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Wow , what a great post.  I do hope it will help us all.  I think one many of us struggle with is the benefits advice - from the very basic at a time like this it all washes over our heads - not taking it in or not know what is available.  

Thank you for this.  I hope your treatment is going well and thank you again for the advice - I am sure this will be of help to many.

Thank you, an informative and caring post x

You're very welcome 

Also you can claim PIP based on your mental health and you can be working.  From experience it's much harder to do so based on MH (I have done it for family member),  They awarded zero points as they only looked mildly anxious at assessment - I appealed saying there is no look to MH issues with examples like Robin Williams, Gary Speed.  They also said they are holding down a job - pointed out it's an in work benefit and had recently changed jobs to an employer who made reasonable adjustments due to disability.    My top tip is to get a close relative friend, if you can't do yourself, to write a day in the life (& night if applicable)  of the applicant.  Detail everything of how their disability affects them.  On the form don't just say "I've been diagnosed with x" detail how you are affected.   You may find it upsetting filling in the form as it brings your focus in to what you can't do when we as humans spend our life trying to be positive.  Majority of applicants turned down or given bare minimum points after assessment, Mandatory reconsideration is next step, again little movement.  Finally you appeal.  Can do online, upload evidence too,   Don't be afraid to go to appeal.  If you've been honest and are entitled you should get your award.  Someone to help you apply is good as they can distance themselves, whereas you might get emotional about your situation.    Happy to answer PM if anyone has questions or visit the Scope community boards as very knowledgeable people there.  I always ring for copy of assessment report as it helps to understand how DWP made their decision,  it's quite funny reading it sometimes as they get so many facts wrong.  One family was accompanied at assessment and they asked the person with them to spell their name as it was an unusual name.  The report say they were accompanied by Andrew.  They got just two letters right. 

This is great knowledge too Grogg, many won't know about this, let alone think they can appeal the decision - many of us spend our lives 'trying' to put a front on to everyone - that we can cope, they we are as good as them, that nothing gets to us - yet in our own homes and or our own minds we are crumbling away xx

Hi thank you for this. I wanted to get a second pillow because. The one I took home from hospital was flat and kind of smelly after two solid weeks in My armpit. I looked on Amazon and they were really expensive given they are for something so sensitive. I’m going to go in the Amazon listings and tell them about Jens  friends. Not good that someone’s making a profit out of us losing a boob!  
that heart pillow was like my best mate for the first month after my mastectomy and lymph op.  Also when I decided to put my t shirts on inside out so the seam didn’t irritate felt like a revelation!  

So many don't go through appeal.  I have a family member told they couldn't apply for PIP till child 3 even though they are a wheelchair user, classified blind and have a few other issues.  Told 3 is youngest as until that age all needs for 2 year olds the same.  Then awarded lowest rate.  She accepted but a couple of years on  as she's grown things more difficult.  I told her she could ring to report a change in circumstances and with 2 weeks they increased her award.   Blue badge - local authority in Wales also state child must be 3.  Untrue and you should ask them for the legislation that says that.  

WhatHappened it's so true about hiding our demons.   While we maybe embarrassed by the symptoms of our condition, never be ashamed of it.  Hope you doing well xx

What a tip...inside out t-shirt!

How are you in recovery?

Have you heard about any treatment?

C x

I’m getting a lot less sore but it’s taking a long time.  I had the consultant on Wednesday.  

It was good news for me - which I find hard to put on here as so many people have so much more.  But I have been told they only found the DCIS in several areas, and that the lymph nodes were clear.  There will be annual mammograms on remaining boob. But not other treatment.  Not sure the relief has hit me properly yet. 

I have cording so some mobility and pain problems but feeling braver to move more now that an expert has actually examined me.  They say I’ll get referred for physio if it doesn’t improve.  

so I’m in that “I hadn’t even got my head around having cancer” stage at the moment 

how are you doing today? X

Lucky you. Congrats!

I am doing OK thanks . Have a bit of headache and sore arm from covid booster jab. 

Asked partner to help me with some physio...which helps with movement and still slight sticky arm on and off.

C x