Update Message 2

August 22nd, 2021

Dimitri and I want to sincerely thank you for your kind wishes, prayers and thoughts over this summer. The notes, cards, texts, food, watering of flowers, weeding, family meals, vegetables and small thoughtful gifts have meant a great deal to us both.

Dimitri has made remarkable progress, and where he is at none of the specialists thought was very unlikely. He has returned his wheel chair and walker. He is now barely walking with the use of a cane. He is getting some good use of his hands. It’s really quite a remarkable journey, that I feel grateful to be a part of.

Dimitri’s age/injury is entered into an algorithm and out pops his expected discharge date of Sept 20. However, he is being released a month and a half early as he is doing so well! This is saving the system of approximately $124,080, based on Canadian hospital rates, ward bed, David Cummings Aung 2019. It does beg the bigger question, ( as he has a .75 % chance of attaining these results ), how much daily intense early intervention of Physio and acupuncture has played a part in his recovery. One will never know unless research is done. I have reached out to volunteer my time / expertise from ICU through to and including rehab if I can convince the higher ups that a research project would be beneficial. It almost seems this is much bigger then Dimitri or I and it’s our duty to be of service to help others. Some may say cost is a factor, but increased mobility, early discharge, return to gainful employment, and mental health should all be weighed in.

My step sons played with many Humbolt hockey players and they did not fair as well. I do not know there specific medical files, but if it was my son or brother, I would want the same early intervention. (The male sex has a much higher percentage of spinal cord injuries ; diving, biking, mororcycle crashes ).

Given Dimitri’s incredible process, there is no longer this madness finding a large suitable wheelchair bungalow for our family, thank gosh. Given he is mobile and walking, the long term risks have been mitigated.

I plan on continuing Dimitri’s extensive rehab program after his discharge from the hospital. We have a local state of the art gym and warm water therapy pool that we are in most days of the week.

I am returning to treating in-person at Sunshine September 6th and to begin my physio yoga core back classes the week of September 13th, virtually Monday’s 2-3:20 pm and Tuesday 6-7:20 pm. Please see the website for more information if you’re interested.

Celia will be starting the GLAD classes for Osteoarthritis of the knees and hips early fall as well.

I want to thank my amazing Team Sunshine, my family, my dear friends, the community of Cochrane and Calgary rallying around my family in this challenging time. It has helped us all tremendously and we have much gratitude.

May I kindly request, that these pictures are viewed, not distributed as it’s a very personal part of our lives. (unless written consent for education purposes is given)

-Denise Brochu