While this is primarily a letter of appreciation, it is also a cautionary tale about how persistence is critical when seeking medical advice.
My husband has been suffering with internal pain since April, and been repeatedly misdiagnosed with a variety of ailments, from Lupus to shingles and everything in between.
His condition intensified to the point where it was so intolerable that repeated visits to the emergency department was required. It was a hopeless situation until finally a trip to yet another clinic resulted in a correct diagnosis and prompt action was initiated. An MRI detected a large tumour and a biopsy confirmed that it was cancerous. Surgery was required and chemotherapy and radiation soon followed.
The inordinate amount of time it took to arrive at this state has had a detrimental effect on the chances of its success and needless to say on the quality of his (our) lives. Had this expedited promptly, much of this might have been avoided.
Needless to say if it wasn't for the performance of the team of saviours that acted quickly and professionally, I'm doubtful he would have survived. With that in mind, our heartfelt thanks and appreciation is required: Dr. Glenna Stirrett for diagnosis, Dr. Erin Chouinard for analysis, Dr. Ross Mantle for surgery and Dr. S. Gopalakrishnan and Dr. Andrew Knight for their painstaking care and compassion, which has given us a ray of hope. To these great doctors, I (we) will be forever grateful.
Karen Sheppard
Sudbury