Showing posts with label DVLA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DVLA. Show all posts
7 February- Driving licence returned!
Received a new driving licence, valid for 1 year, from DVLA today!tI's Not much use to me now.A few monthsearlier my visionwas good enough for driving to have been possible. Now it is so poor that typing this short post has proved amost impossible.
1 August - No progress
Today we received a reply from the DVLA about my driving licence application. The letter said that they could not progress this because they were still waiting for a reply from my consultant. This did not entirely surprise me as the doctor we saw a couple of weeks ago had told us there was no reply on my file. I would be very angry if I thought that would achieve anything besides raising my blood pressure.
We telephoned the consultant's secretary who told us that they had received a reminder. So DVLA are doing their job, it's the doctors that are the problem. There is not much we can do other than phone every couple of days until they get fed up with hearing from us.
This is so annoying. I don't have time to waste on unnecessary delays. My life is on hold until I get a decision.
We telephoned the consultant's secretary who told us that they had received a reminder. So DVLA are doing their job, it's the doctors that are the problem. There is not much we can do other than phone every couple of days until they get fed up with hearing from us.
This is so annoying. I don't have time to waste on unnecessary delays. My life is on hold until I get a decision.
16 July - Disheartening news
Went for my tri-monthly review with my consultant doctor today. After waiting more than an hour past our appointment time we were ushered in to see another doctor whom we had not seen before.
I didn't expect to learn anything new about my condition because I had not had any scans or tests since my previous visit. So we ran through the usual: any headaches, any seizures and so on.
I mentioned that I was applying to have my driving licence back and that they should have received a letter from the DVLA. He confirmed from my file that a letter had been received, but informed me that my consultant had not replied to it yet. That was the first bit of bad news. I have been waiting expectantly for the post every day hoping that it would bring news of my application. And based on how I feel, I was
beginning to expect the answer would be favourable.
But then the doctor dropped a bombshell. "Frankly" he said "I would not expect them to grant you your licence back because of the type of tumour you have got." I have got a Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade 4 (GBM4) which is incurable. Therefore, regardless of how well I feel now, I will never be rid of it and there is always the chance, the expectation even, that it will eventually grow back.
If I started having headaches or seizures then they would put me on steroids again. Any regrowth could be treated with surgery to remove it or chemotherapy to try and control it (though not more radiotherapy as I have already had the full dose.) So it would not be the end of the road as far as treatment is concerned. But no matter how long I survive it seems likely that I will never drive again
Of course, this is only one doctor's opinion. It is up to the DVLA's panel of doctors to decide. But I am trying to be a realist. If one medical specialist feels that way then it is likely that others will too. So I am feeling rather down at the moment. Being able to drive is an essential part of being able to live life as I want to live it. The only salvation would be for Olga to pass her test. No pressure, then.
I didn't expect to learn anything new about my condition because I had not had any scans or tests since my previous visit. So we ran through the usual: any headaches, any seizures and so on.
I mentioned that I was applying to have my driving licence back and that they should have received a letter from the DVLA. He confirmed from my file that a letter had been received, but informed me that my consultant had not replied to it yet. That was the first bit of bad news. I have been waiting expectantly for the post every day hoping that it would bring news of my application. And based on how I feel, I was
beginning to expect the answer would be favourable.
But then the doctor dropped a bombshell. "Frankly" he said "I would not expect them to grant you your licence back because of the type of tumour you have got." I have got a Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade 4 (GBM4) which is incurable. Therefore, regardless of how well I feel now, I will never be rid of it and there is always the chance, the expectation even, that it will eventually grow back.
If I started having headaches or seizures then they would put me on steroids again. Any regrowth could be treated with surgery to remove it or chemotherapy to try and control it (though not more radiotherapy as I have already had the full dose.) So it would not be the end of the road as far as treatment is concerned. But no matter how long I survive it seems likely that I will never drive again
Of course, this is only one doctor's opinion. It is up to the DVLA's panel of doctors to decide. But I am trying to be a realist. If one medical specialist feels that way then it is likely that others will too. So I am feeling rather down at the moment. Being able to drive is an essential part of being able to live life as I want to live it. The only salvation would be for Olga to pass her test. No pressure, then.
14 June - Another 12 weeks wait
Today I received a letter from the DVLA about my driving licence application. They have received medical reports from my doctors but it may take up to 12 weeks for consideration. Nothing to do but wait (im)patiently.
11 May - DVLA replies
After my last appointment with my consultant oncologist, who seemed satisfied that I would be able to drive, I wrote to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) enclosing the completed forms that they had sent me after my earlier enquiry several months ago to reapply for my driving license. Today I received a reply.
The reply said that they had written to my consultant and expected a reply "within six weeks." The rest of the letter seemed designed to prepare me to wait a long time. Their enquiries "can take some time to complete" it said. The rest of the letter could be summed up as "don't contact us, we will contact you."
Only in my wildest dreams did I expect the letter would contain a new driving license. But the knowledge that I will need to wait weeks before I get any nearer to getting back on the road is quite depressing.
The reply said that they had written to my consultant and expected a reply "within six weeks." The rest of the letter seemed designed to prepare me to wait a long time. Their enquiries "can take some time to complete" it said. The rest of the letter could be summed up as "don't contact us, we will contact you."
Only in my wildest dreams did I expect the letter would contain a new driving license. But the knowledge that I will need to wait weeks before I get any nearer to getting back on the road is quite depressing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)