Anyone else in this position? I have a B and B in Argyll and so far (only had one cycle of chemotherapy so far) am having to grin and bear it! My husband can cook a mean breakfast so if needs be can do that when I am suffering post chemo nausea (lasted three days this time). I have no insurance and so there is no choice but I am somewhat concerned about the radiotherapy as we live 1 1/2hrs minimum from the hospital and so I may have to stay closer…My husband is also self employed and if I don’t work he has to cover me and his work does not get done and the clients creep away. I am already getting bookings and so there is little choice…Argh! one more worry!!
Hi Fee
so sorry you’re in this position, there is not enough support for the self employed and you have enough stress and worry.
I have a shop and really struggled through treatment. You are entitled to ESA (subject to NI contributions) but I had to supply my accounts to get it and wasn’t well enough to do them nor could I afford to pay anyone to do them for me, as I only had a short time to complete my accounts the benefits office declined my application.
If I were you I would call Macmillon and ask them to help you fill out the forms, if you are classed as a partnership or a limited company then you might get away with just showing bank statements.
It’s not much money but it might give you enough to get someone in to help you!
It was very hard work but I did manage and in a way the business kept me going.
Wishing you all the best
Katie
I had a small business and finished chemo and rads a few months ago. OH is also self employed. Had to close my business and so we lost half our income. Was told there was no help available because of OH’s earnings. A bit pants really.
Hi,
am afraid its the same for me, i too am self employed as is Oh, am hoping to work through my treatment but will also have long trip for Rads so not sure how i will cope then but am fingers crossed as cant afford to lose my income 
Very little help out there for self employed people.
Sarah.x
I co-own a small business and am about to start chemo etc. Luckily I live very close to the office and we have staff, but it’s going to be a struggle to keep everything going.
I think the medical team need to be aware that we need really really good stuff for fatigue and nausea so we can get through it as easily as possible. Lots can be done, but often they won’t try it until people make a big enough fuss: “Oh you’re supposed to feel appalling”. Er, no, we don’t have to feel absolutely appalling at all - there’s options for many people.
Maybe some of the alternative therapies will help some people cope with the worst symptoms too? I’m going to give everything a try.
Ginger supplements three days before each chemo session and for as long as we feel yuk are supposed to have a real scientific effect on levels of nausea for many people (between 0.5g and 1g supplement a day).
Im self employed have a homeless hostel, breed terriers and ponies. I used to also be a diet and nutritionist saw people privately and a cycle coach. Needless to say some of it had to go so the nutrition and cycling went. I claim ESA and have put a manager in to manage the hostel and have help in for dogs and horses. My partner is retired so that means he can really help. For the most the chemo has not been to bad the worry of surgery is worst as im having full node removal which will mean many anxieties for the future as all my work involves the use of my arm.
x
Thank you so much for that info Mary i really am scared about this op, anything else that cancer throws i can take but to have a permanant disability i even talked about having my arm off. I know it sounds mad. would love to hear from others that the op has gone really well. Thank you so much.
xx
Hatty, I had both a SNB with a WLE and then full removal, and I have had pretty much full mobility in my arm, even a few days after the secnd op. Granted I wasn’t trying to restrain a pony or paint a ceiling, but I could extend it straight above my head whether from the side or straight ahead. I had some trouble with a seroma, but the nurses just kept draining it until it stopped reforming. I have kept on with the exercises for reasons of comfort in the scar area.
You might find it helps to prop the relevant arm up when you are resting, which helps the general post-op swelling in any case. Are you having a mastectomy or just a WLE? I really wouldn’t worry at all if it’s WLE and node clearance; your motivation to maintain movement and strength should really help you if it’s a mastectomy.
About 20 years ago my husband had a very nasty fall which resulted in both a radial and compound fracture in his left arm with considerable nerve damage. He was a music teacher and music therapist at the time and the piano was his main instrument, so you can appreciate what the thought of losing the use of his left arm meant. It was actually paralyzed for a while. He was fitted with a Dr Who monster-type appliance for his hand and fingers and given physiotherapy, including exercises to do at home which were pretty painful. BUT because he was really motivated to persevere and regain use of his arm and hand, he was successful. The more he used his arm, the more it helped repair the nerve damage. That arm is just a little weaker.
You can do this too, because you have a similar strong motivation–and you probably won’t be in as bad a case as my husband was. If you do have any trouble, ask about physiotherapy before things get bad.
Cheryl
Hi FeeC
Your priority has to be your health alhtough I totally understand your worries. As Katie says, providing you have sufficient NI contributions you would be entitled to employment support allowance. You don’t need a medical to get this if you’re having chemo etc. If you do decide to go for it, then it’s good advice to speak to Macmillan Finance for help with the form filling eg. you do need to say that the chemo is intravenous.
There is a delay between applying for ESA and getting it - I can’t remember exactly but it means a few weeks without anything. On top of that it can take an age for the first payment to come through.
It isn’t a lot of money but it does help.
There is very little support for self employed people and on top of that people don’t understand the worries of it all.
I really hope you work something out. Elinda x
sorry for going off topic but thank you ladies for helping with my fear of lymph removal, at the moment all im having is full node removal no masectomy and rads afterwards. I am a strong positive person but have been so weak about this. If anyone wanted to pm me i would be grateful as i dont want to go off topic about this here. Thank you all.
Hatty - why not start another thread on this? It could be very helpful for lots of people and they may not read the stuff on this one.
Elinda x
I am also self employed and am now getting ESA
Everyone can get it …mind you it was a struggle…!
There is 2 types, income based, for which they would means test your household income and NI based and so long as you have been paying your NI you are entitled nomatter what your spouse etc may earn.
It really is a right faff applying for it and it seems to generate tons of paper througfh the letter box but its better than diddly squat!
Elinda i did start a thread ages ago and not many people replied. May start one again.
What about DLA (Disability Living Allowance). Horrid name and horrod form, but it may be of help. Sadie x
Hi all
Long time no write but just to say that there was a resounding NO on all fronts for me as my NI contributions were made for me under the low earnings scheme, plus my youngest child has only just turned 12 so I did not make voluntary contributions (not that that would make any difference as the same rule applies to them) and although this does entitle you to a pension it rules out all other benefits including ESA. The disability benefits is not really suitable either as I hopefully wont be ill for long enough to qualify. So despite 30 years of NI made one way or another there is nothing…hey ho! the BC Nurse has applied for a one off Macmillan grant for me so fingers crossed! Thanks you very much for all your comments and advice, it is much appreciated. In the meantime we will hobble along sharing the work as and when we can and managing on a bit less money for now! Halfway through Chemo now and hanging on in there…even had a little bit of hair left despite having to abandon the ice cap following vein collapse. Amber…will def try the ginger supplements as the nausea lasts about 9 days for me and is a real bind! I was surviving on ginger beer which helped alot. Good luck all and thanks again!
Hi All
I went to see the benefits specialist from Macmillan at my hospital. Because I’ve worked hard all my life & own my own house & run my own business - I get nothing. also ESA is out as I made the mistake of continuing to work when I can. Apparently I can live on £65 a week - well my business unit & van costs that each week, so what about the morgage, elec, food etc?
If I didn’t work at all & was living in rented accomodation, & spent all my savings on something frivilous - then the government would throw money at me! The system is all wrong.
Sorry, rant over, guess we’ll just have to cope without any help
nc xx
We had just started our business 6 weeks before I was diagnosed (I was initially told I didn’t have cancer as the tests were clear and it was found lurking under a fibroid I had removed). I couldn’t get Incapacity Benefit as I had a 3 month gap in NI incurred when I moved from London to Scotland to look after my late dad. Macmillan managed to get us £96 a week working tax credits in my husband’s name. It was an absolute godsend, I don’t know what we’d have done without it as the business was only making £100 a week and we were eking out savings.