Glen Primeau was seated on a chair, watching television in his New Hampshire home, when his wife, Beverley, entered the room he calls his cave.
Looking at her face, he knew it wasn’t good news.
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‘Right thing to do’: Calgary man gives brother gift of life by donating part of liver
Beverly had spent the past few hours fighting back tears. But she couldn’t bring herself to tell him what he needed to know.
Earlier that day in October 2022, Beverly, who is vice-president of surgical and procedural services at Elliot Hospital in Manchester, N.H., stumbled upon a word on a medical test result that made her blood run cold.
“Hepatocellular carcinoma.”
“I couldn’t breathe,” Beverly said.
It wasn’t the first time she thought she would lose him. The spectre of his death loomed since she fell in love with him three decades ago.
Primeau, who grew up in Montreal in a family that ran a textile business, was first introduced to the world of diving at 12 by his uncle who was a sports diver. His uncle pushed him into the cold lake, expecting him to rush out in minutes. But as soon as he plunged into the water, he found his calling.
After several jobs, at 20, Primeau finally became a commercial diver, a role that required him to fix pipelines, electric cable crossings and whatever needed mending underwater in zero visibility.
Once, in the mid-80s, he and his team members got swept up by the currents while drilling samples for a hydroelectric project at the bottom of the St. Lawrence River in Central Canada. He was the last to be saved by a person using a speed boat after being hurled by the water for eight miles. Soon, he was back to his job.
When they finally met, however, the wait would seem worthwhile.
‘How can this be happening?’
That evening in October 2022 wasn’t like one of those days. Through the years, fear would be followed by relief and joy. Now, the threat came with a sense of finality.
When the doctor told Primeau over a call he had liver cancer, he was in denial.
Physically, he felt fine. “I almost asked myself, how can this be happening when I don’t feel anything?” he said.
The possibility, however, had been hanging over them for a while.
Primeau’s cirrhosis diagnosis three years ago was out of coincidence.
He had changed his job first from a commercial diver in central Canada and then as a scuba instructor in Florida — where the couple moved as Beverly found better working opportunities — to an HVAC technician in New Hampshire.
One day at work, he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. At first, he thought it would heal itself. But after months of being unable to lift his arm above his head, he showed himself to a doctor and found out he had torn his ligament.
The doctor had told the couple then that it wasn’t if he would get cancer but a matter of when.
Beverly thought of their primary care doctor, who would jokingly respond when told about Primeau’s daily drinking habits. “We all like to have our drink at night,” he would say.
She wondered if support from the doctor could have prompted Primeau to leave consuming alcohol earlier. But the diagnosis strengthened Primeau’s resolve. From six to eight beer cans a day, he brought his consumption down to zero. Over time, he learned his liver had produced new tissues, which meant the organ was regenerating.
His memory problems, which doctors previously labelled as cognitive impairment, began to fade, and while watching Jeopardy!, Beverly found him as sharp as he once was. The couple hoped against all odds the threat of cancer was behind them. But here they were.
Big decisions after liver cancer diagnosis
Hearing the news about cancer, Primeau’s life flashed before him. Several questions swirled in his mind. But, before answering them, he had to decide whether he had the will to live.
Beverly needed to know.
“Telling him ‘I want you to live’ is great, but he has to want it also,” Beverly said. “It was more of wanting to be respectful of his wishes.”
Primeau decided he wanted to live — for his family. He wanted to see his 22-year-old daughter graduate from university. He wanted to spend more years with Beverly. He felt he hadn’t reached the end of his life yet.
Primeau’s gastroenterologist soon connected them with doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital, an arm of the Mass General Brigham, an affiliate of the Harvard Medical School. A couple of days later, they met with surgeon Dr. Adel Bozorgzadeh, who explained the next course of action.
Bozorgzadeh told them they would ablate his tumours as a temporary measure. But more will pop up eventually, and to survive, they would need someone to donate a part of their liver.
That meant Primeau had to undergo several tests, including medical, surgical, social, psychiatric and nutritional evaluations that examined whether he was not only healthy enough to withstand the surgery but also had the necessary support to recover and weather the myriad complications that can arise after adopting someone else’s organ.
But behind the jokes, Primeau felt like he was on an island, all by himself. He had Beverly and an army of doctors labouring to treat him. But the battle was his. The pain and uncertainty were his to overcome.
“There’s support,” he said. “But it’s not like you have to hear those three words. ‘You’ve got cancer.’ ”
Meanwhile, time was working against him. If the tumour grew beyond a certain size or spread outside the liver, Primeau couldn’t be saved.
It was then that he messaged his brother Lee, a Calgary entrepreneur leading consulting and project financing companies.
Brotherly bonds grow to become deeper than most
For Primeau, however, he remained his coddled younger brother, who needed saving when he was stuck in the middle of the woods on his snowmobile or got into fights with strangers.
Lee, five years younger than Primeau, was rarely able to relate to his elder brother but over the years, they got closer.
“Needless to say, both of us looked like lobsters when we woke up.”
As years went by, they grew apart. Primeau continued diving while Lee completed his master’s in theology and worked with non-profits. He travelled across the globe helping to build systems and infrastructure, including medical facilities, in developing countries.
Decades later, the brothers reconnected after Lee had settled in Calgary.
Primeau told Lee about his condition without any expectations. Lee was shocked but wasn’t emotional. Throughout his years working with non-profits, he had been trained to keep his emotions behind doing the “right thing.”
His main focus was the next step. A few days later, he asked Primeau if he could donate his liver. The elder brother was overwhelmed — if anything happened to Lee, he couldn’t forgive himself.
But Lee was stubborn.
“I would say my default setting was that Glenn’s my brother,” said Lee, who spends a lot of time hiking and practising CrossFit.
The doctors had good reason to be reluctant: Lee was 65, much older than the typically acceptable age for a donor. But test after test proved Lee was not only healthy but biologically, he was in his 40s.
The doctor decided to proceed with the transplant. Meanwhile, Beverly and Primeau regularly spoke with him, asking if he, his wife, children and grandchildren, were sure about the decision.
“He goes, ‘I want to do this … stop trying to talk me out of it. I’m gonna do this for my brother. And it’s all going to be OK,’ ” Beverly said.
‘Man, is this for real or what?’
Fast forward to April: both brothers were at the hospital. Lee would be operated on first, after which Primeau would be given a part of his liver.
Before Lee was about to enter the operating theatre, both saw each other and smiled. “You’re looking at one another and you go, ‘Man, is this for real or what?’ ” Primeau said. “I wish my parents were alive to see this.”
Primeau was lying on his bed when Lee was wheeled into his room and hooked up to pumps and wires. Both compared their scars to see whose was larger. Both were shivering and having withdrawals from the medication. Soon, Lee returned to his room for the night.
In 36 hours, Lee began walking again, strolling in Primeau’s backyard. Doctors advised Lee to take rest and limit movement until he recovers. But he couldn’t help himself and has so far scaled four mountains in the Canadian Rockies.
As for Primeau, he suffered several complications over the months. He once had to be airlifted from his house after experiencing a septic shock. “Darn, it is expensive,” he said with a smirk. But apart from the incident and general weakness, he has been recovering at home since Father’s Day.
Primeau says his new chance at life hasn’t changed him.
“I’ve had so many accidents and it’s been so close,” he said. “So the only thing I’m happy for is to be here with my wife and daughter.”
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Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
- Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
- Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
- Best Buy Canada
- Walmart Canada
- EB Games (GameStop)
- Amazon Canada
- The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
- Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
- Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
- Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
- Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
- Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
- Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
- Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
- Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
- Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
- Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
- AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
- Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
- VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
- Alan Wake 2
- Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
- Demon’s Souls
- Dragon’s Dogma 2
- Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Gran Turismo 7
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
- $699.99 USD
- $949.99 CAD
- £699.99 GBP
- €799.99 EUR
- ¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
Google has launched its next generation of Pixel phones, setting the stage for a head-to-head competition with Apple as both tech giants aim to integrate more advanced artificial intelligence (AI) features into their flagship devices. The unveiling took place near Google’s Mountain View headquarters, marking an early debut for the Pixel 9 lineup, which is designed to showcase the latest advancements in AI technology.
The Pixel 9 series, although a minor player in global smartphone sales, is a crucial platform for Google to demonstrate the cutting-edge capabilities of its Android operating system. With AI at the core of its strategy, Google is positioning the Pixel 9 phones as vessels for the transformative potential of AI, a trend that is expected to revolutionize the way people interact with technology.
Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president overseeing the Pixel phones, emphasized the company’s commitment to AI, stating, “We are obsessed with the idea that AI can make life easier and more productive for people.” This echoes the narrative Apple is likely to push when it unveils its iPhone 16, which is also expected to feature advanced AI capabilities.
The Pixel 9 lineup will be the first to fully integrate Google’s Gemini AI technology, designed to enhance user experience through more natural, conversational interactions. The Gemini assistant, which features 10 different human-like voices, can perform a wide array of tasks, particularly if users allow access to their emails and documents.
In an on-stage demonstration, the Gemini assistant showcased its ability to generate creative ideas and even analyze images, although it did experience some hiccups when asked to identify a concert poster for singer Sabrina Carpenter.
To support these AI-driven features, Google has equipped the Pixel 9 with a special chip that enables many AI processes to be handled directly on the device. This not only improves performance but also enhances user privacy and security by reducing the need to send data to remote servers.
Google’s aggressive push into AI with the Pixel 9 comes as Apple prepares to unveil its iPhone 16, which is expected to feature its own AI advancements. However, Google’s decision to offer a one-year free subscription to its advanced Gemini Assistant, valued at $240, may pressure Apple to reconsider any plans to charge for its AI services.
The standard Pixel 9 will be priced at $800, a $100 increase from last year, while the Pixel 9 Pro will range between $1,000 and $1,100, depending on the model. Google also announced the next iteration of its foldable Pixel phone, priced at $1,800.
In addition to the new Pixel phones, Google also revealed updates to its Pixel Watch and wireless earbuds, directly challenging Apple’s dominance in the wearable tech market. These products, like the Pixel 9, are designed to integrate seamlessly with Google’s AI-driven ecosystem.
Google’s event took place against the backdrop of a significant legal challenge, with a judge recently ruling that its search engine constitutes an illegal monopoly. This ruling could lead to further court proceedings that may force Google to make significant changes to its business practices, potentially impacting its Android software or other key components of its $2 trillion empire.
Despite these legal hurdles, Google is pressing forward with its vision of an AI-powered future, using its latest devices to showcase what it believes will be the next big leap in technology. As the battle for AI supremacy heats up, consumers can expect both Google and Apple to push the boundaries of what their devices can do, making the choice between them more compelling than ever.
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