Carl Peterson applauds advances in medical technology. Diagnosed nearly three decades ago with leukemia, the Oak Bay resident acknowledges that new techniques and equipment introduced along the way has both saved his life, and added to its quality.
B次元官网网址淚n the early days for me they would look at 25 cells and if things were critical they would expand it all they way up to 50 cells B次元官网网址� now they look at thousands (of cells),B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 used to have bone marrow extractions every three months and even more frequently in the early days. I may have the worldB次元官网网址檚 record for the most of these lovely procedures, which is the good news and the bad news B次元官网网址� the good news is IB次元官网网址檓 still here. They had to do these aspirations in order to monitor the state of the disease, and to keep my medications at the correct level, and they were invasive and painful.
B次元官网网址淣ow I go for blood tests every three months and havenB次元官网网址檛 had a bone marrow extraction in three years.B次元官网网址�
The Victoria Hospitals Foundation raised nearly $7 million last year for urgently needed medical equipment and special projects at Victoria General and Royal Jubilee hospitals, which provide care to the roughly 765,000 Island residents.
B次元官网网址淭he needs of our hospitals are constant and ongoing and the equipment that weB次元官网网址檙e fundraising for this season is only a small part of the big picture,B次元官网网址� said Cathy McIntyre, foundation board chair. B次元官网网址淭his equipment will increase (patientsB次元官网网址�) chance for survival at every stage of their diagnosis and treatment. As the quality and capability of medical equipment continues to evolve, so does the need to keep our hospitals on the leading edge of care. Being equipped with the best tools available helps our medical teams do their finest work.B次元官网网址�
This springB次元官网网址檚 $366,000 campaign targets an automated hematology system that processes blood tests more quickly and accurately; high-resolution monitors and an electrosurgical unit for the endoscopy department to provide clearer video images and a more precise diagnosis of cancer locations; and a digital ultrasound that helps physicians precisely locate tumours and other abnormalities during surgery.
Dr. Brian Berry, hematopathology division chief in the laboratory medicine section for Island Health, outlined how a new automated slide review system for Victoria General B次元官网网址� already in place at RJH B次元官网网址� would dramatically improve diagnosis time and precision for cancer and other critical illnesses.
B次元官网网址淭he job of this equipment is to make sure any abnormalities, like cancer, anemia or auto-immune diseases stand out like a sore thumb,B次元官网网址� Berry said. B次元官网网址淩ight now, the system we have is outdated and requires us to manually review cells from blood samples. The new system provides high-resolution digital images, meaning results are more exact and arrive up to 10 times faster. Often we can begin treatment immediately.B次元官网网址�
The new equipment means a more immediate response in diagnosing patients and creating a targeted, personalized treatment plan for complex cancers such as lymphoma, leukemia and metastatic cancer; time-critical illnesses or injuries that cause bleeding; and illnesses that particularly affect seniors, such as anemia.
B次元官网网址淒onations from community members make a huge difference in the level of care hospitals can provide,B次元官网网址� McIntyre said. B次元官网网址淓very single gift, no matter how small or how large, plays an important role in helping us reach our goal.B次元官网网址�
For Peterson, the relative comfort of modern tests is augmented by the results of modern medicine. Doctors discovered three years ago the leukemia was regressing. His last test showed zero cells.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 the kind of information that Brian provides,B次元官网网址� Peterson said.
Learn how to contribute at victoriahf.ca online or calling 250-519-1750.
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