On the 26/1/26 I was taken to hospital after suffering with chest pains. The result of this was that I needed to have triple heart bypass surgery.

It was completely unexpected and at the age of 53 I have found myself in a pretty rubbish situation

I work as a contractor and if I do not work I do not get paid. I live week to week, I cover my costs without issue but rarely have anything spare. I have 2 sons, one who lives with me full time. I have debts but I always meet the payments, until now of course.

The timing of it happening could not be worse. I’ve just come through Christmas and one of my boys birthdays as well as having enforced time off as my workplace shuts down. January, February and March are meant to be a few months where you just get your head down and do the hours to get yourself back on a level but I am out of action for at least 3 months but it could be 6 months.

I am awaiting on hearing back from the employer I have been contracting with for two and a half years to see if I will be able to return but my rights are pretty much zero so it’s down to them.

I haven’t approached anyone personally for financial assistance, I didn’t want to do this but I felt if I put things out there this way then I’m not pressuring anyone in particular for help. I have always been self-sufficient and I hate to do this but if you don’t ask then you stay in a crappy situation which can only get worse.

Where I am at financially, well I have an overdraft almost tapped out at £1k, I have a loan due at £250 a month and another card at £150 so that’s nearly £2.5k. over the next 3 months. I paid as much rent as I could at the beginning of the month but was still £200 short with another £725 due on the 1st so there’s another £925 so we’re nearing £3.5k. My bills for utilities (gas, electric, water and council tax) are £350 a month.

I am going to get support with accessing benefits but they pay these in arrears. My GP is getting me help with a social prescriber to help with all of this but it’s going to take time and the cost of living compared to cost of benefits just doesn’t add up.

Worth noting, I called my letting agents to let them know what happened and she was very understanding but another department has sent me an email over the £200 shortfall threatening action. I have always paid on time, never a problem, I always prioritise paying my dues so it felt like a kick in the gut when I received that as I am a good tenant.

I’ve spent the last 25 years working with vulnerable people. I always give when I can and I can assure you that any financial help provided to me will be paid back in kind. I will pay back directly or pay it forward to someone else.

My prognosis for recovery is actually good, I am still young for having an issue like this. I can barely walk right now but I will do everything I can to get well again.

The additional stress placed upon me due to these finances isn’t great. I should just be focusing on my physical recovery but I can’t do that.

I have been out of hospital 2 days and my son is my main carer, he’s being brilliant but he also needs to be concentrating on school etc, not his stressed out dad.

I’ve spent two weeks thinking about how I can resolve this. I hate asking for anything and I don’t expect to hit the financial goal I have requested but if I do I will be able to focus 100% on getting better.

Wow, that’s a long post, thank you if you read through it and thank you for any help you may be able to offer me.

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