“They gave me my second breath.”

Critical Care Patient Recounts Lifesaving Care Experience

Dilukshan Rajkumar was not supposed to make it through the night.

When the 26-year-old was admitted to the Critical Care Unit at Lakeridge Health’s Oshawa Hospital in August with severe internal bleeding, the team was preparing for the worst.

“We did not think he would survive,” said Kelly Pasnick, Patient Care Manager of the Oshawa Hospital Critical Care Unit. “But he surprised us all and not only survived the night but continued to improve.”

For Dilukshan, that harrowing experience was the result of six months of increasingly worsening symptoms.

“I began to lose weight, going from 245 pounds to 150 pounds,” he explained. “I also had very bad back pain and a lump on the side of my neck.”

Dilukshan first sought care at another hospital and was referred to a thyroid specialist and physiotherapist. Following a move to Oshawa, he visited a physician at a walk-in clinic when his symptoms also progressed to include blurry vision and fainting.

“The doctor told me that I may have carcinoma in my shoulder and stomach and that I needed to go to the hospital right away,” Dilukshan said.

While being treated at the Oshawa Hospital, Dilukshan’s symptoms again took a turn for the worse when he ended up not being able to breathe, which led to his admission to the Critical Care Unit.

“All the nurses took such great care of me,” Dilukshan explained. “Whenever I woke up, they were always there to provide me with whatever I needed. Another nurse brought me a Bible and prayed with me. One of my doctors stayed the whole day when he didn’t have to, just to make sure I was okay.”

Dilukshan is now receiving treatment as an outpatient at the Durham Regional Cancer Centre for his carcinoma and is equally impressed by the care there.

“I have a great doctor, the best I could ever ask for,” he noted. “If I forget an appointment, the staff are always calling to remind me and make sure I’m there.”

Dilukshan has also made a point to say thank you in person to every member of the Critical Care team who cared for him.

“We couldn’t believe how well he was doing and it was very emotional for everyone,” noted Lakeridge Health Social Worker Aline Demerjian, who supported Dilukshan during his time in the Critical Care Unit.

“If I was a millionaire, I would give them all a million dollars. Thanks is just simply not enough,” added Dilukshan. “Other than my mother, this hospital is the one that gave me life.”

Photo Caption: Dilukshan Rajkumar (left) with Social Worker Aline Demerjian (right).