Cariduitku

CATRIONA MCGOLDRICK didn't have a holiday this year. She might consider this the least of her worries 12 months after getting her breast cancer diagnosis - which came six months after her 82-year-old mother died with the same condition.

But after undergoing surgery, 16 weeks of chemotherapy sessions and seven weeks of Monday-Friday radiotherapy treatments, a holiday might be just what Catriona, her husband and their five-year-old daughter need.

The McGoldricks didn't get away due to the heavy financial price of being sick. Catriona (44) from Coolaney, Co Sligo qualified for a medical card "by the skin of my teeth" as a cancer patient but despite not having to pay for GP visits, drugs and transport to Galway for treatment, she was surprised at the constant drain of money.

"When you are having radiotherapy you have to get special creams and shampoos which are very expensive," she said. "I had to buy new clothes - you put on weight with the steroids. Of course you also have to buy new bras after surgery."

And while she jokes about how much she saved on hairdressing bills after losing her hair following chemotherapy, she said some people have to pay for a wig and she spent €70 on scarves and bandanas which are necessary to stay warm especially in bed.

But one of the main burdens on the family finances was the cost of childcare when she was having treatment. "My husband's employers were very good to him and he was there when I was having surgery and my first chemo sessions but you can't keep taking time off."

Just before her diagnosis, Catriona had been doing a childcare course but has had to postpone her plans so the family is still reliant on one income.

A leading member of the Save Sligo Cancer Services lobby group, Catriona is particularly scathing about the fact that some patients have to pay €12.50 to take the mini bus from Sligo to Galway for radiotherapy.

She was a passenger when the bus's air conditioning broke down during the now forgotten heat wave in May. "We were all burned from the radiotherapy and we were sick and it was 30 degrees on the bus," said Catriona. "Of course we were promised a more suitable bus but I just got a call last week saying funding had been allocated. No doubt the bus itself will roll around just in time for the election next year."