UPDATE: Just a few hours after Global News covered Richard Lemieux’s story, he was contacted by the MUHC to say that a bed had opened up.
The procedure has been complete and he is now in recovery.
“He got brand new tubes in his gallbladder and in his liver as well, probably going to drain it for three weeks, then they’ll most likely remove it,” said his daughter Sydney.
POINTE-CLAIRE – Richard Lemieux has been hospitalized at the Lakeshore General Hospital for two weeks.
The dialysis patient has a toxic ulcer in his gallbladder, but before doctors can remove it, they need to drain it.
READ MORE: A single father’s fight for access to life-saving treatment
He’s currently on a waiting list to be transferred to the MUHC’s new super hospital to have the complex procedure done.
READ MORE: Montreal lawyer takes on fight for single father’s access to life-saving treatment
He said doctors told him there are no available beds.
The Lakeshore General Hospital refused Global News’ request for an interview, citing patient confidentiality.
The MUHC admitted that many patients are currently taking up beds because there are no longterm care facilities to transfer them to.
While Lemieux has been hospitalized at the Lakeshore for two weeks, the MUHC claimed he was only put on their waiting list two days ago.
READ MORE: Outpouring of support for Quebec father who needs life-saving care
Global News first met Lemieux in March 2015 when his adapted transportation service from home to Lakeshore General Hospital was cut off without warning.
He was born with severe physical disabilities and suffers from full kidney failure due to diabetes, needing dialysis three times a week.
WATCH: Richard Lemieux fights for treatment
“At the end of the day, it’s the government, the Health Minister throwing me out of the system,” Lemieux told Global News from his hospital bed.
READ MORE: Single father on dialysis still fighting for access to life-saving care
The Île-Perrot resident insisted he’s getting top notch care at the Lakeshore, but he worries he could die without the procedure.
“I can’t wait much longer, the ulcer is growing into my liver and bleeding into my stomach,” he said.
READ MORE: Outpouring of support for Quebec father who needs life-saving care
Quebec Health Minister Gaétan Barrette criticized the MUHC in December for not respecting the number of beds agreed upon in 2007.
READ MORE: Lakeshore Hospital agrees to restore access to lifesaving treatment
At the time, Barrette had said at least 32 patients at the MUHC needed to be transferred to long-term facilities.
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