After David moved to Cambridge with his wife Jennifer in 1988, there were a couple of occasions to visit Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) over the years, including for the births of their two children. While thankfully there was nothing major in terms of medical emergencies, David and Jennifer were always pleased with the service they received during routine family use.
Dave and his family always enjoyed an active lifestyle and for Dave, that included hockey, golfing and biking. He was looking forward to having more time to enjoy these favourite activities in his upcoming retirement, but constant joint pain and discomfort in his hips had slowly been eroding his quality of life.
Thirty years after first arriving in Cambridge, just months shy of his 65th birthday, David learned that both of his hips would need to be replaced. He would need the expertise and technology available at CMH as he underwent bi-lateral hip replacement surgery. This required access to a multitude of programs and services at the hospital and two major surgeries within a period of eight months.
“Being diagnosed and told I needed two hip surgeries, I was apprehensive and uncertain,” explains Dave, adding “it’s not an easy message to receive.”
Dave worried about how he would recover from back to back surgeries and whether he would be able to realize his wish for a healthy, active retirement. He knew the experience and rehab would be challenging but felt confident in the plan and was impressed with the caliber of the team at CMH. He reflects with a smile that “I definitely had a fair amount of interaction with the hospital that year. I was in and out of diagnostic imaging with regularity, and my experiences were so positive. Whenever I had an appointment, I was served well by very capable staff.”
Dave stayed overnight at CMH after both surgeries and was mobile very quickly afterward, which helped propel him toward rehabilitation and his complete recovery. “I am indebted to my CMH surgeon, Dr. Glynn Martin, and the CMH team for what they did for me — it’s truly amazing. I doubt that I could have received better treatment anywhere, and CMH is my local hospital.”
“I am indebted to my CMH surgeon, Dr. Glynn Martin, and the CMH team for what they did for me — it’s truly amazing. I doubt that I could have received better treatment anywhere, and CMH is my local hospital.”
Dave, grateful patient
Dave stepped into his well-earned retirement in April 2021, relishing the chance to spend more time with his family, doing the things he loves. His recent surgical experiences altered Dave’s view of the hospital. “We don’t realize that we might need the hospital in a big way,” he explained, “but when we do, we’d like services to be of very high quality.”
Asked if he has final thoughts, Dave pondered carefully. “I had the phenomenal chance to kind of spring into retirement because of the skilled surgeons and care I received at CMH. I am so grateful for the rejuvenation of my active lifestyle.”