Why is Jolene Van Alstine considering MAID in Saskatchewan?

Jolene Van Alstine is considering MAID because she cannot access the surgery she desperately needs for a rare parathyroid disease.

What medical condition is affecting Jolene Van Alstine?

Jolene Van Alstine suffers from normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism, a rare parathyroid disease causing severe bone pain and nausea.

What are the barriers to accessing surgery for Van Alstine in Saskatchewan?

Barriers include a lack of local surgeons, the inability to get an endocrinologist referral, and endocrinologists not accepting new patients.

Home / Health / Saskatchewan Patient's Plea for Life-Saving Surgery

Saskatchewan Patient's Plea for Life-Saving Surgery

27 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Woman with rare disease faces MAID due to lack of surgery.
Eight years of severe pain and nausea plague the patient.
Referral hurdles prevent access to out-of-province treatment.

A woman in Saskatchewan is contemplating medical assistance in dying (MAID) as a last resort due to the ongoing denial of essential surgery.

Jolene Van Alstine has lived with normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism for eight years, experiencing debilitating bone pain, nausea, and vomiting daily. She has been approved for MAID, stating her unbearable suffering has led to isolation and a profound desire for the day to end.

Her journey to access treatment has been fraught with obstacles. There are no surgeons in Saskatchewan capable of performing the required operation. To get an out-of-province referral, she needs to see an endocrinologist, but none are accepting new patients, creating a critical barrier to care.