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Louise O'Brien · 11-08-2007, 06:21 PM

Rupali:

Come to Canada. You are not moving to a medical backwater. I'm Canadian and I can't tell you how grateful I am for our healthcare system. Both my husband and I have been treated for cancer (he was diagnosed with prostate cancer five years ago while my diagnosis was a year ago). Once diagnosed, our treatment was instant and immediate. And free. We have not had to pay a cent. And we've been treated by the best.

We have internationally renowned physicians here and if you are relocating to Toronto you will have access to some of the best specialists in the world.

It would be a shame for you to lose your residency status when there are so many people waiting to get into this country.

Toronto is also a lovely city with great benefits - terrific restaurants and theatres and a nice quality of life.

I will give you this advice though. If you are considering a move, get your oncologist to refer you to a Toronto specialist. You need that referral and you should be working on it now. You can't just walk in cold and make an appointment.

You will have to wait three months until you get health care coverage so make sure your husband's company covers you for that period. They should.

I can't tell you if our health care system covers the three drugs you mention but the information is on line and I'll try to research it for you. Nor can I tell you if your private health care carrier will - only your husband's HR department can.

As far as treatment goes - I can tell you that Herceptin for early stage breast cancer patients was approved in our country several years ago. I believe the FDA in the U.S. only approved it for early stage patients last year.

We don't have to worry about private insurance carriers refusing to cover us because the cost of the medication is too high. You may hear stories about long waiting lists but I can only tell you that much of that is a myth - we experienced none of that once we were diagnosed. Our treatment followed quickly. My surgery took place three weeks after my diagnosis.

Given your diagnosis and the prospect of future expenses, I personally feel this is a move you will never regret. I have many friends who moved to the U.S. for career opportunities who want to come back - and it's because of our health system.

11-08-2007, 06:21 PM	#6
Louise O'Brien Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 75	Come to Canada!!! Rupali: Come to Canada. You are not moving to a medical backwater. I'm Canadian and I can't tell you how grateful I am for our healthcare system. Both my husband and I have been treated for cancer (he was diagnosed with prostate cancer five years ago while my diagnosis was a year ago). Once diagnosed, our treatment was instant and immediate. And free. We have not had to pay a cent. And we've been treated by the best. We have internationally renowned physicians here and if you are relocating to Toronto you will have access to some of the best specialists in the world. It would be a shame for you to lose your residency status when there are so many people waiting to get into this country. Toronto is also a lovely city with great benefits - terrific restaurants and theatres and a nice quality of life. I will give you this advice though. If you are considering a move, get your oncologist to refer you to a Toronto specialist. You need that referral and you should be working on it now. You can't just walk in cold and make an appointment. You will have to wait three months until you get health care coverage so make sure your husband's company covers you for that period. They should. I can't tell you if our health care system covers the three drugs you mention but the information is on line and I'll try to research it for you. Nor can I tell you if your private health care carrier will - only your husband's HR department can. As far as treatment goes - I can tell you that Herceptin for early stage breast cancer patients was approved in our country several years ago. I believe the FDA in the U.S. only approved it for early stage patients last year. We don't have to worry about private insurance carriers refusing to cover us because the cost of the medication is too high. You may hear stories about long waiting lists but I can only tell you that much of that is a myth - we experienced none of that once we were diagnosed. Our treatment followed quickly. My surgery took place three weeks after my diagnosis. Given your diagnosis and the prospect of future expenses, I personally feel this is a move you will never regret. I have many friends who moved to the U.S. for career opportunities who want to come back - and it's because of our health system.