Medical Advocate, A Journeyed Struggle of a Resilient Soul

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In this episode, Helen Salfi Gorday candidly shares her often frustrating and sometimes scary journey medically advocating and caring, for her mother and then her husband. This is a remarkable story of back-to-back catastrophic events and Helen’s indomitable spirit to come through with her joyful heart intact.

Helen and her husband Jim Gorday and 2 daughters lived in St. Catharines, Ontario. In early 70’s her mother got ill and had brain damage with no short-term memory. She cared for her mother for 27 years. The year her mother died, her husband became blind, had several debilitating medical events and his mental health deteriorated until his death in 2019- and Helen had her own fight with cancer.

Helen had to navigate the health care system, multiple hospitals, doctors, appointments,  tests, conflicting diagnoses, finding care facilities, and dealing with her husband who is no longer himself.

QUOTE HIGHLIGHTS

HELEN:  “ What I learned through my mother's illness was you cannot think of the person- the way they were, because it would destroy you when you saw how they had become.”

HELEN:  “And what was really scary, was a time in the hospital when the neurosurgeon was telling me what the prognosis would be. And it was in the same room where we heard this, a different type, but still related to the brain, a prognosis from my mom, 25 years later. I thought, oh this can't be happening again. But it did.”

HELEN:  “I would say you have to keep your faith, keep your friends close and don't be afraid to tell them what's in your heart. Don't be afraid to cry... You can't do it all by yourself. Don't be afraid to reach out.”

Today's episode is brought to you by the Joan of Arc Scroll Medal, a beautiful brass alloy medal, designed by award-winning artist, Pat Benincasa. This uniquely shaped medal is ideal for holiday or as a special occasion gift!    Visit www.patbenincasa-art.com

Please Note: The views expressed by our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcaster.

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