Bob Kennedy, a retired TTC worker and current Class “A” golf instructor, was having a typical day, ending it off with a slice of pizza for dinner. Within hours, he had a gnawing stomach pain. By midnight, the pain had intensified and he had cold sweats. By 1:00 a.m. the pain in his abdomen was so excruciatingly sharp, the only relief he felt came after vomiting. He was up all night and by 8:00 a.m. the next morning, his wife Sharon drove him to the hospital.
Residents of the Port Credit area, they headed for Trillium Health Partners’ Mississauga Hospital Emergency Department. Bob arrived at 8:45 a.m. and after seeing a doctor in less than an hour, it was determined that the pain was due to his gallbladder and he needed surgery.
“I cannot praise the staff there enough. Within moments I had a nurse attending to me, providing pain relief through an IV,” says Bob, who at this point had been suffering for nearly 12 hours. “They were tremendous all day.”
While waiting for a bed to become available, Bob’s pain was managed well and he had a front row view of the bustling Emergency Department and all of the staff working tirelessly to care for the many patients who cycled through.
“I watched all the nurses and doctors and they were all fabulous. The care and empathy they displayed to each patient was all very impressive to me.”
Around 7:00 p.m., Bob was taken into surgery to have his gallbladder removed. He woke up at 11:00 p.m. – the surgery was a success. He stayed overnight and was discharged the next day.
This wasn’t Bob’s first experience with Trillium Health Partners, having been a resident of suburban Mississauga for years. In 1997, he received care after a broken ankle injury from hockey and in 2016 he had rotator cuff surgery. His visits over the years had always been positive and he knew he was in good hands.
Today, Bob is feeling great and has gone back to his regular routine and diet while avoiding fatty foods. He’s even planning a European cruise for 2024 with his wife, grateful for the care he received knowing he can go on this trip without worrying about any potential flare ups.
“Health care is critical, especially as we age. The body starts to let us down. If anybody is going to go to a hospital for care, my recommendation would be Trillium Health Partners.”