BellevilleGeneral HospitalFoundation

The ICU saved my life.

My name is Chris Maguire and if it wasn’t for the ICU, I wouldn’t be here today!

Like many, my cancer journey was not an easy road. In fact, it is a road that I am still travelling as the effects of bowel cancer are still with me today as I, with the help of my family, continue this journey.

After several surgeries to remove the cancer and make repairs to my bowels we thought we were starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel.  However, on October 12^th, the day I was suppose to be going home, things took a drastic turn for the worse.   As I was putting on my pants to leave, severe cramping in my abdomen drew the attention of Dr. Samis the Lead Intensivist in the ICU.

Immediately knowing that something was very wrong internally, Dr. Samis began to very quickly assess the situation and map out his plan of attack.  With new technology in the ICU, Dr. Samis was able to consult with several specialists from all across Ontario about the emergency exploratory surgery he was about to perform.

What Dr. Samis found was a massive blood clot and several eruptions in my bowels. The surgery that he performed had never been done before and left me recovering with five external flushing systems in my abdomen to help rid my body of the toxins.

I owe my life to Dr. Samis.  He gave me many more years with my wife and my son and I am eternally grateful to him and the entire team at QHC.  From the team that cleans the hospital, to the food services and the doctors and nurses, the amazing care that I received was second to none.

I would also like to thank the donors that have been giving to the BGH Foundation over the years. Until my own brush with death, I had no idea that friends, neighbours and the community had bought all of the equipment that was there to save my life when I needed it. I am eternally grateful and am now proud to be one of the donors who are helping to make sure QHC has the equipment it needs to save lives and provide better care