6 months to live~ can they claim anything

TotallyBroke

Morning,

I wonder if any of you people can advise. My Mum (almost 60yo) has just had part of a grade IV Glioblastoma brain tumour removed. It is the worst tumour possible and she has been given 6months to a year to live.
She will be starting radiotherapy soon, we are waiting for letter to arrive, this will be daily treatment for a length of time.
My Dad is 67yo so is on a pension, mum worked full time up until she collapsed and this was diagnosed a week ago.

I have no idea of whether they can get any help or not. I have heard of people claiming expenses for hospital appointments etc.
I have tried getting in touch with CAB but cannot get through and I guess we could be waiting an age for an appointment.

I would like information so it will be one less thing for my Dad to worry about so we can just enjoy the time we have left.

Thanks

delain

I don't really know what to suggest except see your local CAB as soon as possible.

This sounds like a really horrible situation, and you're doing the right thing by trying to find out for them, you must love them very much.

I hope things are as painless as possible and that you get to enjoy the time you and your mum have left together.

Indie_Kid

She can claim disability living allowance (DLA) under the special rules. She doesn't need to fill in the care part of the form and will receive the decision in 8 days.

TotallyBroke

Thank you to you both... I had tried reading about DLA but I'm not focusing properly and just need everything in layman terms not long winded wording.
I think I might take a day off and go to the Job centre and see what they can help with.

moneypenny2k

A friend of mine died last year from cancer, she was only in her 50s but I remember her telling me that there is a fast track benefits system for people with life limiting illness and that basically you can claim your pension early. I'm not really sure how it works but I know she found the people at the benefits helpline to be really helpful and supportive.

I'm really sorry to hear your news. you must all be devastated. Not knowing what to say apart from the fact that my thoughts are with you and I wish you all well

DB9

Please call the Macmillan Nurses, they will give you and your family all the support and information you need. x Best wishes to you and family

UnderPressure

DB9 wrote: »

Please call the Macmillan Nurses, they will give you and your family all the support and information you need. x Best wishes to you and family

Echo this they are a fantastic organisation and will guide you through everything from sart to finish.

I would like to also offer my sympathies

margaretclare

Agree - Macmillan are the people to contact. CAB are largely manned by volunteers and are overstretched.

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

They are au fait with all the practical problems, money, etc. They know that your brain goes into a tailspin when faced with information like this - no one can take it in, the shock is too great. They've heard it all before and will be a mine of information and a tower of strength.

May I just express my sympathy. And to say how appalled I am that someone can be given this sort of information and just sent home, NOT be put in touch with people who can help.

skintdragon

When you had the histology meeting with the consultant was there a nurse with you to offer you additional social support (were you in attendance when they gave the results)?

It would be wise to speak to someone at the hospital about this; I suspect (if there is one) a neuro- oncology nurse will have been in touch with Macmillan services, but it doesn't hurt to ask what is available for your family, or if any form of support has already been put in place.

Sorry to hear about the GBM diagnosis. There should be a good multi- disciplinary team at the hospital for dealing with neuro- oncology services; please ask the nurses to refer your case; they should be pretty clued- up with things like this. Granted it's a GBM diagnosis, your case should be dealt with relatively quickly.

I hope that helps; all the best x

ERICS_MUM

I'm so sorry to hear your devasting news, I don't really know what else to say.

I did some voluntary work in a hospice for a short time and I read the leaflets, notice boards etc so for what its worth the following might help.

The MacMillan organisation is a cancer charity that offers lots of practical help plus forums where people with cancer or caring for relatives/friends with cancer exchange messages etc.

www.macmillan.org.uk/HowWeCanHelp/HowWeCanHelp.aspx

Also do you have a hospice in your area, or a palliative treatment dept in your local hospital ? Apart from admitting cancer sufferers as in-patients hospices can offer help in the patients home and many run day centres and therapy such as massage, hairdressing. They can also help find the best method and drugs for effective pain relief.

You need to ensure that you get as much support as possible for your mum at home, such as a special bed, plus some "respite" time - a nurse to come in and sit with mum for a couple of hours so you/your dad can have time to yourselves. Also don't neglect yourself - eat and sleep properly and keep in touch with friends. This will help you stay strong so that you can "cope" with things.

Your mum might also like to start a "memories" book or box to collect things that are precious to her and she can tell you the stories behind them etc. On the other hand she might prefer not to talk about her illness or what will happen in the future.

I do hope this helps a bit, but I'm sure there are people on here that unfortunately have personal experience of caring for people with cancer and who can give you "virtual" support at any time.

Linda xxx

TotallyBroke

Thanks guys...I have registerd with the Macmillan website so I will ask the questions there.

Margaretclare that is the least of our worries three days before she collapsed she was taken to hospital and we were told to take her home and give her paracetamol!!!