Medical expense crusader giving up cancer fight
CBC News
Posted: Feb 13, 2012 7:46 AM ET
Last Updated: Feb 13, 2012 9:41 PM ET
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Angela Feindel, who helped bring about medical travel coverage for sick Nova Scotians, says she's decided to give up the fight to save her eye. (CBC)A Halifax woman who has battled eye cancer for 11 years is giving up the fight to save her eye.
Angela Feindel, who has travelled to the United States every three months for treatment, is going to the country again in March to undergo radical facial surgery.
She helped to bring about medical travel coverage for Nova Scotians who need treatment outside the province.
"Saving my eye or part of my face is not a priority any more," she said Friday.
Feindel's diseased left eye is cloudy, almost closed and constantly hurts.
After more than 60 surgeries, she said she's had enough. Feindel has decided to have the eye surgically removed, along with the socket that surrounds it.
"I've had a good 11 years and I wouldn't have been ready until now to make this choice," she said.
Feindel battled with the Medical Services Insurance program to pay for not only her cancer surgeries in the U.S., but also for her flights, hotel rooms and child care. In 2010, she told CBC News she had spent $120,000 on travel and accommodation, which had plunged her and her husband into bankruptcy.
Her campaign ended up helping others and two years ago, the provincial government started reimbursing sick Nova Scotians for out-of-province travel expenses.
Now, it's time to quit fighting, Feindel said.
"This was my stone to bear. My steadfastness on this path has served me well, but it's just not anymore."
On March 1, doctors in Philadelphia will operate on that eye one last time. It will be a disfiguring surgery, but Feindel said it's a chance at a cancer-free and pain-free life.
"It's horrifying and I will always think it's horrifying, but the quality of life I get in exchange for it is far from horrifying," Feindel said.
"It's going to be better."
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