Another newbie, wanting help about nails please

Hi, as your 71 and ill with bc you should be eligible for attendance allowance.  I’m sure like me you have difficulty lifting pots and pans.  Washing your hair.  Geri g dressed upper half and showering.  MacMillan should be able to help you complete the form.  Best wishes. 

Ask MacMillan support to complete an attendance allowance claim form for you.  I’m sure you’re not able to do a lot of things you used to. Having difficulty getting in and out of bed, washing your back, hair.  Getting dressed etc.  lifting pots and pans etc.  they will know what to put.  All the best I hope you get it. 

Thanks very much, I never even considered that I might get an attendance allowance. I’ll talk to the people at the local cancer help centre. Regards, Chyebren

Hi Gosh what a lot to take on board.  I painted my nails with a dark nail polish and used cuticle oil.  Obviously hand cream as well.  I protected my hands when doing household chores and wore cloves outside. Check out with your BC nurse if the hospital offers support with travel costs. You can get a wig on the NHS.  They are not amazing but OK.  I used a cold cap and didn't need a wig although I had one. Cancer Hair Care are great at offering advice. Do you have a Maggies House near you?  They are attached to some hospitals. My local on is some distance away but there telephone and on line support is great. 

Take a step at a time and use the various help lines.  

All the very best.

Ricki

Hello,

I’m not sue how much EC interferes with nails? I have had EC and no nail problems at all. I will however be moving onto Paclitaxel and I know that is known for causing nail problems. I have also used the cold cap and not lost my hair - although i do have a wig on standby in case I do.

It is definitely worth speaking to someone from Macmillan perhaps in relation to benefits. Attendance Allowance is not a given because you have breast cancer - you have to be able to demonstrate that you need support with daily living tasks  - but they will know all this and maybe other sources of financial support that may be available to you. It’s true - cancer is expensive! My hospital in Leeds provides free parking for all treatment days - so that’s worth checking too.

Jan

Hi Ricki, Thanks for all that info, it really helps to have others’ perspectives and advice. There isn’t a Maggies House here, but there is a cancer care centre which is linked to the Macmillan charity. I have asked and can’t get any help with travel costs, though once I start treatment I believe the parking charge drops to £1.40, half price, but no reduction for consultations or blood tests etc. just actual treatments. I’m delighted for you that you didn’t have nail problems, I’ll try cuticle oil and dark polish, thanks. 
I was really beginning to panic at 3am this morning when I woke with all this going around in my head, everything seemed so out of control, but maybe I’ll sleep better tonight and that will help me cope. Your kindness is much appreciated. Good luck to you too,. Chyebren

Hi Jan, thanks very much for your response. According to some research articles I’ve read online both the drugs of EC are likely affect the slow-growing cells in the body, hair, nails, mouth lining etc. I’m delighted to hear that you didn’t have nail problems with EC. I haven’t opted for a cold cap, I hate being cold so I’d rather go bald and wait for it to grow back (fingers crossed!)  but I hadn’t heard of the nails problem until reading about it here yesterday, and that was just another shock on top of all the others. I looked at .gov.uk for the requirements to get Attendance Allowance, but you have to disabled for more than 6 months to get it and my chemo is set to last 4 1/2 months, so I think I won’t qualify. But I will go talk with the cancer advice centre to see what help might be available. Best of luck as you move on to the next drug, I hope all goes well for you, regards Chyebren.

• Hi, you may not qualify for it at this stage but I was diagnosed At the end of September had surgery Oct and November and two weeks radiotherapy.  I’m still struggling with daily activities.  I’m having physiotherapy for my upper back.  I should have applied for PIP end of December but like you I thought I would be well over this!!

Hi Chyebren

sorry to hear  about your diagnosis.. its a lot to take in

Get in touch with Macmillan  ask them about the grant wich is available for travelling any additional cream clothes shoes its a 1 off payment which you don’t need to pay back also ask them about completing a PIP form this is the ole Attendance allowance

Big hugs  xx

Hi,  attendance allowance is for anyone over pension age and PIP for 18 up to pension age.  Hope this helps