When to return to work?

Victorious1

My story is long and convoluted, but I will try to give you the short version. I found a small breast lump during my regular self exam in May 2009, about the time I was finishing a graduate degree. I was far away from home, but I opted to stay where I was in order to get treatment underway as quickly as possible. A friend in the area invited me to stay with her during treatment, so for 11 months, I stayed with her (post-operatively after 2 surgeries and through 6 months of chemo and 7 weeks of radiation). I returned to my hometown after a long drive (split up over several days) last month. In the midst of it all, I still finished my graduate program and certification boards, so when I return to work, it will be to a new career.

Because of the travel required during my clinical practicum, I had resigned my job in mid-April 2008 and lived first on my savings. After the diagnosis, I applied for disability benefits from a private policy that I had paid into for about 20-25 years, but I had to appeal the initial denial because they couldn't understand why I couldn't be a student in the midst of cancer treatment. Once I graduated, I was able to prove that I could have started to work as a new graduate even before I took my board exam in most of the USA; I also sent letters written by my surgeon, medical oncologist, and the doctor who did my radiation oncology consultation. In order to make it financially until I was benefit-eligible, I took a large early disbursement from my IRA (which was untaxed), and then the benefits started...enough to help me pay my bills. Other large bills this year forced me to take another large early disbursement from my IRA, so now I have about $2000 left in my IRA, with probably about 15-20 years remaining until retirement.

When my benefit check wasn't deposited this month, I called to check on it, and the company said they would pay no more benefits until I (and my new doctor that I've seen only once) completed a form stating I still was eligible for disability benefits. My original medical oncologist said he really preferred that I not try to work until at least this July, so I recently had a good promising interview, but the practice said they wouldn't make a decision until the end of June. So I felt I was working within the time frame that had originally been decided upon. However, the benefits rep got really upset when I told her that I had started doing interviews, because if I was able to do interviews, then I had been released to work.

I'm still taking Herceptin (until the end of October) and getting periodic echocardiograms or heart scans, and today, I was evaluated for a cancer rehab program that I was referred to. I have some shoulder limitations and left arm weakness that may get me a referral to physical therapy, but otherwise, I'm able to take care of my needs, drive, and do light housework with occasional rest breaks.

It's not my wish to cheat the insurance company, but to hear them talk, I suppose I was supposed to lie in bed 24/7 until I was released to return to work, then interview, then pay bills (with no money) while I waited weeks to hear the results of the interview and hope I got the job. Am I the only one who sees that this doesn't make ANY sense at all?

So...what to do? When the questionnaire asks if I am able to work any type of job, I suppose I could (if I had a job), but they don't want me to interview. It feels as though I'm in a "no-win" situation and my hands are tied. Should I ask to be "released" at the end of Herceptin treatments and then if I'm feeling stronger following a few weeks in the rehab program (and ready to return earlier), then alter the plan? I'd hate to lose my benefits before getting a job, because other than the remaining IRA funds, I have no other income.

Any advice out there?