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As health care has evolved over the years, so too has the importance of patient advocacy. For many patients, and those who deliver their care, advocacy can be critical to a patient’s journey through the system. No one knows that better than Wei Song.
In late 2024, the 56-year-old Brampton man visited his family doctor after finding blood in his urine. By August, he was undergoing surgery to remove his left kidney and adrenal gland after being diagnosed with two separate conditions: kidney cancer and primary aldosteronism – a disorder that causes the adrenal glands to produce too much of the hormone aldosterone, leading to high blood pressure and life-threatening complications such as heart attack, stroke and kidney disease.
Wei’s journey began with a routine referral from his family doctor to an Willam Osler Health System (Osler) urologist, who ordered a CT scan. While the scan focused on Wei’s kidney, it also revealed something unexpected – an abnormality on his left adrenal gland. He was immediately referred to Dr. Jaskolka, an Osler endocrinologist.
“I ordered a specialized CT scan in early April to get a better sense of the lesion on his left adrenal gland, and that’s when we discovered a new mass on his left kidney,” said Dr. Jaskolka, who specializes in diagnosing and treating hormone-related conditions. Days later, an MRI confirmed the mass on his kidney was cancer, and Wei was quickly going back to see the urologist.
Dr. Jaskolka was struck by Wei’s determination and self-advocacy as he juggled further diagnostic tests and appointments with two specialists to assess the two distinct conditions and determine next steps.
“Given both conditions were in the same location, he made it very clear from the outset that if surgery was necessary on both the kidney and the adrenal gland, that he wanted to undergo just one surgery, not two,” said Dr. Jaskolka. It was a request Dr. Jaskolka fully supported. An urgency to address the kidney cancer meant expediting Wei’s adrenal gland diagnosis to determine the need for the removal of both the kidney and adrenal gland.
Wei was deeply grateful for Dr. Jaskolka’s dedication and advocacy, especially when it came to ensuring he received a critical diagnostic test at another hospital.
“She personally reached out to the interventional radiologist, a national expert in diagnosing primary aldosteronism and championed my case for having the adrenal vein sampling (AVS) test scheduled as soon as possible,” said Wei. "The radiologist was able to fit me in quickly, which meant I could have one surgery instead of two. I’m so thankful for her support and commitment to my care.”
Wei really admired Dr. Jaskolka’s patient-centred attitude. “As soon as she received the test results confirming the diagnosis involving my left adrenal gland and the need for surgery, she called me on Canada Day to let me know and arranged for a revised prescription to bring my blood pressure down prior to surgery,” said Wei. “Her timely communication over the past few months greatly helped me to manage my anxiety during a very difficult time.”
The patient-physician relationship is most important to Dr. Jaskolka, who is one of 12 endocrinologists supporting patients in Osler’s communities. Given many of her patients have hormone-related conditions that have lifelong implications (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disorders, pituitary and adrenal gland conditions, osteoporosis), she can work with them consistently to support developing habits that contribute to overall wellness and prevention of further complications.
“I really want my patients to feel like they understand their health, so I listen to them, help them understand their conditions and why I’m recommending certain steps, and then work with them to make team-based decisions,” said Dr. Jaskolka who see patients of all ages. “There are so many conditions that people can use our help with, so I feel every day is rewarding, and that is truly why I went into medicine.”
Wei Song believes communication and advocacy are two areas where Dr. Jaskolka truly excels.
“Thanks to her kindness, medical expertise and unwavering advocacy, I went from initial diagnosis to surgery for two complex conditions in just four months. She truly changed the course of my life."
Read about more Osler doctors making a difference.
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