Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid - As a Patient

As a doctor, I have seen many aspects of our health care system.  In the fall of 2007, as a patient, I saw a different side of the system.

I went for a screening mammogram in September 2007 and was astonished to learn that I had breast cancer.  Given the statistics on this disease, I should not have been surprised, but I was.  I was fortunate that the cancer was detected very early and treated aggressively and promptly with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

I have recovered, and there is no sign of any cancer.  My prognosis is excellent—a testament to the importance of screening mammograms.

My time as a patient was intense.  Many compassionate and skilled doctors, nurses, pharmacists, radiation technologists and numerous other health care providers cared for me.  I am very grateful for the excellent care I received from these talented professionals.

I learned first-hand through my time as a patient that there is much to be cherished about our health care system and there are actions that we can take to improve it.  I want to work with everyone to make the system better, to make sure it is sustainable and responsive, especially to those who are most vulnerable—our children, people facing mental illness and seniors.

I knew I wanted to serve as MLA for Vancouver-Fairview before my diagnosis and treatment.  I am confident that the skills and knowledge I bring from my health care experiences—as a family doctor, as an advocate with the BC Medical Association and as a patient—will help me work for an even stronger system.