ESA50 arrived this morning but I'm getting Chemotherapy

gardenia101

G51shopaholic wrote: »

ESA granted due to sickpay ending - no medical attended - just some stupid wee lassie at the end of the phone asking me what metatastic meant (i kid u not!). That was my 1 and only contact with ATOS.:eek:

I echo other posters & assume that whomever you talk to at ATOS is a muppet with minimal medical training. I'm sure there are some good staff out there, & my first medical was fair, I was treated well & the nurse doing it was very professional & I got the result I "should" have - WRAG. But the advisors at the job centre have told me different things, & so have those on the ESA helpline. In their defence I guess things are all a bit up in the air, but that doesn't really help you.

I would fill in the form with as much detail as I could. It is horrible giving so much personal info but that is the system, rightly or wrongly. I'm not clear on whether your chemo will give you an exemption - think I'm a bit slow this morning.

Best wishes for your treatment & I hope this ESA malarky is sorted out quickly so you don't need to waste precious time & energy thinking about it. I'm awaiting my second medical....

rogerblack

G51shopaholic wrote: »

None of the above is mentioned the the ESA50 form I got. I am very capable of feeding myself; albeit in small portions so I can breath inbetween.
<snip>

but ESA granted due to sickpay ending - no medical attended - just some stupid wee lassie at the end of the phone asking me what metatastic meant (i kid u not!). That was my 1 and only contact with ATOS.:eek:

It sounds like - unless you were undergoing IV chemo at that time - you were assessed as likely to be terminal within 6 months.

The form is - charitably - designed to get information from claimants that can help decision makers and healthcare professionals decide your likely abilities, and if you may qualify for ESA.

Less charitably, it's to put people off, and make their claim less likely to succeed.

G51shopaholic

I found out today that IV Chemotherapy is "to be treated as the claimant having immediate limited work capability". So that is that but I just wrote in the final comments section that I have been receiving treatment for my cancer since 2008 But as the cancer has moved to my liver then thats means my condition has got worse.

my DLA has been granted indefinately so why not ESA??

G51shopaholic

Not heard anything but IV chemo wasnt working. Liver mets got worse so they switched me to tablet chemo. #totally disgusting. Need to take 4 tablets in the morning & 4 at night.
Must eat frequently and drink lots of water.

Here's hoping for a better 2012!

Parva

G51shopaholic wrote: »

Not heard anything but IV chemo wasnt working. Liver mets got worse so they switched me to tablet chemo. #totally disgusting. Need to take 4 tablets in the morning & 4 at night.
Must eat frequently and drink lots of water.

Here's hoping for a better 2012!

That is sad news and I really hope that 2012 is indeed a much better year for you. Having recently (6 weeks ago) had my entire right leg and a fair bit of my pelvis removed due to cancer I can sympathise. My outlook is good (hopefully clear of cancer now) so I am counting my blessings but having been on a ward where others outlook was not so good fighting with the powers that be for benefits and the like is the last thing people need and officialdom can really get people down at what is already a time fraught with upset and despair. Thank the lord for people like the McMillan nurses who are a shining beacon in the mire of doom and gloom.

Here's to a better year for all of us next year, take care of yourself hun. x

Brassedoff

Sometimes life is unfair as is the case here. It infuriates me that you have to deal with this when your focus need and should only be on getting better.

Please accept my good wishes and I will say a prayer for you tonight.