Listen: Aberdeen mum says oil job loss not an option following husband's death
Kristeen Brechin lost her husband David to cancer back in January
A mum of two, working in oil and gas, has been sharing her story of pain and uncertainty with Northsound News.
Kristeen Brechin from Bridge of Don has survived the North Sea job cuts, but it hasn't made life any easier.
After watching her husband David get back into work following his redundancy, just two days before Christmas they were given the devastating news that he had terminal cancer.
She shared her story with Northsound News reporter Phil McDonald.
Kristeen got in touch with Northsound News following a social media call to speak to oil and gas workers who had been made redundant.
She is still employed, but after seeing her her husband David lose his job and fall ill, she decided to tell her story.
"People don't seem to realise the horrible knock on effect the down turn on the oil and gas has had on so many families.
"My husband David was made redundant from a managers position in the oil and gas in June '15, one week before our son was born.
"With very little savings left after buying all our baby things and our recent wedding,
"David applied for over 500 jobs resulting in one interview which was unsuccessful. He finally managed to land a job as a delivery driver in November 2015 on minimum wage.
"It wasn't great but at least we had money coming in.
"After many complaints of back pain, and after many tests and scans David was diagnosed with an incurable cancer on 23rd December 2015, with a survival rate of 2-3 months.
"Not the news you want to hear when it's your sons first Christmas, now knowing it's your husbands last.
"We were still in a lot of debt and couldn't afford to make it a Christmas to remember. But even if we did have the funds, David was too poorly and we were too devastated to really enjoy it.
David's condition worsened in the next few days and on Hogmanay we were given the news that life expectancy was now 2-3 days. There was no time or money for a bucket list however I'm grateful we got the chance to say the things we wanted to.
"David fought hard until the 18th January 2016 when his organs started to fail. He was surrounded by family when he passed. He was 40 years old.
"Most mothers find it extremely difficult returning to work after having a baby so I'm sure you can imagine how difficult it was for me having to return on 7th March 2016.
"I suppose I should be thankful I have a job to go to however I'm now a widow at 31 and two young boys have to grow up without their dad. With all the job cuts, I'm petrified that I could be next.
"What I'm trying to say is the loss of a job is only the start of the difficulties. Next is the stress and worry of how the rent will be paid, where can we make cost cuts in the food shopping, wondering whether or not you really need the heating on, or should we just put on another jumper?
"Most companies in the oil and gas offer life insurance through their private pension schemes. David and I were both enrolled in this however since David was made redundant, the insurance was cancelled.
"As I was still technically employed, receiving Statutory Maternity Pay, I was entitled to very little benefits. It's also so complicated trying to find out what you're actually entitled to and help is needed to fill in the forms correctly.
"I received help from Maggie's cancer charity however unless you have a cancer diagnosis, there doesn't seem to be much help in this area."
"It's my wedding anniversary today and when I saw the post on Facebook I felt I wanted to share my story.
"Thank you for reading it."