“Our Son Had Stopped Breathing”

Joël Turner’s parents share why they are thankful for HSC

This is a story about resilience, perseverance and teamwork.

We remember July 2, 2023, so vividly. That day, we rushed our son, Joël Turner, only 23, to an urgent care facility. He was experiencing shortness of breath, and was quickly admitted. When staff tried to fit him with an oxygen mask, Joël panicked. They had to sedate him, so they could regulate his breathing and find the problem. That’s when the situation took a turn for the worse – our son had stopped breathing. He had to be immediately intubated. Tests showed Joël wasn’t taking in enough oxygen, and he wasn’t getting rid of enough carbon dioxide.

He was too sick for urgent care, so he was transported to HSC Winnipeg’s Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). He stayed in a medically-induced coma for almost two weeks, and spent 51 days in MICU.

Joël suffered from various infections, an ulcer, allergic reactions to medications, and rhabdomyolysis (a lifethreatening medical condition when damaged muscle tissues release their proteins and electrolytes into the blood), which shut down his kidneys. He underwent three weeks of dialysis, and had countless MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds, and a variety of other tests, over the course of his stay.

Throughout this difficult time, we always wanted to make sure we were around to communicate on Joël’s behalf. When the medical team visited Joël during their rounds, they welcomed our input. As parents, we truly appreciated they took the time to listen.

We were so relieved when Joël finally started to open his eyes on July 15. His breathing tube was removed two weeks later. Joël still had a long way to go, but we knew that his healing journey could begin.

Key to his recovery was learning to use a BIPAP machine for sleep apnea. The respirology staff and MICU nurses worked patiently with him, while he adjusted to this new way of breathing at night.

During his time in a coma, Joël had lost a lot of muscle mass. He could barely lift a finger. He would have to learn to sit, stand and walk all over again. It was time for physiotherapy.

At first, Joël absolutely hated seeing his physiotherapist Shannon and her team every day, but over time, he would get upset if he didn’t see them. Physiotherapy became the highlight of his days.

In late August, doctors transferred Joël to HSC’s GH6 unit, where his physiotherapy continued with Chantel and her team. Joël wanted to get up and get moving. He wanted to get better, so he could go home. Joël knew he had a long road ahead, but he was willing to do the work to get there.

Thanks to the HSC physiotherapy team’s expertise and encouragement, and the HSC Foundation donor-funded mobility equipment, Joël regained strength and mobility.

Joël told us that physiotherapy gave him a sense of freedom. We have the skilled staff of HSC and HSC Foundation donors to thank for that.

After a 94-day hospital stay, Joël was discharged on October 4, 2023. He has continued his physiotherapy through HSC’s outpatient program.

Joël’s recovery was truly a team effort—from the medical and support staff at MICU and GH6, to the respirology and physiotherapy staff, to the different specialists (plastics, neurology, infections), to the diagnostic team, to the occupational therapists and social workers.

You all played a role in getting our son home. Thank you.

By Yvette Cenerini and Eric Turner