Need to Work to Live

I was forced not to work in order to be eligible for the special Medicaid program for breast cancer.  I was receiving some temporary alimony in order to get back into my field and up to speed.  I am highly educated and have this big gap due to family medical, deaths, divorce, and moving; then I was diagnosed with cancer. 

Living here was only supposed to be a few months near mom after her sister and my dad died.  I hate the cold.  This is an economically depressed area.  I miss the cultural and other things I am used to doing.

The alimony ran out in March.  Now, I am on public assistance.  I put myself through a lot of schooling so that I wouldn't end of like this.  Hoping for a Disability appeal hearing by fall - more than 2 years post dx.  Paid into the system for years, this is what it is for, where are you?  Can't do what I used to do. The only way I am going to get working again is through a program.  It is going to take a long time to get nearly where I used to be salary-wise.  I have been living hand to mouth too long already.

I have a Master's in Public Administration and more.  Fighting the system is difficult.  I know how to shake the trees for help from the non profits.  Could have had a lot of help up here if I was a senior.  Fall between so many cracks.

 Last night was 2 years ago that the surgeon called.  Nobody remembered my official dx date of 4/26.  I am great with medical care - went through treatments and surgeries locally and hours away alone.  My cancer experience was lonely - everyone up here was either married, from here, financially set, was working, or  had a strong support system.  I have no family to speak of (mom and sister couldn't handle it - lots of bad behavior) thankfully heard from a cousin weekly cross country that I really did not know and is much older and did her best), poor relationships with the doctors who could not respect the fact that my resources were not like everyone else's and would respect my need for personal space (ex was abusive at end of long term marrige, wasn't even divorced a year when cancer struck).

I have lost everything.  Wasn't from here, no car, gave away my pets (am on the verge of having to euthanize my 10 year old dog who has been fostered out here and there for 6 months), living with my mom (not fun - anyone have a potting shed for me and my dog), sold as much as I could, and am deeply depressed.