Well - I do know we have a lot of cancer centers here in Canada - 4 in my direct vicinity - I could have - and would have - been referred to one - 3 mms from my home - however - I wanted to go to PMH - it it one of the top two in - Canada - and close enough (20 minutes in moderate traffic) that I didn't think twice about asking for a referral. Also the top Dr. In surgical oncology/ENT dude is the man I wanted to treat me - and he works out of PMH. I managed to get in with him - have 2 CTs and 1 MRI - have my appointments - and be slated for surgery within 6 weeks. ( the date of my surgery will be almost the 6 week mark - actually 5.5 weeks.) So I'm not complaining about health care here in Canada. There is a private center with a PET scan five minutes from my home - if I want to pay $2300 to get it done. I understand your frustration Donna -with the system especially if you live up north - but I think it's like any rural location in Canada or the US for that matter. Services are not all close - at least from what I have been reading from some people here who have to travel hours - to get to a treatment center. It's a pain that a certain diagnostic tool still hasn't been completely approved for use - and/or isn't widely accepted for use here in Canada - but our government has always been stodgy that way! For the most part I am grateful that I don't have to be dependant on the comprehensiveness of my insurance - or the insurance company to determine where I can go for treatment and what they will and will not pay for. At least I know for the most part that my illness - diagnostics - treatment and hospital stay and follow ups will cost me nothing. I know the private vs social medicine is a hot debate ( and off topic for this post) but I have to say I am relieved that I can seek out the best doctor - go to a top cancer center - and not have that decision be made for me by someone working at a private insurance company. As in - no you can't go to that hospital - because it's not part of your coverage. Unless you want to pay out of pocket. (even though the insurance itself is something you have to already pay handsomely for) I am lucky that I too can afford to pay for an independent PET - I just wasn't sure if it was worth it - since my dr. Didn't suggest it. I know there is some ambivalence towards it here in the medical industry - perhaps a lack of trust - which is also why I was wondering if it was worth it to pay for an independent test - if the dr. Is going to disregard it. That's why I will ask him when I see him... Just out of curiosity. Thanks for all the info!