Long-term disability

notme

I am 56 and am thinking about seeking LTDI and retiring from the work force. Has anyone else done this when not stage 4? I need advice. Sorry this is so long, so I created a short version in case you do not have time to read all of this.

Short version (skip to the chase)
Other than treatment for stage 3 cancer, I have a lot of other physical problems. My job is at risk. LTDI is an option. What should I do?

Detailed version (read all about it)
Before cancer, I had many chronic health problems. Among these are diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, bursitis, slipped disc, plantar fasciitis........ Everybody has their annual or semi-annual medical appointments for eyes, dental, pap smear, mammogram, but my other problems resulted in more visits than other folks. Thus, I resolved to try to skip some and spread them out as I did not want to be gone from work so much. I was embarrassed by the volume of medical appointments I needed and felt like my job was at risk. This is why I skipped my pap and mamo one year. I focused on visits that reduced my pain, and then I had to go to diabetes checks, although I cut back on these as well.

I skipped my July 2005 mammogram. In May 2006, I found the lump. In June 2006, I was on leave for neoadjuvant chemo and right mastectomy. Then I returned to work and did the radiation while working full time. I was stage 3 with 10 positive nodes. During the rads and for 4 months after, I could hardly stay awake at work and driving to work, but I managed. You do what you have to do. My last visit with the oncologist was good: NED.

I continue to work full-time and am starting to get my groove back. It’s just that my groove had some dents and scratches before treatment. Currently I’m getting some PT as I don’t have full motion in my right arm from the surgery and radiation. In September, I’m getting reconstruction.

So, I had too many medical appointments and problems before cancer, and now my appointments are at least doubled. My employer expects us to “make-up” time off for appointments. Ha! My job is at risk and I cannot survive without it. If the job goes, my insurance goes as well. I am being pushed to find another position in the company as my department is reducing or changing work force and I am low on the totem pole. Who wants to hire an aging woman that has medical problems? None. Can I face up to the demands and competition of a new position? I don’t think so.

I discussed this with my family doctor. His reply was to take care of my health above all other things. He said that I could probably qualify for a disability.

Is there anyone else on disability? Any advice? I need some help here……..

Thanks,

notme

LuAnnH

Here are some links about SSD and LTD. Look up your private LTD carrier on the web and see what thier requirements are to consider you able to apply for SSD. If you do apply and get approved you can get your life insurance policy through work (if you have one) converted to a private policy and get the premium waived.

http://community.breastcancer.org/ubbthr...ge=2#Post650174

http://community.breastcancer.org/ubbthr...ge=2#Post424992

LuAnn

notme

LuAnn,
Thanks so much for reading my post and giving me these links. This info is just what I needed.

notme