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It all started with a routine examination.
On September 29, 2021, the patient went to Etobicoke General Hospital for her yearly mammogram. “I went in for what I thought was a precautionary exam. I had no pain, no symptoms that suggested I should be concerned. Unfortunately, during my mammogram, my registered technologist, Angela, noticed some redness on my breast. She said my next step would be an ultrasound, and asked if I could stay a bit longer to have it done that afternoon. Not yet grasping the magnitude of the situation, I said I needed to go to work and could return at a later date. Angela suggested, calmly but assuredly, that I stay and have it done as soon as possible. Under her advice, I stayed, and I could never thank her enough for her advocacy that day.”
That ultrasound would reveal that the patient had stage 3 breast cancer.
Difficult news delivered with care
The patient will never forget the compassion her physicians showed in those early days. “It was Dr. Ryan Heisler that delivered my cancer diagnosis. Right away, he assured me, ‘we will take care of you’.
“When I met my oncologist, Dr. William Raskin, I asked him, worried, what I should tell my family about my diagnosis. He said, ‘tell them you have a curable breast cancer’. I couldn’t believe the relief I felt at his choice of words. Curable. It was exactly what I needed to hear in that moment.
“I’ll never find enough words to express how grateful I am for their support and encouragement.”
A warm welcome
After receiving her diagnosis, it was time for the patient to begin her treatment plan with chemotherapy. “When I went into Brampton Civic Hospital on my first day of chemo, I didn’t know what to expect. It was that day that I met Courtney, a Registered Nurse (RN). From the moment I arrived, she was warm and welcoming. I told her, ‘Courtney, I’m scared’. She acknowledged my fears, and assured me that they would take care of me. She got me hooked up to my IV, settled into my chair, and offered me a warm blanket and drink of water. She came back to check on me every few minutes, always finding ways to make me more comfortable. It made me feel special.”
The impact of personalized care
After that first appointment with Courtney, the patient was no longer scared of her chemo treatments. “I walked in each time feeling safe, knowing I’d be taken care of. One time, I even told one of the nurses I was happy to be there. They laughed – they couldn’t believe I’d used the word ‘happy’ to describe chemo, and neither could I! I was just feeling so fortunate to be receiving the best care from the best team I could ask for.
“On my second chemo treatment, I forgot to take one of my prescribed medications beforehand. When my RN, Gita, asked if I’d taken it I told her no and apologized for forgetting. She did not make me feel bad, and simply said that I could take it now and wait an hour to begin my chemo. As I left that day, she handed me a handwritten note with step-by-step instructions of what I needed to do to prepare for my appointments. I thought that was so thoughtful. I still have it to this day.”
Over the course of her remaining treatments, the patient had the opportunity to meet more incredible nurses. “They brought me so much strength. I want to thank Courtney, Max, Gita, Alcina, Zahraa and Mary Anne for everything they’ve done for me. They exude so much kindness and composure.”
Care that goes beyond
February 3, 2022 was the patient’s eighth and final chemo treatment. “On my last day, I was pleased to see that many of my regular nurses were working. Courtney and I reminisced about how scared I was on my first day, and how far I’d come. I remember Max coming over and telling me, ‘we need to celebrate!’ They were all there with me as I rang the bell, signalling the end of my chemo. They even filmed a video of me to take home to my loved ones since they were not able to be in the hospital to see it firsthand. It allowed my husband and daughters to feel involved in the experience, and I love that it’s something I’ll always have to look back on.”
Brighter days ahead
Following the completion of her chemotherapy, the patient has recently undergone surgery to remove the remaining lump in her breast – a lump that her chemo treatment successfully shrank from 3 cm to just 1.5 cm.
We wish this patient the very best as she continues her journey with Osler’s dedicated team of oncology professionals.
If you would like to care for inspiring patients like this one, we’d love to have you. Apply today to exciting roles in our Oncology program at Brampton Civic and Etobicoke General.
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