Interesting. I saw Dr. Tai for a year and I have recently "fired" her (actually, it was kind of mutual, since it was pretty clear to me at our last visit that she was no longer interested in treating me). She never saw me as a complete person, but only saw my colon. She was never receptive to my efforts to incorporate alternative therapies along with the drug therapies that she recommended, none of which have worked really well for me. I have never been in remission since my diagnosis in October 08 and at times have really suffered. Dr. Tai's lack of compassion and empathy has caused me some pretty severe emotional trauma, which has actually increased my physical symptoms.
I have just asked my GP for a referral to a different doctor, which is a little bit scary, but after a year of Dr. Tai's "care," I'm pretty sure I can't do any worse.
ack2009 said...
Hi TPT,
Short answer: Yes. Dr Isabella Tai. She seems to work out of both VGH & UBC. Her office where I meet with her is in the VGH complex.
Long drawn-out answer: If you are looking for someone who is warm and hand-holdy, she is not for you. The first time I met her before I was diagnosed, I found her very abrupt and brusque, did not encourage any questions and answered them very shortly or not at all. After my colonoscopy which showed I had moderate-severe pancolitis, she has been different. It's almost as if now that she knows I am for real, she is a bit more solicitous and will answer questions more readily. She is still not very warm, but I do feel she knows her stuff and I have great confidence in her. I don't care for the admin staff at her office at all, but that's a minor point. I went into remission right after my diagnosis so I don't know what she'd be like if I needed my treatment escalated, but based on my experience I would recommend her.