Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Canadian Health Care

I'm about to embark on the next phase of my cancer journey: Canadian Health Care. Yep, I've left Seoul and my amazing doctors and nurses behind, but I still need check ups. So today I sat with my family doctor and got a whole list of referrals.

Now that I'm back in Canada I will have the BRCA test done. I'm fairly confident that I'm not a carrier and that I am, instead, unlucky. But it never hurts to know. And oddly enough, my sister can only have the test done once I've had it done, regardless of my results. So I will have my DNA read, and then she can too (but probably only if I am actually a carrier).

I was also pleased to be referred to an oncologist here. I wasn't sure how cancer follow up was managed in Canada and if I would be with my family doctor. I like the man but he isn't a cancer specialist. I know breast cancer is pretty run of the mill, but I was only 30 when I was diagnosed and that certainly isn't par for the course so I'm happy to have cancer experts involved. Plus, it will be refreshing to talk about cancer with an expert medical professional that is completely fluent in English. My doctors in Korea did well, but there was a lot of slow talking, repetition and periods of nobody knowing what anybody else was saying.

I think I will also look into cancer survivor supports now that I'm home. At this moment I'm not actually worrying that much about cancer, which is an amazing and welcome change of pace. Do you want to know my secret?

Simple: Buy a 60 year old house and start doing renovations.

This consumes so much of my brain power I have very little left to worry about rouge cancer cells. Instead, I'm worrying about wiring and plumbing and wall colours.

So that my news. I'm coming up on my 2 year cansiversary and that means tests and results and updates to follow but for now, I'm doing well and feeling good. 

3 comments:

  1. Distractions: Aren't they amazing?

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  2. Laura, I was actually just checking out a few of your posts and had a quick question about your blog. I was hoping you could email me back when you get the chance, thanks!

    Emily

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    Replies
    1. Hi Emily,

      I sent you a message via gchat that has my contact details.

      Laura

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