Resilience through adversity

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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