I met with him in the evening last week to explain the MRI results by @OTNtelemedicine. I sat in my home office and he sat in his living room—a red and gold Christmas tree in the background, and photos of his family on the wall.

Me: “Perhaps you should bring in your wife”

Him: “She’s just watching the grandchildren…I’ll go get her”

I explained to them the procedure, the risks, the rationale.

“Yes, I think we can cure the cancer with the surgery”

I explained to them the COVID protocols, the testing policy, the visitor policy

Him: “Is this considered elective surgery?”

Me: “It is ‘scheduled’ surgery, so yes, at risk for delays if the COVID cases increase”

More than the shock of hearing he had cancer, he was shocked that his surgery could be delayed

I said @sunnybrook @CancerCare_ON @fordnation @celliottability are doing everything to decrease #COVID cases to prevent delays in ‘elective’ surgeries

But, at dinner, the kids reminded me about parties our neighbors are hosting, teenagers hanging out, HUGE social bubbles...

While I want these things as well, I know that right now, we cannot host our friends and neighbors

Please, please do YOUR part to keep hospitals SAFE for surgery and emergency care

#WEARAMASK
#STAYHOME
#COVIDZERO