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Your first appointment will be scheduled at the cancer centre
in Thunder Bay, regardless of where you live. After this first
appointment, you may be able to receive certain treatments
in your home community, which you can see below.
Checking in at Reception
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Go to the Main Reception desk of the cancer centre for your first
appointment (on the third floor). Canadian Cancer Society
volunteers are available to give you a brief tour of the centre,
answer any questions, or help you with your forms. They also
provide a refreshment service that consists of coffee, tea,
water and cookies.
If you live in Thunder Bay but cannot get a ride to the cancer
centre, you may be able to request a ride from a Canadian
Cancer Society volunteer driver. Call the Society at (807)
344-5433 to find out about this service. |
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The New Patient Clinic and Multidisciplinary Clinics
Your first visit as a new patient is in the clinic, and you
may also be seen at a multidisciplinary clinic, where a specialized
team of surgeons, oncologists and other health professionals
review your case and tailor treatment plans to your needs.
This approach is ideal if you have a newly diagnosed or recurring
cancer. Multidisciplinary clinics are available for head and
neck, prostate, breast, lung, gynecologic, gastrointestinal
and hematogolic cancers.
On your first visit you will meet your care team, the clerk,
the primary nurse and oncologist, and you will receive information
about your specific cancer. During later visits, you will
meet other members of your care team, such as the Supportive
Care counselors or chaplain.
Your Health Assessment and Photo
At your first appointment, a nurse will complete a health
assessment form and your medical history, and take your photograph
(from the shoulders up) for your medical file. This process
usually takes about 20 minutes.
Your New Patient Package
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will receive an orientation package during your first visit.
It contains information for new patients and their families,
what to expect during treatment and community supports and
resources available to you. Use the record keeping section
in the back of your New Patient Package to save other information
you are given. The information may also be helpful for family
members and friends.
We invite you to fill out the evaluation form within the New
Patient Package or talk it over with a Canadian Cancer Society
volunteer, so improvements can be made to the package.
Patient and family information is located in the main reception
area of the cancer centre. Pamphlets, books and videos on
several types of cancer, treatment and support services are
available. Three computers are also available for patients
to use. The computers are located in the main reception area,
in chemotherapy, and radiation therapy reception. There is
comprehensive information through our Oncology Interactive
Education Series available on all three computers.
If you require support for drug assistance, you can contact
the Cancer Drug Assistance Program at 1-877-681-6551
(Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.) This service is offered
in both French and English. Interpreter services are available
for other languages.
Helpful Advice
- Try to bring a family member or a friend to your appointment
as you may have difficulty absorbing all the new information
you are given. You may also want to keep a diary or bring
a pen and paper to take notes. Have the oncologist and nurse
write down details about your treatment to help you explain
your experience to your family and friends.
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Patients from as far as Hearst and Kenora must travel to
Thunder Bay for their first appointment and we are pleased
to let you know that if you require chemotherapy, it can be
offered to you “Close to Home” in your own community:
| Atikokan |
Dryden |
Fort Frances |
| Geraldton |
Hearst |
Hornepayne |
| Kenora |
Manitouwadge |
Marathon |
| Nipigon |
Red Lake |
Sioux Lookout |
| Terrace Bay |
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You can apply for a Northern
Health Travel Grant every time you need to visit the centre
in Thunder Bay. It helps pay for your mileage whether you
travel by car, bus, or air. Please bring your travel grant
forms with you to each appointment.
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If you are from the region, TBayTel
Tamarack House is our lodge for cancer patients and their
families, providing accommodation and a home away from home
at no cost.
This is a first-come, first-serve facility, and if the lodge
is full, we can help your family members find a hotel room
close to the cancer centre. Residents pay for their own meals,
but a full kitchen, bedrooms, lounge and entertainment areas
are there to use free of charge.
Supportive Care
counselors will give you and your family support and
information to help you during your stay.
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Helpful Advice
- Bring some crafts or activities to do while you are staying
at the lodge, or you can watch television, choose a book from
our library, play a game or surf the Internet in one of our
lounges.
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Click here for more information
and to view photos of TBayTel Tamarack House.
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