financial advice

Zoffiel

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.

Cate64

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.

onemargie

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

Zoffiel

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.