In my last blog post I was after a pre-loved washing machine; the good news I found one, a bit smaller than I wanted but a good one at the right price, so yippee! I got one!
So I am washing at home in my comfy clothes.
The bad news is after weeks of jumping through hoops and answering questions on reams of paper, Centrelink has rejected my husband's claim for a disability pension. He is not sick enough. He did not total twenty points or more. How much under they did not say.
My aplication for a carer's payment is under review and could be for up to another six weeks and then I might not get it.
We have put in more paperwork to see if we can get a Health Care Card for people with a low income, to help with medical expences, and to get discounts on other things. This would be very helpful to us. My husbands sick pay runs out soon we are on aprox one third of the wage he was on when working full time.
When we have no income of any type and have used every cent to our name then and only then will centrelink help my husband with a sickness allowance but me all they say is "why don't you work?"
I am getting sick of hearing this. The answer I give at the moment is my husband is ill I am looking after him, I am his carer even if you don't agree.
I have my own health problems which are helped with medication, this is in their records.
Each and every time we have contact with them different people ask the same questions, its like banging your head up against a wall. Come to think of it, that may be less painful at this time.
I can not sleep unless it is broken sleep; I am so stressed about paying bills, all the same bills, on one third of the money.
At least we have a roof over our head, even though it leaks and we can't afford to fix it at the moment. I am watching my husband get sicker and sicker with each chemo treatment he is getting more side effects with each treatmentat the moment he is a grumpy man trying to pick fights and when I don't react he gets upset with me. Oh the joy, what to do.
I am trying to get through one day at a time, that is all I can do, or I'll find myself being swept away with emotion.
Every day I find myself leaking tears for all sorts of reasons, I buy my tissues in bulk packs now, they work out cheaper that way. Until next time I'll try not to get swept too far away.
Tuesday 28 February 2012
Sunday 19 February 2012
Washing Everywhere!
Most weekends I do the washing I have to wash my husbands clothing and linen separately from all the other washing. This weekend was no different I had two loads of linen and one load of clothing not my husbands things they get washed separately and twice because of his chemo, altogether five loads and two of them twice all was going well. I had a load of linen washing away I was singing along with some of my favourite songs and doing some of my puzzles. Swosh, swosh the machine was doing its thing then silence, it was supposed to be emptying not sitting there doing nothing so over to the machine I went turn the dial hit the machine and yell at it "work you stupid thing I have lots of washing to do" kick the machine turn the dial to a different empty cycle still nothing kick it once more just in case no good. Thinking, thinking well I have washing in the machine so I will hand ring and empty by bailing then rinse by washing with clean water hand ring and hang dripping more than usual on the line.
My husband tries to help by pulling everything apart and trying to find the problem he found the problem: it won't empty or spin.
I told him that before he started.
Tomorrow I will go to the laundromat and wash all but my husbands things. I ran out of time to cook the nice meal I had planned and I was too upset to go then. A very unhappy me goes upstairs defeated by a washing machine. Today, the day after I got beaten by an old second hand washing machine that had worked well until it stopped, not worth fixing for the price we paid, sitting at the table while having breakfast I just started leaking tears just ran down my face all my weekend plans were stuffed by a machine instead of doing the things I had planned. I had to go out to do the washing, I had to get dressed to do the washing, so I gathered the washing,detergent, fabric softener, and a plastic bag of coins, not knowing what I needed to do the washing. I decided to leave the linen at home in case it was too expensive. There were 2 loads of clothes to do at only $2.20 a load not bad I will be going back tomorrow with the rest of the washing.
I am now on a hunt for a new pre-loved machine at a low price I can afford. I like top loaders with a large capacity the one that died was a 7.5 kilogram machine, and I liked it very much I hope when I find my new machine I will like it just as much but until I get it I will be taking the washing on outings to the Laundromat and bringing it home with me to hang out to dry.
Help universe! I need a washing machine of my own one I can afford that suits my needs so I can stay home with my music and puzzle books and my comfy house dresses! I don't like getting dressed to do the washing in public. I don't know about you but I like to be comfortable when I do the washing.
My husband tries to help by pulling everything apart and trying to find the problem he found the problem: it won't empty or spin.
I told him that before he started.
Tomorrow I will go to the laundromat and wash all but my husbands things. I ran out of time to cook the nice meal I had planned and I was too upset to go then. A very unhappy me goes upstairs defeated by a washing machine. Today, the day after I got beaten by an old second hand washing machine that had worked well until it stopped, not worth fixing for the price we paid, sitting at the table while having breakfast I just started leaking tears just ran down my face all my weekend plans were stuffed by a machine instead of doing the things I had planned. I had to go out to do the washing, I had to get dressed to do the washing, so I gathered the washing,detergent, fabric softener, and a plastic bag of coins, not knowing what I needed to do the washing. I decided to leave the linen at home in case it was too expensive. There were 2 loads of clothes to do at only $2.20 a load not bad I will be going back tomorrow with the rest of the washing.
I am now on a hunt for a new pre-loved machine at a low price I can afford. I like top loaders with a large capacity the one that died was a 7.5 kilogram machine, and I liked it very much I hope when I find my new machine I will like it just as much but until I get it I will be taking the washing on outings to the Laundromat and bringing it home with me to hang out to dry.
Help universe! I need a washing machine of my own one I can afford that suits my needs so I can stay home with my music and puzzle books and my comfy house dresses! I don't like getting dressed to do the washing in public. I don't know about you but I like to be comfortable when I do the washing.
Friday 10 February 2012
The Journey So Far (OR: Why I'm Swept Away)
It all started around about August. My husband said he was unwell. But he had to go to work; no time for a doctor's appointment. My husband works away from home three weeks at a time. When he came back, it was just in time for our 35th Wedding Anniversary- he was home for our anniversary for once! It was nice.
A few days later he got a doctor's appointment. This started off a whole range of tests. As a result, my husband was referred to a specialist.
The specialist said he would need a colonoscopy. If done through the public system, there was a two year waiting list, but the private hospital had a special (woohoo!) we had to find $590 as soon as possible (oh. Help!). So I decided not to keep the money that I had put aside for council rates, and instead used that, along with a bit of juggling around to get it done as soon as possible. I still haven't paid those rates, and the next lot is just about due!
My husband had his colonoscopy on October 23rd. The doctor found a problem, and that same day, while he was still "starving" (husband language for "fasting") he had to have urgent scans. The result was he was told he had a growth on his bowel and it could be cancerous. More tests! And the result was cancer.
A series of quick doctor's appointments occurred, to get him into the public system; we have no health insurance, due to reasons beyond our control.
While waiting for surgery my husband could not work because he works away from home, in the catering side of the oil rigs in the desert.
He went into hospital to have surgery on the 9th of November. They cut the piece out, and joined his bowel successfully.
We thought that would be the end of it.
We were told that would be the end of it.
We were told six to eight weeks and he could go back to work.
He was in hospital for four days after the surgery, and was sent home with staples still in, and a kit for his GP to remove them; the kit included instructions. At this stage, his bowels still weren't working, but he was sent home all the same.
It was at the appointment with the GP that chemo was mentioned for the very first time. His GP simply said, "When does your chemo start?" shocked and horrified, my husband said, "What chemo?" the GP then said, "Your surgeon will refer you to an oncologist." The doctor was surprised it hadn't been mentioned before this time.
At the follow up appointment, my husband mentioned chemo to his surgeon. The surgeon said yes, it usually happens that way. The surgeon seemed to think it was implied, but nobody at all had mentioned it to us before the surgery, or at the hospital. Not happy!
Husband sees the oncologist before Christmas, and was told he'd be contacted with a starting date. He is told he will need chemo every two weeks for six to eight months. See the problem? Husband works away from home for three weeks at a time! He gets contacted just before Christmas for an oncology appointment, and told he will have to have a surgical procedure to have a contraption (I can't remember the word) put inside his chest for the chemo, and this will happen on the 3rd of January, with chemo to start on the 11th of January.
Husband is on sick leave from work, which equals only about one third of our usual income, but all our bills are the same. God help us! Where is the money coming from to pay the bills? My answer was, "Let's see if Centrelink can help!"
On the 4th of January, I applied to Centrelink. A few days later reams of paper arrived full of questions that Centrelink wanted answers for. Quite literally hundreds of questions.
I burst into tears.
There were questions I had to answer, my husband had to answer, his doctor had to answer. And they wanted all of this within two weeks, around the same time my husband was starting his chemo, not in our home town, but a slow 30km trip each way. This happens every two weeks, in a car without airconditioning, because we cannot afford to get it fixed at this time. So we drive with the windows down. Reminds me of my childhood. Not so nice when it's raining, though- we get a little bit wet...
Knowing I couldn't meet Centrelink's deadline, I rang and asked for an extension. They did give me one. But to get help with the paper work from the doctor, we needed two appointments, each costing $65 up front. Centrelink have all our paperwork, but now want an interview with my husband, to see if we really qualify for sickness and/or disability payments. That appointment is next week.
On the first day my husband had chemo, after sitting over four hours at the hospital, he came out with a cotton bag around his neck with a bottle of chemo in it, attached to his chest via a tube. This was to remain on him for another 48 hours, which we then went to our local hospital to get removed.
We were not told this was going to happen.
I was in shock and started to cry.
I them find out that if something happens to the bottle and it breaks or spills, noone
On husband's second visit, he was given a pile of reading material containing all the things we needed to know before he started chemo. Two weeks too late, the chemo journey had begun.
He has just had his third lot of chemo, and it's not his fault, but he is turning into a grumpy old man!
Husband is getting new symptoms each time he has chemo, and has to take his temperature daily to make sure he is OK, the first sign of any illness- a cough, sore throat, whatever- we are up at the local hospital. Due to the fact he is on chemo, he has a "Get Out Of Waiting Room Free" card, as his immune system is weakened.
I have done so much sitting around in doctor's waiting rooms and hospital waiting rooms, that if it wasn't for the puzzle books I carry with me, I would surely go insane! Find-a-word is my friend.
I have my good days and my bad days, and some days I wish I could be swept away in a bubble, on the gentle breeze, but I know I can't be; we just have to deal with what we have been dealt.
One lesson I have learnt from this is ask questions even if you think they are silly!
A few days later he got a doctor's appointment. This started off a whole range of tests. As a result, my husband was referred to a specialist.
The specialist said he would need a colonoscopy. If done through the public system, there was a two year waiting list, but the private hospital had a special (woohoo!) we had to find $590 as soon as possible (oh. Help!). So I decided not to keep the money that I had put aside for council rates, and instead used that, along with a bit of juggling around to get it done as soon as possible. I still haven't paid those rates, and the next lot is just about due!
My husband had his colonoscopy on October 23rd. The doctor found a problem, and that same day, while he was still "starving" (husband language for "fasting") he had to have urgent scans. The result was he was told he had a growth on his bowel and it could be cancerous. More tests! And the result was cancer.
A series of quick doctor's appointments occurred, to get him into the public system; we have no health insurance, due to reasons beyond our control.
While waiting for surgery my husband could not work because he works away from home, in the catering side of the oil rigs in the desert.
He went into hospital to have surgery on the 9th of November. They cut the piece out, and joined his bowel successfully.
We thought that would be the end of it.
We were told that would be the end of it.
We were told six to eight weeks and he could go back to work.
He was in hospital for four days after the surgery, and was sent home with staples still in, and a kit for his GP to remove them; the kit included instructions. At this stage, his bowels still weren't working, but he was sent home all the same.
It was at the appointment with the GP that chemo was mentioned for the very first time. His GP simply said, "When does your chemo start?" shocked and horrified, my husband said, "What chemo?" the GP then said, "Your surgeon will refer you to an oncologist." The doctor was surprised it hadn't been mentioned before this time.
At the follow up appointment, my husband mentioned chemo to his surgeon. The surgeon said yes, it usually happens that way. The surgeon seemed to think it was implied, but nobody at all had mentioned it to us before the surgery, or at the hospital. Not happy!
Husband sees the oncologist before Christmas, and was told he'd be contacted with a starting date. He is told he will need chemo every two weeks for six to eight months. See the problem? Husband works away from home for three weeks at a time! He gets contacted just before Christmas for an oncology appointment, and told he will have to have a surgical procedure to have a contraption (I can't remember the word) put inside his chest for the chemo, and this will happen on the 3rd of January, with chemo to start on the 11th of January.
Husband is on sick leave from work, which equals only about one third of our usual income, but all our bills are the same. God help us! Where is the money coming from to pay the bills? My answer was, "Let's see if Centrelink can help!"
On the 4th of January, I applied to Centrelink. A few days later reams of paper arrived full of questions that Centrelink wanted answers for. Quite literally hundreds of questions.
I burst into tears.
There were questions I had to answer, my husband had to answer, his doctor had to answer. And they wanted all of this within two weeks, around the same time my husband was starting his chemo, not in our home town, but a slow 30km trip each way. This happens every two weeks, in a car without airconditioning, because we cannot afford to get it fixed at this time. So we drive with the windows down. Reminds me of my childhood. Not so nice when it's raining, though- we get a little bit wet...
Knowing I couldn't meet Centrelink's deadline, I rang and asked for an extension. They did give me one. But to get help with the paper work from the doctor, we needed two appointments, each costing $65 up front. Centrelink have all our paperwork, but now want an interview with my husband, to see if we really qualify for sickness and/or disability payments. That appointment is next week.
On the first day my husband had chemo, after sitting over four hours at the hospital, he came out with a cotton bag around his neck with a bottle of chemo in it, attached to his chest via a tube. This was to remain on him for another 48 hours, which we then went to our local hospital to get removed.
We were not told this was going to happen.
I was in shock and started to cry.
I them find out that if something happens to the bottle and it breaks or spills, noone
On husband's second visit, he was given a pile of reading material containing all the things we needed to know before he started chemo. Two weeks too late, the chemo journey had begun.
He has just had his third lot of chemo, and it's not his fault, but he is turning into a grumpy old man!
Husband is getting new symptoms each time he has chemo, and has to take his temperature daily to make sure he is OK, the first sign of any illness- a cough, sore throat, whatever- we are up at the local hospital. Due to the fact he is on chemo, he has a "Get Out Of Waiting Room Free" card, as his immune system is weakened.
I have done so much sitting around in doctor's waiting rooms and hospital waiting rooms, that if it wasn't for the puzzle books I carry with me, I would surely go insane! Find-a-word is my friend.
I have my good days and my bad days, and some days I wish I could be swept away in a bubble, on the gentle breeze, but I know I can't be; we just have to deal with what we have been dealt.
One lesson I have learnt from this is ask questions even if you think they are silly!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)