Please tell us about your journey to StayWell, what led you to us, where does your story begin?
"I was diagnosed with cancer in March of 2023 and began treatment at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta. The plan was to complete 12 rounds of chemotherapy and then surgery to remove the tumor. In November 2023, I had surgery at the University of Alberta Hospital. At this time the tumor could not be removed. I was then referred to the McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer. I was accepted as a patient and radiation treatment began in April 2024 at the Cross Cancer Institute followed by surgery through The Princess Margaret Hospital and the McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer in Toronto in June 2024. The surgery date was set to June 25th with a week of appointments beginning on June 18, 2024."
Where did you have to relocate from? How was the journey from home to Toronto?​
​
"We would need to relocate from our home in Edmonton, Alberta to downtown Toronto for at least 3 to 4 weeks, depending on recovery."
What were the things you found difficult? How did StayWell help?​
"Although my husband is originally from Toronto, we were unsure of how to begin and where to start looking to relocate to. Toronto is a big city. That is when we were put in touch with StayWell by the Social Worker, Loretta, at The Princess Margaret Hospital. We immediately put in our application and we connected with StayWell who were extremely knowledgeable and helpful as we needed to seek accommodations in downtown Toronto within walking distance to attend appointments and then for visitation. We also needed 2 bedrooms as we have adult children who wanted to come to Toronto to support us, along with relatives throughout Ontario. StayWell provided us with a variety of options and we selected a 2 bedroom suite for 3 weeks which served us extremely well. Great location and an awesome accommodation."
What were the positive aspects of your stay?​
​
"Once we had the support and suggestions from StayWell, we made our decision and were able to focus on all the next steps we needed to prepare for being away from our home to seek medical treatment. Every step of the way StayWell was there to connect with, ask advice, and support us in our accommodations. When we needed to move towards the end of our stay, just a few more days, due to follow up appointments and contracts, again StayWell was there to support us and assisted us with finding another residence, close to my follow up appointments and with ease."
Would you recommend StayWell to other patients in need of access to medical care in Toronto?​
​
"Yes."
