Please tell us about your journey to StayWell, what led you to us, where does your story begin?

 

"In mid-October 2024, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After a series of tests and consultations, my surgery was scheduled for the first week of November at Toronto General Hospital. I live about an hour and a half north of Toronto, so commuting back and forth with the added stress of surgery was overwhelming. I needed to find accommodation for my family during the week I would be in the hospital, so I could focus on my recovery without worrying about their comfort or the long commute. That’s when I learned about StayWell. They offered exactly what we needed during this incredibly difficult time, and it made all the difference."

Where did you have to relocate from? How was the journey from home to Toronto?​

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“I live in Simcoe County, and had to be at Toronto Western Hospital by 6 a.m. the day of my surgery. To ensure I arrived on time, I traveled to Toronto the day before. The journey took nearly five hours, involving a combination of train, bus, and cabs, before finally reaching the hotel we had booked through StayWell. It was a long and exhausting trip, but StayWell made it easier by providing such a comfortable and convenient place to stay.”

What were the things you found difficult? How did StayWell help?​

 

“One of the most difficult things was not knowing where to start when it came to booking a hotel. I’m not very familiar with Toronto, and the thought of navigating everything was overwhelming. When I reached out to StayWell, they responded within a couple of hours with two excellent accommodation options for the dates I provided. Both were no more than a 10-minute cab ride from the hospital and they were also conveniently located near public transit. StayWell took the stress out of the whole process, making it much easier for me to focus on my surgery and recovery.”

What were the positive aspects of your stay?​

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“One of the biggest positives of my stay was that StayWell provided accommodations that made it possible for my parents to be with me during such a challenging time. My parents live in Europe and aren’t fluent in English, they also don’t drive in Ontario. Thanks to the hotel StayWell arranged, they were able to be at the hospital with me throughout the day and then return to the hotel to rest at night. This made everything so much easier for them as it allowed them to stay close and support me during my treatment and recovery.”

Would you recommend StayWell to other patients in need of access to medical care in Toronto?​

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"Yes."