Posts Categorized: Patient Stories

Vegetables replace butter in patient’s diet

Before improving his health, Don Siddons loved slathering butter on everything he ate and needed a cane to walk.He was suffering from pain in his hips and his family doctor, Dr. Don Korzenowski, at Mill Woods Family Clinic first suggested taking cortisone injections. When the injections didn’t work, Dr. Korzenowski recommended physical therapy and that…

Workshop eases patient’s stress

Peter wasn’t sure how to handle the stress he was facing from work and his personal life. As a pharmacist, he was used to solving other people’s problems. The 57-year-old was fighting depression and bladder cancer when he turned to Dyan Eybergen, a behavioural health consultant at Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network, for help. Dyan…

Exercising helps COPD patient

John Boyd wants to be able to walk to a mall without wheezing and stopping to catch his breath. He doesn’t want to end up using a ventilator or in the hospital because of his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thanks to Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network (PCN), John, 60, is overcoming barriers to his…

PCN brings workout buddies together

Christine Nelson and Aileen Crick are seeing the benefits of supporting each other for a healthier lifestyle. The two women met during a Moving for Health class at Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network and have become gym workout partners. Aileen, 42, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes two years ago and as a result, she…

Senior breaks free of social isolation

Social isolation for a senior is hard to handle, especially if you don’t have any helpful resources. Ann Rolls would have felt trapped in her home if she didn’t have a geriatric nurse from Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network to turn to for assistance. Ann first met Mary Whale in March 2011 when her family…

Patient learns how to manage emotions

In the past, Jerry Gruenwald would rather show his emotions than deal with them. This almost caused his marriage to break down and pushed him into a depression. His family doctor, Dr. Mark Antoniuk, and his primary care nurse, Michele Kralt, were given the opportunity to assess Jerry and offer assistance to help him through…

Shift in mindset results in successful weight loss

A weight loss journey has turned into a wellness journey for an Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network patient.Bob Dixon weighed 450 pounds a year ago and decided to cut out fast food from his eating habits. He went to see his family doctor after eight years and was put through a battery of tests. “I…

Exercise reveals heart condition

Without exercise, Richard Farruga may have discovered his heart condition too late. Richard joined his wife, Dezi Farruga, while she participated in Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network’s Moving for Health program. Moving for Health is a two-month supervised exercise program for inactive individuals with chronic health conditions. Both Richard and Dezi were doing moderate exercises…

PCN nurse helps diabetic stay on track

Relationships matter, especially for your health care. Cheryl Ann Getty is thrilled with the relationship she has developed with her primary care nurse at Millbourne Road Medical Clinic and the impact it has made on her health.Cheryl Ann, 62, has been seeing her doctor since 1976 and avoided going to the clinic because of the…

Clinic helps focus on healthy goals

Christenna Weimann’s health journey started long before she was referred to Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network. She realized she’s had an unhealthy weight since she was seven-years-old and has been struggling with how she eats since then. Through her family doctor at Dominion Medical Centres Parsons, she was referred to a dietitian. The dietitian provided…