OK.. Who is BROKE?

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Ohbother
Ohbother Member Posts: 34
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

At the time of my diagnosis, I had already left my half way "cushy" Insurance Job and had returned to college to get my Master's Degree and Educator's License... (after putting my husband back through college for his degree) 

This October, lord willing, I will celebrate 5 Years out and will continue to be NED..

I am so happy but  I AM BROKE

I was able to hold on for about 4 years....then, BAM..we can no longer keep up...

I see a pain specialist/orthopedist because I've been left with constant and debilitating back pain... I am not physically able to work as a teacher... i have begun a job that I do from home and I LOVE it, but I don't make anywhere close to what I made before...And, I work just a couple of hours here and there a day...

 Has anyone gotten disability and not be Stage IV?... I have severe arthritis in my back that became sympamatic after all the chemo and radiation...In May, I tried to do some Spring Cleaning and ended up with severe side pain.. Turns out, I had a broken rib (no mets showed up)

I am considering the dreaded B word...(Bankruptcy)... To give me some breathing room and get back on my feet.... And, I have considered filing for disability...I tried to substitue teach to see if I could handle a classroom... 3 days of teaching and then I was in teh bed for 5 days because of the toll it took on my back..

Anyone else get past the cancer and end up in financial disaster?

bother...

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  • gale1525
    gale1525 Member Posts: 232
    edited July 2010

    Try it you have nothing to lose, you pay into disability  insurance when you work so some of the money is yours anyway.

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited July 2010

    I agree that your can always try for the disabiity.  I also wonder about a consult with a rheumatoligist and another ortho or neuro surgeon.  Second opinions are good things and just about always offer fresh perspectives.

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  • alice2089r
    alice2089r Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2010

    I was also an insurance professional Oct 2005 when I was diagnosed after lumpectomy a yr of chemo; herceptin and 36 rads I was left with multiple long term side effects...chemo brain, neuropathy in hands and feet, dmg to lungs caused by taxol/taxotere not sure which since I was on both in 11 wk period.  At time I was on long term disability through work but onc said I probably would not be able to work for at least a yr if at all and they had me apply for SS and was approved May 2007 but they actually went back to April 2006 eff date. As of last yr onc advised I was perm disabled.  I applied online and approval only took about 90 days.  Hope this helps.

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