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Broken financially

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User
Posted 06 May 2025 at 14:01

I was diagnosed April 2023 and I'm being treated and hope/expect to make a full recovery but still having hormone therapy for another 3 years and it's the hormone therapy that effects me the most.  Because I drive for a living and I can't control my bladder (radio therapy I think) and I'm constantly tired more than just normal tiredness the doctor has signed me off work because I exhausted myself trying to work to the point I couldn't get up one day for work. I'm trying to be patient but the DWP haven't been particularly helpful and I have used up all my savings (I didn't have a great deal approx £7,500) but currently just gaining more and more debt to survive so I'm thinking of going back to work full-time so I can earn but my partner, doctor and kids think I'm not able to yet and the doctor keeps telling me I'm not fit for work. I've applied for PIP and limited capability to work which I've just found out I've been awarded but they have taken 3+ months so far to come to this decision. Because I refuse to give up totally and have worked part time whilst I'm like this, so I drive a couple of hours a day mon-fri and get paid approx £180 week the Universal credit only pays me a small amount. I've looked for any schemes where I can borrow or supplement my earnings but there seems to be nothing for people in our situation. Once I'm fit and able I want to get back to full-time work but until then I had hoped I might have got a little more financial help than I have had. I didn't ask for this or the side effects I'm having and have always provided for myself and my family (when the kids lived at home) but now it looks like the only people that I'm able to rely on is family or friends which seems so unfair. Sorry for the negative post but I'm at the end of my tether and just getting stressed more and more. I hopefully will get good news on Thursday when I see the oncologist. 

 

User
Posted 06 May 2025 at 15:05

Hello mate.

I hate to think of you having to face financial difficulties, on top of having to deal with the mental and physical effects of this disease. Unfortunately I'm no expert on what help you're entitled to, but I wish you and your family well. 

User
Posted 06 May 2025 at 22:52
I wonder whether you might have a word with Citizen's Advice or even Macmillan if you have not yet done so. I would explore every possibility as you don't want to add to you debts unless no alternative.
Barry
User
Posted 07 May 2025 at 07:57

HI

I believe that under the Equalities Act 2010, you are classed as having a disability as soon as you are diagnosed with cancer. It might be worth looking into whether you are eligible for some form of disability benefit? I have no idea whether or not you are, but it might be worth a try.

Good luck.

Ian.

User
Posted 07 May 2025 at 17:26
Hi Paul, so sorry to hear you’re going through this. I’m on the hormone therapy as well and can empathise. I worked straight up to the HDR and EBRT radiotherapy and had hoped to return a few weeks later but am still too tired to return. My job involves travelling worldwide and a lot of hours when I am away travelling from place to place, with the fatigue and brain fog just not ready to go back as much as I want to 😔. I don’t know if your company will have a group income protection but if it does, that might help. Mine did and they didn’t even know about it although I have to be off 6 months before it kicks in but they can all be different. Maybe worth a look? Really wish you all the best.

Stuart

User
Posted 07 May 2025 at 17:41

Thanks Stuart I don't think our company has anything like that in place but I will certainly ask. Yeah the tiredness and brain fog is terrible as is the lack of control of my bladder. I worked as long as I could to but I've now been off (working part time) since the back end of January and it drives me mad.

Cheers 

Paul

User
Posted 07 May 2025 at 18:13

Hi Paul,

Yep the HT sucks. For me far worse than the radiotherapy but hopefully it helps🤞How long ago was the radiotherapy if you don’t mind me asking? Really hope things work out for you and quickly.

Stuart

Edited by member 07 May 2025 at 18:24  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 07 May 2025 at 18:48

RT finished 8 weeks ago. Had my PSA bloods last week and see the Oncologist tomorrow with, hopefully, good news but I have already been told I have to stay on the HT for 3 years because of the position of the cancer apparently 🤷. Hopefully it has gone really well and he changes his mind about how long I need to be on the HT but that's just wishful thinking. 

This site makes me feel better because I don't feel it's not  just me having these problems. 

Cheers Stuart and everybody else. I think I just needed the rant. I'm sure I'll navigate my way through this turmoil. Just hoped I wouldn't need to do it at the age of 60 but hey ho there are many going through far worse 

Psul

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User
Posted 06 May 2025 at 15:05

Hello mate.

I hate to think of you having to face financial difficulties, on top of having to deal with the mental and physical effects of this disease. Unfortunately I'm no expert on what help you're entitled to, but I wish you and your family well. 

User
Posted 06 May 2025 at 22:52
I wonder whether you might have a word with Citizen's Advice or even Macmillan if you have not yet done so. I would explore every possibility as you don't want to add to you debts unless no alternative.
Barry
User
Posted 06 May 2025 at 23:36

I think you are correct in saying the welfare system isn't much use. I looked in to the details, just in case things got worse for me, and quite honestly I couldn't see much to help someone with cancer. I assume this link for Macmillan is the best place to start. If anything is not clear then ring them.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/benefits-and-financial-support

 

Dave

User
Posted 07 May 2025 at 07:57

HI

I believe that under the Equalities Act 2010, you are classed as having a disability as soon as you are diagnosed with cancer. It might be worth looking into whether you are eligible for some form of disability benefit? I have no idea whether or not you are, but it might be worth a try.

Good luck.

Ian.

User
Posted 07 May 2025 at 09:29

Thanks Barry I have already spoken with macmillan who were very helpful and citizens advice who were less useful. It's all about the benefits system and how long they take to assess things. I've been turned down for 2 different benefits that I'm actually entitled to and now been awarded 1 of them but yet to be paid anything and still waiting on the second one when I disputed it. It just seems so wrong that they (DWP) cause so much stress to just gey what I'm entitled to but even then they don't pay enough to even cover essential bills. I'll get through it. I have a good family. It just annoys me that I go from living fine paying everything and having surplus to have holidays etc to now having nothing and just running up debt.

Thanks though Barry 

User
Posted 07 May 2025 at 09:32

Thanks Ian yes you're correct I am entitled to limited capability to work and maybe pip to but I've now been waiting 4 months plus to get anything from them it just makes things worse because I then get wound up with them and stressed because of lack of finances. It annoys me that I was doing just fine then cancer hits and everything financially goes pear shaped 

Cheers 

Paul

User
Posted 07 May 2025 at 17:26
Hi Paul, so sorry to hear you’re going through this. I’m on the hormone therapy as well and can empathise. I worked straight up to the HDR and EBRT radiotherapy and had hoped to return a few weeks later but am still too tired to return. My job involves travelling worldwide and a lot of hours when I am away travelling from place to place, with the fatigue and brain fog just not ready to go back as much as I want to 😔. I don’t know if your company will have a group income protection but if it does, that might help. Mine did and they didn’t even know about it although I have to be off 6 months before it kicks in but they can all be different. Maybe worth a look? Really wish you all the best.

Stuart

User
Posted 07 May 2025 at 17:41

Thanks Stuart I don't think our company has anything like that in place but I will certainly ask. Yeah the tiredness and brain fog is terrible as is the lack of control of my bladder. I worked as long as I could to but I've now been off (working part time) since the back end of January and it drives me mad.

Cheers 

Paul

User
Posted 07 May 2025 at 18:13

Hi Paul,

Yep the HT sucks. For me far worse than the radiotherapy but hopefully it helps🤞How long ago was the radiotherapy if you don’t mind me asking? Really hope things work out for you and quickly.

Stuart

Edited by member 07 May 2025 at 18:24  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 07 May 2025 at 18:48

RT finished 8 weeks ago. Had my PSA bloods last week and see the Oncologist tomorrow with, hopefully, good news but I have already been told I have to stay on the HT for 3 years because of the position of the cancer apparently 🤷. Hopefully it has gone really well and he changes his mind about how long I need to be on the HT but that's just wishful thinking. 

This site makes me feel better because I don't feel it's not  just me having these problems. 

Cheers Stuart and everybody else. I think I just needed the rant. I'm sure I'll navigate my way through this turmoil. Just hoped I wouldn't need to do it at the age of 60 but hey ho there are many going through far worse 

Psul

User
Posted 07 May 2025 at 19:25
Hi Paul,

Do whatever you need to, you’ll always get support from this forum I’ve found. And you’re right, on here you’re not alone.

I finished my RT about 10 weeks ago. I wasn’t too bad but up to 6 weeks had to be very careful that I didn’t drink too much if there wasn’t a loo nearby which can be an issue when driving. But then almost within a few days massive improvements so hopefully 🤞 you'll improve soon and fast. Still not 100% but not far off now.

Good luck

Stuart

 
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