A mother with cancer cannot afford to live and save for the funeral at the same time

Melanie Finlay fears her family will struggle financially after she left after skyrocketing bills. She was diagnosed with metastatic cancer that has spread to her bones, lungs, hips, knees and bone marrow

A mother suffering from terminal cancer says the cost of living crisis has forced her to save for her own funeral.

Melanie Finlay, 48, who lives in Inverness in Scotland, says she worries her family will struggle financially after she left following the huge surge in bills.

The mother of one child has been diagnosed with metastatic cancer that has spread to her bones, lungs, hips, knees and bone marrow.

She has been told she has 12 to 18 months to live and if her current treatment does not work she will be placed in palliative care.

Melanie receives a reduced salary from her employer and applies for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). She had to wait six months before she was awarded this achievement.

Repayments from her PIP helped Melanie pay for her £3,000 wedding last month and she still has some money left over to spend on her funeral.

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Her husband Tom is on short-time work and working from home so he can look after her full-time.

“I worry that Tom is not financially secure with Joseph because he will lose a lot of money if I leave,” Melanie told the BBC.

Worried about the cost of living crisis? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

“There was some money left over from the wedding and I’m using it now as my funeral fund.

“Because I don’t want my family to be saddled with the high cost of a funeral anytime soon.”

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The family live in a two-bed flat and are spending at least £300 a month on their energy bills after Ofgem’s price cap surged last month.

Melanie says the cost of gas is also an issue due to her frequent visits to the hospital for appointments.

Parents of children with cystic fibrosis have also shared how they must make heartbreaking decisions to “starve out” some family members so their children can get the nutrition they need.

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Most people with the genetic condition have to eat more calories because of the mucus that builds up in the lungs and digestive system, leading to digestive problems.

As a result of the cost of living crisis, some families are having to choose to forego some in order for their children with CF to have enough food to survive, reports Birmingham Live.

Nicola Johnson, whose 11-year-old son George Monckton has the condition, says many mothers like her are worried about rising prices.

She added, “George’s health must come first.”

 

Source: mirror

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