Update On My Friend- Really Bad Diagnosis- Im Feeling So Sad

[gordiescotland1]

My friend who I went for the CT scan with on Tuesday has been taken quite ill. The last few days he has been vomiting and cant even keep down medication he has to take for various things including heart problems. 2 previous heart attacks with stents. He phoned me tonight and told he me he was feeling so ill and kept on blacking out when he stood up and did not know what to do I told him to try and open the door to his flat and I dialed 999 on his behalf the paramedics said as an ongoing issue a&e would not see him but they phoned 111 on his behalf and spoke to them. He was seen by a doctor at local hospital out of hours and admitted straight away he saw the CT scan result he has pancreatic cancer and something suspicious on his chest. He is quite calm he was prepared for it to be bad I am going to see him tomorrow but I am feeling so sad. I dont know what the future holds i suspect it is quite bleak. Ive tried so hard to be a friend to him and help him he has no living relatives so 2 people in the church are going to be his next of kin he has asked them. He has no money his benefits were stopped I am so upset about this. He has been living in poverty the house is in a horrendous mess.He thinks he will get home soon when I texted him tonight but I dont think he will.

[Jackdaw33]

That is sad news. I thought I had pancreatic cancer and was prepared for the worst until I was told last week that although I had chronic pancreatitis it was not cancerous, yet. I don't know why his benefits were stopped; there must be agencies who can intervene on his behalf.

[NoMercy]

If someone becomes acutely ill, even from an ongoing issue, A&E should be able to receive them. I would consider making a complaint about the advice you received when you made the A&E call.

As for benefits I am not sure how the land lies but he is clearly too ill to work so he should be entitled to something.

Pancreatic cancer is a bad malignancy to have and the prognosis is probably poor in his case. From the sound of it he may have pulmonary secondaries.

[waterboatman]

I agree with everything NM has said. Misconduct comes to mind.

[rowanwitch]

At least this should get him the help he so desperately needs. I'm not sure but they might consider surgery that would improve his symptoms and give him a little more time, it depends on the team's opinion of his overall condition. If he can be very well supported in the community then there is no reason why he couldn't go home for a while, but obviously someone needs to sort his benefits out

[10ClarionSt]

The benefits people don't believe anyone about illness unless they can be seen bedridden and gasping for breath. Then, they might, just might, give consideration to the case.

[murraymints]

oh dear..not good... the hospital ought to have arranged social work intervention and care plan...so things should be sorted..perhaps he needs something more residential if there is no family support structure....?

[gordiescotland1]

No family at all his parents are deceased and they were both only children. He had a long term partner who died 3 years ago and after her death he withdrew from society. I cant understand what has happened with his benefits I took him to CAB and it seemed to be sorted out for a while and then he went on to sickness benefit his doctor sent a note saying he was unfit for work but he had to go to a medical assesment that said he was fit for work and then he went to the CAB and appealed it, that was 6 weeks ago.

[Peter Pedant]

He should be able to get PIP geordie if he does get out

up to page 2 - do you have terminal ca ( he ticks yes) and doesnt have to fill out the rest of the 48 pages

ask the nurses to get the social services involved as he is obviously vulnerable

if he owns his house then he needs to decide what happens to it ( =will ) and it has to be written

[Peter Pedant]

No or Yes he is stuck in the usual JSA appeal jobbie-thing
( do nothing for 18 weeks - that one)

He is I think eligible for PIP - you can cut across this

yes agreed Clarion - I had from an assessor - 'lets see how this secondary you say you have behind your eye, has affected your sight!' I replied'not say, I have given you the operation note and histology report' and she just said - 'yes yes you have, I have it here'.

[kvalidir]

Yes if it's a terminal cancer diagnosis they will fast track Pip etc x

[rowanwitch]

Also high rate of attendance allowance, and he needs to apply for a McMillan Grant even if he asks for help to pay his leccy. We had £350. It helps. McMillan benefits team are the ones to get involved. They are CAB trained but know how to word applications so they don't often get knocked back .

https://www.bing.com/search?pc=ARWI&form=AMZNS2&q=macmillan+benefits+advice

[Peter Pedant]

Hi Rowan
thanks for putting your recent experiences to good use

my info is a bit old