Parental leave

ktothema

OP - i'm so sorry to hear of your predicament. I can't offer you any practical advice but I wanted to wish you all the best for the future and I hope your child's treatment goes well.

mariefab

For some financial and other support:

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

Chocolatedrinker

I don't know if your hospital is similar to my local one, but some do parking permits for a reasonable amount. I'm sure if you ask the receptionist where your child is having treatment they will tell you if this is available or not. At my local one its £10 for a year, but very expensive by the hour.

gibson123

I have little to add but my best wishes and a lot of respect, it is a hard road to walk, and you are approaching it with strength. Good for you, I hope the wee one gets better soon. xx

whitewing

I think at our local hospital if you are having actual cancer treatment you can get your parking refunded, but not if it is just a checkup.

RuthnJasper

My local hospital also does parking permits, as Chocolatedrinker suggested. Ask the receptionist at your next appointment.

I would also echo the advice of others who have said that, regarding any sickness absence, only the most callous employer would not be understanding - it's a genuine issue and you are most blatantly not on the skive.

I've been on the other side of this - being the child of a mum who has had cancer twice. It is difficult, and a situation that I wouldn't wish on anyone (not even the evil troll-sow in my office!) but you will get through this.

It sounds like your current employers are being outstandingly accommodating - please don't immediately rule out their suggestion of working from home as much as possible. When the effects of chemo. start to kick in (about 2½ weeks to a month after it starts, give or take), your little one will be exhausted and wanting to sleep for much of the time. During these times, you may very well welcome the opportunity of sitting down to work - it's a handy distraction and a chance to feel normal in a life going mad.

My personal inclination would be to try, at least for a month or so, the working from home idea - your employers obviously want to keep you or they'd have let you go by now - and see how you get on. The unfortunate nature of this wretched and evil illness is that every day is different - you may find that working from home can help in more ways than one.

If it doesn't work out, at least you'll have tried. And (I know it's awful) but try not to worry about future careers, etc., you've got enough on your plate without worrying about what might or might not happen in years to come.

And don't forget to look after YOURSELF (and your OH). Sending much love and support your way. Hope all turns out well. xxx

keep_laughing

Hi, I have been ( am going) through the same thing myself - daughter diagnosed earlier this year. I was unfortunately in the position where I had to give up my job, but took the max sick leave I could before making that decision ( had only been the job a while). I would take the sick leave ( my doc said absence due to caring for child with newly diagnosed cancer - I kept copies so I could show any future employer that it is not just me Being "off sick"). I wouldn't have been productive at work anyway army mind was so distracted

A lot of people gave me differing advice, some telling me to work and others not, but I had to think about my own circumstances, and due to the nature of her illness and being a single parent, that was my only choice.

On a positive note though, we were very lucky to get help through the first few months by a grant from McMillan ( our appointed click worker applied for us) plus one from clic Sargent and another (very quickly) from family fund totalling 1500 ( 2 months salary!). In addition, depending on type and severity you may be able to claim Carers allowance and therefore other things too.


I found turn2us a great help, and have you been assigned a clic Sargent worker yet?

Sorry this is a bit garbled but just wanted to try to help, and I attempting to keep busy before next meds, ,so I dont fall asleep lol!

I am able to access the Internet most of the time so feel free to message me and I will get back to you ASAP.

Take care and my thoughts are with you, this has really taught me that children need someone to love them and they will fight so hard you wouldn't believe!

Xxxx

bluenoseam

Having been on the other end (although thankfully not a "child") for my two cents it would probably be just to be straight with your work, the liklihood is that you will be needed at home or at the very least in a case where if they phone you can leave, no questions asked. The difference between a good employer & a poor employer is one who will understand you were off, but also understand it was unavoidable and would not mention it in references etc. (I don't know what my employer said on my references if they issued any, but I know my manager was more than supportive at the time)

Use the MacMillan website, their forums are full of people who've been in your shoes who will have numerous hints & tips, inclusive of grants & benefits you will be entitled to. (I don't know about those things, I figured I had savings so I wasn't claiming anything...) Speak to your nursing staff, they are there for a reason and if you're concerned about anything mentioning it to them will likely get it seen to - they're also pretty handy for stuff like parking & on occasion where the nearest chippy is if needed!

You probably won't really think this, but kids are tougher than you think, I was 25 at the time (long story, but I was placed in a teenage & young persons cancer unit) and the younger kids going through more intensive treatment often times were dealing with it easier than I was! Fingers crossed