Cancer, cash and carrying on

in_need_of_direction

it used to be that after you get free prescription eligibility confirmed, you could reclaim amounts paid since time of application, by submitting a receipt.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Good to know, I’ll look into it. Thanks

ohdearhowdidthathappen

As well as money, the other thing I want to do is improve my health.

I don’t believe I did anything specific to cause my cancer, but I do believe that I could be healthier overall.

I’m completely following my oncologist and surgeons advice - chemo, immunotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. But I’m also going to be researching lifestyle improvements that I could make to support my body through treatment and beyond.

The main risk factors for breast cancer are:

• being female ✔️
• Bring over 45 ✔️
• HRT ❌
• Smoking ❌
• Alcohol ❌ (although I have in the past!)
• BMI over 25 ❌
• Family history ❌

So apart from my age and gender which I obviously can’t control, there’s not much there to change.

The books/podcasts I’ve researched so far all list the above factors and the common ideas for health improvement (not just for cancer, but health in general) that I’m going to look into more are:

• Mediterranean diet
• Remove refined sugar and sweeteners from diet
• Remove alcohol completely (this will be easy as I haven’t really drunk much in last 5 years)
• Sleep - I can make improvements here, I go to bed too late and averaged 6-7 hours when I was at work
• Hydration - I can improve here too… I don’t like tea or coffee, but I drink diet soda and squashes. I’ll be switching to water only.
• Exercise - I have always aimed for 8-10k steps a day and will continue, but I’ll be adding in 3 sessions of strength training to build/maintain muscle and 1 session of yoga or similar for flexibility. Obviously on days I don’t feel great on chemo, I won’t force it.
• Vitamin D - I am usually deficient so after chemo, I’ll supplement
• Fasting - need to research further (not sure ideal now I have thyroid issues)
• Sauna - need to research further

Think that’s it for now 🤣 Most of them are common sense but a few things to be getting on with.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

No extra spends today 😊

Our current account has £477 to last us until 24th, so we’re on track.

liselle

I am on Thyroxine(under active thyroid, not cancer -related) and have free prescriptions.

beanielou

Can I ask if you have considered applying for PIP?

ohdearhowdidthathappen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82024764#Comment_82024764

Yes, I’ve heard you can get them for that too. Covered either way 😁
I haven’t had a prescription for myself in years, must be 15+… making up for it now 🥴

ohdearhowdidthathappen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82024839#Comment_82024839

I did look into it, but I don’t think I’d qualify. I do get the odd day of nausea and feel a bit more tired than usual.
However, the PIP criteria was wanting examples of how I need help in my day to day life and I haven’t really got any.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

No big plans for today, youngest is going for a sleepover at lunchtime.

Will go for a walk at lunchtime and watch a film with the 2 teens who will be home tonight. My daughter’s choice tonight, she’s picked ‘Speed’ which will be good for eye candy 😁

So should be another NSD

ohdearhowdidthathappen

DH has gone out for the day (with our only car) so I’ll catch up on chores and chill with the kids.

I’ve got a b00b ultrasound and oncology appointment tomorrow. The lump started at 2cm when I first felt it (advantage of having small ones, nowhere for it to hide!) and in the month it took to get results and start chemo, it had grown to 3cm 🤢 After 3 weeks of treatment, I couldn’t feel it anymore! I’m doing week 10 of 24 this week. Anyway, the scan is to check in with imaging to making sure it matches what we’re feeling.

I bought a walking pad a few months ago and I’m finding it really useful. I used to get my steps in by going for 1-1.5 hour walk per day. But while having treatment I find I’ll randomly get extremely tired or lightheaded with no warning, so I won’t go out on my own just in case this happens. So today, I’ll get my steps in using that… I tend to watch random Netflix documentaries while walking 🤣

I’m not planning on spending anything today and DH will pay for anything he spends out of his own pot. So it should be another NSD.