Hi all, I don’t know if anyone of you live in Spain or not, I do, My problem is i’m about to start my Rads and physically cannot afford the 120km round trip everyday…
So i have come to the conclusion, to stop my treatment… I don’t feel I have no choice, my family are suffering big time, I have no savings, no benefits out here if you dont work you dont eat… I was the main breadwinner before I was DX last Nov… managed until now… but that’s it all gone, my Son’s have been supporting me, one desperately needs checking at the hospital as he’s not well, but won’t take the time off work as he knows we can’t afford it! And both have raging toothaches, dentist is a must… but we can’t afford that either…
Life has a real way of kicking you when your down…
What I want to know is have any of you stopped treatment,I am grade 3 plus, Had my ops back in Dec… partial Mx and 22 nodes removed 16 infected… I have had 6 sessions of chemo, awaiting Radio, then a port fitted, back into chemo for 3 more sessions and a years Herceptin, then 5 yrs TAM…
I’m not sure what effet this will have on me, but really am pushed into having no choice…
Many thanks… Love Teresa…
Oh Teresa, l have followed you as you have gone along, and am so sorry to hear your finiancial troubles, you get to the stage when you think, it can’t get much worse!
Your son, if it is serious, is there no treatment without money? that is awful, we really don’t appreciate our NHS here.
Not sure how, but surely your health has to come first! probably a silly question, but have you no family in the UK? just wondered if you could come here for the rest of your treatment, cheap flight, family putting you up? and perhaps your son needs to come too, if he has health issues!
Sorry not much help to you.
Hopefully someone will come along with some useful information
Good Luck with your treatment when you get it
Sandra xxx
Teresa, I’m so sorry that you’re pushed to this.
Can I ask if there is anything like Macmillan in Spain? A charity that you can ask to help you?? It’s so hard to ask for help,I know because I was in a similar position not that long ago, but if you can manage to get the energy to check first before you give up I would. Wish I could help you…
Please take care
x x
Hi Teresa
I’m sorry I don’t know how to help but think the advice about McMillians’ or returning to UK is excellent. Most important is that you get your treatment finished - however that is done. I’m sorry to hear that your family is suffereing but you are the one who is top priority now and getting your rads done now could make all the difference to your future and ultimately theirs.
Could you return to this country for the rads as suggested? I definately think talking to MacMillan’s is a great idea - do they have similar charities in France?
I do wish I would help you but please get your treatment finished even if means camping outside the hospital.
Lots of love Anne x x
Hi returning to the UK is not an option, as I have been out of the system for 4 years, you have to have lived back in the UK for 6 months before you are entilted to treatment so I have been told…
I have contacted Macmillan, but they have not replied.
I am going to try some charities out here today when I get back from he hospital, although these seem to be for hospice care only.
Many thanks, love Teresa xxx
Morning Teresa
Just wondered if the helpline here could offer any suggestions?
Surprised Macmillan have not got back to you, could you not phone them, or get someone in the uk to phone, to see what help they could offer!
Good Luck
Sandra xxx
Hi Theresa,
I could cry for you and your predicament, I have started my retirement in Spain and am quite fearful what would happen if I was to get ill again(Im a year past finishing my treatment and very well).The best idea I can come up with(other than lying through your teeth back in UK)is contacting ex-pats association to see if theres anyone in the region of the Spanish hospital who would supply you with cheap bed and board while you complete your treatment. What part of Spain are you,were in Orihuela Costa,cant offer you a bed but I could throw in meals if you`re in the area. Good luck,love Mags xx
Hi Theresa
This is a terrible situation, I really feel for you and your family. There must be some support somewhere. If you are in an area of ex-pats perhaps people would be willing to share car journeys to the hospital for you. If you own your property is remortgaging an option or getting a loan? I agree that prioritising your health is vital.
Have you discussed with your medical team in Spain to see if there is any help available. I would definitely also get on to Macmillan again for their advice.
I really hope this works out for you.
take care
Elinda x
Hi Theresa, I’m so sorry to hear of your predicament. We lived in Spain for 5 years, we had private medical cover at the time, but it still wouldn’t have covered me for the secondaries. Have you tried the equivalent of the NHS out there? My friend Debbie lives in Spain and at the time I was there, she found out she had breast cancer. She was treated at the local government hospital. There’s one somewhere near Alicante which deals with cancer and it’s various treatments but I don’t know the name unfortunately. Have you been to see the local doctor. As I’m sure you know, you usually have to take an interpreter with you (they cost about 10Euros I think) but it might be worth a shot. I feel so desperately sorry for you, it’s a dreadful predicament to be in. Another friend of ours has recently had throat cancer in Spain and her husband paid out of his savings and when they ran out, the community rallied round and had loads of fundraising events for her, so somehow they managed. I’d heard of this 6 month rule for coming back to the UK, but when we decided to come back and live in England, I had absolutely no problem. I went and registered at the Doctors near where we bought a house and then I was given mammograms, smear tests etc and nobody ever said a word. I really think if all else fails in Spain then you should try to come back to the UK. It’s so important for you to have the rads if that’s what is recommended. I wish I could help you more, I really do. I’m going away today for a week, but I will look forward to finding out what is happening with you when I get back.
Take good care of yourself and the very best of luck to you. Love, Dianne x x x
Hi Theresa,
I am sorry you are in this difficult situation. I do think it would be worth looking into the possibility of getting treatment in the UK. Do you have a British passport , have you paid NI overhere. I know my Uncle (an expat)came back for treatment on the NHSwhen he got a gangrenous leg - in fact he went straight off the plane to the hospital (he had lived, fought and worked in this country for most of his life- but it was still pritty good treatment).
Alternativly surely you are entitled to free treatment in Spain as part of some EC deal? Of course this would still leave you with transport costs for your rads but it might get your son free dental treatment.
I know its hard to look into all this stuff when you are probably exhausted anyway from the chemo but don’t give up rads are an important part of your treatment.
cheers
caroline
Hi Theresa
I haven’t much to add, except I wish I could help or advise you. I haven’t heard about this 6 month thing, and people are always moaning about immigrants coming here & getting treatment on the NHS immediately when they’ve contributed mothing, so why shouldn’t you get treatment if you come back, & your sons too.
Forgive me for prying, but you haven’t said why you’re living in Spain, or what keeps you there. Must you stay?
Hi Muffett,
I have passed this thread on to the helpline staff to see if they can offer you some support. If you would like to phone the helpline and have a chat we have an overseas number that you can ring. The number is: (+44) 2076 200 077 lines open UK time (M-F 9-5 and Sat 9-2)
I do hope you can get something sorted soon.
Take care,
Jo, Facilitator
This is a terrible state of affairs.
Where did you live before you moved to Spain? Find out the name of the main oncologists at what would have been your local hospital and write to them detailing your predicament. It is amazing the strings that can be pulled within the NHS …
You could also try the private health care providers.
Where there is a will there is always a way. Come home.
this situation is absolute madness - I’m with Diwy1 on this one. Cannot offer any advise to ease your situation but if all other routes suggested fail I’d seriously think about coming back and lie through my teeth - cannot believe they would refuse you treatment if you were here. Please keep us posted on how this works for you but whatever you do don’t even consider not carrying on with your treatment.
My sister lives in Southern Spain (but comes homes often too) and she says the ex-pat community support a hospice through their charitable offerings. I don’t know where you live in Spain but if it’s in the south do you want me to give you details of this charity?
It might be able to support you through your radiotherapy.
Really hope you can find a solution to this terrible problem.
I’m really feeling for you.
Loads of love Welsh girl xx
Theresa , I’m so sorry . I thought you were going to use the ambulance service to take you to Malaga every day , are you not able to do that or are they charging you ?
I’m assuming that you’ve been in touch with CUDECA , but like you say,they mainly deal with patients with terminal cancer .
Have you explained the situation to the oncologist , can he make any suggestions ?
It is the travelling thats the problem is’nt it , the rest of your treatment will be given free won’t it ?
I’m really sorry , I did’nt realise you were in such trouble . I used the bus , but even that is pricey when you’re doing it every day for five or six weeks .
I’m sure something can be done , there’s enough ex pats around here.Don’t despair yet , when are you due to start the rads ?
pm or ring me if you like ,
love Kris
Hi
I really do understand how you feel, i was diagnosed with BC in 2007 whilst living close to Marbella, i had my surgery at the Xanit private hospital although i had to pay for all the treatment myself, at one point when i ran out of money they refused to continue to treat me, this was by far the worst part of my DX. There is a charity called Positively Pink, they have raised money and have purchased a car so that they can take people to hospital to have their treatment for FREE, they are located at the El Oceano Beach Hotel this is the link to their website positivelypink.es They are great and will definately help you. Iam back in the UK now and thank God for that.
If you need any more advice and help then please let me know as i have been there and know what your going through
God bless
Julie
Hi All, well it looks like the hospital now may be able to send the Ambulance !!! After much a to do !!!
This will certainly be of great help, the only problem being for a 15 minute apointment I will be out all day… As it collects and drops off at all villages…
Many thanks all of you lovley ladies,
Love Teresa xxx
Well done darling - old adage - if you don’t ask you dont get!!
Thankfully you are sorted now but what an awful situation for you.
Good luck with the rest of your treatments.