Support
How does psychological support work?
You may go through several difficult periods during diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. If things become too difficult for you or your loved ones, you cannot control certain thoughts, or if the anxiety becomes too great, you can seek psychological support in most centres. This does not mean you are weak or crazy!
A psychologist will mainly listen to you and your loved ones, give you tips on how to cope with the situation to keep life bearable. You will get help to cope with the desmoid tumour, if necessary, get help to stay mentally healthy as well. You will need all your attention!
You can also go to other places for a listening ear:
How do you solve all the other problems?
A desmoid tumour can come with unforeseen problems. You can get extra support for many of these. Below you can already find some common problems with information. Meanwhile, we are researching and listing even more resources.
Applications and concessions
Most sickness funds offer services to support you. Also via Come at Against Cancer and Foundation at Cancer is information on psychosocial and economic support. Here you will find a number of items that may benefit you as a patient or loved one.
Work and disability
Because of your illness, you may temporary incapacitated are. If this is the case, you will be entitled to benefits during the period of disability. Also when you are permanent disability you can contact your mutual insurance company for this. Be sure to consult with your employer to see what options are available. Adapted work or retraining could be a solution.
Make sure the documents are submitted on time! Late filing may result in partial loss of benefits. A disability benefit can run for a maximum of 1 year. If you are still incapacitated for longer you will move to disability benefits (see next item).
Click on your mutual for more information on disability and how to apply for it:
Partial work resumption: Resuming work part-time will help you gradually get back into your normal work situation. For this, however, you need permission from the consulting doctor. If you do not have this, the recognition of the work disability will lapse.
Click on your mutual for more information on partial work resumption:
Disability
If you are incapacitated for more than a year due to your illness, you move to disability. This means you can get financial interventions for prostheses, implants and wheelchairs from the NIHDI, among other things. On top of this, you will also be entitled to an income insurance benefit. The conditions and benefits vary from one mutual health organisation to another.
Click on your mutual society for more information:
- CM (not available)
- Partena
- Bond Moyson
When there is a permanent disability arises because of your illness, you can also receive allowances and social support for this from the FPS Social Security. To be entitled to this, you must obtain recognition of your disability and meet a number of conditions. Click here for more information on disability conditions and concessions.
School
If you cannot attend preschool, primary or secondary school, there are options for classes to still go ahead so you don't have to miss too much.
During your stay at the hospital, you can receive education from the hospital school. For more information click here.
If you are absent for a long time, there are also possibilities to follow the lessons of your class at home or in hospital. Bednet connects long-term and chronically ill pupils aged 6 to 18 in Flanders with their own class via the Internet. A computer in the sick child's classroom is connected to a computer in the child's home or hospital. Via special software and web cameras, the pupil follows 'live' everything that happens in the classroom and can follow the lessons. He can ask questions and talk to his classmates. Thus, they are with the class and stay in touch with their friends. Bednet is free for both the school and the sick pupil.
You can apply for this yourself or this can go through the school. Keep in mind that the application will take a few weeks. The sooner you know when you are absent and that the application is made, the smoother the education via Bednet can start. Want to get started with Bednet? Then check out here for more information.
Another option is Temporary Home Education (TOAH). This can be provided by the school if your school is not too far from your home. This involves a teacher coming to teach at your home for 4 hours a week. You do not have to pay for this help either. At this website you can find more info on home education.
If you take classes in higher education and will be absent for a considerable period of time, you can apply for special status in most colleges or universities. This status allows you to spread your exams, use facilities, etc. For more information, contact your educational institution.
Statute 'severe illness'
Compulsory health insurance puts cancer on par with a chronic illness. Like someone who is chronically ill, you are dependent on others and often face heavy medical expenses. Therefore, under certain conditions and depending on how independent you are, you get an annual lump sum (a fixed amount) from your mutual insurance company.
You can check with your health insurance fund for which costs you can receive reimbursement:
You can find out more here find at the NIHDI.
Depending on where you work, you are also entitled to guaranteed pay after the statutory sick days have expired. Contact your work's human resources department for this.
Living
You may face problems in taking out debt balance insurance and paying the premiums. If you don't agree with the decision or conditions set by the insurer, you can do something about it. At this website you can find more information on this.
Kinesitherapy
For physiotherapy, you always need a prescription from your doctor. It is therefore important to discuss with your doctor whether physical therapy is appropriate in your case. As it often involves very radical surgery, it will always be important to proceed with caution. Good consultation between the therapist and the doctor is therefore also necessary. Proper rehabilitation, however, can ensure that your functionality will improve enormously. Better strength, stabilisation, balance and coordination will ensure better comfort in daily life.
After surgery, your pathology is very likely to fall under the "Fa" list. This entitles you to a maximum of 60 physiotherapy sessions reimbursed at the best rate, for a period of 1 year (365 days from the date of the 1st session). Should you still need more than 60 treatments, they can be continued after that but at a lower reimbursement rate.
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