October 28th 2010

I'm almost at the end of this particular chapter in my life. On Tuesday I see the specialist for hopefully the final (for now) time. he will have had a chance to look at the results of the bone marrow test and the CT scan, together with the blood test that I'll have before I see him.

Based on these results and any trends that can be deduced, he will give me an idea of the kind of remission I can look forward to.

Whatever the outcome, I have to go back to work. I've been relying on the monthly payments from an insurance policy to pay the mortgage, and they only pay out up to a maximum of twelve months and I received the last payment this month. I checked and I can work for a maximum of 15 hours and 59 minutes a week before I lose my Employment and Support Allowance, and I can earn up to about £95 per week. However, that benefit runs out in a few weeks and I'll have a monster booklet of a form to fill in, then have to undergo an examination by a "doctor" whose job it is to weed out bogus applicants. So it's just so much hassle.

I'm lucky in that I can go back to my old job, initially at 3 days a week. Obviously my wage will be cut by 40%, but that's still better than I can get from the government. I'd rather be working than sitting around vegetating, although I'm not sure if I'm physically up to it yet. There's only one way to find out.

So I'm going in to work next Wednesday, all being well.