Condemned to Die in Hospital
- CHICOUTIMI, Quebec – A Chicoutimi woman is appealing for help in finding a suitable living surroundings for her mother, who is battling stage four lung cancer.
- bluteau, who has suffered from multiple sclerosis as 1996, has seen her mobility decline rapidly in recent months.
- Bluteau is currently confined to a hospital in Chicoutimi, receiving immunotherapy treatments aimed at extending her life by an estimated nine to 12 months.
Daughter Pleads for Mother’s Placement as Lung Cancer Progresses
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CHICOUTIMI, Quebec – A Chicoutimi woman is appealing for help in finding a suitable living surroundings for her mother, who is battling stage four lung cancer. Marie-Ève girard said her 62-year-old mother, Sylvie Bluteau, was diagnosed after being hospitalized in December for a persistent cough.
bluteau, who has suffered from multiple sclerosis as 1996, has seen her mobility decline rapidly in recent months. “Since January, her legs no longer work,” girard said. “doctors believe that it is perhaps because of the metastases on her vertebrae. She lived in an adapted apartment and used her walker, but now it is no longer possible.”
Bluteau is currently confined to a hospital in Chicoutimi, receiving immunotherapy treatments aimed at extending her life by an estimated nine to 12 months.
Desperate Search for Suitable Housing
Girard said a request was submitted in Febuary through the accommodation access mechanism, with the hope of securing a place for her mother in a CHSLD (long-term care facility) or an alternative elder care residence. However, the family’s expectations were unmet.
“Two weeks ago, his doctor asked questions because normally, people who make such a request have a place in the following two weeks. But this is not the case for my mother. It was then that we learned that they made a request only for the alternative house in Chicoutimi-nord. But the waiting list is several months. She doesn’t have this time in front of her,” Girard explained.
“She just wants a place to live. And my brother and I, with her grandchildren, we want to enjoy the last moments we have with her. I have a lot of frustration now.A feeling of injustice too. The hospital is not a living environment.”
— Marie-Ève Girard
Girard suspects her mother’s age may be a factor in the delay in securing a CHSLD placement. “But that doesn’t bother her. Her doctor,the liaison nurse and the social worker all say that she should not stay in the hospital. Its place is in a CHSLD. The whole medical team says it,” she said.
since January, Bluteau has been moved eight times within the hospital. “The hospital is not a place to live,” Girard emphasized. “It is constantly disturbed, with noise, light and the neighborhood neighbor. We would like to take her out a little with her motorized chair. But to go where? There is not even grassy terrain. She eats less. She is not doing well.” Girard views contacting a journalist as a last resort.
Only one request was made by the accommodation assistance mechanism and it was at the Saguenay’s elder and alternative house. (Tom Core/Archives)
Girard explored private care options but found them unfeasible. Palliative care is also unsuitable at this stage, as it would require her mother to discontinue her current treatments.
Before contacting the media, Girard filed a complaint with the complaint commissioner. “But then again, it’s at least 45 days for treatment. We don’t have this time,” she said. She has also contacted the office of her deputy,Andrée Laforest.
According to the health network’s performance dashboard, 89 individuals are currently on the waiting list for CHSLD placement in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.
Daughter’s Plea for Her Mother’s Care: A Summary
What is the Main Issue?
Marie-Ève Girard is seeking suitable living arrangements for her 62-year-old mother, Sylvie Bluteau, who has stage four lung cancer. Bluteau’s mobility is severely limited due to her condition and the effects of multiple sclerosis, making it difficult for her to remain in her current living situation. She is currently hospitalized in Chicoutimi, Quebec, and is receiving immunotherapy treatments.
Why is Finding Suitable Housing Urgent?
Bluteau’s daughter emphasizes the critical need for prompt placement due to the rapid progression of her mother’s illness. with an estimated life expectancy of only nine to twelve months due to the cancer,every day is precious. The hospital habitat is not conducive to her well-being, and her family wishes to spend her remaining time with her in a more agreeable setting.
What Living options Have Been Considered?
Girard and her family have explored several options:
CHSLD (Long-term care facility) or Option Elder Care Residence: A request was filed through the accommodation access mechanism. However, the family’s expectations for a timely placement have not been met.
Private Care: This option was deemed unfeasible by the family.
Palliative Care: This was not a suitable option at this stage of treatment as it would mean stopping the current immunotherapy.
What Actions Have Been Taken to Secure Placement?
Girard has taken the following steps in an attempt to secure a suitable living situation for her mother:
Application through Accommodation Access Mechanism: A request was submitted but resulted in unmet expectations.
Complaint Filed with Complaint Commissioner: A complaint has been lodged, but the processing time is estimated to be at least 45 days.
Contacted Local Deputy: Girard has contacted the office of her deputy, Andrée Laforest, for assistance.
Contacting media: The daughter views this as a last resort to draw attention to her mother’s situation and expedite her placement.
What are the Challenges in Finding a Placement?
The primary challenges are:
Waiting Lists: The waiting list for CHSLD placement in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region is extensive. As of the time of the article, 89 individuals were on the waiting list.
Time Constraints: Due to the severity of Bluteau’s illness and her limited life expectancy, the family doesn’t have the luxury of a lengthy waiting period.
Hospital Environment: The hospital setting is not ideal for the patient’s well-being, and the daughter says it is not a place to live, especially with her mother’s existing medical conditions.
Summary of Key Facts
| Feature | Details |
| :————————- | :———————————————————————– |
| Patient | Sylvie Bluteau, 62 years old |
| Condition | stage four lung cancer, Multiple Sclerosis |
| Location | Chicoutimi, Quebec |
| Current Treatment | Immunotherapy (aiming to extend life by 9-12 months) |
| Housing Request | CHSLD or alternative elder care residence |
| Placement Challenges | Waiting lists, time constraints, unsuitable hospital environment |
| Waiting list stats.| 89 individuals on waiting list for CHSLD placement in Saguenay-lac-Saint-Jean region.|