I've been diagnosed with Terminal Cancer...

[SPECIALIZED]

I was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer of unknown primary and was given 3 months without chemotherapy or 9 - 12 with it, needless to say i am now on chemotherapy. Everyone from my workmates upward have been great including PSF & the Med Centre.

I am coming up for 20 years service next month and a level 5, TG1 Sgt.
I am currently deciding whether to go on to PHF as I am non effective and would rather spend my time left with my family than in work but there has been no pressure from camp and it is up to me.

It feels weird claiming for benifits since I have worked since I was 16 but as my family (wife & 3 kids) will go from £35000 per year to half my pension (roughly £4000, I think) & I need to start getting stuff sorted.
My claim is in for Disability Living Allowance which I will qualify for the higher rate as I am a terminal case irrespective of how long I last and my wife will be able to claim Carers Allowance.
I have been paying into the Dependants fund for the last 20 years so should get a lump sum from them payable on my death.

Anyone know of anything I should be claiming for either though the Benifits system (which I have paid into all my life) or the RAF?

Any helpfull advice would be greatly appreciated.

SPECIALIZED

 

[gemarriott]

Hell mate I don't really know what to say to that but I'm sorry.

First thing to do is contact SSAFA and get them to appoint a caseworker to work with you and your family. They are experts at handling the financial implications and acting as a go between for all the various charities and organisations that are there to help. They really would be my first port of call.

Good luck, if there is anything you can think of that we can helpwith directly please yell out either here or by PM.

all the best
Gem

I have replied in the welfare section. Most people will see it there as most folk use the new post button on the home page. Merged - Mono

Forgot to mention, past personal experiences have taught me that the McMillan Nurses need to be high on your contact list too, they are brilliant at assessing the situation and making sure the benefit system works in your favour.

 

[Shugster]

Sorry to hear the bad news.

I have forwarded your post to a friend who works for the Council and as soon as she gives me an answer as to what you and your Family may be entitled to I'll let you know.

 

[Hu Jardon]

You should have been assigned a SSAFA Case Worker who should be directing all of this for you - I suggest you badger your Chf Clerk and Med Centre Practice Manager

 

[Jim_P_Pulfrew]

I don't really know what to say apart from can I have your watch?

Seriously, Martyn Lewis does an online benefit calculator which may be of use:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/fa...um&utm_medium=clicks&utm_campaign=resourcebar

As has been mentioned already, if you need something don't hesitate to ask.

Jimps

 

[dkh51250]

Apart from SSAFA, the local CAB usually have advisers who specialise in this. They can give you a steer with regards to benefits etc.

 

[Oberon305]

Spec....I've nothing to add of any use, but I'm sorry about your news and wish you and your family well.

 

[SPECIALIZED]

Cheers for the advice, going in to see about getting SSAFA involved today.

 

[fat lazy techie]

Sorry to hear your bad news dude.

I'm guessing you have a macmillan nurse assigned to you, they will also be a good source of information and help with getting any assistance. If you ask they will probably put you forward for a grant to help with bills and any other equipment you may need to buy in.

I know this is a bit premature but have you started planning for the family for when you cash in your chips? I have myself recently lost my wife to cancer and found out a few things that people like to keep to themselves. If you are still in employment your wife will be entitled to a £2000 bereavement payment from the government as well as widows allowance if over a certain age. I have the forms at home in pdf format and will be more than willing to ping them to you.

Can you remember what chemo reigeme you are on? The wife was on doxorubicin, cisplatin, etopiside and mitotane. I had, and maybe still have, some info sheets on these drugs that may be of use if you are on any of the same.

Anything else I can help with, or at least try to, don't be backward in coming forward.

 

[252]

Have a look online for Macmillan cancer support.

They are well up on all the financial implications,and can give advice on benefits and any possible grants that can be accessed.

Best wishes Bill

P.S. i'm currently in remission after Chemo so if there anything you want to ask about whats coming up please PM me.

 

[gemarriott]

Cheers for the advice, going in to see about getting SSAFA involved today.

Good move, they really do the business.

 

[fat lazy techie]

Just something else that has sprung to mind, if you have access to a hospice at home service then use it. More so when you come home after your first bout of chemo as it just adds to that piece of mind and helps the family as you will possibly/probably feel quite rough if it's a heavy reigeme you're going through.

Just out of curiosity have you been offered a referal to the christie in manchester or the royal marsden in london?

 

[KingGuin]

Spech, I am saddened to hear your news. Given you are still serving you should have been appointed a Visiting Officer (VO); the VO will , on your behalf, obtain all the information you require and liaise with SSAFA, McMillan etc.

 

[Soon To Leave]

Spec, sorry to hear of your sad news but I do feel you are right to be thinking of the financial implications on your family in the future. Please correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure I read somewhere that someone in your position could get access to some of the benefits whilst still around including the 'death in service' lump sum. As previously mentioned, take advantage of any advisory services you can - they are there to help.

 

[SPECIALIZED]

Thanks again for all the advice, i'm on Oxaliplatin by drip every 3rd Tuesday with Capecitabine tablets takeen at home for 14 days then i get a week where i am just on my "normal drugs (steroids, anti-acids, anti sickness, tramadol painkillers).
All in all it works out at a minimum of 106 tablets a week when i am on the chemo drugs plus iv'e got other drugs if other side effects come into play.
I have just finished my 1st full cycle of chemo and amazingly have no side
effects other than a bit of a sore mouth, dry skin on my hands and feet and heavy legs but thats probably due to losing 2 stone since new year. If that was as bad as its going to get, i'd take that twice every day and then some.

Heard back from The Department of Work and Pensions today and i should get awarded Diability living allowance at the higher rate next week, have an appointment with the camp's SSAFA person next Wednesday with Macmillan seeing me when go for my chemo drip on Tuesday, Basingstoke Hos have given me free parking so that saves about 9 quid every Hos visit. My ultimate though is a blue badge, just out of principle.

I have appointed my chief to be my "laison visiting officer type" as i'd hate some faceless nerk turning up on the door that my wife or I don't know or neccessarily trust.

I haven't been referred to any other hospital or cancer unit as my Liver Biopsy was sent to Kings College Hospital in London then the John Radcliff in Oxford when they were trying to type the cancer but both came up with no answers.

Do workshops in GSE do coffins?

 

[SirSaltyHelmet]

Probably for a box of tea ags and some hob nobs

 

[Soon To Leave]

You could try Supply. It's amazing what you can knock up out of a few tri-wall boxes. It's great to see you've still got your sense of humour.

 

[Hu Jardon]

I saw some wicker ones in an undertakers in Welshpool the other day advertised as eco freindly - so maybe pop down the Education Centre and see the basket weavers?

 

[retired real lecky]

Sorry to hear of you plight mate, but glad to see you are keeping your senses of humour. Seriously, have you been in touch with the Royal British Legion? Maybe they can help.

 

[fat lazy techie]

Seeing as you mention coffins, my wife had a wicker one and had messages from friends and family attached. It was different but very good and not too much different in the way of cost. In total it was about £2500 for the funeral which was a cremation, burial costs a bit more.

You will be entitled to a blue badge, prescription exemption (not that you really have to worry about that) and possibly carers allowance for your wife (income dependant).