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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Gemma Jones

Nurse forced to work through chemo as she 'cant afford' to have cancer

A nurse has said that she 'can't afford' to be sick with cancer as she has to still work while receiving intense treatment.

The hot topic on Good Morning Britain this morning was the cost of living crisis. Hosts Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway welcomed on guests Kerry George and her husband to explain how rising costs are affecting them.

Kerry is currently still working as a nurse three times a week, doing 13-and-a-half hour shifts, while undergoing aggressive chemotherapy treatment. However, her husband decided to give up his job to care for her.

READ MORE: Pubs 'brought to knees' and face closure as energy prices soar

She explained her illness as she said: "I found a lump in my breast in the end of June and I was quickly diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. My treatment is going to be 12 weeks of intense chemotherapy and then I'm going to have a mastectomy."

She added: "I'm definitely going to be off work during the operation so I am trying to work as much as I can through the chemo but I'm absolutely exhausted." Kate empathised with her as she said how hard it must be without money struggles on top of it.

The host asked about the guests current financial situation. Kerry said: "I'm working as an agency so I can work as and when. If you don't work you don't get paid so you don't get any holiday or sick pay. I applied for PIP as soon as I found out I had cancer which is Personal Independent Payment."

She added: "I thought if I had that as well as working part time it would be enough. But my claim got declined yesterday on the grounds that I haven't been ill long enough."

Ben turned his attention on to Kerry's fiancé Gareth. He asked how hard is to see her still struggling with work. Gareth replied: "It's very hard. When I worked I would bring a little bit of money in but I've had to give up work as well now because I've had to look after Kerry.

"With my work it takes me away for a couple of days and I can't leave Kerry for that long. It's been really difficult."

Fans on Twitter were gobsmacked at the revelation that she was still struggling to work while he had quit his job. Nicola said: "#gmb So the lady has to work with cancer diagnosis but he’s given up work?! What?! He should get himself to work!!! Unbelievable".

Mundy said: "#GMB so he has given up work to look after her so she can continue to work? Something not sitting right!!"

Alex said: "#GMB So Kerry is working to bring money in while having cancer but her partner has given up working to ‘look after her’?? Make that make sense". Another user said: "So theoretically she has cancer and still working for financial reasons while her partner stays home to look after her while she’s at work, so in actual fact she is supporting him financially #GMB."

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