Cancer sufferer help please

jazabelle

Cool_Username wrote: »

Thanks Jazabelle I really appreciate the kind words.

No she doesn't need help with getting out of bed and things like that, the intensive chemotherapy is messing her up pretty badly though - her hair had to be shaved off a few days ago so that's been traumatic for her. She is very depressed and lacks any energy because of the treatment - moving about is difficult because the tumor is pressing against nerves in her leg and causing her a lot of pain.

Not even sure what help I'm thinking of getting her. Perhaps a blue badge so that she is able to limit the distance she has to walk when she goes out?

It must be awful for her and you as well. Blue Badges completely depend on the council. Some require them to be in receipt of high rate mobility DLA. Others will allow medical evidence. I don't get DLA but letters from my GP were enough to get me one. They often do discretionary badges for cases like this. I would put a claim in - they can only say no, can't they.

Social Services often deal with these. Just google Blue Badge and where you come from. It might be your county, rather than than your town though.

You can also ask for an assessment with Social Services, and they can provide equipment that may help her. For example if she is in the bath and suddenly finds herself drained of energy - a grab rail to help her get out may help? Little things like that.

If you do apply for DLA I would get specialist help - your GP surgery may have a Care Advisor, or the CAB can often help. They will be able to emphasise her mobility problems/pain on the claim. If the worst does come to the worst and it becomes terminal, as already mentioned you can put in an automatic claim.

If it is her mood then perhaps she needs a bit of pampering? Maybe a massage, or facial or something. I don't mean to belittle her illness, it's not going to take it away - but just some 'time out' may be appreciated by her? And a massage may help with her pain levels.

Errata

OP - Sorry your news isn't so good. Talk to the Macmillan nurse that's been assigned to your wife or her keyworker. They will either have all the info you need or will give you details of who you can ask. HTH

Cool_Username

worriedsik wrote: »

I know nothing on entitlements and benefits but the thread caught my eye and would like to say how sory iam to hear the news and i do hope that chemo works xx

Thank you very much I really appreciate it. Yeah I hope so to just keep telling myself and her that they wouldn't bother going to all the expense of the chemotherapy if there wasn't a good chance it would work. Thanks again X

Cool_Username

codwidow wrote: »

Hi

I am really sorry to hear about your partner and hope the news is better than you hoped after her chemo.

I am no expert on benefits really but my Dad had cancer last year and we found the Macmillan website really helpful

Sending you both positive thoughts x

Hi thanks a lot for the kind words. I'll have a look on the Macmillan website now thank you very much.

Cool_Username

Errata wrote: »

OP - Sorry your news isn't so good. Talk to the Macmillan nurse that's been assigned to your wife or her keyworker. They will either have all the info you need or will give you details of who you can ask. HTH

Thanks a lot for responding I appreciate it. I don't know if a Macmillan nurse has been assigned to her if I'm honest I'll need to check that out ASAP.

Debt_Free_Chick

Another vote for Macmillan

They can help you through the Benefits maze, too

Cool_Username

jazabelle wrote: »

It must be awful for her and you as well. Blue Badges completely depend on the council. Some require them to be in receipt of high rate mobility DLA. Others will allow medical evidence. I don't get DLA but letters from my GP were enough to get me one. They often do discretionary badges for cases like this. I would put a claim in - they can only say no, can't they.

Social Services often deal with these. Just google Blue Badge and where you come from. It might be your county, rather than than your town though.

You can also ask for an assessment with Social Services, and they can provide equipment that may help her. For example if she is in the bath and suddenly finds herself drained of energy - a grab rail to help her get out may help? Little things like that.

If you do apply for DLA I would get specialist help - your GP surgery may have a Care Advisor, or the CAB can often help. They will be able to emphasise her mobility problems/pain on the claim. If the worst does come to the worst and it becomes terminal, as already mentioned you can put in an automatic claim.

If it is her mood then perhaps she needs a bit of pampering? Maybe a massage, or facial or something. I don't mean to belittle her illness, it's not going to take it away - but just some 'time out' may be appreciated by her? And a massage may help with her pain levels.

Thanks very much for the advice - I wouldn't for a second think that you were belittling her illness, to be honest anything that can keep her positive and keep her from sinking into a depression is worth a try. Thank you for your advice and kind words it's very much appreciated - I'll look into the blue badge situation tomorrow after work.

Cool_Username

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

Another vote for Macmillan

They can help you through the Benefits maze, too

Thanks a lot I'll try and get in touch with Macmillan tomorrow.

space_rider

A friend of mine claimed DLA when the cancer returned for the 3rd time. She was told that it was terminal in that they couldn`t operate to remove it again. She lived for 3 years despite her reading in her notes that she had weeks to live without chemo and months with. Getting the DLA meant that she was able to spend the money on treats and we enjoyed many a lunch date and it also funded her holidays. Whilst it didn`t help the cancer, it certainly made her life much better than if she hadn`t claimed the DLA. She also lost her hair due to chemo and radiotherapy and on one of our lunch dates she even got chatted up. I used to ask her if she was sure she had cancer as she looked really well. She said just because she has cancer she didn`t have to look like she was dying, that was her way of comping. she was only 31 when she died.

There may be a specialist nurse attached to the oncology unit where your wife is being treated, they will be able to put you in touch with mcmillan who are really good at helping you to get the benefits you are entitled to.

Errata

Cool_Username wrote: »

Thanks a lot for responding I appreciate it. I don't know if a Macmillan nurse has been assigned to her if I'm honest I'll need to check that out ASAP.

A keyworker will have been assigned to your wife's case at the point the decison on treatment was made. You could call the clinic or the consultant's secretary for the contact number for the keyworker.
The keyworker is part of the treatment team and has the responsibility for ensuring the patient has all the information they need, and this includes info on benefits/bits of equipment/blue badge etc. HTH