Exemplary Physician, Compassionate Cheerleader

A life of trauma would describe Jodi’s turbulent childhood. Repeatedly sexually assaulted, she would go on to be victimized many times in different ways, and become trapped in addiction.

Caught in the grips of alcohol, cocaine and ecstasy in high school, Jodi’s world evolved into a whirlwind of drugs, partying and destructive relationships. An attempt at methadone treatment failed and her addiction to opioids led to injecting hydromorphone.

“The first time I injected, it was either going to be a suicide attempt or the needle. After my first shot of hydromorph, there was no turning back.”

Jodi was just 28 years old when her hydromorph use became constant. She began to use all day, everyday, her life swirling around the next shot.

Eventually, Jodi was able to extricate herself from her circle of addicted companions. She was using less but still using when, in 2012, she became pregnant with her partner’s child. It was the impetus she needed to seek help.

“The morning after I got the positive test, I went to the emergency department and said ‘I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to use. I want this baby.’”

It was only with Dr. Lyons at my side could I face the neonatal intensive care experience while continuing to detox." 
— Jodi

Dr. Laura Lyons would become Jodi’s guide, inspiration and anchor, providing support and compassion she had never experienced before and that continues today.

Regionally and nationally, Dr. Lyons has carved out a niche as an expert in the care of pregnant women who are struggling with substance dependence and addiction. She sees women in her practice at St. Joseph’s Family Medical and Dental Centre and as clinic lead with the Obstetrical Self-Referral Outpatient Clinic at London Health Sciences Centre serving women without a family doctor who need prenatal care. It was at the clinic she uncovered a need to care for many of these patients differently.

“I encountered a number of women struggling with substance use disorder,” says Dr. Lyons. “These women were often angry, likely scared, and distrustful during their visits at the hospital. I came to realize they all had a history of being treated poorly by people of authority and institutions. I also knew we weren’t serving them in the best way possible. There were not the resources in London that met their unique needs, which requires treating addictions while simultaneously providing prenatal care.”

Pregnancy is “a wonderful window of opportunity” for recovery as women are highly motivated for the health and well-being of their child, adds Dr. Lyons. Wanting to take full advantage of that window, she became certified in addiction medicine and has taken a leading role in training clinicians to provide non-judgmental support for pregnant women in recovery, and in the development of policies to promote best care practices for these mothers and babies post-partum.

Under Dr. Lyons expert care, a pregnant Jodi began receiving medication to treat her opioid addiction and was making good progress coming off drugs. She was hoping to be clean by her due date but it wasn’t to be. Unforeseen complications led to her son being born at 28 weeks and a whole new ordeal began. The baby, however, did not suffer withdrawal symptoms because of the treatment Jodi received leading up to his birth.

"It was only with Dr. Lyons at my side could I face the neonatal intensive care experience while continuing to detox," says Jodi, who becomes emotional talking about the importance of Dr. Lyons in her life. "There is no way one human could treat all of her patients the way she accommodates me - but she probably does."

Today, Jodi is a mom of two beautiful children with her partner, and owns her own business. Her oldest is now nine, her youngest almost one. She calls them “my reasons” – for staying the course, staying healthy. She admits that life is still hard and she will forever be an addict in recovery, but Dr. Lyons remains her “biggest cheerleader.”

Without her I don’t know that I’d even be alive today. If I was, my life most certainly wouldn’t look the way it does. While I still have my struggles, life only keeps moving in a positive direction.”