GUEST BLOG: “DAD WOULD BE SO PROUD!” – PART II

Guest Blog 5 – PART II

Darrell Peddle, P.Eng.

February, 2024

Newfoundland and Labrador

Please see Part – I of this guest blog by Darrell Peddle here: 

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5. What are the opportunities or new ideas that can make a difference in patient health and outcomes in NL?

This is strictly my opinion, and based on my specific experience with my dad’s treatment, online research, and unofficial consultation with friends of mine working in a variety of healthcare positions across Canada; I have a very strong opinion in how traditional treatment and integrative oncology care work together in NL.

It seems that in other provinces across Canada, the two approaches become more and more in sync, and therefore helps in expanding treatment options. Throughout my dad’s cancer battle, he was accessing complementary care along with chemotherapy (and several surgeries). We believe that it kept my dad in relatively good health when taking chemo. His oncologists were very pleased with how he responded, and his overall well being despite aggressive chemo, and I am steadfast is accepting that it was due to additional care. His acceptance into the clinical trial, and immunotherapy that followed, was likely a result of dad’s ability to maintain an unexpected level of good health throughout his journey – We can’t lose sight of the fact that my dad was near 80 years old, and battling aggressive colorectal cancer. This is why research is so important.

We as a family all knew where we were headed, albeit difficult to accept. We knew the cancer would eventually come out on top as it often does, but he battled this disease for 4 years, and up until his final week, his health, his well-being, his attitude, his ability to fight infections, his recovery time from chemo and surgeries, etc., were all outside the norm.

I have everyone to thank for this; his chemo oncologists, his surgeons, doctors and nurses, the team in Billings Montana, and his complementary care team. Everyone! There’s no magical treatment recipe and everyone’s cancer is different, but I believe that we need to treat EVERY proven option as legitimate as the next, and create an environment where patients and their families can consider all methods, work with traditional and complementary care, and design a custom treatment regiment, tailor-made for the individual. Everyone is unique. Treatment should align with this.

6. What advice can you give us researchers and advocates?

Given my involvement with this research group, my advice is to stay the course, continue to grow and expand, and consider every option and idea. We may just find a ground-breaking idea in the least likely place.

7. How can we better help our community members affected by cancer?

Since my family was (and still is) impacted by cancer, I can honestly say that our access to treatment was excellent due to our location on the island, and proximity to the cancer center.

Workplace and financial support were not an issue thankfully, and our empowerment came from within, and was a product of great family support. I am thankful for that, as I know dad sure was. However, everyone’s situation is unique, and not everyone has the luxury of living close to the city, or a support system that can help take the pressure off during the challenges of treatments, emotions, finances, travel, etc.

There needs to be options, not only in treatment as discussed previously, but in accessibility to take full advantage of what’s available. I wish for everyone affected by cancer, to have immediate and close access to care, where families do not have to travel, whether it be a long drive across the island, or a flight from Labrador to the island. I expect that those who are physically isolated, and financially incapable, feel a discrimination, as their situation is out of their control.

Yes, we choose where to live, and our own career paths, and so on, but no one chooses cancer. In our case, dad was fortunate to have access to an immunotherapy that could have extended his life – we feel it did, just not as long as we would have hoped. But he and mom had to fly to the US every 6 weeks for a 1-day treatment! This is one of countless examples of the measures people take to beat this disease, and I don’t think anyone should have to do this.

So, what can we do?

Honestly, I don’t know, but we should not be limited. I know what I’d like to see happen, but I understand that we can’t simply wave a magic wand and make it so. That’s not to say we can’t research this, and take the necessary steps to improve our health care. This is what I wish for.

8. Do you have any recommendations to local government and healthcare system leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador to help reduce cancer’s effects on us?

I would recommend to our government and healthcare leaders to listen, and recognize that we have issues to address.

The first step, after all, is recognizing that a problem exists.

We need more health care professionals in remote areas, offering the same care we offer on the metro region.

We need to create an environment that attracts doctors to our province.

We need to put programs in place to encourage health care professionals to want to practice here, all in an effort to improve healthcare accessibility for all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

It costs money, it takes time, but these are luxuries cancer patients do not have.

This needs to begin now – let’s allow our cancer patients to focus their energy on health, family, and survival, not travel, expenses, and options. Some say stress in the number 1 cause of illness – I wish for patients and families to have their stress reduced, and we have the power to do it. I just wish I knew how. But despite all this, the first focus should ALWAYS be on prevention and early detection/screening. 

9. Is there anything else you would like to mention prior to ending our conversation today?

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for providing a means to express my thoughts and opinions, share our story, and hopefully contribute in improving access and quality of care to the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my wife and daughters for their input, suggestions, and editing my narrative. Dad would be so proud!

Disclaimer: Guest blogs are the purposes of education and/or sharing perspectives. The information shared by bloggers should not be interpreted as medical advice. All health information should be discussed with your health care provider. The website owners are not responsible for the contents of the guest blog posts.

This guest blog is a part of a public – scientist collaborative project led by the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. For further information, please see here: mun.yaffle.ca/projects/15039.