Two scans are needed, so two appointments
Last May, having a spreading backpain, my house doctor at first requested a CT scan followed by an abdominal ultrasound. Some five months later, I am scheduled to have this ultrasound today.
While in Belgium in August I needed medical attention that required an ECG. This was done without delay, and an irregular heartbeat was noted.
Within a hour I was referred to a cardiologist.
A review of my medical information, a heart murmur was noted and an ultrasound of the heart was performed. The provided report was clear, aortic stenosis.
While with the cardiologist, my pacemaker was also checked as this annually programed test had not been done the past two years in Victoria. All this within an hour of the ECG.
Back in Canada, I had to make an appointment to see my house doctor with the usuals delays. He ordered a blood test and ECG.
Using private clinics this information was available within 48 hours.
The doctor immediately referred me to the Jubilee Hospital emergency department. Two blood tests, two ECG and one CT scan later I was sent home with a confirmation that I may have aortic stenosis , and referred back to my GP.
So my GP has requested an ultrasound of the heart on a priority basis and, I hope, has referred me to a cardiologist
As I have a confirmed scan for this today, I contacted the Jubilee imaging department to see if the heart scan could be done at the same time as the abdominal scan.
The hospital confirmed that both requests were in the system. The equipment will be available, the technician and the patient will all be present.
Logically doing both ultrasounds would save time and expedite the process. The answer came back: No. The different scans are handled by different departments. Meanwhile, I can wait for my scan to confirm what was found in Belgium two months ago, and a cardiologist appointment.
Being nearly immobile, I have to rely on my wife, who was diagnosed with lung cancer, stage four. And I am waiting for the next appointment.
Robert Strijckers
Victoria
Want another city? Try Campbell River
Re: “Open 91原创 Island with another city,” letter, Oct. 12.
The suggestion to open another city north and a bit west of Comox, sure makes sense to me.
In fact, we have already started on it some time ago. It is called Campbell River.
A beautiful area, thriving and growing. Sure glad I live there.
Come check it out sometime!
Keith Price
Campbell River
Pedestrian overpass needed near Sooke
I think a pedestrian overpass is a great idea for urban trails crossing busy roads.
May I suggest that an overpass is badly needed at the Coopers Cove Galloping Goose crossing on Highway 14 on the Victoria side of Sooke.
Highway 14 is the only commuter road from Victoria with average speeds of 60 km/h. Adding to the danger is the fact this crossing is on a downhill blind corner and only visible at the last moment.
Accidents here are frequent and often serious without even considering the traffic backup that occurs to Sooke commuters not being able to get home.
Delays are often hours. A pedestrian overpass is much needed in this location.
Norman Slater
Sooke
Governments must do more to aid mobility
Re: “Development is needed in the right places,” commentary, Oct. 9.
Victoria Coun. Dave Thompson is correct that it is not just people on bicycles using so-called bike routes. As he notes, wheelchairs and mobility scooters are now common on all ages and abilities bike-and-roll routes.
We are in a climate emergency, and designing bike-and-roll routes to meet the needs of people using wheelchairs and mobility scooters will allow a larger proportion of people to live well without owning and driving cars.
Many small steps like this will be needed to meet B.C.’s climate targets, which include reducing car traffic (vehicle kilometres traveled) 25 per cent by 2030.
The B.C. government’s delay in updating regulations to match their Motor Vehicle Act amendments is no excuse for municipal delay. Provincial human rights legislation requires municipalities and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to remove arbitrary barriers to independent mobility.
Better bike-and-roll routes will also improve the mobility options of the large proportion of people with disabilities and older seniors who don’t own cars.
All municipalities should be consulting with people who use mobility scooters and wheelchairs about how bike-and-roll routes can be truly welcoming for all ages and abilities.
Eric Doherty and Jane Welton
Climate Justice Team Co-leads,
Greater Victoria Acting Together
Address actual concerns, and stop calling names
Re: “Stop claiming hatred, let’s talk with each other,” letter, Oct. 10.
I heartily concur. It has become a near-robotic response to call anyone who questions today’s acceptable narratives a “hater,” and by so doing, to not have to hear or address the questioner’s actual concerns or arguments.
Parents have legitimate concerns about the possibility that social suasion and in-group advocacy could lead vulnerable kids – who could be anxious or depressed for a multitude of reasons – toward a lifetime of medicalization and possible regret.
Let’s try a thought experiment here. Remember thalidomide? Remember Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey, who had the courage to question the safety of thalidomide, even though she was a recent hire with the Food and Drug Administration?
United States manufacturer William S. Merrell Chemical Company howled about “this lady’s” requests for more safety data on the drug, and for evidence that it wouldn’t harm the fetus.
Company officials called her questioning “borderline libelous” and wanted to see her fired. In today’s environment, the company might have accused her of “hating” pregnant women, of wanting them to have to suffer from morning sickness!
Fortunately, Kelsey’s boss stood by her, and the FDA did not approve the drug in the U.S.
“I would rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned.” — Richard Feynman (1918-1988), American theoretical physicist.
Brenda Robson
Victoria
Dancing on the graves of slaughtered innocents
I take issue with the so-called responsible citizens in our country who participated in pro-Palestine demonstrations over the weekend.
The equivalent of dancing on the graves of the slaughtered innocents.
Not too inspiring for those of us that had some empathy for the untenable situation in Palestine before last weekend.
And don’t give me the false equivalency of “ what do you expect?” after how they’ve treated us. What happened was inhuman: shooting helpless elderly people, beheading babies, raping women and parading them as trophies … all the while laughing and filming it on their phones so they could post it on social media.
You gave the impression that you’re aligning yourselves with Hamas, especially in light of the fact that the demonstrations in major cities seemed disturbingly celebratory.
If you don’t denounce their atrocities in no uncertain terms you’re supporting them.
They’re as bad as Nazis with their barbarity – say so instead of demonstrating solidarity with them.
You think you’re helping your cause? Do you think Gaza is better off today?
You’re just creating more Islamophobia even to the point that the bloviating former president of the United States is reminding everyone about his Muslim ban.
Shame on you all.
Sandy Szabo
Sidney
After building on fairways, go for parks
What a great idea, rip up Cedar Hill Golf Course and turn it into a subdivision. But let’s not stop there, for we could build even more if we got rid of Playfair, Gorge, Rudd, Majestic, Blenkinsop (oooh, waterfront), Cuthbert Holmes (same appeal), Beaver Lake (more waterfront) etc. etc.
Go big or go home! Maybe the inmates ARE running the asylum.
Don Duvall
Saanich
Move the Clover Point tables to Ship Point
It could be quite an inexpensive fix to provide seating and picnic tables at Ship Point, as there are several of each at Clover Point that are rarely used.
We have been promised a more accessible space at Clover Point.
Since interim solutions seem to be popular these days, why not go with this until we can afford something grander?
Marleesha Keddie
Saanich
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