On Dec 8 2017 my mother was admitted to St Michael’s hospital, she had a major heart attack and she would require a bypass as she had major obstructions.
After further testing the doctors have discovered she has 3 adenocarcinoma’s ( 3 malignant tumors in the lung )
Because of this the doctors decided a bypass was not an option at this time and would perform the procedure at a later date, after the cancer was treated.
On Dec 21 2017 the doctors proceeded to insert a temporary stint to open one of the pathways and put her on blood thinners and anti-coagulants etc.
On Jan 16 2018 She was Referred to Princess Margret Cancer Centre where she is currently undergoing further testing and ultimately treatment.
On March 15 2018 the doctors decided they would treat the cancer by performing a wedge resection or a lobectomy followed by radiation treatment.
Unfortunately there have been some recent negative developments. Such as very low blood circulation to her legs resulting in major pain and swelling in her legs and blackening of her feet (pre gangrene).
On Monday March 19 the doctors informed us that they need to postpone any remaining Tests and the cancer treatment and deal with this emergency issue.
The doctors have presented us with two options but due to her situation neither one is very favourable.
Option #1
Amputations of both legs below the Knee. But this has 60 % chance she will bleed out because of the medications she’s is taking.
If they take her off the medication, there is a very high risk of her having another major heart attack, blood clot or stroke.
Option # 2
Attempt a bypass by placing a vein from her arm to her leg to try to restore blood flow but this runs an even higher chance of her bleeding out 70% and higher
And the same concerns if they take her off her medication, a very high risk of her having another major heart attack, blood clot or stroke.
After careful consideration she has decided to go with option # 2 as she does not want to lose her legs.
March 22 2018
The doctors have tentatively set the day Thursday March 29th to perform the operation, providing the situation does not change before that date.
However they have not confirmed a time or the date yet.
The doctors have recommended that the immediate family be present in case it does not go well.
Since I have been named power of attorney. If anything happens I will need to be present .
Unfortunately the surgery that was supposed to have taken place on March 29th did not happen.
After the anastesolisgt ran some tests on her before the surgery they came to the conclusion that it would not be a viable option to put her under as her C.O.P.D has worsened and if they attempted to put her out.
she may not wake up and at best she may never come off the respirator .
so we were left with only one option the doctors would give her a local anaesthetic and Amputate the leg.
On April 6
She was Admitted to St Michael’s hospital for the surgery.
The surgery seem to go very well they amputating the leg just below the knee.
She would be in recovery for about a week and a half. And then moved to a rehab facility.
Unfortunately the recovery period was very rocky at best.
She had a bad reaction to the pain killers that complicated the situation even more.
This same week my father fell ill and was Admitted to Toronto western with a severe chest infection.
April 16
My mother was sent to West park health centre in the west end for rehabilitation.
At first things seemed to be going well physically . But she was still having a lot of issues with the combination of pain killers.
And developed VRE
Unfortunately after about 6 days the doctors noticed that the leg was not healing the way they wanted and were concerned it may be infected as well
On April 26
She was sent back to St Michaels hospital where they confirmed that the leg was in fact infected and started her on antibiotics
Unfortunately the antibiotics were not working, Possibly due to the VRE
On April 28
The doctors decided to amputate the majority of the remaining part of her leg .
She spent another week and a half in recovery.
And again went through a very rocky recovery.
On May 9
She was moved back to west park rehabilitation centre
Where she continued to work on her mobility in a wheel chair.
This was the first time my father was able to see her since April 6th since they would not let him visit until his lung infection was gone.
Unfortunately with such a small stump it is not very likely that she will be able to use a prosthetic leg but they may still try in a few months
May 12-13
The doctors allowed Shirley to come home for Mother’s day .
It did not go well.
It was very hard to get her up into the house and she was not able to maneuver around the house very well or function independently.
And unfortunately with my father bad kneesand use of a walker at times there is little he can help her with.
The house is going to need major modification’s in order for her to be able to function somewhat independently.
On June 18
She will be starting a combination of chemotherapy and radiation treatment for the lung cancer.
We have applied for government funding for assistance. But unfortunately there last years combined income has gone over the eligibility bracket by $47
So they have rejected the application.
We have setup a go fund me page to help raise some money in order to do some of the modifications.
https://www.gofundme.com/help-for-shirley-lay
or for those who aren’t sure about go fund me please feel free to contact me at
If anyone is willing and able to help anything would be greatly appreciated .
Thank You For your Time
Jeff Lay
we are asking for help funding some of the retrofitting of the house so she may continue to live at home.
As well as some assistive devices to help maintain her independence and quality of life.
After further testing the doctors have discovered she has 3 adenocarcinoma’s ( 3 malignant tumors in the lung )
Because of this the doctors decided a bypass was not an option at this time and would perform the procedure at a later date, after the cancer was treated.
On Dec 21 2017 the doctors proceeded to insert a temporary stint to open one of the pathways and put her on blood thinners and anti-coagulants etc.
On Jan 16 2018 She was Referred to Princess Margret Cancer Centre where she is currently undergoing further testing and ultimately treatment.
On March 15 2018 the doctors decided they would treat the cancer by performing a wedge resection or a lobectomy followed by radiation treatment.
Unfortunately there have been some recent negative developments. Such as very low blood circulation to her legs resulting in major pain and swelling in her legs and blackening of her feet (pre gangrene).
On Monday March 19 the doctors informed us that they need to postpone any remaining Tests and the cancer treatment and deal with this emergency issue.
The doctors have presented us with two options but due to her situation neither one is very favourable.
Option #1
Amputations of both legs below the Knee. But this has 60 % chance she will bleed out because of the medications she’s is taking.
If they take her off the medication, there is a very high risk of her having another major heart attack, blood clot or stroke.
Option # 2
Attempt a bypass by placing a vein from her arm to her leg to try to restore blood flow but this runs an even higher chance of her bleeding out 70% and higher
And the same concerns if they take her off her medication, a very high risk of her having another major heart attack, blood clot or stroke.
After careful consideration she has decided to go with option # 2 as she does not want to lose her legs.
March 22 2018
The doctors have tentatively set the day Thursday March 29th to perform the operation, providing the situation does not change before that date.
However they have not confirmed a time or the date yet.
The doctors have recommended that the immediate family be present in case it does not go well.
Since I have been named power of attorney. If anything happens I will need to be present .
Unfortunately the surgery that was supposed to have taken place on March 29th did not happen.
After the anastesolisgt ran some tests on her before the surgery they came to the conclusion that it would not be a viable option to put her under as her C.O.P.D has worsened and if they attempted to put her out.
she may not wake up and at best she may never come off the respirator .
so we were left with only one option the doctors would give her a local anaesthetic and Amputate the leg.
On April 6
She was Admitted to St Michael’s hospital for the surgery.
The surgery seem to go very well they amputating the leg just below the knee.
She would be in recovery for about a week and a half. And then moved to a rehab facility.
Unfortunately the recovery period was very rocky at best.
She had a bad reaction to the pain killers that complicated the situation even more.
This same week my father fell ill and was Admitted to Toronto western with a severe chest infection.
April 16
My mother was sent to West park health centre in the west end for rehabilitation.
At first things seemed to be going well physically . But she was still having a lot of issues with the combination of pain killers.
And developed VRE
Unfortunately after about 6 days the doctors noticed that the leg was not healing the way they wanted and were concerned it may be infected as well
On April 26
She was sent back to St Michaels hospital where they confirmed that the leg was in fact infected and started her on antibiotics
Unfortunately the antibiotics were not working, Possibly due to the VRE
On April 28
The doctors decided to amputate the majority of the remaining part of her leg .
She spent another week and a half in recovery.
And again went through a very rocky recovery.
On May 9
She was moved back to west park rehabilitation centre
Where she continued to work on her mobility in a wheel chair.
This was the first time my father was able to see her since April 6th since they would not let him visit until his lung infection was gone.
Unfortunately with such a small stump it is not very likely that she will be able to use a prosthetic leg but they may still try in a few months
May 12-13
The doctors allowed Shirley to come home for Mother’s day .
It did not go well.
It was very hard to get her up into the house and she was not able to maneuver around the house very well or function independently.
And unfortunately with my father bad kneesand use of a walker at times there is little he can help her with.
The house is going to need major modification’s in order for her to be able to function somewhat independently.
On June 18
She will be starting a combination of chemotherapy and radiation treatment for the lung cancer.
We have applied for government funding for assistance. But unfortunately there last years combined income has gone over the eligibility bracket by $47
So they have rejected the application.
We have setup a go fund me page to help raise some money in order to do some of the modifications.
https://www.gofundme.com/help-for-shirley-lay
or for those who aren’t sure about go fund me please feel free to contact me at
If anyone is willing and able to help anything would be greatly appreciated .
Thank You For your Time
Jeff Lay
we are asking for help funding some of the retrofitting of the house so she may continue to live at home.
As well as some assistive devices to help maintain her independence and quality of life.