off work with breast cancer what can i claim help!!

qwertyuiop12345

James123 wrote: »

Please read the quote YOU yourself have used from my own 'essay'. I said cancer, along with other life-threatening illnesses.

Glad you agree!

I read everything you wrote and I most certainly do not agree! There are many serious conditions and unpleasant disabilities that are not life-threatening. I think it is disgusting that you think we deserve special treatment that is different to these people.

qwertyuiop12345

fairydiamond wrote: »

Eh? You think people diagnosed with cancer should wait in a 5-month queue for an opeartion? Whats wrong with beng fast-tracked?

In a sense I disagree. My partner rings for a doctors' appointment and he'll get seen immediately. I have to wait about a week. I don't care. He's been through more health worries and far more s*** than I have.

People with serious illnesses and diseases should get fast tracked. I don't see a problem with this.

I was refering to benefits and the idea that people with cancer should get special treatment over other conditions when claiming these. Obviously treatment is totally different and patients will be on waiting lists with people with the same condition.

The DWP does and should continue to treat all people the same irrespective of their diagnosis. No particular illness has more 'merit'.

James123_2

qwertyuiop12345 wrote: »

I read everything you wrote and I most certainly do not agree! There are many serious conditions and unpleasant disabilities that are not life-threatening. I think it is disgusting that you think we deserve special treatment that is different to these people.

Well, we'll just have to agree to disagree.
That's what is so great about our country!
Thanks.

fairydiamond

qwertyuiop12345 wrote: »

I was refering to benefits and the idea that people with cancer should get special treatment over other conditions when claiming these. Obviously treatment is totally different and patients will be on waiting lists with people with the same condition.

Aha I see. That makes more sense.

Oldernotwiser

James123 wrote: »

Your own experience of cancer was, thankfully, that you were able to walk away from the whole experience intact.

My own experience of cancer is of being diagnosed 4 months after I married and being told that I wouldn't be able to have children. If that's your idea of "walking away intact", then fair enough.

I’d still maintain that cancer patients, arguably along with other life-threatening illnesses, should be fast-tracked and treated as special cases. The chemotherapy ward, of which I’m familiar, is full of patients who have considerable money worries. I find this galling. It’s not for nothing that there is a need for Macmillan Benefits Advisors. And, just because there are other equally distressing illnesses does not make cancer any less distressing in itself.

Now, it's that "arguably" that I take issue with. Has it never occurred to you that it's only cancer patients that have such things as McMillan Nurses? Or Marie Curie nurses? Or hospices, for that matter?

If you take any group of people who were unable to work, I think you'd find they have money worries, regardless of their medical diagnosis.



The first thought of a cancer patient isn’t how to extract the most money from the State or to seek recompense. My point was that cancer is a disease which can develop in an entirely unpredictable manner. Whatever label you give a particular benefit it should acknowledge this when offering support and be a little flexible in its application. I, like you, don’t think it should be a meal ticket for life. I just think that those with life-threatening illnesses should be given unqualified support if they’re unable to work.

But you just said that only cancer patients "arguably" should receive this.

Finally, I'm sorry if you felt I was brow-beating you. Indeed, I probably was. However, this is a particularly sensitive issue. I just feel that your generally excellent advice would be best served if your posts were to come across as alittle less judgemental. If they're intended otherwise, I apologise.

So, if you think I've been "judgemental", what, exactly have I been "judgemental " about? I certainly think that people with cancer, like any other disease, should be adequately supported, both financially and medically. I agree that the financial side of things should be sorted out as quickly as possible. What else is required?

I just don't think that a cancer diagnosis should be able to pull rank over any other medical condition as if it's worst than a diagnosis of Parkinson's, emphysema or many other conditions, most of which are far less well supported than cancer already.

James123_2

You're playing semantics again.
I think the points have been made well.
Time to sit in the sunshine.

qwertyuiop12345

As the OP seems to have gone now and I think her questions were answered, perhaps this thread should be moved to the DT forum as it has gone rather off topic in the last couple of pages.

James123_2

Yes, it's run its course and everyone has had their say.
Thanks!

qwertyuiop12345

James123 wrote: »

You're playing semantics again.
I think the points have been made well.
Time to sit in the sunshine.

It is not just semantics, we fundamentally disagree with your opinion that we, as cancer patients, deserve special treatment that people with other disabilites and illnesses (that may be awful but not life-threatening) do not.

Enjoy the sunshine

James123_2

Will do - you too.
Thanks

LAST WORD ... I know I shouldn't!!

Now, it's that "arguably" that I take issue with. Has it never occurred to you that it's only cancer patients that have such things as McMillan Nurses? Or Marie Curie nurses? Or hospices, for that matter?


Cancer affects such a large proportion of our society (1 in 3) that the resources reflect this. It does not necessarily mean that cancer patients receive more support per head.

But you just said that only cancer patients "arguably" should receive this.

Noooooooo. I said that anyone with life-threatening illness should be prioritized. It's merely my own view.

So, if you think I've been "judgemental"

I was referring to all posts made by you to me and to the OP in respect of cancer. I hope you note that I said this was my impression and apologized accordingly if I'd read you wrong.

I make no apology for my view. I think in general this has been a healthy, if heated, discussion.