I was diagnosed with a brain tumour and, the following day, was operated on in Hurstwood Park. I had the frontal lobe removed as the tumour was not easy to remove on its own.

Follow-on treatment meant radio therapy at the Sussex Cancer Centre. I cannot fault the NHS where my illness has been concerned.

It has been so quick and I have now finished my treatment and am slowly getting better.

But I have two children and my poor husband has had to do everything.

My kids have been brilliant helping out around the house. I am cross that my husband has had to give up his job to look after the family.

When it came to claiming benefits to feed my family, I answered everything to the best of my ability and was told, despite having brain cancer, I am not sick enough.

I can dress myself and wash myself which apparently means I am not sick.

Anyway, I was having a moan to my Macmillan nurse and she said I'd not answered the questions correctly and filled in the right forms.

I'd thrown away the one which said "terminally ill".

Sorry, but I'm not clocking out just yet.

I was then reminded there isn't a cure for cancer and we are all in remission, not cured.

Eileen promptly went on to sort out my problems and, thanks to her, I have been accepted and receive the DLA.

If it hadn't been for her, I would never have known.

It was the same with the other benefits. What is this country coming too?

We've paid our taxes and National Insurance for years to be treated like leppers when we ask for help.

It shocks me how this country is letting its sick and elderly down.

-Mrs Jackie Easton, Peacehaven