Medical Retirement (again)

[silliemillie]

Following on from my previous 'medical retirement' post, I have, today, recieved a letter to attend and independant doctors assessment. The letter is from AXA (dont know if any of you know how they work).

I am so worried about going, does anyone know what happens? I feel I am being judged & always having to justify myself when I dont really have the energy for it.

What if he says I could probably do 'something' in the way of work? I am so upset cos the Dr, with the best will in the world, does not know how I feel.

I try to keep positive and upbeat & enjoy my life (as best I can under the circumstances!) & I dont want to spend the rest of my life (however long that is) struggling. I will HAVE to struggle with my illness but dont want to struggle with work as well.

The Dr will probably try to save the Company money by sending me back to work rather than pay me the pension I will not be around to recieve but it seems so unfair that there are so many scammers trying to fleece the system & getting it when genuine people have to fight for everything.

Sorry to go on!!

[factor-fiction]

It seems to me there is no alternative but to go.
If they confirm you can't work then you don't have to work so you can stop worrying about having to work.
If they find there is some work you can do then that would be good news in a way as well in terms of self-esteem, company and maybe money. It is surely right that a company (or is it pension scheme trustees?) assess whether people are fit for work before paying people indefinitely to stay at home. If it is a pension scheme then it's the members' funds that are at stake and the trustees have a responsibility to investigate these matters

[silliemillie]

Thanks Factor30.

I do understand that I must go & why. I was expecting it as it was me who instigated it.

I am definately NOT fit for work, but find this difficult to relay (only me close family see me at my worst) I would be totally unreliable never knowing from one day to the next if I will feel well enough to go.

I appreciate they want to guard the pension pot for their members as I am one of those members & have been for 28 years.

We will have to just see what the outcome is.

[sunny-dave]

It might be worth 'rehearsing' with someone - to work out what are the key things you want to say about your illness and your current (and future) capacity to work.

Although they ask the questions, you need to think like a politician and make sure your answers cover every possible thing that you want to say.

In particular make sure that you have some detailed information about your prognosis (in as much as anything is certain with this form of cancer) and let them have it with both barrels. Don't be shy - make sure they are in no doubt about how serious your illness is.

Good Luck

dave xx

[silliemillie]

Thank you Dave for your good wishes & suggestions , I will give a lot of thought to the sort of questions they may ask so I can give clear answers. I just get so upset speaking to people about it.

Millie x

[roobidoo]

My experience of AXA's Independent assesments has always been good. They have set questions to ask but allow you to explain the situation fully and you have more time than you would usually have with your own G.P. The assesments are as much to find out if the Company could/should have done more to support you as it is to see if you are fit for work. If your G.P. has signed you as not fit for work, your employers cannot force you back to work. But, I agree, dredging it all up again when you are ill is the last thing you want to do. Keep notes/diary to refer to during the assesment - it helped me. Even though everyone (except my employer) agreed I was ill and needed time to recover, the fact that I had it in writing, with a full report, was such a relief.