New but old hand????

I was diagnosed with Primary Breast Cancer in May 2011 however was furher diagnosed a mere 10 months later after completing chemo and radiotherapy with Secondary Breast Cancer in my pelvis.  Further mets in liver and lungs however afer more chemo, etc. the tumours in my lungs have gone.

What I would like to say is that I still work part time however I am getting to the stage that more and more symptoms are preventing me from going to work and wondering whether to give up my work altogether......one thing is preventing me from doing this though, money.  I require to work to keep money coming in to the household however not sure about the benefits that you would be able to get and if I did qualify for anything (apart from DLA which I receive at the moment)....really tired of working now and sooooo want to give up!  Any ideas? 

  • Hi Minniemo

    Welcome to Cancer Chat.

    We have some information here about financial support:

    www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../government-benefits 

    If you call our nurses, they could also advise you on this. You can contact the team from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

    They are on: 0808 800 4040 and calls are free from UK landlines and most mobile phones.

    I hope this helps.

    Best wishes to you,

    Jane

     

     

  • The Mcmillan nurses are fab at sorting this all out for you - they are normally contacted via your local hospital or care team.  They filled in all the forms for me, took them to my GP for signature, and basically did it all for me.  You will be eligible for Disability Allowance which I think is around £134 per week x

  • Thanks Max for the info.  I am in touch with Macmillan however on a different slant through the VRS (Vocational Rehabilitation Service) and have a wonderful person there who directs in the right way also I go to my local Maggies centre in Glasgow so I might go to the drop in session for the benefits service this Thursday to see what I can do.  It's so frustrating going in to work now as well.  I had to go down to 3 days last year due to my secondary cancer diagnosis and have since then, been given the most mundane work to do.  I know I should really think that they are paying for doing 'crap' but I was always a person who took pride in their work but this is no more :(

  • I was in the same situation and found being on chemotherapy, that I really couldn't always manage at work. I hated being off sick and letting everyone down and not keeping up to speed - so sadly had to leave a job I loved.  The bonus is that you have time to do the things you want and rest when needed and I think in our situation we deserve that don't you? My work colleagues have been marvellous with their support and I see them all the time so I am very lucky.  I don't think people realise how cancer affects all parts of your life apart from your health - and income is a huge part. I have lost my income and my husband has had to cut his work to 3 days a week to be with me for treatments (his job is around 150miles away). With the scans and appts I have had this month he has only worked 3days in January and surgery is imminent so he will need more time off in February. It is really awful stress at a time when you have such a lot of other difficulties to deal with.  I hope you get the information you need and keep in touch x

  • It's amazing how chemo takes it out of you.....although you are warned or given advice, you still feel so tired etc.  At the moment, I need to get some financial things organised and it may give me the option to leave my work.....we'll see.  I am lucky that my treatment is just literally down the road from me and I can still drive to my appointments, I also go to the local hospice and it is also not far from me.  I hope your surgery goes well and that your hubby is ok at his work.  Yes, keep in touch and let me know how things go xx