My oncologist/hematologist is leaving P.E.I., which means Prince Edward Island will be without one.
I absolutely don’t blame Dr. Whitlock. He’s got a life outside of the medical world, and he’s got to do what’s right for him. I sincerely mean that with every fibre of my being. Living in P.E.I. through the week, and seeing your family in New Brunswick only on the weekend has got to take its toll. Then there’s the road travel, especially in the winter.
The difficult part, so far and for me, is losing that connection a cancer patient makes with a trusted medical caregiver who — well, not to be dramatic, but it’s true — is keeping you alive. There’s a trust, a bond, and an intimacy a patient develops as the result of putting their life in someone else’s hands. Dr. Whitlock is the third specialist I’ve had since being diagnosed with a blood cancer, and now I'm on to my fourth.
Though I'm sad to see Dr. Whitlock leave his scope of practice in PEI, I'm glad to say that he has connected me with Dr. Eric Manuel, a hematologist/oncologist in Moncton, New Brunswick. It will mean travel, but also means continuing to see the type of specialist I need to see. First appointment is December 2nd.
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