Your situation is so painful, Steve; that sense of isolation from the family coupled with the fear of financial distress is all too real. We're in a similar boat: I have a disabling condition, Gray is the only wage-earner and is self-employed. We just about make out week to week, and were just getting on our feet when this diagnosis hit us. The fear of financial collapse, how will we pay the mortgage, what will happen if Gray can''t get back to work, what if the work dries up because he needs to take it easier for a time and another freelancer muscles in, how the hell am I going to be able to work and what the hell can I do - all too real and very frightening.
Everyone has said to me on here that knowledge is power - particularly against fear and as I read your blog it has made me wonder; could knowledge about the financial 'what if's' be something that would be useful? Can people in a similar boat to us get decent, independent financial advice without having to spend too much of what might be a dwindling resource? About best-to-worst case scenarios? What do you think - might that help mitigate the fear and give some control back?
For example where can income support be gained whilst moving through this phase of recovery, how the family might help, get jobs, a holiday from the mortgage ... I don't know your situation so I'm only trying to generate some ideas, but to feel so lethargic and then add financial fears to that is truly debilitating. Maybe some plain old practical advice would be beneficial.
Is there anywhere we can go for such advice? Do Macmillan do it? CAB? Is there anywhere on this site that I have not yet found that offers pointers?
Keep faith in the fact that your body is still fighting, still healing and that your spirit, no matter how battered, still wants to 'sod it' and run a half marathon. Walking 9 miles a day? Are you KIDDING me?
Steph.