For nearly a decade, Jolene Van Alstine has been on an exhausting journey through Saskatchewan’s health-care system, in search of treatment for a rare and debilitating parathyroid disease.

What began as a search for a diagnosis, turned into a years-long wait to see an endocrinologist and an ongoing struggle to get the surgery she needs to treat her condition. After enduring years of extreme pain and nausea, and unable to get treatment, Van Alstine decided to apply for a medically assisted death.

Her story spread across social media after she appeared in the legislature to implore the government to help her get access to the surgery she needs, or else she would choose a medically assisted death.

It was Van Alstine’s understanding at the time that she had been approved for a Jan. 7 MAID a

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