Hi All
I was diagnosed with Primary BC in June and had sucessful lumpectomy and sentinal node removal, the tumour was grade 3, and as the node was clear Stage 1. However my oncotype score came back at 22 and as I am only 39 have chemo starting next weds.
I am self employed and the type of work I do means that I have been unable to take on any work since end of May due to the number of hospital appt’s, treatments, recovery etc, I was the higher earner as husband is also self-employed on a low income ( I also need him to stay in this role to help me through the treatment, its no help to me for him to get a ‘proper job’ at this time.
I did a bit of research and looks like I am eligible for the New Style ESA (used to be contribution based ESA) for up to 12 months. So I applied and had my meeting with the Job Centre yesterday and was also advised to apply for PIP - she said the money is to help with the additional costs of being unwell - I hadn’t considered this before, if I didn’t need chemo I was hoping to restart work straight after radiotherapy and then we would have managed.
I’m not sure what to do now as I have looked at the form and I can do most things for myself, but no idea how I will be when I start the chemo, also when I start radio the journey to the hospital is a minimum of 1 hour each way!
So far cancer costs are very expensive, surgery bra’s, trips to hospital, time off work to manage appt’s, treatment and recovery etc.
My question is have any ladies with Primary BC applied for PIP and if so what have your outcomes been?
All thoughts gratefully recieved
Helly