Please tell us about your journey to StayWell, what led you to us, where does your story begin?

 

"I was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma on June 27, 2024. Initially, my family doctor suggested that I see the general surgeon who had previously performed my colonoscopy at Brockville General Hospital to handle my surgery. However, I didn’t feel comfortable moving forward with that option and wanted to ensure I was receiving specialized care.

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I began looking into other options and sought out a referral to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto. Once that path was set, we knew we would be facing frequent trips to the city for appointments and treatment, which brought on a new set of challenges around travel, timing, and accommodations. That’s what eventually led us to learn about StayWell."

Where did you have to relocate from? How was the journey from home to Toronto?​

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"We live on Opinicon Lake, which is about an hour’s drive to either Brockville or Kingston, but getting to Toronto is a much longer journey. The drive can be unpredictable which adds an extra layer of stress—especially when you’re already dealing with medical concerns."

What were the things you found difficult? How did StayWell help?​

 

"One of the biggest challenges was the timing of early morning appointments. For a 9:00 a.m. appointment in Toronto, we would have to wake up around 3:00 a.m., leave the house by 4:00 a.m., and hope we didn’t run into bad weather, traffic, or accidents along the way. After the appointment, facing another five-hour drive back home made for an incredibly long and exhausting day.

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The StayWell program made a huge difference for us. It allowed us to travel to Toronto the evening before, get a proper night’s rest, and arrive at appointments feeling more prepared and less stressed. Splitting up the travel this way made the entire experience not only manageable, but much safer and more comfortable."

What were the positive aspects of your stay?​

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"We truly appreciated so many aspects of our stay with StayWell. The check-in process was simple and seamless, which made arriving after a long drive much easier. The location of the units, so close to the hospitals, was incredibly convenient and removed a lot of the stress around getting to appointments on time.

 

The one-bedroom units were well-stocked with everything we needed, making it feel much more like a home than a temporary place to stay. Having access to amenities allowed us to maintain some normal routines, which was comforting during such an uncertain time. Everything was very clean and tidy, which also gave us peace of mind. On top of that, the reservation process was quick and efficient. "

Would you recommend StayWell to other patients in need of access to medical care in Toronto?​

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"Yes."