Patient Stories: Cal & Edna Nichols
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"I was so impressed with the collaboration of the doctors and the exceptional quality of care." Cal and Edna Nichols with Dr. Brad Hinz and Dr. Stanley Chan. |
Cal and Edna Nichols are well-known for boosting the city of Edmonton. The story of how the prized Edmonton Oilers Franchise almost left our city and Cal's efforts to keep the team here is now the stuff of sports legend.
The pride that Edmonton has for the Oilers is obvious. Then there are other sources of pride that remain under the radar — until you experience them. As a result of their own healthcare experiences this past year, Cal and Edna Nichols are now champions of the Regional Eye Centre at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
It was during an Oilers business trip to California in late November 2007 that Cal realized something was amiss with his vision. The "shady spots" he was starting to experience were hampering his ability to see clearly.
A hotel concierge recommended an optometrist, who said cataracts were to blame. His recommendation was that Cal should consult an ophthalmologist. Cal followed the advice and, upon returning to Edmonton, was referred to Dr. Stanley Chan at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The cataracts were confirmed, but to Cal's surprise, Dr. Chan had much more to reveal.
"After the examination Dr. Chan said to me, ‘Yes, you have cataracts, but that's the least of your problems,'" says Cal. The local business man would learn that he also had a detached and torn retina. As if this wasn't enough, Cal was also diagnosed with Fuchs Corneal Dystrophy, a genetic disease that affects only one percent of the population.
Cal was losing his vision — fast. And so it was a mere three hours after the diagnosis that the 65-year-old was prepared for Dr. Brad Hinz, a retinal surgeon at the Royal Alexandra.
"I just can't believe the speed with which everyone in the department connected. I was so impressed with the collaboration of the doctors and the exceptional quality of care. These people are very passionate about their calling and you can see it in everything they do."
Cal feels extremely fortunate: the quick efforts to save his vision were successful, as was his follow-up care. He's not completely out of the woods yet, and will need ongoing monitoring. With his strong confidence in the Regional Eye Centre at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, there's no place Cal would rather receive his care.
Edna agrees, not just because she watched as Cal was expertly handled, first by Dr. Hinz for the retinal detachment, and then by Dr. Chan for cataract surgery, but because she, too, is a patient, also having had cataracts removed by Dr. Chan later in the year. For Edna, being able to see clearly for the first time in a long time is a precious gift.
"You expect that everyone will be professional and kind, and caring. But I can tell you that the attitude, dedication and skill at the Regional Eye Centre by the entire team goes far beyond expectations," says Edna, who adds that she has the critical eye of a nurse (Edna is a graduate of St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan).
"We're so fortunate to have this facility. The Regional Eye Centre at the Royal Alexandra Hospital has a strong reputation for excellence -- one that has traveled even beyond our Canadian borders."
Edna and Cal like to sum it all up this way: "Our eyes were opened."