Stage 3 lung cancer patient among hundreds in Alberta to have surgery cancelled this week
Just hours before Premier Jason Kenney addressed Albertans last Wednesday, Grant Humphrey got some welcome news — surgeons would remove his cancerous right lung about a week sooner than expected.
"I asked her about chemo and radiation and all that," Humphrey said about his surgeon. "But she says it would be non-curative if we went that way."
Facing Stage 3 lung cancer, Humphrey had few options.
"I was like, 'OK, let's get it done.," he said.
Despite the dangers of the major surgery, the 60-year-old says it gave him hope for the future. But that hope was crushed less than two days later.
"On (Friday) after Mr. Kenney was kind enough to come back to his province to work, he decided to have all surgeries cancelled," said Humphrey.
Kenney took a prolonged vacation through August as cases grew, making his last unannounced public appearance Aug. 9 and not speaking again publicly until Sept. 2.
Over the past three weeks, an increasing number of surgical procedures have been cancelled to divert resources to care for the continuing rise in acutely ill COVID patients. Only two out of eight operating rooms at Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary are still performing procedures. Doctors are warning that triage protocols are only days away.
Despite repeated requests, AHS has declined to share the total number of cancelled surgeries in Alberta, saying the information is not available.
Nearly 80 per cent of patients hospitalized with COVID aren't fully vaccinated and in a Sept. 13 presentation, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said a large portion of the fully vaccinated who are in hospital have underlying conditions that either limit the shot's effectiveness or who are frail enough that even otherwise mild infections pose a serious health risk.
Humphrey, who says he voted for Kenney's government in 2019, is angered by the government's lack of action and the continuing deference shown to vaccine-resistors.
"Where's my right? Where's my right to my life?" said Humphrey, stopping for the first time in a long conversation as he appeared to be struggling with emotion.
"So that's a hard one to swallow. When's it going to happen? Will I make it?"
A vaccine passport system came into effect Monday in Alberta, but it is voluntary and has been put on businesses to opt-in and regulate. The province's proof of vaccination documentation became available over the weekend but was released in a format that made it easy to falsify information with no way for the system to verify.
The vaccination passport system has resulted in a surge in first-dose vaccinations, according to AHS data.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.