financial advice

I'd just been made redundant when I was diagnosed @Cate64. So even though, yes, I did have insurance I wasn't 'Gainfully employed' when the cancer was confirmed so I can't claim. My super fund has been really helpful, but the only shred of hope was the fact that I had tests and sick days in he weeks before I finished work. It's not enough and the insurer says no. I've had some legal advice as well and we've picked over the product statement--Im screwed. Three weeks earlier and I would have had a shot at 75% of my wage. 
Thanks @onemargie . Hopefully I'll be starting a new job in July which will ease the pressure a bit. As long as I'm well enough, that's the major concern at the moment. I look like a baked ham, and as I said in another post, I had two fluffy mutts follow me down the street yesterday, thought they were cute until it occurred to me that they were stalking me because I smell like a BBQ.

hi there thanks for all the comments, I really appreciate it. like marg and too am not used to asking for extensions on bills etc. I really hope to look into a fundraising effort of some description to help others If its not too much bullshit. I will let you know how it goes would love to help you @Zoffiel and believe me if I could I certainly would. Margie :)

Doesn't your superannuation have an income protection component, I am pretty sure the law is now that they have to... & my Solictor also told me that.

I was talking with some friends, both of whom have had BC, about this the other day. I don't know how much my two episodes--which have involved at least 10 operations, a conservative guess of 6 weeks in hospital, three sets of implants, two courses of chemo, radiotherapy and hundreds of hours of specialised care of one sort of another over 11 years--have cost the tax payer. There couldn't be any change out of $250K.

 I'm grateful, but Im financially and physically stuffed. That bit seems to get forgotten. That I am now looking at cancelling insurance policies--which feels like playing Russian Roulette--begging for bill extensions, missing out on rehab care and lying awake at night thinking 'I'm going under' is distressing. It's every bit as stressful as the treatment that got me into this situation and there is absolutely no help available. None.

Yes, my situation is looking brighter now I've been offered a job, but I've still got to be able to actually perform. Ill be working part time and I'm really nervous about being able to live on what I'm going to be able to earn. I think I'm going back to work to early, but I have to. It's going to take years before the austerity brake can come off. I'll never recover the $40K it's cost to support myself since I was diagnosed last year.

Phfft. I get it @onemargie. It sounds like I'm begging for a hand out, but I'm getting desperate. It's 30 years since I've had to stress about my power bill.

 I'm lying in a very comfy bed in a lovely room with a balcony and a view that's costing me $50 a night because I'm so shagged that I need a break from driving to rads every day. Thanks  to the Cure Cancer Foundation. It's occured to me I'd be better off staying here, it's cheaper than living at home and at least I don't have to worry about how much hot water I use.

thanks so much to everyone ill follow up with all that advice and louie ill pm you today xx

All amenities, gas, water, phone, electricity etc are required by law to have financial hardship policies. You can ring them and work out a payment plan for the last bill. Often they will give you a discount as well. But your have to say you want to speak to someone in their FINANCIAL HARDSHIP team. They can even give you extra months to pay. If that fails (though I have never heard it eer fail) ring Financial Counsellors Australia. a free service that can help;

Hi @onemargie I would be happy to chat to you about what I have done with RYC. Thanks @Cosette_BCNA for the connection. Margie perhaps pm me and we can exchange details to have a chat if you are interested. Starting a charity is not a small comittment and can be mightily expensive to set up. But let's chat because we may have some common ground. Louie

At our hospital our cancer services do have assistance for things like this...make enquiries (they keep it quiet) but yes Cancer Council is a brilliant idea to talk to etc.  They may be able to assist with a delay payment of bills or negotiate small repayment plan for you.

onemargie said:

...definitely wont do a go fund me page as I feel there are people out there worse off than me that need it more.

You're too humble! People care about lots of different things at the same time and support various causes all at once  <3

onemargie said:

and cosette how hard do you think it would be for me to start a charity for situations like this where I could help even just a little bit for people in the same situation???

I don't know how one starts a charity in Australia, but one person around here who might know is @LouiseTurner. She founded Reclaim Your Curves. A more comparable charity might be Mummy's Wish, which seeks to provide support to mums with young children.

thanks emma but because we are both working again now there is no assistance available, ill sort it out dont worry, will look into the charity thing though to help others, maybe I could start with a go fund me page for this to begin with ??? Margie :)