A Preeceville man is traveling to the United States for medical treatment after a long struggle with the Saskatchewan healthcare program.
Rodney Gardner, 46, took ill in December of last year. He鈥檚 seen numerous doctors and specialists, but none have been able to properly diagnose him. In July his symptoms got worse. Since his ailment聽 began, he鈥檚 lost 41 pounds.
Keri Gardner, Rodney鈥檚 wife, has been with him every step of this journey. She鈥檚 taken him to see doctors in Yorkton and Saskatoon.
鈥淗e was told it was all in his head,鈥� she said.
After months with no diagnosis, Keri and Rod looked elsewhere. They found the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. They decided to go there for analysis and possible treatment.聽
Keri says the Mayo Clinic is their best chance, but it poses a big financial risk.
鈥淥nce we accept treatment in the U.S., the government won鈥檛 fund us,鈥� she said.
The Saskatchewan government can cover some of the costs of medical treatment for Canadians who go outside of the country. However, applicants need prior approval from the Ministry of Health to receive coverage. Approval can be obtained through a referral letter written by a specialist.
Keri says this process is taking far too long. They had to speak with numerous agents and doctors before a specialist agreed to write a referral letter.
鈥淵ou get passed from one rep to another rep to another rep,鈥� said Joanne Stelmachowich, Keri鈥檚 mother. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a horrible process.鈥�
鈥淭hey make it impossible,鈥� Keri said. 鈥淣obody is around to answer my questions.鈥�
The Gardners didn鈥檛 see the letter the specialist wrote, but they were informed it is under review. Keri says they can鈥檛 wait for a response since Rodney鈥檚 first appointment at the Mayo Clinic is Wednesday Sept. 6.
鈥淸If] we wait for the system, it鈥檚 going to be too late,鈥� she said.
Rodney isn鈥檛 alone in searching for medical assistance outside of Canada. According to a Fraser Institute study, it鈥檚 estimated that over 63,000 Canadians left the country for treatment in 2016. Nearly 1,900 of them were from Saskatchewan.
鈥淚t鈥檚 every Canadians right for healthcare,鈥� Keri said.
Keri started a petition to urge the Ministry of Health to cover her husband鈥檚 medical costs. It聽has received over 7,400 signatures. Keri has spoken to people as far away as England with similar stories.
鈥淭here are so many heart-wrenching stories,鈥� Stelmachowich said. 鈥淧eople are dying waiting for help.鈥�
Keri organized rallies in Preeceville and Yorkton to raise awareness about Rodney鈥檚 case.
鈥淭his is not just for Rod,鈥� Stelmachowich said at the Yorkton rally. 鈥淭his is for all those other people that have had to endure this terrible system.鈥�
Rod and Keri set out on Sept. 5 for the Mayo Clinic. They鈥檙e stopping in Winnipeg before going to Minnesota. The clinic has told Keri they usually have a diagnosis between 8-10 business days.
鈥淲e鈥檙e hopeful that it鈥檚 not too late,鈥� she said.
