Had the bladder tumour removed yesterday , told two weeks before results,
how long before the bleeding stops and the pain when you urinate ?
Hi CB , thank you for the information, it’s so kind of you , my workplace is going down the capability route , I’m a bricklayer and having prostate cancer and now having bladder cancer they are saying I am not fit for work , in 2018 I had 27 weeks off work with the operation for prostate cancer , 2019 I had a further 20 weeks off due to hormone treatment and 2020 I officially did not go sick I brilliant may as I could not go to work because of COVID ,
I’m in lockdown so I can’t go a see OCcupational health , my union are not supporting me at all , I’m scared and feel too exhausted to do anything ,
I do have a workplace pension could I be able to take early retirement?
thanks Steve
I do know that you have your own troubles at this time so thank you for your kindness.
Hi Steve, I think you would be very likely to qualify for early retirement obviously dependent on your age. Your GP should be able to support this application and your union absolutely should offer advice. I took early retirement on health grounds, guided by my professional association (head office by telephone) and my GP who persuaded me retirement was appropriate, and wrote a supporting statement. I'm shocked the union isn't helping ....is this because of COVID disruption? Have you contacted their main offices? Employers always go down capability route and it feels horrible, like it's your fault. But obviously it's not ( hands up all those who would choose to get cancer?) and capability is just the legal jargon for not well enough. Sending love x
Hi thank you , my union are just unbelievable, what I got well Stephen you have had a lot of time off , I am a realist and I know that I cannot continue as a full time Bricklayer, and totally agree who wants to have cancer, I do feel that it’s unjust , unfair , I still have to start the treatment for bladder cancer, I have to concentrate on getting thru that , then what my workplace do is out of my hands ,I have a understanding GP so I’m confident she will help me ,
thanks for your kindness and great advice, sending you lots of love back .
Hi Steve
I agree with Herothedog, look at early retirement - I did just that and took my full pension at 63 not least of all to get my hands on the tax free 25% lump sum, just in case.
CB
Hi , I am , it’s not giving up is it , being sense able, you have to live with cancer to understand the impact it as on you , the sheer fatigue still takes me by surprise, the mental anguish and with the COVID how can you stay safe ? My GP said to me I must isolate, so retirement is the best option , thanks for your advice and I am going to contact the government pension wise to get there advice
thanks
Doubtless like many folk, I thought I had a retirement plan but it turned out I didn't. Four years later, it's the best job I've had. Despite missing my job on the Thames with some jolly good team mates, I don't miss being managed by a blunt instrument dipstick, the slaves to process and procedure and I certainly don't miss the tedious politik of the public sector.
Someone said that we are only free when we stop doing what we have to do and start doing what we want to do. I agree so have a crack at retirement, it's a great project.
And on that note, must go and pot on my beef tomato seedlings.
KBO,
CB
Hello Strummer33
So sorry to hear your problems re illness and employment. If your trade union is not supporting you two options may help.
Contact your MP. You can send an email on line. Get them to put pressure on your employer and/or trade union. It is amazing what a letter from the House of Commons can do.
Check your buildings and contents insurance policy. You may have free legal advice cover. I used this successfully to fight a redundancy issue some time ago. All free of charge.
Good luck
Garviv
Garviv
Hi , hope your beef tomatoes are coming on ,
thanks for your thoughts, I need to look at it as a new part to my life , not the end . When I can concentrate enough I will look at everything, I want the treatment to start now so I can see how the cancer is going,
thanks
Steve
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