Well, I had my review and the GP management plan for my physio is set for another year but the dental plan is in doubt. The GP doesn't know what will happen. He thinks there are three options but doesn't know which one the Govt will choose. 1 continue to fund the program, 2. continue funding for existing patients (no new patients after Nov 1) or 3 scrap the program altogether after Nov 1. He wrote my dental plan up and has sent it off to ensure that I will be covered if options 1 or 2 are chosen. Has anyone heard anything more concrete? CJF ... View more

hi im still on anti depressants because dr was away ... View more

Hi sailor thanks for the update on the Pain Summit. It sounds as though it was worth the trip - even if it was Canberra!! ... View more

Hi Rosebud If you go to Dr Google and type in neulastin TGA you will get all the information you need from the Therapeutic Good Administration. If you go to the following website http://www.nhhrc.org.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/pbac-psd-pegfilgrastim-nov08 , it is all there. From what I can see it is available on the PBS but a special application has to be made. cheers Sailor It is the weather, not work, that wears out sails. Thomas Fleming Day ... View more

I'd also check out the Australian Human Rights Commission website section on insurance http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/insurance.htm in relation to disability discrimination. Cases and conciliations seem to confirm the below. My understanding is that most insurance including TPI and income protection won't cover pre existing medical conditions but should cover unrelated future conditions and situations, ie being hit by the proverbial bus. But one has to be honest about everything when asked, say in their questionnaire, ie past any condition to ensure the insurance is valid. However some insurance cover will still cover cancer. For example a past work place I worked at where their superannuation also offered TPI and income protection they actually did not ask questions about pre existing conditions and did cover claims. Their rationale was that the organisation was large with 14,000 employees of working age (15-65) which statistically this population in general has a low level of disability (10%) and thus the risk of covering an employee with a pre existing condition was was spread over a large range of low risk employees. There was also a 3 month wait for income protection to kick in and many conditions although serious are too short term ie heart bypass, minor heart attack, even major surgery without ongoing complications or treatment where most are back at work after 3 months. Cheers DJ ... View more

Hi Carer Go to the web and google Carers Australia that will put you in touch with Carers Australia and their state branches. They are a great organisation and have a lot of practical information for carers. They get a fair amount of government funding so are well resourced to help people in your situation. They can tell you what you are eligible for through centrelink and what other help is available out there in the community. The cancer helpline 13 11 20 is another great resource. Maybe the managers of this website could have a section on useful websites to visit, or an FAQ to provide this type of information, which I know I have put into many responses to enquiries such as yours. cheers Sailor Never go into strange places on a falling tide without a pilot. Thomas Gibson Bowles ... View more

Hi Helen37, My husband is also terminal, his primary cancer was oesophageal with secondaries in his abdomen/peritoneum(spelling?) and a secondary tumour on the brain was discovered in early December. The unknown time frame is very distressing, we were given a prognosis in December of 2-3 months, obviously we hope they are wrong. I feel like I am walking a tightrope, trying to keep the balance between being 'too real' and 'being too hopeful'. I am scared of getting my hopes up too high as then I will have further to fall. Talk with your boyfriend's oncologist/medical team about all the questions that you have, they may not be able to give you all the answers, but if you don't ask, they're not likely to tell you anything. It is exhausting being the partner/carer, try to remember to take time out for yourself too. A very hard lesson to learn, I know, I am still working on that myself!! Thinking of you and sending you strength and courage, Jill. ... View more

Don't know if anyone still reads this thread. I'm a newbie living in the UK - where CUP is also virtually unheard of. Just wanted to offer some hope - as I had it diagnosed in 2102 and have been cancer-free for almost 5 years. I found a painless lump in my neck - turned out to be secondary adenocarcinoma of lymph nodes. This was treated with a radical neck disection, 33 sessions of radiotherapy (wearing a moulded mask!) and 2 blasts of chemo (Cisplatin) My consultant said he was looking at a cure - and I believe him! Feel fine now - left with a few side-effects ( numb neck and shoulder and massive tinnitus) but I'm happy to have them - as it means I'm alive! If anyone wants to talk about CUP - please get in touch 🙂 ... View more

Hi PS. Thank you SO SO much for your kind words and advice. I know now that there are people out there who are or have been through what I'm going through now and I feel for you all so much. I just pray that God gives me the strength to get through this (even today my son had a car accident!!) and at the moment I don't know how much more I can take but I do know I have to support my dad and he is so positive although I know he is only being like that for me and I love him so much. Thank you all for your kind words xo Chris ... View more