Anal squamous cell cancer

Is there anyone on here who has had anal squamous cell cancer x

  • Hi Lisa, Wishing you all the best, I hope your treatment goes as well as mine, I've 4 days of chemo left and 7 sessions of radio, except for first thing in the morning for a couple of hours no real pain after that. Keep slapping on the cream and bathing your bottom. Thinking of you, Sue xxx
  • How is everyone?

    I'm feeling miserable today! Just received a curt letter from Payroll saying that my full pay ceased on the 13th April and my half pay will cease on the 13th June.

    The last thing I need right now is money worries and now it means I’ll possibly be returning to work way before I am ready and well enough! Not happy!

    Trouble is, I know at some point I will be having further treatment for this liver secondary, but I don’t have a clue, how long off that is, what they’ll do and how long i’ll need to recover after that!?!  Just fed up.

    Lisa xx

  • Hi Lisa

    Thats not so good last think you want to worry about. I know they’ll say oh it’s standard letters but really a wee belter t of compassion and common sense should be used. At the Maggies I go to there are benefit advisors who help you see if you are entitled to any benefits while you are unable to work - I think MacMillan offer a similiar service it is definitely worth checking out and one man I know gets a work pension  but was also entitled to a benefit - can’t remember the name of it - do you have any of those services near you? 

    I think they make it really difficult to put people off so if you can get help I’d try.

    How are you doing apart from that?

    Ive had a rubbish week too - I’d b en getting wee floaters in my eye for the last few weeks and kept getting it checked and told they’d go away but on Tuesday my optician had a more detailed look and sent me straight to the eye hospital where they found two wee tears in my retina so had to get it lasered there and then! 

    Honestly if it’s not one thing it’s another so Iwas  feeling pretty sorry for myself :-(( but then I remember that my treatment is over and I’m in remission so gave myself a shake and getting on with it lol!

    you take care and see if you can get any advice

    Sands xx

     

      

  • Oh Dear! poor you ...try not to worry too much as I am sure there is some kind of benefit that hasn't been mentioned yet. Do ask! As you say you don't know how you will be feeling or when you want to return to work so its best to try and get everything covered while you can....wishing you all the best and speedy recovery. Mandy x
  • Hi Lisa, go and have a chat with the Macmillan people, they might be able to help. I still get my full pay but without shift allowance for 6 months and I've just received a grant off them. They help with travel and clothes expenses. But I do know they can sort out any benefits you may be entitled to. There should be a better way for people to get financial help while going thru cancer treatment, but it's sadly lacking. Sue xx
  • Hi Lisa

    Sorry that you are fed up but try Macmillan, this gave me a booklet on benefits cancer patients can claim and I’m sure they would help you male a claim too. 

    I’m still on full pay at the moment so couldn’t claim anything but that’s ok with me.

    hope treatment going well, I’m on day 3 and it’s okish so far I do feel queasy and have heartburn but my main problem is sleep which I think are the steroids, woke up at 2 am today but have had some naps from then to now. I supoose I’m just glad I don’t have to do anything, hubby is looking after me!

    take care Lynne.xx

  • Hi Sands

    good job you noticed something wrong with you eye, my hubby at the end of January had an emergency op as his had become detached, all good now though he is just waiting for final follow appointment and will probably need a change in his prescription. Apparently it’s quite common for those of us who are shortsighted. Another thing to add to the list!

    keep smiling Sands you will get there.

    Lynne xx

  • Thanks Lynne glad your hubby doing ok hopefully they got mine in time to get check up next week!

    Was just feeling sorry for myself if it’s not one end getting zapped it’s the other

    I found helped he sleeping hard as well wide awake during the night then could sleep all day - just you r st as much as you can take care

    Sands xx

  • Hi Lisa, I am in the same boat as you, my sick pay will run out while I’m off sick and I will have no income of my own. The McMillan ladies are great at Clatterbridge, they helped me and they even filled in my forms for me, it was a huge help. I got a grant from them and they applied for PIP for me. I have had my face to face interview for that and am waiting to hear the outcome of my award. I will get something but don’t know how much yet, and the award is for a year and importantly this payment can continue even when you are doing reduced hours etc on returning to work. I researched loads as I thought it was so unfair I get no other help...as I only work a few hours per week I don’t even qualify for SSP!!! So will be left in trouble. Apparently under the old system I would automatically qualify for ESA however that has finished in my area and been replaced by universal credit which I don’t qualify for as my husband works . Find the whole system VERY unfair. All I can say is try not to worry, we have enough on our plates but Clatterbridge McMillan will help you. All the best to everyone Xxxxx
  • Offline in reply to L27
    Oh and I forgot to add make sure you apply for your medical exemption certificate, it entitles you to free prescriptions for 5 years, as I was hospitalized I ended up needing all sorts of things which would have cost hundreds of pounds xx