An Abbotsford man who underwent brain surgery in the U.S. because the procedure is not covered in Canada is back home and recovering.
Tom Kettering’s surgery was performed last Wednesday, Nov. 17 in Los Angeles at the Mission Community Hospital to remove a tumour that had been causing him blinding headaches for the last 20 years.
According to posts on social media, Kettering has experienced a lessening of his pain since having the surgery and was able to fly home on Monday. He was not yet available for comment.
Kettering and his wife, Christina, had sold off their business interests and heavy equipment, put their home up for sale and taken out a major bank loan to cover the $250,000 procedure.
They have also been supported by more than $42,000 in donations on a crowdfunding website.
The surgery was not covered in Canada, and there wasn’t a neurosurgeon in the country who performs the procedure.
B.C.’s Ministry of Health will cover the cost of the surgery, but only if it’s recommended by a Canadian neurosurgeon.
Kettering waited two years to see a neurologist but had not been able to get an appointment to see a neurosurgeon.
Donations to assist in the couple’s expenses can be made a gofundme.com and then search “Tom Kettering.”
– with files from Kurt Langmann, Black Press