Please Help

Mcbertus
Mcbertus Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
Hello,

my mother has just been diagnosed with bone mets. She is originally from the UK but is now living in Toronto and has no doctor here. We have a referal to Princess Margaret Hospital next week. I need some information. I would appreciate if you could send me some feedback about oncologists/breast cancer specialists at PMH that have a great reputation. My mother needs someone that is not only an expert in their field, but has compassion and empathy .

Appreciate your responses.

Moira
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  • linny
    linny Member Posts: 204
    edited June 2007
    Moira, I was treated at PMH beginning in June of 2005 for breast cancer: lumpectomy, then chemo, then radiation, and finished Feb. 2006. I was not thrilled with the care, and generally found all the doctors rushed and not very accessible - it is a very busy hospital and I have spoken to a number of people who had the same experience. I do not think you will find a high level of empathy from the doctors, but they are supposedly among the top in Toronto and I do not think I would have gone elsewhere.

    I don't know if there is as much of an opportunity here for the "cutting-edge" treatments for advanced cancer that are available in the US.

    Linda
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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited June 2007
    I had my treatment at PMH and I was completely happy with it. Yes, sometimes the doctors could be rushed, but I always had as much time as I needed with the surgical residents, always followed by more time with the doctor. And the all round support - the nurses, nutritionists, the detailed information provides, etc - is 2nd to none, in my opinion.

    Because of the type of cancer I had, while I have an oncologist, most of my experience was with a surgeon and a PS. I'd be glad to provide more information on the people I dealt with but I suspect those aren't the specialists that your mother needs. If you do want more info about these doctors, let me know.
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  • Toronto
    Toronto Member Posts: 118
    edited June 2007
    I've been treated twice at PMH for breast cancer and I don't have any complaints about my treatment: surgery, chemo, radiation, herceptin, and assorted tests and scans.
    I could give you names too, but they probably wouldn't be the best doctors for your mother's BC.

    There are many sources of information, compassion and empathy besides the doctors. There is a library and the staffers there are willing to help look up information. There is a new breast centre (I forget what they call it) that one can drop into for information, they have support groups, social workers, all sorts of people besides the doctors and nurses.

    In Toronto there is also Wellspring which is a cancer support centre. If you call them they will send you a schedule of their events which include support groups, yoga, art therapy, meditation, journaling and I don't remember what all.

    Also in Toronto there is Willow which I think is now mostly an information source. I believe they have a web site.

    Good luck
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