in October of 2021. The discovery came at an especially precarious time: she had one embryo left and was six weeks away from her final fertility treatment.
Then, a friend, who is a breast cancer survivor herself, recommended seeing Dr. Crystal Pallister, a general surgeon at the Breast Health Centre at Oak Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital , to get a second opinion. That’s how Ip discovered that the lump was, in fact, malignant.
Another unique element of the Breast Health Centre is its design and layout. Located on the main floor of the hospital, the centre features natural light and beach-like floor tiles, with a fireplace in the waiting area and nature-themed murals in the exam rooms. Dr. Pallister was sympathetic to Ip’s fears. She agreed to remove the lump that day and send it for testing. “I was very surprised that it was cancer, but my experience is that you never know,” she explains. “If someone says, ‘This doesn’t feel right,’ who am I to say keep it in?”
OakValleyHealth Dr. Pallister is an incredibly skilled and kind practitioner. Similar to Diana, my mother views Dr. Pallister as her own personal guardian angel. Her tact, professionalism, and warmth can not be overstated. Thank you for everything you do!