Redefining Healthcare: Embracing Humanity in Care

When you’re walking the road of cancer, you learn quickly that information is everything. Not just any information—but the right information, at the right time.

I’ve experienced both ends of this spectrum. The times where I’ve been left in the dark, waiting for answers that felt like they would never come. And the times—thanks to Initio Medical Group—where I’ve had access to timely, detailed PET scan results that not only shaped my treatment plan but gave me a level of mental peace I can’t even fully put into words.

More Than Medicine—It’s Humanity

Here’s what I’ve learned: timely information isn’t just a medical tool, it’s an act of care. When a patient has the full picture—what’s working, what’s not, what’s changed—they can breathe easier. They can make clearer decisions. They can take ownership of their healing.

I’ve sat in that chair, waiting for the machine to hum to life, knowing that within hours I’ll have a map of what’s happening inside my body. And while I don’t control what that scan shows, I do have control over how I move forward. That control, that clarity, is empowering.

The Problem: PET Scans Aren’t Standard of Care

In British Columbia—and in many other places—PET scans are not part of the standard of care for many cancers. They’re treated as “above and beyond,” something you have to fight for, pay for, or simply go without.

That, to me, is unacceptable.We are talking about one of the most accurate, comprehensive imaging tools in oncology. And yet, patients are being told:

• “It’s not necessary.”

• “It won’t change your treatment.”

• “We can wait and see.”

These statements aren’t just dismissive—they’re harmful. They leave patients feeling gaslit, questioning their instincts, and forced to advocate for something that should be automatic.

What I’ve Seen Firsthand

With Initio, I’ve seen the difference PET scans make:

• Treatment plans adjusted with precision because we had the full picture.

• Patients spared unnecessary treatment because progression was spotted early.

• Anxiety reduced simply because there was clarity, not guesswork.

This is what humane healthcare looks like: more information, earlier, so people can live and heal with dignity.

Where We Go From Here

PET scans shouldn’t be a privilege—they should be a standard of care. I will keep advocating until we get there, because every patient deserves to be seen fully and treated accordingly.

If you’re reading this as a patient, a caregiver, or even a clinician, I hope you know:

• It’s not unreasonable to ask for more.

• You are not “extra” for wanting clarity.

• You deserve healthcare that treats you like a human, not a chart.

Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about medicine—it’s about humanity. And humanity means giving people the tools, the truth, and the time they need to fight for their lives.

xo

K.