Scared, stressed, worried,

Hi,  

Claim also pip but I think you have to be in treatment for 3 months before you can claim . I started treatment beginning of September,  worked all through chemo , had 3 weeks of after surgery, now waiting for rads.

Kerri

Hi, can you speak to your breast care team / Macmillan nurses? Mine gave me lots of info on support in general and someone specific that would be to your area that could advise you? I'm sorry you are going through this. It's shit enough without all the financial worry and stress xxx

Hi Miss Icarus, sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I took have had the same order for my treatment. At the moment I’m still going through chemo and have 2 cycles left. You can click on my name and read my journey so far. I did have sometime off work mainly after my ops, but I started to go back during my 3rd cycle of chemo. I kept a diary so I could work out when my good days were. Everyone is different and there are many who manage to continue to work throughout their treatment. To help they may be on slightly reduced hours but it helps financially still. You can claim PIP via the government website, this does take a while but it will be back dated.  also there are other benefits you can claim too. Macmillan can offer details of various benefits available to claim. 
Wishing you all the best on your journey. 

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi , thanks for replying,  I work in a preschool, I probably should've mentioned that. I've been advised to stay away from the little people who are always carriers of one bug or another. I think I'm panicking about all these things, because it's unknown. 

Hi, thanks for replying,  yes I've got a card with their number on , and the team of macmillan nurses in the hospital.  I just panic, it's still so new, unknown. I've literally been told yesterday,  that my work will pay me full pay, the week of my op. Then I'll be able to use holidays for a week or so after since I'm not going to be need them through the next 6 months. I work in a preschool so have been to stay away from the little people who carry lots of germs. 

Thanks for replying , I'll take a look. I probably should've mentioned originally,  I work in a preschool so have been told to have time off away from the little people who carry lots of germs.

It is reassuring to know there is other financial help available other than ssp, and I've just been told the week of my operation, they will pay me full pay, which is appreciated.  Then holidays time can be used too, since I won't be needing them all. 

Ah yes working with little ones would certainly be a challenge with all the bugs, something one needs to avoid where possible. Good to hear they will pay full pay for the week of the op and you can use your holidays to help. 
Another thing to look into if it’s something you have. If you have a mortgage and you have critical health cover, depending on your policy you may be able to get help on this too. We made the mistake and didn’t take it out again when we moved so wasn’t able to get any help that way, but it’s another thing to look into if you have this.

I know it’s not financial help but MacMillan offer various courses which are run by volunteers and are free. I’ve done Headwrappers

https://www.headwrappers.org/

and look good feel better course - make up one

lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk

They are great and you meet up with others in the same situation. You get goodie bags and I found it made me feel better. There are lots of others and I’ll be looking at those too. 

Good luck on your journey and hope there are some benefits out there to help you.  

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi miss Icarus. MacMillan have really good helpline to talk about financial things. I’m no substitute (and know nothing about UC and benefits) but my understanding is we are all ‘technically’ disabled, so may you could get something some type of ‘disability benefit’. That said your employer should be telling you if you are entitled to be off work on full pay. Bless you x