Cancer sufferer help please

Cool_Username

space_rider wrote: »

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.

Thank you I'll do that.

skipsmum

I had a blue badge when I was having aggressive chemo. I hadnt claimed DLA, my GP wrote on a form that the council provided.
I also had help from a breast cancer care nurse, but lots of people on my ward had macmillan. Both help you with forms and respite and care needs, and also have specialist knowledge of benefits so I would suggest you get in touch with them first off. The forms for DLA and other benefits are notoriously difficult to fill in, and the more help you get to start with the quicker it will be.
Best wishes OP and best wishes to your wife, I wish you both a long and happy life xxx

Cool_Username

skipsmum wrote: »

I had a blue badge when I was having aggressive chemo. I hadnt claimed DLA, my GP wrote on a form that the council provided.
I also had help from a breast cancer care nurse, but lots of people on my ward had macmillan. Both help you with forms and respite and care needs, and also have specialist knowledge of benefits so I would suggest you get in touch with them first off. The forms for DLA and other benefits are notoriously difficult to fill in, and the more help you get to start with the quicker it will be.
Best wishes OP and best wishes to your wife, I wish you both a long and happy life xxx

Thank you very much I really appreciate it X X

space_rider

My friend also used to go to the pampering sessions that Debenhams used to put on. I can`t remember if it was at the local hospice or in Debenhams. She also used to get free products that were suitable for chemo patients.

fifitrix123

I hope you get all the help you both need, I did see some info about Macmillan providing a holiday for a sufferer and family so perhaps you could look into that to give you both something to look forward to!
I am making a list of things I have really wanted to do which will give me something to strive for and will aim to do something each week or month! :beer:

I hope your boss gives you lots of time off which will help too.....

I do wish you both the best, wish I could do more to help you both x

Cool_Username

fifitrix123 wrote: »

I hope you get all the help you both need, I did see some info about Macmillan providing a holiday for a sufferer and family so perhaps you could look into that to give you both something to look forward to!
I am making a list of things I have really wanted to do which will give me something to strive for and will aim to do something each week or month! :beer:

I hope your boss gives you lots of time off which will help too.....

I do wish you both the best, wish I could do more to help you both x

Thanks a lot. Don't really have time off work as such because of it, I have two days off a week and now have Wednesday and one other day off because she has chemotherapy on Wednesdays.

codwidow

Hi

I also registered on the Macmillan website and wrote on the forums there that are specific to the diagnosis people have. You wouldnt believe the replies I got, people who had the same cancer wrote to me telling me exactly what my Dad should expect, I had so many replies and so much help it was really really helpful and lovely of people to take time out and help so its worth signing up to the forum as you will get loads of advice

qwertyuiop12345

Hi, I am sorry to hear about your partner. I have Leukaemia so I think I can understand what you are going through.

I definitely recommend that she applies for disability living allowance. I find that this has a strong positive psychological effect as it provides a fund of money which is supposed to be spent making the patient more comfortable and prevents the feelings of guilt I was having about the illness being a financial drain.

DLA has two components, for care and for mobility. I was initially on the lower rates but as my illness progressed I was moved to the higher rates of both components.

If your partner cannot walk without severe pain she may be classified as "virtually unable to walk" which would qualify her for the higher rate of the mobility component. Getting higher rate mobility is an automatic qualifying condition for various other things such as disabled bus passes, blue badges for parking or a freedompass (if you live in London).

The care component is awarded depending on the amount of assistance the patient needs during the day or night. Some people seem to have difficulties with their applications and I expect this is because they don't phrase the information in the right way.

It is important to remember that she does not have to actually be receiving this assistance for it to count (for example, I do have to cope on my own for much of the day which can mean it is quite a painful struggle to get to the bathroom etc. and I don't have anyone to help me get dressed, wash etc. so I don't do these things, but I still am classified as in need of constant attendance because the regulations work on the scenario that everyone does get dressed each day). So if she needs help to get dressed but gets around this by not getting dressed, she has to still remember to write that she needs this help. This might seem obvious, especially when it comes to things like getting dressed, but there are probably numerous more subtle forms of care that she would need to receive to have a normal standard of living but might have found ways of getting around.

I hope that made some sense! I know I am rambling rather, but I have been thinking about why it is that I seem to have no problems with my benefit applications, whereas others seem to struggle with them and I think this might be one of the reasons?

I-Owe-You

Hi OP

I used to work in Radiothrapy and we advised a lot of our patients to speak to Macmillan who are an absoultely wonderful charity, who can offer financial assistance as well as advise and support.

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx

Also please do contact your local council regarding a blue parking badge.

Keep smiling. My best wishes to you both.

Indie_Kid

I don't know if you already know this, but:
cancer patients are now entitled to free prescriptions. Your wife just needs to ask her GP to fill in the forms and send them off.