The following two health care facilities are likely to be used by Thunder Bay residents needing prostate care, as well as patients referred mainly from other medical centres in Northwestern Ontario.

980 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay ON P7B 6V4
(807) 684-6000

The official name does not include the word hospital, but this is indeed Thunder Bay's regional hospital. Chances are that many patients will be coming here from all over Northwestern Ontario (and sometimes beyond) for specialized tests and treatment and surgery as required.

There are a number of parking lots on the grounds, but the closest parking lot to the hospital building's West and Main Entrances (both are in photo) is easily reached by turning off Golf Links Road just a short distance north of the intersection with Oliver Road. (This parking lot is also closest to the Cancer Care Centre, which is just inside the West Entrance.)

Parking fees may be paid to a machine on leaving the lot, or by machine inside the hospital entrances (if you remembered to bring your parking stub inside with you).

If you are going to be admitted for more than a few days, your visitors may find it economical to purchase a parking pass of appropriate duration rather than pay daily rates. Just do the math for your particular circumstances and calculate the cheapest option.

The hospital is large and can be confusing to visitors. To help, there are wall maps and signage, and an information desk at the Main Entrance. Directions are also available through the security desk at the Emergency Entrance.

Ambulatory Care? More than a little confusing to first time patients is the unfortunate naming of two different reception areas as simply "Ambulatory Care".

Ambulatory Care on the 2nd floor near the Main Entrance (see picture at left) is opposite the donut shop: I went here for presurgical tests, or any lab tests requested by my specialist doctor. I went here for free PSA testing, or any lab tests ordered by a family physician or physician at a walk-in clinic. With a list of physician requested tests, no appointment is needed; just line up at the left window. If there for presurgical testing, that is by appointment so report to the right window just around the glass corner.

Ambulatory Care on the 2nd floor half way down the hallway between the Main Entrance and the Emergency Department. I reported there when I had an appointment for scope procedures or to have a catheter removed.

Further down that same hallway is another signed waiting room for appointments to have X-rays or CT scans or bone scans or ultrasounds.

Ambulatory Care during your presurgery appointment will give you a list of what clothing and toiletry supplies to bring with you.

If they say pyjamas, take that with a grain of salt. You will have a catheter and other tubes in you during your stay and pyjamas are just not practicable. Your nurse will provide you with a hospital gown daily, that is easy to put on despite your "attachments".

You will need a warm dressing gown for your exercise walks. That also solves the problem of a partly open back on the hospital gown.

Slippers. You will want a pair that you can slip on without bending down. (You really will not want to bend down very much.)

After a prostatectomy or TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) or TURB (transurethral resection of the bladder), you will be going home with a catheter. Briefs are very impractical to wear when you have a catheter. Have a loose pair of boxer shorts for going home. You will also appreciate boxer shorts at home during the entire catheter period.

When you go to your appointment to have the catheter removed, you will still be wearing boxer shorts. But bring along a pair of snugly fitting briefs and a pad to wear for going home after catheter removal.

Personally, I always used to wear Fruit of the Loom brand briefs. I found they were a bit too loose to keep a pad securely in place. I tried a couple of other brands and settled on BVD brand briefs, which in my size are a bit snugger. Other persons' experiences may vary, but it makes sense to get a brand that fits snugly and comfortably.

Television Rental. Just a hint to save a few bucks. Yes the rental TV in the room helps pass time. Frankly I found my good intention to read more books instead did not happen; I just did not feel much like reading.

The rental TV can be activated nearly instantly from your bedside telephone, which will still work for connecting and disconnecting TV service even if you choose not to pay for telephone rental. The daily TV rate is charged for a full day no matter when it starts or stops. The day of surgery you will not need it, as you will sleep a lot. Day two you might want it. Your final day will likely be busy, with a checkout fairly early in the morning; so cancel the TV the night before.

980 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay ON P7B 6V4
(807) 684-7200

Parking for this facility is the same as detailed above for the hospital.

This facility, commonly referred to as the Cancer Clinic, is attached to the hospital's northwest corner. The clinic's primary entry doors (see picture at left) are just inside the hospital West Entrance. (This is on the hospital second floor, which is actually at ground level at this end of the building.) When just inside the clinic doors, there is a stairway or elevator leading to the clinic's third floor Reception.

Prostate cancer patients may be coming here for a number of reasons, including:
- referral to an oncology specialist when considering treatment options;
- radiation therapy;
- chemotherapy.

Tour. There is an excellent tour of the facility run by volunteers, available by appointment for patients and family. There are many pamphlets and books available here, and a very informative video about the facility.

There is a definite relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the clinic, and comfortable waiting areas.

The above facilities primarily serve patients from population centres in Northwestern Ontario including (but not limited to) the following: Armstrong, Atikokan, Beardmore, Dryden, Ear Falls, Emo, Fort Frances, Geraldton, Greenstone, Ignace, Kenora, Longlac, Manitouwadge, Marathon, Nakina, Nestor Falls, Nipigon, Pickle Lake, Rainy River, Red Lake, Red Rock, Schreiber, Sioux Lookout, Sioux Narrows, Terrace Bay, Thunder Bay, Upsala, and Vermilion Bay.

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