Woman Heads to States for Treatment
The tumour in Debbie Trelenberg's abdomen was so large she was unable to fasten her jeans. She feared the mass might rupture – a sentiment shared by her family doctor – but an operation to remove it in Edmonton was nearly four weeks away. So Ms. Trelenberg packed a bag, put on sweatpants and headed to the United States. A grain farmer near Leduc, Alta., south of Edmonton, she paid $78,000 – money borrowed from her mother – for treatment that included surgery and a hospital stay in Amarillo, Tex., around this time last year.