Don't know if I should apply for PIP.

Gigervamp

I have cervical cancer. It was diagnosed in September 2012 when my kidneys failed due to it blocking them from draining.

Originally, my consultant said they were looking to cure it, even though it was stage 3. However, although the cancer responded to the rads and chemo, they couldn't remove it as it was too close to my sciatic nerve. So, I'm now on a management plan.

I also have a stent in one of my kidneys.

Since having to endure catheters and cameras being put up my urethra, I've become a bit incontinent and have to wear pads all the time. These are quite expensive, especially the pants that I wear at night (I've found that I get leakages with pads at night, but the pants keep it all in.)

Also, my mobility isn't very good. I can just about walk around my local Lidl (with the aid of a stick), but by the time I get to the chechout, my legs are turning to jelly and I'm getting breathless, so have to go back to the car to rest. If hubby and I go anywhere else, I use my mobility scooter.

I also can't really cook anymore. Everything takes ages to do as I keep having to sit down, and chopping veg can be quite dangerous as my hands start to shake a lot and I'm in danger of chopping a finger! I also can't stand at the cooker stirring and watching it.

I've looked at the descriptors for PIP and I'm not sure if I would get enough points to qualify, so I'm unsure if it's worth the hassle of applying for it, although my husband thinks I should.

What do you people think?

rogerblack

Firstly - there is a rapid route into PIP for those who there is a reasonable expectation they will not last 6 months.
This is not quite the same as 'more likely than not' - you can have a reasonable expectation of rain on a cloudy day - even if it's forecast to be dry.
Grants of PIP for this 'special rules' route - which requires a DS1500 form filled out by your doctor - is rapid, and takes under a month typically.


Secondly - if this doesn't apply - the normal route applies.

Most important:

When working out which descriptor applies to you, the health professional must consider for each descriptor whether you can carry out the activity described:

• safely
• to an acceptable standard
• repeatedly
• in a reasonable time period.

'in a reasonable time period' is twice the time a fit person would take.
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/pip_9_table_of_activities_descriptors_and_points.pdf


Some of the activities have less points if you can do the thing - with adaptions or aids.
For example, if the only reason you couldn't cook was because you couldn't stand, you might gain 2 points for 'needs to use an aid or appliance to cook a simple meal'.


Can you - reliably - that if you needed to put a meal on the table every day - safely - without accident - to an acceptable standard (not burned, ...) - in a reasonable time period prepare and cook a simple meal. Not a microwave meal - things that involve cutting, timing, adding to food, stirring, ...


If you can't - then 8 points would be gotten for this.
Another 2 points from 'needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to manage toilet needs'
Are you forgetfull enough that due to your condition you need to use a dispenser to keep track of your pills?
1 point for 'needs to use an aid or appliance to manage medication'.


This would arguably take you to 11 points on the care side - you need 8 to get standard 'daily living'.


Are you able to go out _by yourself_. (again, reliably, safely,...) to familiar places.
If not - 12 points for 'cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person' may apply.
Similarly - if you can't (reliably,...) walk 200m without getting breathless - you will get some points there.




Unfortunately, yes it is a hastle.
And yes, it will take several months to see any money (this will be backdated if an award is made).


If you can't face the form - and it's appropriate - your husband can fill it in, and you can sign it.
(he should note that he's completed it for you).
You can (and should) send any additional evidence you have along with the form.

Indie_Kid

If you receive any help from social services, they might be able to help you fill it in.

Also, there might be a guide on a charity website for your condition.

Saversue

You should be able to get pads through your GP, ask them to refer you to a Continence Nurse/Clinic. Can't believe no one has informed you about this.

My Mum gets them this way, Once on the list they deliver them to your home, you just ring up when you need them, excellent service. They will try to give you the cheapest, which are rather bulky, but you can say they are not suitable and would like a more discreet one.

Gigervamp

Thanks for the reply.

rogerblack wrote: »

Firstly - there is a rapid route into PIP for those who there is a reasonable expectation they will not last 6 months.
This is not quite the same as 'more likely than not' - you can have a reasonable expectation of rain on a cloudy day - even if it's forecast to be dry.
Grants of PIP for this 'special rules' route - which requires a DS1500 form filled out by your doctor - is rapid, and takes under a month typically.

This doesn't apply yet.

rogerblack wrote: »

Secondly - if this doesn't apply - the normal route applies.

Most important:
[/LIST]
'in a reasonable time period' is twice the time a fit person would take.
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/pip_9_table_of_activities_descriptors_and_points.pdf


Some of the activities have less points if you can do the thing - with adaptions or aids.
For example, if the only reason you couldn't cook was because you couldn't stand, you might gain 2 points for 'needs to use an aid or appliance to cook a simple meal'.


Can you - reliably - that if you needed to put a meal on the table every day - safely - without accident - to an acceptable standard (not burned, ...) - in a reasonable time period prepare and cook a simple meal. Not a microwave meal - things that involve cutting, timing, adding to food, stirring, ...

Not really. For example, the other week I managed to make a cake, but it took all morning. After getting the ingredients out of the cupboards, I needed to sit down. Then the same after weighing them, then after mixing them, etc.
About the only thing I can do in one go is make a sandwich, but I can feel myself starting to get wobbly just as I'm finishing making it.

rogerblack wrote: »

If you can't - then 8 points would be gotten for this.
Another 2 points from 'needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to manage toilet needs'

Oh, I hadn't thought that using pads would come under that, but it makes sense.

rogerblack wrote: »

Are you forgetfull enough that due to your condition you need to use a dispenser to keep track of your pills?

I'm not currently on any medication, although that might be changing soon as I'm waiting to hear about the results of my latest scan. The cancer has been stable, but I think it's become active again. Having said that, I'm pretty good at remembering to take stuff when I do need it.

rogerblack wrote: »

1 point for 'needs to use an aid or appliance to manage medication'.


This would arguably take you to 11 points on the care side - you need 8 to get standard 'daily living'.

Right, so I might get that then.

rogerblack wrote: »

Are you able to go out _by yourself_. (again, reliably, safely,...) to familiar places.
If not - 12 points for 'cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person' may apply.
Similarly - if you can't (reliably,...) walk 200m without getting breathless - you will get some points there.

No, due to my mobility issues and the fact that we live fairly rural, I have to rely on my husband to take me out anywhere. When I saw that question on the forms, I thought it was more to do with being mentally able to get around, you know, having anxiety issues or something along those lines.

rogerblack wrote: »

Unfortunately, yes it is a hastle.
And yes, it will take several months to see any money (this will be backdated if an award is made).


If you can't face the form - and it's appropriate - your husband can fill it in, and you can sign it.
(he should note that he's completed it for you).
You can (and should) send any additional evidence you have along with the form.

I don't really have any additional evidence. I haven't needed to see my GP for over a year and although I told my oncologist that I've become very weak, she just nodded. And my urologist didn't say anything when I mentioned the incontinence.

Still, it sounds like I might qualify for something, so I'll get in touch with the benefits advisor at the hospital and get some help with filling in the forms.

Thanks again for your help.

Gigervamp

Saversue wrote: »

You should be able to get pads through your GP, ask them to refer you to a Continence Nurse/Clinic. Can't believe no one has informed you about this.

My Mum gets them this way, Once on the list they deliver them to your home, you just ring up when you need them, excellent service. They will try to give you the cheapest, which are rather bulky, but you can say they are not suitable and would like a more discreet one.

I wasn't aware of that. My urologist didn't say anything when I mentioned the incontinence. Mind you, I'm not happy with the "care" from that department. I've currently got an 11 month old stent in, which he said has a life of 9 months. They also removed the wrong stent last year when I had one in each kidney and the right one was blocked. I ended up with a nephrostomy for 6 months. :mad:

I'll ask about getting pads on prescription. Thanks.

rogerblack

Gigervamp wrote: »

No, due to my mobility issues and the fact that we live fairly rural, I have to rely on my husband to take me out anywhere. When I saw that question on the forms, I thought it was more to do with being mentally able to get around, you know, having anxiety issues or something along those lines.

As a very general point - unless the descriptor actually on its face says 'this doesn't apply in this condition' - or it doesn't apply for concrete reasons - any reason you can't do the task means it applies.

Taking that descriptor as an example - 'cannot plan the route of a journey' - covers people with psychological problems, but also people with memory issues due to brain damage, severe memory problems or blindness to which they have not yet adapted.

Imagine there was someone not involved with you, following you around 24*7 for a month.
Think about each descriptor carefully - is there a way they could reasonably make the case that you can't do a thing.

This is especially hard when you don't want to admit it.

Gigervamp

I could plan and follow the route of a journey easily, just wouldn't be able to physically make the journey on my own.

Errata

Ask your Macmillan nurse to help you to complete the form, they're very up to date with the 'right' words and phrases that will be effective.

Gigervamp

I have the number of the clinical nurse specialist, but I don't know if she's a Macmillan nurse. I've never been told "This is your Macmillan nurse". Should I have?

Errata

Gigervamp wrote: »

I have the number of the clinical nurse specialist, but I don't know if she's a Macmillan nurse. I've never been told "This is your Macmillan nurse". Should I have?

Not necessarily, ask your GP to make a rapid referral to Macmillan for you.
Wishing you well with it.