A Shediac man is confronting potentially life-threatening complications from radiation damage that he sustained during cancer treatments. As Suzanne Lapointe reports, Jeff Leblanc is facing an 18-month wait for the hyperbaric oxygen treatment that he requires – which is forcing him to make a tough decision.A Shediac, N.B.
In 2019, Leblanc’s doctors referred him to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy at the QEII hospital in Halifax — across the border in Nova Scotia.That hospital is the only publicly funded option for this treatment in the Maritimes. “I started feeling much better. My gums were getting better. Even my periodontist asked me if I would go for more as maintenance,” he said.Naloxone-resistant street drug linked to 9 deaths in Eastern Canada seized in AlbertaLeblanc was feeling better until March of this year, when he noticed pieces of bone coming out of his mouth.In mid-April, his doctor diagnosed him with osteoradionecrosis, a rare side effect of radiation treatment that can be potentially fatal.
Leblanc said his doctor referred him there because of the 12- to 18-month wait he could face waiting to be treated at the QEII.When Leblanc went to MedicaLux in mid-April, staff at the clinic told him Medicare wouldn’t cover the $17,000 bill for the 40 rounds of treatment he needs.“I’ll do whatever it takes! I’ll go take a loan, I’ll max my credit cards!” Leblanc said on Friday.
A new hyperbaric medicine unit is scheduled to be built as part of the hospital’s expansion project, with a completion date of “2028 at the earliest.”