During her cancer treatment, Vanessa Percoco felt forced to choose between paying to feel better or making rent.
Percoco, 33, of Laval, Que., worked in special education and had just started on a short contract working with some Grade 3 students with special needs. A diagnosis of advanced colorectal cancer in 2022 put those plans on hold.
During more than two years of treatment, which included surgery to remove part of the colon as well as 12 rounds of chemotherapy, Percoco paid more than $4,000 out of pocket for prescription drugs, including medications to cope with the side-effects and complications. On top of that, there were costs for colostomy bags, which she had to restock every four days, bandages, physiotherapy sessions and osteopathic consultations, as well as travel and parking.
Parking alone is onerous as anyone who has ever had to make multiple visits will attest. Having to travel long distance for care must be torture.
Hospitals do offer discounted parking passes, some deals are better than others.
Having a chemo-patient take the TTC is not a humane or even a sensible option given compromised immune systems.
