Update.

[Jacksc06]

Hi good people. I have been quiet for a while now as I have been in quite a dark place for the last few months. I think the deaths of my mother and stepfather coupled with my now ex partners infidelity finally ground me to a standstill and I didn't want to put my woes on you all. We are still waiting to cremate my stepfather due to legal wrangles ( He passed away on 27th December) so it is still a stressful time. That aside my latest counts are Haemoglobin - 141, White cell count - 5.9. Platelets - 202. But there has been a further dip in my GFR. Down to 50mL/min. I am seeing my haematologist in early may so will hopefully get some answers. Generally feeling OK but work is very tiring and i am struggling with aching joints. I have decided to apply for P.I.P again and If successfull would look at reducing my working hours. I don't hold up much hope as i have applied twice before and was awarded zero points on both occasion but we will see. Love and strength to all.

[MsChief]

You are very focused and brave jackson. You are doing well dealing with lifetime changes we all face as time goes on. Love, MsChief

[Jacksc06 in reply to MsChief]

Thank you. Appreciated.

[AnneHill in reply to Jacksc06]

Hi, you might find the benefits and work site helpful. I used it when I could no longer work due to pain. They give tips on how to fill in the forms. I realised that you are not talking to your doctor and you have to explain your ability to do the normal everyday tasks. Sorry you have had such a terrible time, Anne uk

[Jacksc06 in reply to AnneHill]

Thank you Anne.

[fapumpkin]

Sorry to hear things have been so difficult. Have you thought of contacting C.A.B to get help with your PIP application? There is a charity created in memory of Kay Kendall who may also help with an application. I would consider having someone with you when you are interviewed to give you support. Good luck

[Jacksc06 in reply to fapumpkin]

Thank you

[fapumpkin in reply to Jacksc06]

this is a link to The Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund

kklf.org.uk

[CycleWonder]

Jacksc06 -

You have been dealing with a lot. On the scale of serious issues happening within a year, your score would be quite high. The death of parents, infidelity, the end of a relationship, and CLL are each in their own can result in a significant impact on your serenity and outlook on life.

If you have access to therapist, it might help you work your way through these life altering events. My therapist is an important part of my resilience. Not that you are not doing a good job of putting one foot in front of the other to keep moving; rather than it must be at a heavy cost.

Thank you for posting.

Don’t forget to lock your post!

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to CycleWonder]

eGFR is estimated glomerular filtration rate and relates to kidney function. Here are the levels;

About CKD stages ;

   eGFR>60CKD stages G1 and G2 

   eGFR 30-59CKD stage G3       

   eGFR<30CKD stages G4+G5         

I think a level below 1 must relate to something else CylcleWonder. Good advice incidentally 👍

Newdawn

[CycleWonder in reply to Newdawn]

Yes. I should have looked up GFR first!

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to CycleWonder]

No worries. So many acronyms! 🙄

Newdawn

[Jacksc06 in reply to CycleWonder]

Many thanks.

[Jacksc06]

Thank you.

[Peggy4]

Hope life picks up for you soon Jacks. Life def throws us some curve balls.

Peggy

[Jacksc06 in reply to Peggy4]

Indeed. Thanks Peggy.

[MickUK]

Love and strength back to you Jack...

[Appolonia11]

Sorry you’re feeling down. Give yourself some time and patience and I hope you feel better sooner than later…

[Jacksc06 in reply to Appolonia11]

Thank you.

[PaulaS Volunteer]

Thanks for the update, Jacks, but I'm so sorry to hear all you've been going through... and still are.. Far too many major traumas in such a short space of time...

Has your groin abscess finally healed?

I agree with fapumpkin 's suggestion of getting help from CAB (now called CAS - Citizens' Advice Service). They are very used to helping people with PIP forms.

Wishing you all the best,

Paula

[Jacksc06 in reply to PaulaS]

Thanks Paula. I had a slight relapse with the abscess a while back but it seems to have abated now.

[Pacificview]

Sorry about the tuff time you have had. They are never much fun. I pray clear blue skys for you and the strength to get to them.John

[Jacksc06 in reply to Pacificview]

Thank you John.

[LuzyCLL]

You are going through a lot! I wish you some relief from the pain and a nice friend to help you out. I don't understand how you can work, I sure couldn't, I hope you can work out a shorter work schedule.

[Jacksc06 in reply to LuzyCLL]

Thank you Lucy. Yes work is tough as it's 8 hours of heavy lifting but needs must.

[Fran57]

Sorry to hear you’ve been having a rough time .

I hope things start to feel easier soon.

Thanks for the update.

Look after yourself,

Fran 😉

[Jacksc06 in reply to Fran57]

Thank you Fran.

[Fowey2009]

So sorry to hear what has been going on. So good to have you back on the forum

Beryl

[Jacksc06 in reply to Fowey2009]

Thanks Beryl

[Cheshire2016]

any of those life events would be difficult on their own, but to deal with all at the same time is awful. Regarding the PIP, do you have union membership, as they have many additional professional services ?

[Jacksc06 in reply to Cheshire2016]

Thank you, I cancelled my union membership as the rep was next to useless in the past.

[very]

Hi Jack's, sorry to hear you have been having a difficult time. Fingers crossed there is better times to come.

Jenny uk

[Jacksc06 in reply to very]

Thank you Jenny.

[Michaeljohn50]

Hi Jack, you have epitomised "strength in the face of adversity" over the last few years. There is no doubt that you will soldier on etc. It's the high cost in terms of physical emotional and intellectual energy that is so debilitating and comes across so very clearly in your post. I hope that sharing your pain can reduce it just a little as the members of this community send their empathy , love and resolve to you.

I continue to wish you all the best and hope that your circumstances improve, as you most certainly deserve. In the short term best of luck with the PIP.

Michael

[Jacksc06 in reply to Michaeljohn50]

Thanks Michael.

[Psmithuk]

hi Jack, I just occasionally pop on here to catch up, and was so sorry to see that you are having a bad time. You did the right thing to tell the group, as no one else can understand the extra invisible burden we all carry. To have the extra distress added to that is really heavy going, but I know you will win through given time and support.

I’d certainly second the suggestion that you contact the CAB as they have a website with lots of information to help with filling these forms in (I used it to claim AA, still waiting 🤞).

If you can, do speak to your gp about feeling so bad, you may need a bit of temporary pharmaceutical help to see you through what has been a really challenging time.

Sending you love and support

Chrisxx

[Jacksc06 in reply to Psmithuk]

Thanks Chris.

[Floxxy]

I'm so sorry that you've had so much to put up with. I hope that things get so much better for you. Xx

[Jacksc06 in reply to Floxxy]

Thank you.

[terryI_uk]

Good to hear from you again jack's, good luck with your pip application. Hope you are soon able to get your stepfather's funeral sorted and you can start to recover from the tough time you're having, God bless, Terry

[Jacksc06 in reply to terryI_uk]

Thanks Terry.

[Miggins60]

sorry to hear this. Keep strong! 🤗

[Jacksc06 in reply to Miggins60]

Many thanks.

[jabee]

Sorry to hear you are going through such difficult times. I hope things improve for you soon and good luck with your PIP application.

[Jacksc06 in reply to jabee]

Thank you.

[CaptRon1976]

Very glad you posted Jack. I have been thinking for weeks of putting up a query to the forum to see if anyone had heard from you.

Glad to here that the abscess is under control, may it stay that way.

Your losses and emotional trauma are and have been significant this past year for sure. A therapist would likely help.

A Mediterranean style diet ( less protein from animal sources ) and a good walk every day could help your kidney function. Continue to drink plenty of water.

I hope you can find a govt. assistance program that would make it possible for you to work less.

Ron

[Jacksc06 in reply to CaptRon1976]

Thanks Ron.

[Vlaminck]

Glad you were able to poke your head out from that dark place to see a bit of light. Hope there will be more light for you.

[Jacksc06 in reply to Vlaminck]

Many thanks.

[spi3]

When my life and myself was at my lowest and I knew I couldn't fix it myself- I prayed and put it in God's inbasket. He's doing great - I'm praying for you too.

[Jacksc06 in reply to spi3]

Thank you.

[Name-1]

🖤😍👍

[Jacksc06 in reply to Name-1]

Thank you Olga.

[GMa27]

Glad u reached out. You have been thru so much. Sending a huge hug & special prayers. 🙏💕

[Jacksc06 in reply to GMa27]

Many thanks.

[BeckyLUSA]

So sorry you have been going through so much. Life can be cruel at times. Praying you are at the end of this series of bad events. Glad you reached out as I have been missing your updates.

[Jacksc06 in reply to BeckyLUSA]

Thank you Becky.

[MistyMountainHop]

I'm sorry to hear that you are having such an awful time. I wish you joy and strength.

benefitsandwork.co.uk/

The above link may be of use to you. 🤞

[Jacksc06 in reply to MistyMountainHop]

Thank you.

[Ghounds]

Good to hear from you and sorry things are so bad for you. They are for me too unfortunately.

Macmillan have benefit specialists who will apply on your behalf and hopefully you would get a successful outcome with them on your side.

I hope your stepfather's funeral can go ahead without much more delay.

Sending my warmest best wishes as always.

[Jacksc06 in reply to Ghounds]

Thank you.

[DoriZett]

Life really "dishes it out" at times. You are handling everything the best you are able so please be gentle with yourself. You are not alone.

[Jacksc06 in reply to DoriZett]

It does indeed. Many thanks.

[WinJ3]

Sorry to hear about the passing of your mother, stepfather and other misfortunes Jack. I hope and pray there will be many blessings for you in the future 🙏🏽

Win

[Jacksc06 in reply to WinJ3]

Thank you.

[G1llHa1n]

Good to have you back. Sorry you have been going through this low patch and it's a positive move that you are beginning to be able to reach out again. You know that we are always here for you whenever or why ever. Looking forward to hearing from you.

[Jacksc06 in reply to G1llHa1n]

Thank you.

[CoachVera55]

So sorry for your troubles, that is alot may GOD give you the strength & favor to settle things down soon🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[Jacksc06 in reply to CoachVera55]

Many thanks.