While there is huge pressure on the hospital system because of Covid-19, the virus is also affecting patients who are in hospital for non-Covid related illnesses.
Sandra van der Westhuizen lost her husband Steven to cancer in November. The 59-year-old from Trim in Co Meath was diagnosed with bladder cancer in October.
The couple moved to Ireland from South Africa in 2000. "Steven was only 59. My youngest son was only 16 when he passed away.
Steven still had his whole life ahead of him," Sandra said. She said he recalls getting the phonecall from Steven with news of the diagnosis and feeling helpless. "I got a call from Steven and it was the first time in the 25 years of my marriage that I actually heard him cry. "He said to me 'I've got