Courtenay Medical Clinic

This review is just a tad bit delayed, by 17 years, however I’ve recently had Dr. Crowe in mind because he saved my life. I became a patient of Dr. Crowe after moving to Courtenay. He delivered my 11.5lb daughter, yes naturally, a year later.

Shortly after delivering (3 months), I began having really strange, severe headaches. I went to see Dr. Crowe. Most physicians would have put me off, blamed some benign source, possibly refer me to a neurologist - eventually - where I would wait months to likely have the same results. I remember distinctly, my hair was in a very tight ponytail and the doc asked me if that was something I sported often as it could be a contributing factor. I would have taken that diagnosis and waited for resolve, after all, I’m no doctor. That’s when he started flipping through my history.

I had genetic testing ten years prior for a rare genetic cancer causing syndrome that has wiped out my entire maternal family. I had a 50% chance of having said syndrome, but was told I tested negative, so not relevant, right? Dr. Crowe spotted this despite me being a newish patient, by absolutely no suggestion by me because it wasn’t even a consideration for me, I didn’t have the faulty gene. Dr. Crowe said we should do a scan just to be sure. Again, most doctors may have sent me for an X-ray, but no, Dr. Crowe had me in for a CT scan within apprx. 2 weeks. That CT scan would show a tumour surrounded by a large cyst that was occupying my brain. Dr. Crowe delivered this news in the most compassionate, personal, intimate way a doctor possibly could when I rushed to his office very shortly after the scan when I had picked up on the technicians off behaviour and knew something wasn’t right (cue severe anxiety).

Dr. Crowe then referred me to a top neurosurgeon in Vancouver to perform the emergency surgery. Shortly there after a large encased cancerous tumour was found on my kidney and removed just shortly before it would have metastasized. Had Dr. Crowe not thought outside the box, taken his time to review my records, and taken rather unconventional steps on a hunch, I would not have been here for the past 16 years.

I wasn’t a patient for long, but I still have warm memories of my birth as he read a book at my feet and chatted casually with my (then) husband having a great time talking about Scotland as I was attempting to deliver a baby large enough to pack a lunch and send to her first day of school, I remember snapping at them for not paying attention to me, but it’s the same casual, gentle nature he sported throughout my time as a patient, and it was a welcome relief from the MANY MANY physicians I have seen since with no bedside manner or personality.

I wish I hadn’t had to leave Courtenay on behalf of being in the “big city” for more specialized care as this illness is slowly chipping away at me, and I miss Dr. Crowe a lot. He is one of the best doctors I have ever met. I hope you get a chance to read this doc, from the very bottom of my heart, thank you for the last 16 years.

Honestly I would give Dr. R. Darryl MacLeod 6 stars if I could! It is no exaggeration that he saved my life. He had the persistence and professionalism to diagnose a condition that so many other doctors had missed. He had the knowledge to properly investigate my condition and ensure I got timely referral and treatment. Thanks to him I am finally on the road to recovery! THANK YOU!

I have been a patient of Dr. Crowe since I was 15yrs old, now 45. He is wonderful. He takes the time you need to answer any questions you have. He calls to follow up and report any issues with labs. The staff are accommodating to short appointments needed same day. I have never had a complaint about any staff/ associate doctors. The after hour walk in daily is an awesome bonus especially as a shift worker needing quick appointments for prescription refills and last last minute issues.