Hi Jeanne ...... honestly, please don't get too stressed about it because one format doesn't fit all and they just send the same forms to everyone.  I too have just applied and the DWP were so helpful when we found that I have missed some NHI payments through being ill.  

My advice is either pop to the local citizens advice bureau or ring the McMillan nurses at your local hospital and ask for a meeting with their benefits advisor.  Either will help you with the form filling or advise because it can be pretty confusing.  Or your GP would probably fill in the form saying that you are far from ready to return to work.  The DWP themselves will explain if you need more information.

These departments truly are not trying to do you down, they have been brilliant in trying to give me everything I am entitled to.  McMillan are a massive help too and you may find they can suggest other benefits available.

Best of luck. -Keeping calm with people is the best way to get their help -let us know how it goes x

Bless you, the last thing you need going through all this is unhelpful people.  Give CAB a try - or ask to see the benefits advisor with McMillan because they are normally from the CAB anyway and help voluntarily - they are not the nursing team.  As for your GP - is there a nicer one at your surgery you can swap to ?  Or take that lovely husband of yours along with you and let him take over lol!

I'm really sorry you have had so little support from the outside, but really glad you have a lovely family and friends around you.  You have got forum buddies too now, so chat whenever you need!  Good luck xxx

Thanks max54, yes yes forum buddies do give us people who understand what we are going through and have gone through. Sometimes, even with caring family it's easier to talk to people who understand through what we have in common. Best wishes

Hi Jeanne. How are you doing? X

Hi Max, well as you can see from the time, not sleeping too well yet, getting better though, I can get about 4 Hours sleep now without waking up. I think I'm on the mend now, I'm managing my emotions better anyway. I have to see the consultant on 10th Dec and then hopefully can look forward to our annual trip to Lanzarote in January, although getting insurance at the moment is another story! When I was first diagnosed, "it's just a blip" they said, "remove your kidney and get back on with your life" they said. Not that simple is it? Anyway I am dealing with it better now and learning to take it as it comes . How are you doing ? x

Jeanne

Hi Jeanne

I'm glad that you are on the mend.

If you would like tips on travel insurance for your Lanzarote trip, there is a good discussion about it here that might be helpful to you.

Best wishes

Jane

Hi Jeanne ....... you are so right - nope of course it's not that simple and when you think you are doing okay a little niggle often brings you back downwards and feeling vulnerable again.  It is good that you are coping better and I hope you sorted out the benefit things.  Insurance is really difficult, with a terminal prognosis I can no longer get it so I don't quite understand how people fulfil all their bucketlist wishes unless they don't worry about it.  I have used a company called AllClear in the past who were the cheapest I could find - you will need to Google their telephone number.

I'm ok thanks for asking. Plodding on with the chemotherapy and crossed fingers. I am now on daily morphine which has helped tremendously with comfort.

Lovely that you have a trip to look forward to and hopefully you will go from strength to strength in 2016 and be able to put this year behind you. Take good care x