5d News Strike scrapped surgery for Saanichton family by Randy Allen The Review Recent job action by the Hospi- tal Employee’s Union had a greater impact on people than union organizers professed, according toa Saanichton family who feel the effects of surgery cancellation. Ann Blaskovich, a 34-year-old mother of four, said the indefinite postponement of an operation to have a rare tumor removed from below her left ear has caused her family a great deal of mental anguish. The growth, called a glomus “I was upset,’ Blaskovich said. “T have never felt it was right for people in hospitals to go on strike.” Her husband Randy could not agree with more. “I don’t under- Stand where the HEU is coming lowing the operation, her surgeon opted to postpone until complete Care was ensured. She knows the side effects of the surgery will not be pleasant — permanent loss of hearing in the left ear and possible nerve damage to that side of her face — but, she Says, it will be better than the bouts of dizziness and buming pain she is experiencing now, which have disrupted her life. “Some days I scramble to find tides to school for my children, I need to cancel appointments and leave my basic household tasks undone,” she wrote in a letter to the HEU, provincial (NDP) Health TheReview SUN RAY WINDOW TINTING LTD. To much of the Summer Sun’s Heat? Like to ~ oo enjoy the full use of your windows while maintain- ing day time privacy? Want to reduce the harmful —__ effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays? Sun control film works . .. Talk to us about your Sun Controlor — Security needs. 2040 Teale PIl., Sidney 656-5744 Wednesday, May 13,1992 — A3 ’ tumor, tangles itself around blood Minister Elizabeth Cull, (NDP) ® vessels, like the roots of a tree, and Labour Minister Moe Sihota and DAIRY QUEEN exerts pressure on the surrounding _. 4 Saanich North and The Islands nerves making it very difficult to ANN BLASKOV; Cisea) MLA Chive “nies AXD HELP SAVE FOMOWE, STD Sk ICH It is totally unacceptable that The neurosurgeon who willper- from. They say nobody is being the HEU should be permitted to YOUNG Lé&Ves form the operation — which will jll-effected from their action,” he J°°Pa™dize the health of myself and e be the sixth of its kind in B.C.— said. “Well, they’re wrong,” many other critically ill individu- told her the surgery is not impera- Because the tumor is not life als,” Blaskovich said. : Children’s tive yet, but waiting will make threatening, her surgery, along _ /he same day she mailed the ’ removal of the slow-growing with thousands of other patients, letters, her surgeon called to say he Miracle Network a——~ tumor all the more difficult. was put on hold. had scheduled May 21 for the Telethon Ro 5 She anxiously waited for a date She said the procedure could be © °PTalion. i “Saye. Ss for her surgery to be scheduled. done regardless of the strike, but, Tthought he wouldn't call until ° But when the call came, she was because there is a 10 to 12 day Summer, she said. “I was told she would have to wait. recuperation period in hospital fol °S'gned to waiting. However, if an emergency sur- gery comes up that day, or if the B HEU) decides to walk out again, her surgery will be delayed again. a hi i d It’s something she would rather 3 enicies vanaadiize Vehicles owned by Cloake Hill Construction Ltd. and parked on Wain Road in North Saanich were vandalized overnight Saturday- Sunday, RCMP said. Windows were smashed on two ‘pieces of heavy equipment and the interior of a company pick-up truck was vandalized. Damage is in excess of $1,000. Police have suspects in the inci- dent but ask that those with infor- mation notify the RCMP. Their investigation is continuing. Residents beware of car break-ins # Residents in two neighborhoods in Central Saanich are asked to be wary of prowlers after a rash of recent vehicle break-ins. A total of 10 vehicles were entered in the Tanner Ridge area including the areas of Veyaness Road and Rodolph Road overnight April 27-28, Central Saanich police said. House break-in About $3,000 worth of diving equipment and jewelry was taken from a house in the 1100-block Dignan Place sometime during the Easter weekend, April 18-20, Cen- tral Saanich police said. A sliding bedroom window at the rear of the premises was forced open by the culprits, police said. A short time later, the aftemoon April 21, Sidney RCMP investi- gated a break-in on Dean Park Road in North Saanich. Jewelry, camera equipment and cash was stolen. Those with information are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 386-8477. Break-ins get bucks American and Canadian curren- cy was Stolen during two break-ins in North Saanich during daylight hours May 5. Forced entry was made to one of the two residences, located on Chalet Road and Clayton Road. not think about. Her and her husband both know the medical system as their son Kevin went through leukemia treatments. They understand that certain operations take precedence over others and that waiting, although difficult, is part of the system. But, they don’t understand how a union can take precedence over the health of people. They see proper medical care as an essential service, one that should not be allowed to disrupt lives because of greed. “Unions have served their pur- pose,” said Randy of the fact that working conditions have vastly improved in most industries as a result of union pressures. “But the big ones aren’t even out for the people anymore. They are in it for greed.” HEU members are back to work without a contract after the provin- cial government intervened last week. A report from a conciliator is expected May 15. 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