Hi Inula,
Sorry to feel you are having a few down days.  It is so hard to put a bright face on 24/7.  Just a suggestion, do you have any provisions in policies for income protection due to ill health or tpd -total and permanent disability?  If so you are able to get financial assistance from the companies.
We were able to draw on hubbys superannuation as he was 56 and no longer working due to the situation.
Darling Max is a wealth of knowledge so follow her suggestions.
Take care
Kathy x
 

Hi Kathy

thanks for your kind words. Im feeling a little better today. Not quite so hopeless. Husband has gone to work and is hoping his employer will allow him to just work mornings until his treatment begins. Once his treatment starts I will be looking at doing cleaning for a few hours a day which will being in a few extra quid. Our daughter is already putting cash to one side and ahe would be furious if she read how Im fretting about money (sorry chick if you are reading this) We will ask for a hand out from her if we have to but would rather manage as best we can.

It seems incredibly sad and very frustrating that help is actually out there in the form of PIP but I do wonder how many people miss out on a valuable benefit that they are entitled to because they cant cope psycologically with asking has he or she got 6 months or less to live.

Inula x 

Hi Inula ......

I am sorry to contradict what you have been told by McMillan about PIP but they are not correct.  There are 'special rules' for those with a terminal illness - I have emailed the CABs website page to you because I dont knpw how to put you a link on here.  I agree that the guidelines are a 6month prognosis but a guideline is ALL it is and you are not penalised if you live beyond this  -  I have lived 3yrs so far and spoke to Gov.Dir last month and had no problems whatsoever.  My GP filled in the necessary forms for me and I told her I didnt want to know how long I had to live also. She said no-one can predict that anyway and put 'unknown - but incurable' in the necessary box.

Maybe it would be worth visiting the local CAB to help you fill in the forms, or your GP, if your McMillan nurse is not up to speed with the 'special rules'.  You know my email address if you have any questions.  Take care x

Hi Inula ......

I am sorry to contradict what you have been told by McMillan about PIP but they are not correct.  There are 'special rules' for those with a terminal illness - I have emailed the CABs website page to you because I dont knpw how to put you a link on here.  I agree that the guidelines are a 6month prognosis but a guideline is ALL it is and you are not penalised if you live beyond this  -  I have lived 3yrs so far and spoke to Gov.Dir last month and had no problems whatsoever.  My GP filled in the necessary forms for me and I told her I didnt want to know how long I had to live also. She said no-one can predict that anyway and put 'unknown - but incurable' in the necessary box.

Maybe it would be worth visiting the local CAB to help you fill in the forms, or your GP, if your McMillan nurse is not up to speed with the 'special rules'.  You know my email address if you have any questions.  Take care x

Good evening Max

once again we are in your debt regarding helpful information. I read the link you sent but thought you had missed my point that we really dont want to put a 6 month label on Neils life expectency. I should have known better!  You very obviously hadnt missed the point as you were in the 'dont tell me how long I've got' bracket. We will certainly consider making a trip to Neils gp to see if he will put incurable/unknown in the relevent box. Thank you once again for your help. Makes me wonder how on earth people manage on their own without helpful virtual friends.

Warmest wishes

Inula x 

Hi Inula

I know I have e -mailed off forum but really sorry that I missed this thread. Just wanted to add leverage to what Max has said.  Hubby qualified for PIP and his consultant was happy to send out form suitably completed and signed. We were never given 'life expectancy dates' as his particular cancer was so variable but its the 'incurable' that counts here.  Its hard to accept that you should have to go this route to help financially (especially for our menfolk) but, and its a big but, this is an entitlement and one your husband has worked hard for. I really hope you can see a way round to getting the necessary piece of paper . Once its done you can get on with your 'new normal' lives.  All my  hubby had to do was repeat the application yearly and there is no charge for getting the form signed.

My heart goes out to you as its a b....... emotional rollercoaster but getting what your husband deserves can take away a little of the stress.  Sending big hugs and will chat soon.  Jules x

Hi Inula.  I certainly haven't missed your point honey - I know how you feel on that score and I am sure 99per cent of people feel the same.  As my GP and oncologist both say, even with their knowledge, it is impossible to predict - who knows when anyone will pass whether they have cancer or not. I learned that as a teenager when my mum died suddenly of a heart attack.  Please don't throw away the money you are entitled to, and have paid towards all your working life, because of one irrelevant box!  It will make a big difference to your income and is not means tested - so hubby can still do the odd day at work when he wants to.

I really hope you have had a better day today.  It's been lovely weather here in suffolk, so Alfie got a long walk on the beach and a biscuit at the seaside cafe.  Am off to London tomorrow for my 3wkly chemo on Friday, so am hoping to get a last minute ticket for a show - really fancy a bit of singing!  Will be there next week too for an appointment and the week after for a nanoknife procedure on my liver tumours. So lots going on this month!  Does hubby have any dates for his treatment yet?  

Look after yourself and will be in touch in a few days. Hug to hubby x