08/15/2023
Update from Owner Operator, Daniel Seifried.
I'd like to take a moment to give you all an update on what's been happening with me recently.
Back in June 2023, I received the unexpected news that I had Testicular Cancer. It was definitely a shock. The doctors recommended surgery to remove the affected testicle, which was successfully done on July 6. I'm really relieved to say that the surgery went well and there were no complications.
After the surgery, I had a series of tests to make sure the cancer hadn't spread. By the end of July, the results were positive, showing no signs of spreading. Then, on August 12, I had a CT Scan, and I'm thrilled to share that the results came back clear – no indications of the cancer spreading.
Although I'm not completely out of the woods yet and have more follow-up appointments scheduled over the next year, I wanted to share this positive update with everyone.
I'm incredibly thankful for the healthcare professionals who have been there for me throughout this journey. And I think it's important to talk about my experience with the healthcare system itself.
In May 2023, when I first noticed something wasn't right, I went to a walk-in clinic. Since my regular doctor had moved away a couple of years ago, I didn't have a consistent doctor. The walk-in clinic doctor referred me for an ultrasound at Langley Hospital and said they'd contact me for an appointment soon. However, after waiting five days without any communication, I decided to take action. I was surprised to learn that it might take up to two months for an appointment.
Feeling concerned, I asked the walk-in doctor if they could refer me to a different hospital that could see me sooner. Fortunately, they agreed, and Surrey Hospital promptly offered me an appointment for the same day. That started a series of tests and eventually led me to a Urologist.
Here's where things got a bit tricky. The Urologist's name wasn't included in the referral, and I was told to expect a call. After waiting five more days and no call, I decided to go to the emergency room. After an eight-hour wait, a doctor finally saw me. They were worried about the ultrasound results and even got in touch with a Urologist at 1 am to help set up an appointment. They also did a tumor marker blood test immediately. Within about 36 hours, the Urologist received the test results, confirmed the diagnosis, and scheduled my surgery in just 13 days.
Looking back, if I had stuck with those initial appointments, things might have taken a much worse turn. It's been a scary time, but I'm grateful that I advocated for myself and didn't just wait around for calls that might never have come. Interestingly, Langley Hospital actually called me on July 5, the day before my surgery, trying to schedule an ultrasound for the end of July.
A few days after my surgery, another Urologist, the one I was originally referred to, called me, and they also wanted to see me in late July.
If I had followed that route, I could still be waiting for surgery now, which could have meant more complications.
I want to acknowledge how fortunate I am to have access to a healthcare system that provided the necessary care and treatment, even though it's not perfect. If you ever find yourself dealing with health concerns, remember to advocate for yourself and make sure you're getting the attention you need.
Once again, I want to express my gratitude to the medical professionals, as well as my family and friends, for their unwavering support during this challenging time.
I'm pleased to share this positive health update as DS90 Media enters its ninth year of operation, and I'm eagerly looking forward to many more years ahead.
And in closing,
DS90 Media | Corporate Video and Event Video Production - Wedding Videography and Corporate Video services throughout Vancouver and the Metro Area.
