I was persistent, but clearly not persistent enough. It wasn’t until I met with the medical oncologist (Dr. Chemo) who provided a binder of information regarding treatment and even more service providers — 2.5 months’ after I had undergone tests, appointments and endless confusion did I hear about this information.
The oncology nurse also told me about the Canadian Cancer Society’s transportation services which are free of charge after you register — registration was a simple phone call. For the previous 2-3 months, I had been paying the astronomical parking or taxi rates at the hospital — I’m only about 2 miles away from the hospital and it was $15 each way for a taxi.
You will have appointments that tell you not to drive afterwards. Since I’m self-employed and some of the appointments take up to 6 hours, it was becoming a financial hardship to continually have to pay for parking or taxi cabs — parking is $2.50 per half hour or less and I rarely paid less than the full day of $14.
The economy has already hurt me through 2008, and now cancer has to take a bite out of my pocket? This is becoming quite difficult.
These are some of the service providers available to assist you — please let me know if there are others I’m not aware of:
- Wellspring (a network of cancer support centres)
- CCAC, as previously mentioned
- Red Cross (who can help with hygience, meal preparation and light help around the house)
- VON
- Seniors-4-Seniors
- Dietiticans (by referral)
- Psychologists (by referral)
- Canadian Cancer Society
- Willow (Toronto): Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada provides free knowledge, understanding and support to thousands of Canadians impacted by breast cancer, empowering all to make informed decisions about their diagnosis and treatment options.
IMPORTANT! As soon as you are diagnosed with cancer, contact the Canadian Cancer Society immediately to get support from their vast network of volunteers, which includes transportation. You can also opt for individual support or group support.
Hindsight is always 20/20 and I surely wish I had been more of a Cancer Bitch. Oh, and although I have private health insurance, I do not have longterm disability insurance … this means if I don’t earn a living, I’m destined for bankruptcy. I am not qualified for any benefits due to self-employment.
If I can give any bit of advice for other self-employed individuals, get longterm disability: the few hundred dollars a month will be worth it should you ever need it.
Just look at me: I was healthy in September — and I mean quite healthy without any other issues — had cancer in October and will be not be 100% for at least 6-8 weeks … and that doesn’t include chemotherapy: my pathology report is still not back as of today, 2 weeks after surgery, so my decision will be based on the information contained in the report.
It’s also odd that the pathology report is not back. When I had the biopsy in December, the pathology report was back within 5 days. During the biopsy, Dr. Indiscreet told me that the hospital’s lab would be closing as of January, 2009, and he was concerned about the level of care and accuracy a private lab would take [with people's lives].
Is anyone listening to these concerns, from both medical practitioners and patients?
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