The Great North Arrow $2.85 + .15 Tax
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Written by Our People...For Our People....est. 2010
Issue 19 - Volume : 11
Small towns & proud ... connecting communities
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October 1st-2024
Servicing the Almaguin & Parry Sound Districts
TRUSTING YOUR INSTINCTS – LOCAL MAN RECOVERING FROM A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION ALMAGUIN: Jayson is a hard working family man. He and his wife moved north in 2013. Jay found himself a job he loved working with Next Level builders. After a few years working for them, and a beautiful little boy later, he started his own business. Jay has been self employed ever since as the owner of Roser’s Renovations. Cheri also became self employed running BearCub home daycare. She also volunteers her time at Land of Lakes parent Council, Scouts Canada and the Santa clause parade committee. On Monday September 9th, Jay spent the day doing some heavy lifting at work. He started to feel some pain in his left arm. In typically Jay fashion, he ignored it until the job was done. Later that evening the pain became so unbearable he went to the emergency department to have the arm examined. He was told he likely tore a muscle and to go home and rest, it will heal on its own. Jay headed back home, still in pain. After a restless night, Jay wakes up Tuesday, in worse pain than the day before. But, he is starting to feel like maybe he has the flu as well. Jay spends the day on the couch, resting, icing, heating, taking Tylenol, Advil, doing everything he could to feel even slightly better. Nothing was working. By this point, Tuesday evening and into Wednesday he is starting to feel like maybe it isn’t just the flu. Don’t forget about that excruciating arm pain he’s been feeling too. By mid morning Jay has vomited multiple times, is running a fever and his wife Cheri notices he’s breathing is different. He’s also starting to look like he was sunburnt and very flushed. Things continued to get worse and by Wednesday afternoon Jay wasn’t acting himself, and still experiencing all the same symptoms noted above and having a hard time walking, Cheri called an ambulance, and they responded to their home. EMS crew arrived and assessed him, quickly loading him up and heading to the closest hospital. Jayson was brought in high priority with lights and sirens under the suspicion of sepsis.
Shortly after midnight, Jayson arrived by ambulance at the Huntsville hospital where he was assessed again by hospital staff and it was obvious he was in the severe stage of sepsis. Huntsville staff stabilized Jay the best they could, and he was then transferred by ambulance to Orillia where he was admitted to the ICU. Once admitted to the ICU he was pumped full of medications, most importantly the antibiotics his body absolutely needed to survive. Later that morning Jay received results from tests that were completed earlier.. Jay’s kidneys were in failure, his heart, his liver and his lungs were all headed in that direction as well. Also, the arm pain was still excruciating. ICU staff confirmed the arm pain was due to flesh eating disease, in his arm. This was not visible from the outside, with no obvious signs of infection. There was a lump forming in his armpit area that continued to grow, which is likely the source of infection. The flesh eating disease had been quietly growing and spreading from his arm, and
the infection made its way into his blood stream. This brought the infection to a systemic level, and took over Jay’s body, resulting in sepsis. Many different measures and medications were taken to help Jay’s body fight the sepsis and flesh eating disease. Many challenges were faced, including an anaphylactic reaction to one of the medications. After nearly 2 weeks in the ICU with around the clock care, Jay was cleared to return home. This release came with the promise of a home care nurse that would visit to assess and assist with medications. Unfortunately, that very quickly fell through and the burden of care fell on his wife Cheri. Cheri has been within arms reach of Jay since this nightmare started, so if nursing wasn’t available, there was no better person for the job. She has been monitoring his condition, his IV sites where he is still hooked up to receive antibiotics, and driving him to the care clinic when his multiple IVs fail. JASON Continued ON PAGE A12
October has arrived. Still lots of time to get your perennials while they are on sale! Just arrived Fall Mums, Asters and planters. Come in and check it out. When closing up the cottage don’t forget your RV Antifreeze and the special treats for the mice!
15 Burrows St Magnetawan, ON, Canada P0A 1P0 1 705-387-3988
A Day in Parry Sound: Exploring Georgian Bay’s 30,000 Island
Linda West: Parry Sound It was early when Charlie and I arrived at the dock in Parry Sound, the sun having just crested over the trees. A sense of anticipation filled the air, much more bustling than usual for this time of morning. Visitors and locals alike were gathered on the town dock, awaiting the grand arrival of the "Hanseatic Inspiration." This ship, on its journey from Milwaukee, was carrying over 210 passengers and 100 staff on an adventure across the Great Lakes. The Anishinaabe people, which include the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi tribes, are one of the prominent groups in the Great Lakes region. They are known for their deep connection to the land, water, and wildlife. Most of the people on the cruise were tourists with no
connection to the area. However, some of the people waiting at the dock were excitedly anticipating friends who had come all the way from Germany to visit.
An unmistakable energy went through the dock area, as though the people who had come to greet the cruise boat had a purpose. Security teams were
in place, and local guides stood ready to greet the incoming passengers. Nearby, the Island Queen—Parry Sound’s pride and joy—was also being prepped for its special tour. The three-hour voyage would take its passengers through the serene waterways and hidden channels of Georgian Bay, known for the stunning beauty of its 30,000 islands. Today’s tour promised the same, as it had become the very essence of what put Parry Sound on the map. I paused for a moment, letting Charlie take in the morning air as we watched the scene unfold. Hammond buses were already lined up, ready to transport visitors to Killbear Provincial Park, where local guides would take them through the vibrant autumn woods. The air was crisp, and though the clouds hung heavy with the threat of rain, everyone remained hopeful for an adventurous day. Visitors were smiling, brochures in hand, eager to explore the options for their stay. Some were planning a trip to the local museum or a climb up Tower Hill, while others were keen to embark on a walk along the Waterfront Trail. There is something magical about this time of year in Parry Sound. The slow transformation of leaves into
30,000 ISLANDS CONTINUED ON PG A12
David Sheepway / Realtor / Port Loring Branch Manager
Working For You! PROPERTIES ON PAGE B12
705-757-1421 / team.sheepway@gmail.com / Parry Sound / Muskoka Realty Ltd. / Port Loring Branch