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Suzie82
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Joined 5 years ago
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Re: Financial Distress
iserbrown said: Nice to read that you got through surgery. Allow yourself some slack as you recover There's a lot to take in when a diagnosis and possible surgery and follow up treatment are put to us Take care Thank you iserbrown. Yes I am allowing myself to do all of the right things and going for gentle walks to get out of the house. It is very tight where the stitches are but I am being careful not to over do things.8Views0likes0CommentsRe: Financial Distress
arpie said: All the best for your surgery this week @Suzie82 xx rest up, take care xx Hi Arpie Thank you for your well wishes. I nearly didn't go ahead with the surgery. The morning of surgery I started getting hysterical and freaking out and flatly refused to have it done. My Dad took me to the hospital and said we need to talk with the surgeon. The surgeon was so nice and caring and understanding. He explained to me if I don't have it done I will most likely get a recurrence as I tested positive for the Brac1 gene and he said you will have to go through it all again. If you have it done you will not be looking over your shoulder. I chose to have it done. I went home the next day from hospital. The staff were amazing and no pain at all apart from a little that night of the surgery. I am now recovering nicely and am so pleased I made the right choice, I see the surgeon again this Friday annd hope to get the stitches out. Hope you are doing well and thank you again xo6Views1like0CommentsRe: Financial Distress
iserbrown said: @Suzie82 I am late to this discussion. Did you know there's a fact sheet on the BCNA website on this very topic. Here's the link https://www.bcna.org.au/resource/fact-sheet-financial-and-practical-assistance/ Hope that helps and best wishes with your ongoing treatment Take care Hi Iserbrown Thank you yes I found it helpful much appreciated5Views2likes0CommentsRe: Financial Distress
Keeping_positive1 said: You might be eligible to get access to a Financial Planner (pro bono) through the Cancer Council. Also depending which state you are in you may be eligible for assistance to pay your utility bills. Please don't make any permanent decisions to a temporary problem without seeking expert advise on financial matters. I engaged a Financial Planner that guided me through so I didn't lose my home and also unable to return to work I claimed a TPD through my superannuation fund. I wish you all the best with your upcoming surgery. Take care. xx Hi Keeping positve Thank you for your message and tips. I have had several people mention tpd to me so will be looking into that. You take care also xx4Views0likes0CommentsRe: Financial Distress
arpie said: Definitely chat with the Social Worker at the hospital - let the ward staff know, so you can see them after the op. I've recently chatted with the Social Worker at our local private hospital & she's been wonderful in pointing us in the right direction for getting assistance for my husband who is now on permanent chemo, including helping us with one big bill. They will know all the local people to make contact with to help you - Good luck xx Thank you Arpie I will definately have a chat with the social worker. I am glad you and your husband were able to get some assistance. Good luck with everything also xx9Views0likes0CommentsRe: Double Mastectomy advice
arpie said: All the best for your procedure, @Suzie82 ... I found the ear plugs (the yellow 'work ones') and eye mask as invaluable as hospitals have lights on 24/7 and are noisy places! xx. I find THESE ones are the best .... you squish them to the thickness of a pencil & shove them into your ear .. and they expand to take your internal ear shape. (DON'T get those ones with the bits sticking out of them ...... they are impossible to sleep with!) We'll all be thinking of you xx. I hope you have plenty support when you get home - for the things we take for granted. ..... no heavy lifting for a while (including doing the washing & hanging it out ....) Maybe freeze a few meals over the weekend, so you've got some 'ready to go' when you get home? Take care & all the best xx Hi Arpie Thank you for our kind words and your great tips. I definately will get the ear plugs and yes I will take care and listen to what they tell me to do8Views0likes0CommentsRe: Financial Distress
June1952 said: Your main focus at this moment is your double mastectomy early next week. Concentrate on that, get through that, then you can focus on the financial issues. The BCNA or Cancer Council helplines may be able to help you with that. In the meantime, concentrate on YOU. Hi June1952 Yes your right there is so much going on right now. One day at a time. I have sourced advice before from the cancer council but found the people they use for financial assistance weren't much help. But one day at a time. One of the facebook support groups mentioned to talk to the support worker at the hospital so I shall do that after the mastectomy.14Views1like0CommentsFinancial Distress
feeling depressed, Trying to access super under compassionate grounds and got rejected, Can't work, can't get the dsp been knocked back as not stable bills are getting bigger and bigger and home loan in jeopardy. Have been told the only way to do this is to let the house go into foreclosure stage then they will pay the loan. Yet during covid they allowed everyone no clauses to access their super and not taxed. Has anyone got any suggestions can't even get income protection as have no job oh and mortgage insurance won't cover me unless I had a job Also have used my accesss to super once this year to pay bills under financial hardship759Views0likes22CommentsRe: Double Mastectomy advice
June1952 said: @arpie once posted this re a few more bits to think of taking to hospital - even for a short stay .... After you leave hospital - a cushion/pillow to hold onto your chest if you have to negotiate rough roads - or going over gutters (think Petrol Stations, shopping centres & your home) as these gutters REALLY jolt your boobs for about 4 weeks after surgery. I learned where ALL the pot holes are in my home town. For night time - Using a small pillow to elevate the 'affected arm' (if you sleep on your side) can also assist in getting to sleep, as sleeping on your tummy is usually restricted for some time post op! Comfort in bed - if still cold Fluffy blanket or wrap or large cotton scarf to keep your shoulders warm Favourite pillow or triangle pillow - great to support the affected arm Ear plugs to block out noise and eye mask to block out lights Clothing Zip front jacket or track suit Easy to slip on shoes or slippers Light dressing gown & Button up PJ's/night dress Loose comfy pants trousers - easy to put on the next day. Toiletries Facial wipes to freshen up without a shower Dry shampoo is great until you can have a shower and wash your hair Lip balm for dry lips in air conditioning Nice body wash or soap and moisturizer Small manicure kit and small mirror Food and drinks Medications you are currently taking in their original packaging Drink bottle with a sipper top (easier than cup and straw) Snacks for in between meals Your preferred tea bags/coffe etc Entertainment Note pad or diary and pen to record your experiences A kindle or magazines/puzzles - it is too busy to concentrate on a book! IPad/iPod with music, movies and games (don't forget earphones and chargers) Mobile Phone (with charger and extension cord so it can reach the wall) Meditation app on phone Hi June1952 Thank you so very much for the detailed reply it is amazing and I have written this all down. Very kind of you1View0likes0Comments
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