A local woman that suffers from a chronic and debilitating condition says she was refused treatment in Saskatoon.
Since her teens Tamara Whitford has been living with lymphedema, which has caused her legs and torso to become badly swollen due to blocked lymph passages.
Over the years her condition has progressed making even the simplest task for most almost impossible for herself.
“As my legs have gotten bigger I have had to give up things that I truly enjoy,” said Whitford.” If I go for a walk even just going to get groceries is comparable to doing Zumba for me, because of my legs.”
“I had to go on disability and leave a job I truly love and I have a five-year-old who I can’t go play with,” she added in tears.
“I used to go out socially but I don’t anymore because I am concerned and worried about what people think and I don’t like getting stared at.”
Once Lymphedema is diagnosed there are only a few known treatments that can help bring down the swelling. One such treatment involves wrapping the swollen area in special compression bandages.
Last week Whitford says she was refused that treatment in Saskatoon at St. Paul’s Hospital after the wound nurses in charge of caring for her and doing her wraps refused to keep doing it.
“The nurses told me that I could expect to stay in the hospital for up to six weeks and I was there for just over a week and a half,” she said.
“My doctor came to me and she said they contacted her and said they refuse to treat Tamara because I was too much work and too much time.”
“Right away I felt disrespected and very angry,” she added.
Arrangements have been made for Whitford to continue to receive treatment in Prince Albert as an outpatient.
However she says that hasn’t made her forget about how she was treated in Saskatoon and she hopes for an apology. She says her doctor requested a letter of apology to tell why they couldn’t treat her anymore. She has yet to receive that letter.
“They have denied that anyone has been refused treatment and I am sure if I asked for my file it would say I was denied treatment,” said Whitford.
“They knew my size, they knew my limb size and they said it would take at least an hour and more than one person. So they knew what they were getting into.”
The Saskatoon Health district was contacted to comment about Whitford’s treatment, however due to the health information protection act they are unable to discuss anything regarding her care at St. Paul’s Hospital.
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