GoFundMe campaign ends emotional year for one P.A. woman

“It’s affected every part of my being. I went from being very outgoing and able to do a whole lot of different things, to being completely incapacitated, stuck at home, avoiding mirrors and people,” McKeaveney said.

She was referred to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota after several surgeries and radiation treatments in Saskatchewan.

In the past two and a half years she has visited the Mayo five times. At the clinic they complete multiple surgeries at a time, keeping procedures cost-effective and reducing patient healing time.

During her visit to the Mayo Clinic in July, as she was being prepped for the operating room, Sask. Health informed her the procedures were denied. Her four remaining surgeries would cost more than $46,000.

When she got back to the province, she fought for an appeal, which was initially rejected. Her specialist in Saskatchewan referred her to the clinic again and placed a new request for out-of-Canada coverage, which was approved.

“It was just such a waste of my time and our very precious money,” McKeaveney said. “With having to go down there six times already in the past two years, it’s very expensive.”

Now, her friends have stepped up to start a GoFundMe page to cover her travel costs.

“She has done so much for others within the community, but cannot seek outside help for herself. Therefore, a few of her friends have convened in order to seek help on her behalf,” they wrote on the page. “We appreciate your time, your contributions and your blessings.”

In 10 days, more than $3,000 has been raised.

McKeaveney said she’s made it through the entire experience with the support from family and friends.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere without all the special people in my life who have been there.”

Being as positive as possible is her new goal.

“I force myself to go out and do things, which is great. And that’s gotten a lot better in the past two years when I started my surgeries at the Mayo Clinic,” she said. “In Saskatchewan I felt very isolated and alone because there’s only a few of us, that I know, who have this disease.

“When I went to the Mayo Clinic, the first trip, they reinforced to me that I wasn’t alone and that they see hundreds on me weekly, let alone in a year.”

As part of her giving back efforts she’s helping to host the fifth pajama party Jan. 23 at the Ches Leach Lounge.

Each year they pick families who are facing travel costs because of medical issues.

“This year we had over 23 nominations for six families, so we couldn’t say no to any one of them, so we picked six families,” she said.

For $25, attendees will get to take in a fashion show, hypnotist, music, mini manicures, massages and shopping.

“I just really believe that’s my destiny, to do bigger and better things with this (condition). To get through it, and also to help others,” she said. “I think you have to look for the positives in every circumstance, whether it’s something you can control or can’t control.”

After her surgeries, and a process called a “thyroid storm”, doctors believe McKeaveney has been in remission for the past few months.

“Once you get through that and your surgeries are completed, then you get about eight to 10 relatively symptomless—never symptom free—years,” said McKeaveney. “Then the disease sets in again in a different form and all of the procedures and surgeries start all over.”

Her next surgeries have been scheduled for the new year and will be completed during one visit.

asoloducha@panow.com

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha

by Alex Soloducha

GoFundMe campaign ends emotional year for one P.A. woman

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