Adam Prudhomme
Editor
To celebrate the opening of their expanded chemotherapy unit on Thursday, Lennox and Addington County General Hospital enlisted the help of local celebrity Jacquie Rowe.
Currently battling cancer herself, Rowe has bravely documented her journey online as #JacquiesArmy. She was given the responsibility of cutting the ribbon to officially open LACGH’s chemo unit, which has grown from five chairs to nine and now has a chemo pharmacy right on site.
“To not have to travel all the way to Kingston is key for chemo patients just because the last thing you want to do is sit in a vehicle for 40 minutes after chemo,” said Rowe. “To be able to have a chemo centre this close is key for under going treatment.”
She says following a chemo treatment a patient will typically feel nauseous with no energy and will simply want to crawl into bed. Having access to treatment right in town has helped make a difficult situation just a little bit better.
Prior to the expansion anyone from Napanee who needed chemotherapy had to hope there would space available at LACGH, otherwise they had to make a trip to Kingston. Rowe says people are often surprised when she tells them she’s able to do her treatment at LACGH, usually not expecting a hospital in a community the size of Napanee to offer it.
“You don’t want to be here but the fact they’ve got new chairs, a new facility, it’s nice to know if you do have to come here you’re coming to a comfortable environment,” said Rowe. “With that being said, I do want to mention that it didn’t matter before because of the people that work here.”
Rowe says the staff at LACGH has been fantastic throughout her journey.
“You almost look forward to seeing them, which is kind of strange because you don’t want to be here,” said Rowe. “But you do look forward to spending your time with them.”