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Today is the First Day of the Rest of my Life

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User

Posted 17 Feb 2015 at 14:04

Thanks Mo.

Steve x

User

Posted 17 Feb 2015 at 17:55

" Looking at the carers allowance it seems as if you have to be in a position where you can't feed or dress yourself for my wife to claim that. I've looked at disability living allowance and that seems to be a similar situation, I would never qualify. "

I'm not sure about that Steve. I know of two lots of folk who receive carers allowance. One does have a serious heart problem, including a pacemaker, but she can certainly bathe and clothe herself and can even cook a meal and on a good day can even do small garden chores.

I don't know how much they "tweaked" the paperwork though. I just assumed they had answered the questions honestly.

It could be that I am very naïve though and vey trusting!!

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 17 Feb 2015 at 18:51

For Carers Allowance see: https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility

Alan

User

Posted 17 Feb 2015 at 19:06

What about Attendance Allowance? I believe this is payable if you have moderate needs eg need help with housework. It should be possible to ask about this . Find out from Social worker attached to local council who will make an assesssment of your needs. This benefit is payable even if you have other income. You know you are worth it! Take care and I hope your Wife's results are favourable.El.

Sorry cant do linky thingy but putting Attendance Allowance in Google works.

User

Posted 17 Feb 2015 at 21:24

Ah the maze of the benfit world.

You will be entiled to Attendance Allowance and your wife or anyone else in the family can claim carers with this benefit.I had to claim benefits for Eric when I had to give up my job to look after him.You can claim online or over the phone rather than fill in all the forms its a quick call and normaly decision is given straight away.

Carol

User

Posted 18 Feb 2015 at 03:03

Hi,

Thank you everyone for your replies. I will certainly check to see if I am entitled to any extra benefits.

My hope was that I would be able to go back to work soon but today (Tuesday) proved a real setback.

I went to my cardiac rehab course today and was only ten minutes into the session when I felt really dizzy and lightheaded and was advised by one of the nurses to sit down until I felt better. The dizziness just didn't go away and I ended up sitting out the whole session. It was so embarrassing. I'm one of the younger ones on the course and I had to sit and watch 80 year olds doing exercises I couldn't do. And to think I intended to run the Reading Half Marathon next month, I can't believe how much my heart problems have affected me.

Every 10 or 15 minutes I had my blood pressure checked by one of the nurses and it soon returned to being fairly normal. They decided to send me for blood tests in the afternoon to see if that revealed anything but what I really need is the 24hr portable heart monitor when that can be arranged. I really look forward to doing the fitness course and it's pointless if I don't get chance to do it.

I really want to have some sort of tests to find out what's causing this otherwise I don't stand a chance of getting fit again.

Steve

Edited by member 18 Feb 2015 at 11:24 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 18 Feb 2015 at 10:47

Hi Steve

Sorry you are still going through it, I can understand how frustrating this must be and I hope they get to the bottom of it. I don't know if this is relevant as I assume the doctors have done all possible tests, but I was told after numerous blood pressure tests that I had low blood pressure and every thing was ok.

My wife has high blood pressure and takes medication and regularly takes her own blood pressure, so one day I decided to check mine using her machine and yes it was low or I thought it was until for some reason I checked the other arm, low and behold there was a 30 point difference. After reading up on the Internet (as you do) I found it could be serious and if you check both arms and ankles they should be similar. I know know why I would sometimes go dizzy at times and am told I was born that way as the blood flow to my left arm is restricted in some way, and when used will call for more blood at times of stress and sources the extra blood from the supply to the brain. I don't know if you have checked both arms and legs but maybe worth a try, as it may or may not show up something.

Take care

Roy

User

Posted 18 Feb 2015 at 11:26

Hi Roy,

Thanks for your reply. I'll try that next time.

Steve

User

Posted 18 Feb 2015 at 13:04

Hi Carol,

Thanks for your message.

I'm sorry things were so difficult for you, last thing you wanted on top of everything else.

I am trying every possibility with benefits but I keep finding I don't qualify. I'll keep trying.

Steve

User

Posted 19 Feb 2015 at 20:39

Hi,

Fifth cardiac rehab session today.

I get the impression I'm more out of condition than I was at the start of the course. Had to really hold back from pushing myself too hard in case I felt too dizzy again. I didn't want to have to pull out of the session like I had to on Tuesday. I don't feel as if I'm making the most of the course unless I can properly take part. My heart rate had dropped to 39 bpm again at the end of the session. It should be above 60 bpm. Continue to feel tired all the time.

I'm due to have an echocardiography on the 3rd March. I hope that provides some answers.

Steve

User

Posted 19 Feb 2015 at 21:03

Do not overdo it Steve,

but do not underdo it.

Can you not just do "some exercise", any exercise at home or in a park at your own rate at which you feel comfortable?

BFFS

do not over do it.

dave

User

Posted 19 Feb 2015 at 22:20

Hi Dave,

I'm thinking I may quit the course if I'm no better next session. It's such a waste of a good course.

I will ask my cardiac rehab nurse if I can do the course at a later date if I decide I want to pull out of this one. I hate the idea of quitting but I'd rather do it when they've sorted out what's causing my problems otherwise it's such a waste.

Steve

User

Posted 19 Feb 2015 at 23:54

Steve

the benefits expert at our hospice was off today, however I think one of her team would be happy to talk with you. I just have to make one phone call so I can give them the background info they need and I will PM you wih their direct number.

User

Posted 20 Feb 2015 at 00:26

Hi Mo,

Thanks so much for this. Where would we all be without your help.

Steve x

User

Posted 20 Feb 2015 at 20:17

Hello Steve,

I have been following your posts with both interest and empathy. You have every reason to be feeling fed up, and financial concerns don't help. I am thinking you might quite like some benefits input from my friend and colleague at Maggie's online centre. You'd need to google it, then join as a member. We are a cancer charity providing psychological and practical info. Tom, my colleague is good at getting to the nitty gritty of what people can claim. You can even say SusieQ recommended you ( that's my username in my day job).

You sound a fantastic man, simply being hit by too many challenges at once. Please don't beat yourself up. The fatigue and problems, both cardiac and prostate cancer treatment related, are taking their toll. They are survivable, but it may not feel like it today.

This is where we all pull together, to lift your spirits and get you through...

Warmest wishes

Sue

User

Posted 20 Feb 2015 at 23:43

Hi Sue,

Thanks so much for your thoughtful post.

I will follow this up and let me say, I'm very grateful to you for taking the trouble to pass on info that may help me out.

I'm just so tired of things not working out as I hoped for. Perhaps just too much has happened in a relative short time. My wife is due to have tests tomorrow which could reveal if she has cancer. I pray that the results will be negative. I don't want her to face what I've had to face in the last 8 months, even though in a sense, she's already faced it with the problems I've had.

I suppose that's life.

Thanks again for your help.

Keep in touch.

Steve

User

Posted 21 Feb 2015 at 06:05

Hi Steve,

I know we'll all be thinking of you and hoping the tests go the way you and your wife would wish for today. The last few months have been full of turmoil for you....with emergency medicine thrown...so the cumulative effect is that you' be been swamped physically and psychologically.
No chance to pick yourself up from one thing, before something else comes along.

Hope the tests today go OK. You or your wife can always pm me if there are things about her own health, tests, worries etc, as its an anxious time.

Warm wishes

Sue

User

Posted 21 Feb 2015 at 06:44

Thinking of you today Mr and Mrs Steve.
Fingers (everything in fact) crossed for a happy outcome.

Best Wishes

Sandra

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 21 Feb 2015 at 08:02

Good luck today, I hope you get the best news Kev

Dream like you have forever, live like you only have today Avatar is me doing the 600 mile Camino de Santiago May 2019

User

Posted 21 Feb 2015 at 09:06

Hope all goes well for you both today.

dave

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