"I Don't Know Where I would Be Without It."

'Spectacular experience' inspires local mother to support Lakeridge Health Foundation's newest campaign.

When Nancy Gummow was pregnant with her twin boys she found out she had fibroids - tiny non-cancerous tumours on her uterus. For 11 years Nancy's fibroids caused no symptoms but in 2014, she was rushed to Lakeridge Health's emergency room with a scary bleeding spell. After an ultrasound, Nancy discovered that her fibroids had each grown to 12 cm in size. 

"I was scared," recalls Nancy. "I was having some abdominal pain and irregular bleeding but it wasn't until I rushed to the ER that I realized how awful it could be. I have three young and active kids. I didn't want these things to control my life".

Nancy had three options - an experimental medication, a hysterectomy, or an innovative procedure at Lakeridge Health.

Not a risk taker and uninterested in the extreme option of a hysterectomy, the Bowmanville mom of three opted for uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) available at her local hospital's interventional radiology (IR) department.

"I did a lot of research on interventional radiology.  There were women out there going through the same symptoms I was and this procedure made a big difference for them.  It seemed so complex but so simple" says Nancy.

"But I was still scared.  I almost cancelled.  Dr. Asch, the doctor set to do my procedure, sat down with me and talked me off a cliff. He said 'Trust me, the procedure you're going to have is spectacular' and even though in the hours leading up to the procedure I continued to be fearful he reminded me of how incredible the procedure was and I knew I was in the right place."

And to Nancy, the whole experience was spectacular.  She was close to home and her symptoms disappeared.  She was shocked she had never heard of this incredible program.

Nancy also took comfort in knowing that she could send her kids off to school, have the procedure and be home in time to tuck them into bed.

"We lead busy lives balancing careers and family, to have this kind of safe and effective procedure close to home, under the care and careful watch of an expert team, is amazing."

Nancy's procedure was successful.  Under a general anesthetic and with the guidance of medical imaging, Dr. Asch led a catheter through her femoral artery and released tiny grains of sand which blocked the blood flow to her fibroids.  After a few hours of recovery at Lakeridge Health Nancy returned home and experienced minor pain for only a few days after the procedure.  In one to two weeks she was back to running 10 kilometers - something she loved. 

 "What you've got is a fantastic program," says Nancy, "but right now it is hidden at the end of a hallway. It deserves to be showcased!"

Nancy's experience was so positive she chose to support Lakeridge Health Foundation's newest campaign to support the interventional radiology program.  The $5 million campaign will see a brand new IR suite with four rooms and brand new, technologically advanced equipment. The renovation will enable twice as many patients to be seen by the department and countless women in our community like Nancy will benefit from the program.

"This program helps so many people in so many different ways yet it doesn't get the kind of publicity that some of the other more well-known programs do. I wish people knew about interventional radiology, about how it can change your life. I don't know where I would be without it."