Ronnie Persad at Markham Stouffville Hospital

Resilience through adversity

Ronnie and Loveena Persad have been members of the community since 2013. In fact, Oak Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) was one of the reasons why they made Markham their home.

A direct line to MSH

Ronnie and Loveena Persad have been members of the community since 2013. In fact, Oak Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) was one of the reasons why they made Markham their home. They knew that if anyone in their family needed care, they would have MSH in their backyard. “We chose this community and we’ve loved it ever since,” says Ronnie.

Self-described “fans” of MSH, the Persads have celebrated highs and persevered through lows together there. All three of their daughters were born at MSH, with one being cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit. The Adult Diabetes Clinic also played a crucial role in helping Loveena manage her condition during her pregnancy. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ronnie’s father was treated for four months in MSH’s intensive care unit.

In December of 2021, Ronnie came to rely on MSH, too. He hadn’t been feeling like himself and visits with his family physician had yet to discover the cause of what seemed like indigestion coupled with headaches and tingling sensations in his legs. When Ronnie started experiencing excruciating pain that he could no longer ignore, he knew he needed immediate care.

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Ronnie and Loveena Persad

Finding answers

Ronnie was rushed to MSH’s Emergency Department (ED) with radiating pain across his chest, at the base of his skull, and in his leg. After a series of diagnostic tests, Ronnie’s CT scan revealed something unexpected. There was a cancerous tumour in his lung.

“The doctor found me a room to give me some privacy. He sat me down, he told me. He referred me to oncology right away, then gave me time to just process everything. It was, as you imagine, shocking,” recalls Ronnie of receiving this difficult, life-changing news.

“The ED team was really patient and understanding. Actually, if they didn’t do the CT scan, they wouldn’t have discovered the carcinoma,” Loveena adds.

In the days that followed, Ronnie met with MSH oncologist Dr. Sam Babak and received more difficult news: the cancer in his lung was stage IV. The fact that Ronnie had never smoked, and was not exposed to second hand smoke in his day-to-day lifestyle, made his diagnosis all the more surprising. He credits his wife and Dr. Babak with advocating for him during this confusing process while additional diagnostic tests were ordered.

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We want to see that money help others the way that MSH helped us. The legacy that it will bring our kids when they go look at that wall, we want it to be a positive one, with positive thoughts.

Loveena Persad

Compassionate family-centred care

Before Ronnie could fast track his diagnostic tests, his symptoms returned more intensely and he was admitted to MSH for three weeks. During his stay he underwent a bone scan, an MRI and a biopsy for a precise pathology.

The tests revealed that Ronnie had ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer—a rare type of lung cancer that occurs in approximately five per cent of patients. This piece of information was critical to Ronnie’s treatment. “It saved him,” Loveena affirms. “I’m really grateful to Dr. Babak for figuring out what was going on.”

Ronnie’s rare cancer could be treated with a drug regimen combined with targeted radiation therapy coordinated at one of MSH’s partnering hospitals, but his pain management still required attention.

Ronnie and Loveena’s daughters were aged three, five, and seven at the time, and Loveena found herself questioning how to tell them about their dad while he was in the hospital. “Immediately, an MSH social worker came to meet me. She knew we had young kids and wanted to know what support I had at home,” recalls Loveena.

With the guidance and resources provided, Loveena was able to navigate the tough conversation. “One thing that hit home was not to hide any information and be up front, even about my own fears and emotions. We all cried together, but we came together as a family.”

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Living in the moment

The Persads have redefined what palliative care means to them thanks to Dr. Harold Yuen and the palliative care team. “They came to our house, sat in our living room, and walked us through every point of support,” explains Loveena. “They took the fear off the word palliative.”

After a few months of care with Dr. Yuen’s team, Ronnie was discharged due to his positive results, but has remained in touch for continued support. The family takes comfort in knowing that they have a direct line to the team if they ever feel overwhelmed.

Today, Ronnie is prioritizing his most important role: Dad. Ronnie enjoys spending the mornings and afternoons after school talking with his girls. He never takes the time he has with his kids for granted. The family focuses on making special memories together at the kids’ hockey games and on family road trips. “We try to do anything and everything with the kids,” says Ronnie. “Every day it’s about experiences with them. Loveena gives me strength.”

Dr. Babak was instrumental in changing how the Persads are living their lives and redefining what palliative care means to them. “He told us, ‘Remember to take it day by day, don’t look at the what-ifs, don’t ask me for a timeline.’ It was instilled in us to live in the moment,” says Loveena.

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A lasting impact for generations to come

During Ronnie’s stay at MSH, he and Loveena ate lunch by MSH Foundation’s Donor Recognition wall regularly. They were touched to see some of the names on the wall belonging to MSH doctors they knew. “It warmed our hearts,” recalls Loveena.

Ronnie and Loveena were inspired to make their own pledge to MSH Foundation—a meaningful gift recognized by an engraved brick. “We want to see that money help others the way that MSH helped us,” explains Loveena. “The legacy that it will bring our kids when they go look at that wall, we want it to be a positive one, with positive thoughts.”

Community support enables life-saving care to all the patients in the community who rely on the staff and services at MSH. Your generosity allows grateful patients like Ronnie to be present with his daughters and regain his quality of life. “Without the care, the equipment, the facilities, everything—MSH as a whole—we wouldn’t be here,” says Ronnie. “We’re helping MSH help us.”

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