Hello,
I'm in Toronto, Canada, who recently had one episode of gross terminal hematuria. Referred to a urologist but he won't see me till February as he's fully booked.
Due to the Canadian system I am stuck as you need a referal to see specialists and it seems urologists are very rare up here.
I am extremely worried and do not want to wait 6 weeks to see a specialist and then who knows how long after that to get some diagnostic tests. It could easily take well into April or longer.
This is really affecting my quality of life, I can hardly sleep or eat from the stress and worry.
Questions:
1. I am considering going to the USA to see a urologist and get some diagnostic testing. I do not have insurance so will pay out of my own pocket. Can anyone recommend a Centre of Excellence for bladder cancer? Ideally affiliated to a large university. (I am considering Chicago, but am open to other cities which are within a 3-4 hour flying time from Toronto). I am not even sure if the US centers would take private paying Canadian patients for diagnostic consultation & testing?
2. Any particular urologist at the above Centers of Excellence that come highly recommended?
3. Any idea on costs for cystoscopy and CT Scan with dye? And generally how long it takes after seeing a specialist to get these tests done?
4. For any Canadians - are there any Centers of Excellence in Toronto or Hospitals that are good for urology? I am not happy with how my referral has been handled thus far and am looking to get referred to another specialist (ideally affiliated to a hospital) but have no idea which specialist would be the one to see.
5. Are there any diagnostic tests that I should book myself for at a private clinic in the US immediately (e.g Pelvic MRI, CT Scan etc) or should I wait to see a urologist first?
Please do give me your advice and help, I am feeling most desperate and low at the moment.
I don't know which way to turn and the more research I do online the more scared I am getting.
Thanks for reading.