Current palliative care patient

I was diagnosed with inoperable colon cancer last year. Although I had radiation treatment to shrink the tumour, it was determined it’s too invasive to remove. The news, of course, was devastating. However, upon learning my diagnosis, I asked for a referral to palliative care. 

I am not close to dying, although my life has been shortened. I am in my mid-forties, with a young family, so staying alive and comfortable for as long as possible is my main goal. 

Choosing to enter palliative care early has enabled me to access pain control which, while not perfect, has helped symptoms. My husband and I also benefit from the emotional support my doctor provides.

I live in a large city, so accessing care was fast. It dismays me to know there are people suffering because they cannot get care they need or it is sub-standard. I implore the federal government to create a national standard around access to palliative care, instead of relying on a patchwork of community-based iniatives. Everyone in this country needs a range of end-of-life options. Too much focus has been placed on medical assistance in dying as the only way to die with dignity. Palliative care needs to be as accessible as MAiD for so many reasons. Other countries have created robust palliative care programs before enacting a MAiD law. We are behind, as a nation. It is time we caught up, if we are to consider ourselves both advanced and humane.