THIRTY years of pain has ended for Palm Cove pensioner Rod Dewar, thanks to generous donations.
Mr Dewar, 70, was one of the first Cairns patients to be diagnosed thanks to new equipment provided by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’s “Show us ya guts” campaign.
Oesophageal manometry equipment valued at $122,000 was bought in April courtesy of two significant donations to the Foundation. The equipment has resulted in Mr Dewar being diagnosed with an oeseophageal spasm – quickly and easily resolved with a daily tablet.
Cairns Hospital director of medicine Dr Peter Boyd said Mr Dewar was only recently referred to the hospital, but had a long history of undiagnosed chest pain.
Mr Dewar said the pain had been so bad, he had considered ending his life.
“It was like a burning, sharp knife. When I would swallow, the food would just stay there and ferment and I had this horrible pain,” Mr Dewar said.
“This would wake me up at 3am with this pain like a knife being twisted in the chest, it was horrible. But with this new equipment they put a catheter down my nose and they could see what was going on. I’m on medication now and I can’t remember feeling this good for years,” he said.
“From the mental aspect, it was just horrible that they couldn’t figure out what was wrong. I was on the verge of killing myself, so I’m thrilled they’ve got this equipment now.”
There is still just over $200,000 to go in the fundraising campaign, with four further items needing to be bought.
$35,000 is needed to go towards a linear endoscope, $69,476 towards a radial EUS Scope and a further $116,000 is needed for two balloon enteroscopes.
Foundation chairman Dr Ken Chapman said funds from the inaugural market day, ANZ golf day, Phil Smith’s Great Wheelbarrow Race, BDO Trivia Night, Cairns Club charity night and other private donations, had gone towards the campaign.
“It’s actually very timely now because we are on the verge of end-of-financial-year for tax purposes so we can help people with their tax problem, while also making a difference to people like Mr Dewar,” Dr Chapman said.
For further information, to donate or volunteer for the Foundation visit HERE.
Photos: Patient Rod Dewar, Foundation chairman Dr Ken Chapman, Cairns Hospital gastroenterologist Dr Mohammad Khan.
