Hi there, I have just joined this forum really for some help, guidance and support on my behalf of my partner. We are at the moment awaiting to see if the last biopsy will mean that he has to have major surgery for tongue cancer. My partner is self employed and his main worry is money, this is so upsetting. He is so scared about everything.

Hello Christine. Sorry to see you have had to post here. I'm sure people will respond to any questions either of you have about the disease and some here through practical experience are knowledgeable on the financial aspects.

It's natural to feel very scared, we all do at the slightest mark or lump on our tongue or throat. Waiting is also anxiety inducing. Please get your partner to read some of the posts here so he can see for himself he might be able to get a response to his worries.

I can understand your fears. As you know there are different rules for everything regarding employment - the thing is find out the exact rules.

One tip might be to get a prepayment prescription for 6 months or a year to help save money long term if you can't get other relief. You only need 2 prescriptions a month for it to more than pay for itself.

You may also find it worth understanding what a PEG is by searching this site so you can ask some of the right questions if a tongue op is needed at your next appointment.

Christine,

As if the worry about surgery, and your partners future is not enough to worry about, you also have to worry about the financial implications. After my diagnosis, I realised that all my insurances were tied up with my employer. It's really easy to be wise after the event, I wish that I had taken out income protection insurance privately, instead of opting for the scheme provided by my employer. After having taken over a year off on extended sick leave, I have left my old employer and taken a new position, but I have had to leave my old income protection scheme, and I can't take out a new one that covers me for cancer.

I have read on this site about other self-employed people who have discovered that some of the benefits that cancer patients can claim for apply self-employed people as well. Try searching this site for benefits or sel-employed to see what you can find. Also check if your partner has 'critical illness' insurance on the mortgage, credit cards etc. If your partner does have cancer, then the macmillan nurses will be able to offer you loads of advice on what you can claim for.


I really hope that the biopsy is clear.