We wanted to express our gratitude for all of the recent efforts in support of our son, Nathan Loukes. Over $15,000 was raised on our behalf, and we are both shocked and deeply touched by how supportive and generous our friends, family and community have been. We are extremely happy to say that Nathan has begun treatment with the fairly new drug Aclasta at the Children's Hospital in Vancouver. While approved by government for use in Canada, this drug has yet to be approved for coverage by extended medical plans, and costs the patient $600 per infusion, which are to be given at three- to six-month intervals for the duration of the patient's life. We are so thrilled to now have the funding, allowing Nathan to be the first child to receive this collagen restructuring drug at the Children's Hospital. His progress will be monitored, as will the effects that this drug will have on his eye pressure, but it is predicted to reduce fractures by over 50 per cent 鈥� a truly amazing outcome! We will keep you updated on his progress, and wish to thank you again for your generosity.Thank you to the Comox Valley Record for your 2012 Comox Valley heritage calendars or, as we call them, our home check calendars. In our housing complex, there are some single seniors who have these calendars tacked on the outside of their apartment doors. As they leave each morning, they check off the date so that anyone passing in the hallway can see at a glance whether their neighbour is up and about. We are very appreciative and make good use of these calendars every new year.I'm not surprised to hear about poor Isaac LeBlanc, who went to emergency three times before anyone took him seriously, only to end up paralyzed and having to be shipped to Victoria. ("Fourth time lucky for man..." -- Jan. 25). In the past 20 years I've had three similar experiences with the emergency department of St. Joe's: Each time I called the Nurses' Hotline first to make sure that my injury or sudden pain actually needed to be checked out, only to be lectured at the hospital about wasting everybody's time, and having my character impugned once I got there. (Incidentally, I don't use drugs or drink.) Fortunately for me, after each visit, it turned out that I had nothing seriously wrong. However, not being a medical professional I had no way of knowing that, and I did not deserve the treatment that I received. Neither did Mr. LeBlanc, who still might have the use of his legs and arms if he had been tested, diagnosed, and treated earlier.To the opinionated retired person with time on his/her hands who would like to display their expertise in writing anonymous threatening letters, please call 250-338-0978.
