Samantha Dornbusch has been taking her son, Jaxson, to Edmonton’s Stollery Children’s Hospital for six years for his high-risk B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia treatment, a severe form of blood cancer primarily affecting children. Nine-year-old Jaxson would occasionally spend days at the hospital undergoing chemotherapy before going home. In the past two years, they encountered instances where his treatments were postponed due to a lack of available beds, leading to delays of two to four days for rescheduling appointments.
Expressing her frustration, Dornbusch mentioned her concerns about Jaxson’s recovery, even though he has been in remission since September. She worries about potential relapses as his treatment was delayed multiple times during this period. Alberta Health Services acknowledged that several young patients in Edmonton faced delays in chemotherapy treatments at the Stollery Children’s Hospital due to space limitations. Although all postponed appointments have now been rescheduled, the health authority assured that such occurrences are not common and are not expected to become routine.
Dr. Sam Wong, the president of pediatrics for the Alberta Medical Association, highlighted the escalating bed shortage issue at the Stollery, leading to surgery cancellations and premature patient discharges to accommodate emergencies. The hospital has resorted to utilizing common areas like playrooms and classrooms to create additional beds. The Alberta government’s recent selection of a site for constructing a new standalone Stollery Hospital aims to address these capacity challenges and expedite the process due to the current facility’s space constraints.
Alana Janvier, another mother whose daughter underwent chemotherapy at the Stollery for osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, shared her experience of facing repeated treatment delays over two years due to space limitations. Despite the challenges, Janvier emphasized the emotional toll of dealing with bed shortages alongside a serious illness like cancer. Tragically, Justine, Alana’s daughter, passed away in 2021. The announcement of a new standalone Stollery Hospital offers hope for improved facilities in the future, although it may take several years for completion.
Acknowledging the ongoing inpatient capacity challenges at the Stollery, Alberta Health Services disclosed plans to add ten inpatient beds to address the current respiratory virus season demands. While the new hospital construction may take years, families affected by delays, like Janvier’s, find solace in the prospect of better care for future patients.