to thank for that.
Sarah was a bit more shy on the radio, they asked her a few questions and she did ok, laid on the cute factor pretty hard. hehe. Sarah has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, mostly affecting her in the knees. When she was young, my sister noticed she was crawling weird, and when she started walking .. it became obvious there was something wrong as she was kinda walking crooked and knees were swollen. She went into the MCH and they diagnosed her with the juvenile arthritis. She was lucky enough to get involved in a research program there and is given the best possible, leading-edge care, from a large team of excellent doctors. They see her every couple months, and are also able to see her anytime ANYTHING comes up with her .. which is good because most doctors don’t know much about kids with arthritis, their high tolerance for pain, and the problems they encounter, drug interaction etc. Sarah is doing really well now, she is coming off her medication gradually and is a very active 9 year old - you wouldn’t know she had arthritis now. Thanks to MCH again there … never would have done so well without that excellent care.
And my sister. lol. What a time she’s had with these kids, eh! Well, turns out she ended up working there at the MCH as a medical secretary/receptionist - just wanted to be a part of the team there, as it is obvious that all the people there are dedicated to caring for these kids and give 150% of themselves. Not only helping the kids but also the parents in coping with all that is going on. It has a really powerful impact on many peoples lives, and you hear that listening to the stories on the radiothon. Not only is this the most advanced and scientific care your kids can get, it’s the most caring atmosphere possible. Worthy of praise for sure, hope they get the money they need to buy all the necessary equipment and staff they need to continue during their work. 
