Vince Garland is heartbroken. His wife Roxanne, known to her friends as “Roxy”, died on July 22nd at the age of 37. 

Her friends and family describe her as warm, good natured and resilient. 

“As a husband, I tried to understand what she went through,” said Garland through tears. “But, I couldn’t even put it into words.” 

In 2010 she was losing her battle with multiple sclerosis, so she went to Mexico to try the controversial CCSVI treatment. She felt relief, for a few months. She went back later that year to get the procedure done again. 

But by July 2011, she was feeling very ill again. She sought out the treatment again, but this time in California. 

After that visit, friend and MS Patient Advocate, Michelle Walsh says Roxy’s doctor’s attitude towards her had changed. 

“They treated her differently when they knew she went abroad, and that’s in my opinion criminal and unethical,” said Walsh. 

Roxy ended up dying from an infection that started in her bladder. Garland had asked the doctor to send more medication through their home care nurse, because his wife was bedridden and unable to travel. 

“She [their home care nurse] called and he [the doctor] said absolutely not. She said how about a blood test? He said, ‘absolutely not. The only way she’ll get a test is if she comes in or goes to the emergency room’,” said Garland. 

She was dead a few days later. The College of Physicians and Surgeons has said that every patient deserves care, no matter their medical history, but ultimately it’s the doctor’s call. 

“Doctors will have to use appropriate medical judgment to decide whether a particular patient requires care in any circumstance,” said Bryan Salte, Associate Registrar with the College of Physicians and Surgeons. 

Walsh says she gets calls about doctor discrimination every week, and that many patients resort to lying to their doctors in order to be treated. 

“We don’t have any other choice as patients. We’ve been refugeed and orphaned in this whole medical system.” 

The Saskatchewan Government is currently working on clinical trials for CCSVI in Albany, NY and they’re providing care for the participating patients. So, Garland is frustrated that his wife couldn’t find that same level of care. 

“What you’re telling me is, in a public health care system, my wife is less important to you because you guys hand picked these other MS patients,” he said. 

The Executive Director of Acute and Emergency Services at the Ministry of Health, Deb Jordan says it’s not that simple. Those patients will be watched for 2 years following their care to monitor the progress so they can get accurate results for the study. 

“It’s not follow up care per say,” she said. “It’s part of the monitoring that’s part of the clinical trial process.” 

Garland is trying to move on, but he doesn’t’ want his wife’s death to be in vain. He hopes her story inspires change in a system that has left MS patients in limbo. 

“If you want to call it public health care, then everyone gets treated equally,” he said. 

“Who dies of a bladder infection?” cried Walsh. “That doesn’t’ even happen in 3rd world countries anymore.”