Hi Bel and welcome to this wonderful site. I too went through the Private system for my chemo and was out of pocket about $50 each treatment, $150 each doctor's visit. I finished my treatment in September ( Herceptin) and must admit I don't miss the bills every month! Overall is was manageable. I'm with HBF and they have been ok. I just liked the fact that I had my own oncologist each time and the same nurses. Very comforting.
Good luck and have a last wine for me! I found I barely drank during chemo ( 6months worth!) but there is no reason why you can't if you feel like it.
Take care and let me know how you go.
Alison :)