A story of Gratitude and Giving Back
Patient-Story-Krystyna
When Fort Erie resident Krystyna called Niagara Health Foundation to make a donation, she was full of praise and gratitude. She had just had cataract surgery, performed by Niagara Health physician Dr. Adnan Pirbhai, and was touched by his kindness and professionalism. “He is a very good doctor,” she said.
Today, a few months later, she can see everything again, which has been an amazing change for her. “I don’t even need glasses,” she chuckles.
It wasn’t the first time Krystyna needed Niagara Health.
“About a year ago, I felt pain in my chest,” Krystyna recalls. “It went on for hours. I couldn’t sleep because it was so bad.” After a while, the pain eased enough for her to fall asleep. “It came back the next morning,” Krystyna remembers. “I didn’t think I could have cardiac issues because I have a pacemaker.”
When she received a phone call from a good friend that morning, she told her she couldn’t talk. “I said to her: I’ve had chest pain for hours. think I have to call 911.” Worried about Krystyna, her friend called 911 as soon as they hung up. “Before I could even call for help, they were already outside my door,” Krystyna laughs, grateful for her friend.
“They rushed me to the Niagara Falls hospital,” she says. “I had had a major heart attack.” Krystyna stayed at the hospital for about a week to recover. “I am grateful for the care I received. I am very lucky. It was quite scary, but the staff, nurses and doctors were like family. They were so good and kind and helpful. I really appreciated them.”
Krystyna is also grateful for her family doctor, who has been instrumental in connecting her with a cardiologist and the resources she needs. “My family doctor and cardiologist are amazing.”
Grateful for the kindness of her healthcare team, Krystyna recently decided to make an even greater impact by joining Niagara Health Foundation’s community of monthly donors.
“I just want to help because I know that this is a very hard job, and I know the system is struggling. It may not be much, but when somebody helps me, I have to help them. That’s what I think.”
We want to thank Krystyna for sharing her experience and her words of gratitude. The equipment used in her care – from the monitors that tracked her vitals in the aftermath of her heart attack to the lights in the operating room during her cataract surgery – was there thanks to the generosity of community donors. Monthly donors help the Foundation plan the support we can provide to Niagara Health to purchase life-saving equipment.
We know that when we each give a little bit, we can create real change for our local hospitals.
For Krystyna, expressing gratitude to everyone involved in her care is just as important as giving back. “Please thank everyone who took care of me,” she says. “I am so appreciative.”
A story of Gratitude and Giving Back
When Fort Erie resident Krystyna called Niagara Health Foundation to make a donation, she was full of praise and gratitude. She had just had cataract surgery, performed by Niagara Health physician Dr. Adnan Pirbhai, and was touched by his kindness and professionalism. “He is a very good doctor,” she said.
Today, a few months later, she can see everything again, which has been an amazing change for her. “I don’t even need glasses,” she chuckles.
It wasn’t the first time Krystyna needed Niagara Health.
“About a year ago, I felt pain in my chest,” Krystyna recalls. “It went on for hours. I couldn’t sleep because it was so bad.” After a while, the pain eased enough for her to fall asleep. “It came back the next morning,” Krystyna remembers. “I didn’t think I could have cardiac issues because I have a pacemaker.”
When she received a phone call from a good friend that morning, she told her she couldn’t talk. “I said to her: I’ve had chest pain for hours. think I have to call 911.” Worried about Krystyna, her friend called 911 as soon as they hung up. “Before I could even call for help, they were already outside my door,” Krystyna laughs, grateful for her friend.
“They rushed me to the Niagara Falls hospital,” she says. “I had had a major heart attack.” Krystyna stayed at the hospital for about a week to recover. “I am grateful for the care I received. I am very lucky. It was quite scary, but the staff, nurses and doctors were like family. They were so good and kind and helpful. I really appreciated them.”
Krystyna is also grateful for her family doctor, who has been instrumental in connecting her with a cardiologist and the resources she needs. “My family doctor and cardiologist are amazing.”
Grateful for the kindness of her healthcare team, Krystyna recently decided to make an even greater impact by joining Niagara Health Foundation’s community of monthly donors.
“I just want to help because I know that this is a very hard job, and I know the system is struggling. It may not be much, but when somebody helps me, I have to help them. That’s what I think.”
We want to thank Krystyna for sharing her experience and her words of gratitude. The equipment used in her care – from the monitors that tracked her vitals in the aftermath of her heart attack to the lights in the operating room during her cataract surgery – was there thanks to the generosity of community donors. Monthly donors help the Foundation plan the support we can provide to Niagara Health to purchase life-saving equipment.
We know that when we each give a little bit, we can create real change for our local hospitals.
For Krystyna, expressing gratitude to everyone involved in her care is just as important as giving back. “Please thank everyone who took care of me,” she says. “I am so appreciative.”
