Have you ever experienced excruciating pain, the kind of pain that can stop you in your tracks?

I have. My name is Patricia Bracelin, and I know all too well how much pain a kidney stone can cause. My first kidney stone was in 2009, and I have endured the pain and discomfort of kidney stones every two or three years since that time.

When they say that the pain of kidney stones can bring you to your knees, they are not exaggerating. The pain can come on gradually, but then when it does come, it is really excruciating.

In the midst of a painful attack, I have had to travel for over an hour in an ambulance to get the specialized urology care I needed, which only made the situation more unbearable. Having to travel to Ottawa for tests, treatment, and even follow-up appointments is really hard for me. And I know that this is difficult for so many other people in the region, especially those of us who don’t drive. On one occasion, I had to be hospitalized for several days. This made it very difficult for my husband, who wanted to visit me. We don’t drive, so that means we must find help for every trip to Ottawa. A family member has to take time out of their busy day just to drive us to and from the hospital in Ottawa. We feel lucky to have people we can count on, as not everyone is fortunate enough to have this support or able to afford the cost associated with travelling. At times, I had to use the ambulance service to get to Ottawa when I was in a lot of pain. The long, bumpy ride just added to my discomfort.

When I was told the HGH Foundation is currently raising funds to expand the hospital’s Urology department, I was thrilled. I would be so grateful if HGH could take care of me when I have kidney stones. I would be able to receive the treatment I need, closer to home, without having to travel elsewhere. What a comfort and relief that would be!

But HGH needs help for this! Your donations to the HGH Foundation will enable them to purchase the tools and equipment that the hospital needs to expand its surgical program and equip a dedicated urology suite. This will help reduce painful wait times, diagnose disease much sooner, and provide more care and comfort for patients, without the added stress of travel.

Your support means so much to me! I am looking forward to the day when I will finally be able to receive the urology care I need right in Hawkesbury.

What is urology and what could the Urology Program treat at HGH?

Urology is the branch of medicine that deals with the health of the urinary tract and reproductive tract. Urologists are physicians who treat diseases of the urethra, bladder, and kidneys. These include everything from kidney stones, cancer, to bladder, reproductive and prostate problems. These conditions cause pain that can range from uncomfortable to excruciating. No one wants to wait for care when they are in such pain.

HGH has a well-established surgical program and has developed an expertise in urology. For example, we are one of the few hospitals in Ontario with the technology to perform prostate resection via day surgery. But demand has increased over the years as our region grows.

HGH is currently equipped to handle only 5% of the overall urology cases in Prescott-Russell. This means that most patients with painful and worrying urology-related conditions must travel to Ottawa for all the visits required to diagnose, treat, and recover from injuries, disease, and other conditions.

HGH now has space available in the hospital for the program, but lacks the necessary equipment to treat more patients. Adding the right equipment to create a surgical suite dedicated exclusively to urology will mean a dramatic increase in the number of patients HGH can serve. We will be able to care for the 800 local patients who suffer with kidney stones each year right here at HGH.

As donor of the HGH Foundation, you will have a direct impact on making this program expansion happen, so thank you!