CAB and other adventures!

chris7

Hi to all you lovely people who got me through today.

Apologies this may be long, so do feel free to lose interest and abandon ship if it gets too much. :oops:

Well after the build up the queue at CAB was rather disappointing!.
Only 6 of us which meant I was in within the hour. 9.45ish. Not sure what I expected but just seem to have come away with more phone numbers!. Apparently the best person who could advise was currently away having her 2nd THR, I would have liked to have seen her. Yes Elizabeth, the person I did see did think I should try for DLA so I have to phone for a form first. Can phone for Council tax rebate form but doesn't think it would amount to much cos I get Working Tax Credit. The one phone number I did receive with some relief was the Red Cross 'Home from Hospital' who are there for saddo 'billy no mates' like me after ops. Found it difficult to explain that whatever the DDA and law states I feel my employer would do the minimum and somehow persuade me to leave, before or after op. but we will see.

Anyway having come away from CAB a bit deflated somehow, thought I would have a peek in the job centre and look at the boards for a nice little sittin' down job data inputting or similar, and make a general enquiry about the disability advisor bod.
What have they done to job centres?? :shock: Was met at the door by two burly security guards/customer service advisors, demanding to know the nature of my business? EEK! Needed my NI number so they could create a file on me! Excuse me I only wanted a look round and to ask a general question. Anyway four different smiley customer service people later, it appears I have made an appointment to see the said DEA next Thurs for an HOUR!!! What is all that about? No nice local jobs notice board to be seen and not many jobseekers either. No wonder! So intimidating.

Then several hours sitting on various town benches before seeing the doc. She was at least listening as did say when I entered her room "how long have you had the brochitis?" :shock: I felt the cold was so much better today. Anyway another four prescriptions!! including one for co-codamol at last!
Tried to persuade me to bring forward Consultant appointment but understood that it was the one thing I really need to have some control over. So we have left it to November as planned. He promised me parole until then and rightly or wrongly I am determined to have it. :?
I remain convinced that if I could start a less physical job than the factory tomorrow, these dodgy hips could last alot longer but maybe I am deluded? We did the happy test questions again and she had a small moment of panic when she realised I am already on the maximum dose AD's but didn't threaten to lock me up thank goodness and has agreed to a referral I feel I have been waiting for forever though a long waiting list of course.

So a good day all round, and head out of sand at last. Though I am so shattered at missing duvet day and have already opened the co-codamol. Thanks again DD for galvanising the troops and giving me the impetus to try and plan ahead, I hope you are resting up when you can.

Bless you all for the hugs, advise, support and good wishes. I will try and catch up on forum news tomorrow and leave you with sincere hugs to all those who need them today.

love and thanks
Chris xx

dreamdaisy

WELL DONE. I AM SOOOOOO PROUD OF YOU. You did it, girl, I knew you could, as did everyone else. I am always available for a good kick up the backside, you know I don't mince my words! It is a tough thing to 'get your head around' (I loathe that phrase but it does work rather well). You cannot be an ostrich forever, 'cos it willl only make things worse in the long run. The help is there - biting the bullet and asking for it isn't easy, but it does, and will, make life more comfortable/bearable. You stick with us Chris, we'll see you through it all. I promise you that. DD PS I rarely close the co-codamol!

barbara12

Awww Chris no wonder you are shattered,one appointment is bad enough, sorry I couldnt do more then 1 In a day :shock: honestly cab really do seem to be overstretched, I hope the numbers they gave you come in handy.There is one good thing you seem to have got on the good side of your GP, hope it carries on like that.
Dont forget (sorry more advice coming )try the social security, like I said my SIL bypassed the cab and went to them for advise, they where really helpful, not sure if they are all the same.
Sorry you have missed your duvet day, hope you get one Saturday.
lots of love and hugs (((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))
Barbara xx

tkachev

Hi Chris,

The CAB will help you with your forms when they arrive. You get a time period to complete them and the lady whos had the THR might be back at work and able to help you in the time limit. she would be great with first hand experience of the problems you face.Your claim gets backdated from when you ask for the forms.
Things are creeping forward. The billy no mates are peeps who ve lost their partners, kids moved away, just lots and lots of normal people like you and I. Dont be hard on yourself. Its lovely to get some advice and will make a big difference.
The trip to the job centre made me laugh.

Well I do hope my queue is only 6 people long!

Best wishes
Elizabeth

annie_mial

OH Chris, CONGRATULATIONS girl, you did it! And you have positive results too...........

I hope the payback doesn't last too long..........duvet day tomorrow, eh? That should help.

Like DD, I rarely close the co-cos!

Annie

speedalong

That's great Chris -a great result for your day off! Don't lose momentum now - order the DLA form.

I have heard negative things about job centres too from the parent's of young people job hunting and those who have been made redundant, good though that you have secured an interview with the disability officer - that is something I need to do in September ... so looking forward to another detailed post and lots of tips!!

Speedy

Wonkylegs

Great stuff Chris!

Proud of you for doing so much and sounding so positive about it all.

loads of hugs
WOnky

elnafinn

Good on you, Chris! Progress! Hope you get on well with the cocos. Never do much for me, except make me a little constipated and a bit whoosy when on the full dosage. Mind you after being really spoilt with Coproxamol (before they were taken off the market) that were fantastic, the pain melted away and absolutely no side effects nothing would ever be anywhere near as good.

Hope tomorrow is not too bad a day for you.

Keep calling in,

Love
Elna x

roses1

Hi Chris,

Glad to hear you stuck to your guns and got it sorted.!!

well done and keep it going.

Put your feet up and enjoy some rest!!


Rose x

salamander

Go girl!

jean123

Hi Chris,

You have done so well today.

(((())))))

Jean and the forum team

valval

hi chris if you want to look for job go to directgov jobs you can look for jobs in your area they the same jobs they put in your local job center and you can look any time of day or night.
look at acas for information about what employers can and can not do if you get any benifits you can get free legal advice if not no one wants to help oh it helps if you in dept as well they do not like it if you do not owe money

minky67

well done chris, it feels nice when things finally start moving.
You rest up now if you can & i expect to see you having a duvet weekend now
luv debs

skezier

Hi Chris,

You have doe so well today and am so pleased it wasn't too bad a day. Very glad you have had some pain control and I think you might be half wrong over your hips lasting longer but at least you wouldn't have so much pain cus you wouldn't be standing so long.

Leaving you a ((((( ))))) and a huge great well done as well! You have a good duvet day tomorrow and hope the pay back wont be too bad. Sleep well Chris. Love Cris xx

joanlawson

Well done, Chris. I have been following your progress, and you have done so well today. Have a good rest now.

Joan

frogmorton

Hello Chris!!

Didn't YOU do well??

Blimey what a day - I bet you slept for England last night

So you have a plan??

Take co-cos for pain

Go to consultant NOv as planned

Send off for DLA forms (when they come who is helping you fill them in?)

Contact red cross to see what they can help with??Before NOv apt

Go to Job centre fro hours apt

Blumin heck girl you DUN GUD!!!

Do you feel like that?

Love and huge hugs

Toni xx

carola

Hi Chris

Sounds like a very productive day yesterday - good stuff.

The job centre is crazy, isn't it? You can look up the jobs on the job centre website.

Did you say you were applying for DLA? If so, think positive. I applied for it for the first time and was successful so it CAN happen.

Hope you are able to chill out and relax today.

Carol

ironic

Hello Chris, Well you had some results after all. That is a good start. Still might be a good idea to apply for the council Tax as that seems to be the key to open other doors.
Blooming heck the job centre sounds awful. What on earth are they thinking off? Mind you could be a method in their madness; at least it keeps the unemployed out!! Their case load will be next to nothing.
Still you never know there might be a desk job selected for you, fingers crossed.
Glad the Dr seemed more attentive for you. Has the cold improved? Hope the co-coda mol has worked for you.
All I can say is that you have done so well. Sorry about the sitting around town for so long though. Still people watching can be so interesting.
Please look after yourself, and I hope Sunday is a quiet one.


Lv, Ix

chris7

Hi all

Thanks for all the replies and continued good wishes. Fraid today has been a bit of a payback day so confined to barracks as couldn't walk. :? My own fault but it is what it is! Hope to feel more human tomorrow as not at work again until Sunday. What on earth do they put in that cocodamol? :shock: Maybe just cos I am not used to it, but did wipe me out. I did phone for the DLA form today but got the third degree on the phone and don't feel hopeful.

Yes the job centre not the way I remember them from way back and was amused when enquiring about the disability person he directed me up the STAIRS!! They must have had a lift somewhere?
Anyway will let you know if the disability bod can advise when I see her next week.

Thanks again to you all, hope you all have a goodish weekend. Special hugs to you Wonky, sorry to hear you having a tough time. ((( )))
Chris xx

minky67

Hi chris, Keep on at it. The people on the end of the phone are there to advise & send out the forms so dont be put off. There not the descision makers.
please rest up now & fight on when youve regained your strength.
luv & energy debs

chris7

Hi Debs

Bless you for calling in again, when you have had so much to contend with yourself lately. I do keep an eye on you all in the cafe and wish things were different. You take care of yourself love. ((((( ))))
Chris xx

minky67

thanks chris, Its lovely to see you posting again.
I have been around too but a bit quiet of late.
Sorry i try to keep up with the threads & sorry i didnt reply sooner.
Things are getting better homewise & me, well i have the odd good day & more bad but i keep on plodding along.
I do so hope things come together for you & if you need any help or advice you know where i am.
best of luck debs

elnafinn

chris7 wrote:

What on earth do they put in that cocodamol? :shock: Maybe just cos I am not used to it, but did wipe me out. Chris xx

Hi Chris,

Good to see you posting. Yes, the cocos can wipe you out and make you feel rather whoosy. Hope you do not get constipated with them :roll: Are you taking the full dosage daily ie 8? There is codeine in them.

Rest up before work again to get some strength back.

Love
Elna x

skezier

Hi Chris,

Sorry you got payback there, i hope today will be better and you have less pain. You should adjust to the new tablets so they have less sleep factor I hope..... I have never been on them but think that's right. Hey if they make you sleep could I have one please

You have a decent day Chris and hopefully things will come together for you soon. Oh you can fill in the DLA form on line or print it off your self and do it to post if that helps? Love and a ((( ))) and since its you I have sugar coated it and chucked in some honey chew sticks... they seem to help Cris xxx

frogmorton

Hi Chris

The co-cos do that to me - but they work too catch 22 eh? Hope you recover from it all soon.

I just looked at the title of your thread and wondered

can we have 'lashings and lashings of ginger ale?'

Love and hugs

Toni xx

Off to A/c met this morning with Rose - we is scared :shock:

dreamdaisy

Hi chris, I am sorry about the payback but it goes with the territory, doesn't it? I have no problemds taking co-cos but they do bung me up, so I have docusate tablets to help things along. I have also found that COPIOUS amounts of cherries work too - and they're much nicer! You rest today hun, you deserve it. DD