The family of Stéphanie Lavoie, a 30-year-old Quebec woman who chose doctor-assisted death due to her debilitating Lyme disease, is calling for changes in how the medical system handles cases of the infectious illness. Lavoie’s battle with Lyme disease began eight years ago when she was bitten by a tick in Quebec’s Saguenay region. Despite receiving confirmations of her diagnosis in the United States, Mexico, and Germany, Lavoie’s condition was never officially recognized in her home province, leading to difficulties in receiving appropriate treatment. Her symptoms progressed rapidly, leaving her bedridden and in excruciating pain, ultimately resulting in her decision to pursue medical assistance in dying.
Lavoie’s sister, Cathy, described her sister’s deteriorating health and the unbearable pain she endured in the final years of her life. Lavoie’s weight dropped to a dangerous low, and she struggled to eat, prompting requests for at-home medical care for intravenous nutrition to be denied. Feeling abandoned by the health-care system, Lavoie expressed her frustration in a recorded message about the ethical implications of denying care based on checkboxes. Ultimately, as the pain became intolerable, Lavoie made the difficult decision to choose a doctor-assisted death, finding peace in ending her suffering after years of fighting to live.
Dr. Georges L’Espérance, a retired neurosurgeon and advocate for medical assistance in dying, emphasized the importance of listening to patients who are suffering and meeting stringent eligibility criteria for medical assistance in dying. While it is rare for younger patients like Lavoie to choose this option, the majority of individuals who pursue medical assistance in dying are seniors. Lavoie’s friend, Lara Simard, who shared her struggles with Lyme disease, remembered her for her resilience and courage, while also acknowledging the relief that she is finally free from her years of suffering.
Those who knew Lavoie are advocating for an overhaul in how Lyme disease is diagnosed and treated in Quebec, feeling that the medical system failed her by dismissing her symptoms and treating them separately rather than addressing the illness holistically. Simard, who also suffered from severe Lyme disease symptoms, expressed feeling abandoned by the healthcare system and called for more support and recognition for patients with the tick-borne illness. Cathy Lavoie has been contacted by others facing similar struggles since her sister’s death, highlighting the need for better resources and care for Lyme disease patients.
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé responded to concerns about a lack of resources for Lyme disease patients by highlighting the establishment of 15 clinics in recent years to address the illness. While he acknowledged the complexity of Lyme disease, he expressed commitment to providing expertise and support for patients. In her final message, Lavoie encouraged other sufferers of Lyme disease and other unrecognized illnesses to keep fighting and believe in themselves. Her family continues to advocate for better recognition and support for patients with Lyme disease and other chronic illnesses.
