Travelling with Cavernous Malformation
Top Emergency Departments for CM Patients Across Canada
General Tips for Travelling with Cavernous Malformation
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Speak with your healthcare provider before you travel for any specific guidance they may have. This is particularly important if you have recently experienced a symptomatic hemorrhage or surgery.
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Pack all medications in their original containers and if possible, bring extra doses in case of delays.
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Many pharmacies can blister-pack your medications, this can help with tracking and remembering.
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Bring an up-to-date list of all your current medications with you.
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Have contact information for treating doctors/specialists as well as your emergency contact information. If travelling to an area where you are unable to access your electronic patient records, or you do not have online access to them, consider taking your recent imaging report and physician report that outlines your diagnosis and information about your CM and symptoms.
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Consider travel insurance, especially if you are travelling outside of the country.
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Prioritize your rest. Bookend your trip by having a low demand/activity day before departure and for the day after you return home.
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Plan for time zone changes and sleep interruptions by incorporating breaks and rest times into your daily itinerary.
Neurological & Sensory Tips
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Bring noise cancelling headphones or earplugs.
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Sunglasses or eye masks for light sensitivity.
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Cold packs or cooling towels for headaches or neuropathic pain.
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Wear comfortable clothing and layers.
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Consider researching and planning activities ahead of time.
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Bring comfort items (pillow or blanket from home, teddy bear, etc.).
Mobility & Comfort Tips
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Consider bringing a seat cushion or coccyx pillow.
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Mobility aids you may use (wheelchair, cane, walker, etc.).
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Many cities have companies where you can rent equipment.
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Compression socks when sitting for long periods of time.
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Neck pillow
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Water
Travelling by Land
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Use lumbar rolls or memory foam cushions. Heated seats may help with stiffness.
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Stop every 1-2 hours to stretch, walk, and reposition.
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Anti-nausea remedies (be sure to review with your health care team first).
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If you have bowel or bladder problems, it may be helpful to be mindful of rest stops, especially in more rural areas.
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Stay hydrated!
Travelling by Air
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Request for pre-boarding and/or assistance at airports if needed.
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Notify the airline of your mobility needs.
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Consider self-advocacy and identify your needs via a Sunflower Program lanyard.
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If possible, select your seat ahead of time.
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Pack any important medications, medical information, treatments, etc. in your carry-on, along with sensory and comfort items.
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Give yourself lots of time to move through security and airport areas.
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Stay hydrated!
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Get up and move during the flight and/or use small exercises at your seat such as calf raises, ankle circles, and shoulder rolls to promote circulation.
Travel Checklist
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Medical information
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List of current medications and dosages
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Letter or note from your specialist, if needed
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Contact information for your specialists and family doctor
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Travel insurance documents
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Equipment you may need (wheelchair, walker, cane, CPAP/BIPAP)
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Emergency contact list
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Sensory, mobility and comfort items
Alberta Emergency Departments
*wait time information is listed if available.
CALGARY, AB
Foothills Medical Centre - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
website: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/fmc/fmc.aspx
Emergency Department - All Ages
1403 29 Street NW, Calgary AB T2N 2T9
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/waittimes/Page14230.aspx
Alberta Children's Hospital - Pediatric Neurosurgery and Trauma Centre
website: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/ach/ach.aspx
Emergency Department - Ages 17 and Under
28 Oki Drive, Calgary AB T3B 6A8
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/waittimes/Page14230.aspx
EDMONTON, AB
University of Alberta Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
website: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/uah/uah.aspx
Emergency Department - Ages 18+
8440 112 Street NW, Edmonton AB T6G 0M9
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/waittimes/Page14230.aspx
Stollery Children's Hospital - Pediatric Neurosurgery and Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centre
website: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/stollery/stollery.aspx
Emergency Department - Ages 17 and Under
8440 112 Street NW, Edmonton AB T6G 0M9
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/waittimes/Page14230.aspx
Royal Alexandria Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
website: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/rah/rah.aspx
Emergency Department - All Ages
10240 Kingsway NW, Edmonton AB T5H 3V9
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/waittimes/Page14230.aspx
LETHBRIDGE, AB
Chinook Regional Hospital - Level 3 Trauma Centre, No Neurosurgery (may be transported to Calgary based on MRI/symptoms)
website: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/crh/crh.aspx
Emergency Department - All Ages
960 19 Street S, Lethbridge AB T1K 0B3
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/waittimes/Page14230.aspx
RED DEER, AB
Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre - Level 3 Trauma Centre, No Neurosurgery (may be transported to Edmonton based on MRI/symptoms)
website: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/rdrhc/rdrhc.aspx
Emergency Department - All Ages
3942 50a Avenue, Red Deer AB T4N 6V7
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/waittimes/Page14230.aspx
British Columbia Emergency Departments
*wait time information is listed if available.
FRASER VALLEY, BC
Royal Columbian Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
website: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service-Directory/Locations/New-Westminster/royal-columbian-hospital
Emergency Department - All Ages
330 E Columbia Street, New Westminster BC V3L 3W7
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.edwaittimes.ca/
KAMLOOPS, BC
Royal Inland Hospital - Level 2 Trauma Centre
Emergency Department - All Ages
311 Columbia Street, Kamloops BC V2C 2T1
KELOWNA, BC
Kelowna General Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 2 Trauma Centre
website: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/locations/kelowna-general-hospital
Emergency Department - All Ages
2268 Pandosy Street, Kelowna BC V1Y 1T2
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/patients-and-visitors/average-emergency-department-wait-times
NANAIMO, BC
Nanaimo Regional General Hospital - Level 3 Trauma Centre
Emergency Department- All Ages
1200 Dufferin Crescent, Nanaimo BC V9S 2B7
Open 24 Hours a Day
VANCOUVER, BC
Vancouver General Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
website: https://www.vch.ca/en/location/vancouver-general-hospital
Emergency Department - Ages 17+
920 W 10th Ave, Vancouver BC V5Z 4S5
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.edwaittimes.ca/
BC Children's Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centre
website: https://www.bcchildrens.ca/
Emergency Department - Ages 16 and Under
4480 Oat Street Entrance 55, Vancouver BC V6H 3V4
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.edwaittimes.ca/
VICTORIA, BC
Victoria General Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 2 Trauma Centre
Emergency Department - All Ages
1 Hospital Way, Victoria BC V8Z 6R5
Open 24 Hours a Day
Manitoba Emergency Departments
*wait time information is listed if available.
WINNIPEG, MB
Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
website: https://hsc.mb.ca
Emergency Department - All Ages
700 William Avenue, Winnipeg MB R3E 0Z3
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://wrha.mb.ca/wait-times/hsc-adult
New Brunswick Emergency Departments
*wait time information is listed if available.
MONCTON, NB
Moncton Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 2 Trauma Centre
website: horizonnb.ca
Emergency Department - All Ages
135 Macbeath Avenue, Moncton NB E1C 6Z2
Open 24 Hours a Day
Newfoundland & Labrador Emergency Departments
*wait time information is listed if available.
ST. JOHN'S, NL
Health Sciences Centre - Neurosurgery and Trauma Centre
website: www.easternhealth.ca
Emergency Department - All Ages
300 Prince Phillip Drive, St. John's NL A1B 3X5
Open 24 Hours a Day
Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre - Neurosurgery
website: https://www.easternhealth.ca/facilities/janeway/
Emergency Department - Ages 17 and Under
300 Prince Phillip Drive, St. John's NL A1B 3X5
Open 24 Hours a Day
Nova Scotia Emergency Departments
*wait time information is listed if available.
HALIFAX, NS
The QEII Health Sciences Centre - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
website: www.nshealth.ca
Emergency Department - All Ages
1840 Bell Road (Robie Street Entrance), Halifax NS B3H 2Z5
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: nshealth.ca
Ontario Emergency Departments
*wait time information is listed if available.
HAMILTON, ON
Hamilton General Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
Emergency Department - All Ages
237 Barton Street E, Hamilton ON L8L 2X2
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: www.hamiltonemergencywaittimes.ca
McMaster Children's Hospital - Neurosurgery and Trauma Centre
website: https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/mcmaster-childrens-hospital/
Emergency Department - Ages 17 and Under
1200 Main Street W, Hamilton ON L8N 3Z5
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: www.hamiltonemergencywaittimes.ca
KINGSTON, ON
Kingston General Hospital - Neurosurgery and Trauma Centre
website: kingstonhsc.ca
Emergency Department - All Ages
76 Stuart Street, Kingston ON K7L 2V7
Open 24 Hours a Day
LONDON, ON
London Health Sciences Centre University Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
website: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/patients-visitors/university-hospital
Emergency Department - All Ages
399 Windermere Road, London ON N6G 2K3
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/adult-ed/emergency-department-wait-times
London Health Sciences Centre Children's Hospital - Pediatric Neurosurgery and Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centre
website: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/childrens-hospital
Emergency Department - Ages 17 and Under
800 Commissioners Road E, London ON N6A 5W9
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/emergency-department/childrens-hospital-emergency-department-wait-times
OTTAWA, ON
The Ottawa Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
website: www.ottawahospital.on.ca
Emergency Department - All Ages
501 Smyth Road, Ottawa ON K1H 8L6
Open 24 Hours a Day
The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus - Trauma Centre
website: www.ottawahospital.on.ca
Emergency Department - All Ages
1053 Carling Avenue, Ottawa ON K1Y 4E9
Open 24 Hours a Day
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centre
website: https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/index.aspx
Emergency Department - Ages 17 and Under
401 Smyth Road, Ottawa ON K1H 8L1
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/visiting-cheo/wait-times.aspx
SUDBURY, ON
Health Sciences North Ramsey Lake Health Centre - Neurosurgery and Level 2 Trauma Centre
website: https://hsnsudbury.ca/
Emergency Department - All Ages
41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury ON P3E 5J1
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: HSN Health Sciences North Ramsey Lake Health Centre Wait Times
THUNDER BAY, ON
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre - Neurosurgery and Level 2 Trauma Centre
website: https://tbrhsc.net/
Emergency Department - All Ages
980 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay ON P7B 6V4
Open 24 Hours a Day
TORONTO, ON
Toronto Western Hospital - Neurosurgery
website: https://www.uhn.ca/OurHospitals/TWH
Emergency Department - All Ages (CM patients 17 and under are encouraged to access the Hospital for Sick Children)
399 Bathurst Street, Toronto ON M5T 2S8
Open 24 Hours a Day
Wait Time: https://www.uhn.ca/PatientsFamilies/Visit_UHN/Emergency/Pages/ED_wait_times.aspx
St. Michael's Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
website: https://unityhealth.to/locations/st-michaels-hospital/
Emergency Department - All Ages (CM patients 17 and under are encourages to access the Hospital for Sick Children)
Entrance is on the corner of Queen Street E and Victoria Street
Open 24 Hours a Day
The Hospital for Sick Children - Pediatric Neurosurgery and Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centre
website: www.sickkids.ca
Emergency Department - Ages 17 and Under
170 Elizabeth Street, Toronto ON M5G 1E8
Open 24 Hours a Day
Prince Edward Island Emergency Departments
*wait time information is listed if available.
CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI
Queen Elizabeth Hospital - Trauma Centre (No Neurosurgery, may transfer to Halifax based on MRI/symptoms)
website: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/queen-elizabeth-hospital
Emergency Department - All Ages
60 Riverside Drive, Charlottetown PEI C1A 8T5
Open 24 Hours a Day
Quebec Emergency Departments
*wait time information is listed if available.
MONTREAL, QC
Montreal General Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
website: https://muhc.ca/montreal-general-hospital
Emergency Department - All Ages
1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal QC H3H 1V6
Open 24 Hours a Day
Montreal Children's Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centre
website: muhc.ca
Emergency Department - Ages 17 and Under
1001 Boulevard Decarie, Montreal QC H4A 3J1
Open 24 Hours a Day
QUEBEC CITY, QC
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Quebec - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
website: www.chudquebec.ca
Emergency Department - All Ages
2705 Boulevard Laurier, Quebec City QC G1V 4G2
Open 24 Hours a Day
Infant Jesus Hospital/Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jesus - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
website: www.chudquebec.ca
Emergency Department - Ages 17 and Under
1401 18e Rue, Quebec City QC G1J 1Z4
Open 24 Hours a Day
Saskatchewan Emergency Departments
*wait time information is listed if available.
MOOSE JAW, SK
Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital - Closest Neurosurgery and Trauma Centre is Saskatoon
website: https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/facilities-locations/dr-fh-wigmore-regional-hospital
Emergency Department - All Ages
5 Diefenbaker Drive, Moose Jaw SK S6J 1M5
Open 24 Hours a Day
REGINA, SK
Regina General Hospital - Trauma Centre
website: https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/facilities-locations/regina-general-hospital
Emergency Department - All Ages
1440 14th Avenue, Regina SK S4P 0W5
Open 24 Hours a Day
SASKATOON, SK
Royal University Hospital - Neurosurgery and Level 1 Trauma Centre
website: https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/facilities-locations/royal-university-hospital
Emergency Department - All Ages
103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon SK S7N 0W8
Open 24 Hours a Day
Jim Pattison Children's Hospital - Neurosurgery and Trauma Cases Transported to Royal University Hospital if Required
website: https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/facilities-locations/jim-pattison-childrens-hospital
Emergency Department - Ages 16 and Under
103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon SK S7N 0W8
Open 24 Hours a Day
Yukon Emergency Departments
*wait time information is listed if available.
WHITEHORSE, YT
Whitehorse General Hospital - No Neurosurgery Services (able to transport to Edmonton if MRI/symptoms indicate)
website: https://yukonhospitals.ca/en/whitehorse-general-hospital/programs-and-services
Emergency Department - All Ages
5 Hospital Road, Whitehorse YT Y1A 3H7
Open 24 Hours a Day