January 7th, 2026. For Jolene Van Alstine, a wife and mother from Saskatchewan, this date loomed not as a celebration, but as a finality. It was the day she was legally permitted to end her life through Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying program, a path she reluctantly considered as a desperate escape from relentless suffering.
But that day passed, not with an ending, but with a flicker of hope. Jolene is still here, not merely surviving, but actively fighting for her life, buoyed by an outpouring of support from across borders. Her journey, once spiraling towards a predetermined conclusion, has been dramatically altered.
For years, Jolene endured a torment few can imagine – a rare and excruciating parathyroid disorder. The pain was constant, the nausea debilitating, the overheating relentless. She described nights spent shivering under cooling blankets, even seeking refuge on the cold bathroom floor, desperately trying to find relief.
The physical agony was compounded by a heartbreaking internal conflict. A devout Roman Catholic, she wrestled with the moral implications of assisted dying, yet felt trapped by a pain that stole her quality of life. Hope had dwindled to almost nothing, leaving her feeling she had no other choice.
Then came an unexpected lifeline. American podcaster and journalist Glenn Beck, hearing of Jolene’s plight, extended a hand. He reached out to the American medical community, seeking assistance, offering to cover the costs of treatment at the Norman Parathyroid Center near Tampa, Florida.
The center pledged to help, and now Jolene’s fate rests on a collaborative effort between doctors in Florida, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. The initial strategy involves high doses of calcium and vitamin D, a treatment recommended by a specialist in Toronto and endorsed by the surgeon in Florida.
The goal is to lower her parathyroid levels and avoid another surgery – she’s already undergone three. If successful, she’ll need ongoing monitoring by an endocrinologist. If not, the search for the source of the problem will continue, potentially leading to another operation.
While pain and discomfort remain, a profound shift has occurred. Jolene is experiencing something she hasn’t felt in years: hope. Beck personally calls to check on her progress, and a rescheduled appointment with a doctor in Hamilton offers further support.
Her partner, Miles Sundeen, no longer contemplates funeral arrangements. Jolene herself is grateful for the chance to simply *live*. She acknowledges the road ahead is uncertain, but she faces it with a renewed spirit, strengthened by the knowledge that so many are invested in her well-being.
“I just want to feel well again,” she says, a simple plea born from years of suffering. In the coming weeks, Jolene hopes to gain clarity on her treatment plan, but for now, she’s embracing the precious gift of a second chance, a chance she almost didn’t have.
