Ottawa, April 29, 2026

Hello all. My week in Toronto got off to a bad start on April 20. I had purchased a Ticket in Business Plus which  I was assured would  be in car number 1, and on the left hand side of the car, facing forward.  Car number one would be at the front of all other passenger cars. I do not like rear facing seats on any mode of transportation.  This would have given me the opportunity to take photos of the scenery and that included lake Ontario as we passed by.

When I arrived at the Fallowfield Station that morning, I discovered that the assurance that I would get what I paid for was not going to happen. Car number 1 was at the rear of the car, and seat 11A was facing backwards. There were many unhappy riders that morning. We got into Toronto 45 minutes late, at the start of rush hour.

I took a taxi from Union Station to my hotel a few minutes from the Shouldice hospital where I would be having my Hernia surgery on the 23rd.

I checked into Shouldice at ten on the 23rd, and was there  4 nights.  Shouldice have been doing Hernia surgeries at that location for 81 years. One could not have had a better experience for a hospital stay. The staff are all just wonderful people that could not do enough for you. Quiet surroundings on a beautiful 23 acre property set in woods like a golf course, greenery all around. They serve three great meals and two Snacks each day.

When my appointment was confirmed almost two months before, I was given a check in time for 10 A.M. My surgery was set for ten the next day, and happened as scheduled. I was discharged at ten on April 26. I was picked up by family members and driven home to Ottawa. 

As of January 1, 2026, Shouldice come under the Ontario Medical plan, known as OHIP, and for Ontario residents, it is all covered under OHIP. This is for a common room with others. I paid the 325.00 per day and had the peace and quiet of a Semi-Private room. People from outside Ontario have different rates depending on their Provincial plan.

Due to severe medical conditions of family members in Dawson Creek, B.C., I will not be going to Thailand. I depart Ottawa May six, and return here on May 14. No travel plans yet beyond that time

Take care