Saskatchewan resident Jolene Van Alstine put in a medical assistance in dying (MAiD) application because she cannot get the surgery she needs..Most people who apply for MAiD have a terminal illness. Alstine has experienced parathyroid hyperplasia for the past six years..Parathyroid hyperplasia causes nausea, vomiting, bone fractures, and abdominal pain. It is not a terminal illness..For almost four years, Alstine sought care from doctors and specialists. Only when admitted to the hospital in 2020 did she see an endocrinologist..Alstine had two of her parathyroid glands removed, leaving two in her body..“It was miraculous," said Alstine's husband Miles Sundeen.."The doctor had said that she would feel better the next day." .The day after the surgery, there was a large incision in the neck, but her nausea, vomiting, bone pain, nerve pain, and her unregulated body temperature absolutely went away. .READ MORE 3.3% of all Canadian deaths were doctor assisted suicide.It took 10 days for the symptoms to return following the surgery, and they have tried to see an endocrinologist again to enable Alstine to have another surgery..Sundeen said his wife has waited over a year and it could be two more years before seeing an endocrinologist..Alstine’s quality of life is low and seldom leaves their home..“It’s horrific," said Sundeen.."It’s not a life anymore." .He said they have taken a couple of Sunday drives in the country to get her out of the house. She has been not out of the house more than 20 to 25 times in four years. .The situation has deteriorated to the point of Alstine releasing her medical records and applying for MAiD.. Carla Beck Oct 27 2022 .Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck and health critic Vicki Mowat called on the provincial government to figure out a solution to the backlog of 36,000 surgeries..“(There are) 36,000 Saskatchewan people are waiting for surgery and they’re more than just numbers," said Beck..All of us know someone, our mom or dad, kids, neighbours, relatives, who is not getting surgery and living in pain because of it." .Mowat said this story is not unique. ."Tens of thousands of people are having to choose between waiting years in pain or paying thousands of dollars for treatment elsewhere,” said Mowat. .“We urgently need to invest windfall revenues to get more medical specialists to shorten the wait for a diagnosis that is holding many people back from getting the procedures they desperately need.”.READ MORE Dial 811 for easy access to Sask government-assisted suicide
