To work or not to work????

galeb · July 2013

I am 52, was 46 at 1st diagnosis, worked through chemo, 2 weeks off for masectomy. Felt like I never allowed time for my self. In April of this year had pnuenomia, found out I had recurrance later switched to mets. I have not worked since April, took FMLA and short term disability. Thinking of applying for disability. I may live for 10 years but will most likely be doing some sort of treatment, is it selfish to think that I deserve disability. Would love to spend what time I do have left with my family. Would like feed back or opinions.

BayouBabe · July 2013

It is never selfish to spend time with family! Do what gives you the most pleasure; you deserve it.

SheChirple · July 2013

If you qualify for disability, you can afford it, your doctor wants you to focus on treatment, and the time with your family is precious to you, GO FOR IT!

It is not at all selfish. It is the opposite. You are putting your family and your health first.

pajim · July 2013

Galeb, it is totally up to you. Some women like to work (that's me) because they like the community and something to do. Others take disability and spend time with their family.

You might check out the threads on social security disability. I'm not sure whether they are only in the Stage IV forum or elsewhere. They give tips on how to apply. Apparently a Stage IV diagnosis allows you to collect SSA disability.

Chickadee · July 2013

Any potentially terminal illness has certainly earned SSDI. You worked and paid into it and now you need it. If work is now an impossibility for you, Stage IV entitles you to an expedited review of your documentation. Documentation that supports your inability to work based on you diagnosis and side effects. Its not guaranteed but Since you are already taking advantage of work benefits I would predict you should receive approval. HR might be able to help you coordinate the application with your current benefits.

galeb · July 2013

Thanks for the info. There are days I feel like I could work, but at this point would definetly be a strain, want to concentrate on healing. Will look into it thanks.

pcremer2 · July 2013

It is not worth working if it is draining and not selfish to take care of yourself and not work. I am in the middle of making the same type of decision. I love my job, but think I only have the energy to work half time.

carpe_diem · July 2013

I went through the Compassionate Allowance process and was approved for disability payments in less than a month. I was already retired, so the disability was backdated to the date mets were found, but there is a five-month waiting period after you stop work. As Chickadee said, its only the review that is expedited. I really didn't feel terribly disabled and answered all the questions honestly about what I was capable of doing, but I was still quickly approved. From what I read about other women's experiences, this may depend on what state you live in, and maybe your age. I was already 62, so there was only a 25% difference between early SS and SSDI.

In addition to having more time with family, if you're feeling up to it this is also an opportunity for more involvement with community, both cancer services and other volunteer positions, that can take the place of work relationships while maintaining the control you need to pursue treatment.

curveball · July 2013

@carpe_diem, would the effects of your mets or side effects of treatment make you unable to work if you weren't retired already? I'm in a similar position to yours, Stage IV and retired. I had been planning to retire this past spring since long prior to my cancer dx and especially once I got the stage IV news didn't see any reason to keep working. Right now I have no symptoms or side effects, so I could work--I just don't want to. I don't need the money for basic living expenses but if eligible I could certainly find a use for it, and I'd like to get it if I'm entitled to it. I'm only 57 and don't know if I'll even survive long enough to draw normal SS early retirement at 62. Do you know if Compassionate allowance qualifies me to draw SSDI, even though I could work, and am already retired? I'm wondering whether in my circumstances applying for SSDI would be a waste of my time.

carpe_diem · July 2013

curveball,

I also had few side effects, especially back when I applied and hadn't yet done the mx, radiation, and reconstruction. I was suprised that I was approved after telling them I walked several miles a day and exercised regularly, but I don't know what my mo told them. I did have some nausea and fatigue when I first started anastrozole (it's pretty minimal now) but I would guess that the mo's office has experience in filling out these forms to her patients' best advantage. I would definitely apply and emphasize your ongoing treatment. I see that you've already changed medications and probably will need to in the future, so even if you feel well now, the next tx may be more challenging. Compassionate Allowance just speeds up the decision process to weeks instead of months or years. I would think you'd have an excellent chance of being approved, based on my experience, and it certainly can't hurt. Payments are the amount you would receive at full retirement and would be from five months after you stopped working. I felt mildly guilty, but I figured after all the years I contributed to SS, they would still be getting off easy. The application process was very easy and everyone I spoke to was concerned and considerate.

Good luck.

KaerligMor2 · August 2013

I found out I was Stage IV about a month ago, mets to T11 and maybe in T10 and a couple of ribs. Arimidex didn't work so starting taxotere and carboplatin next week. My Oncologist feels that I can continue in my job but I don't think he understands what I do. I teach babies. Best job in the world! I feed, change and diaper them, up and down, rock etc, teach them what is and isn't okay. I work in a large childcare center where we typically have 8 or 9 babies daily. I think that it will continue to be more than challenging to keep working' I have already used all my time off and do not have short-term disability. I know no-one can speak for me, but would it be possible nd/or advisable to continue working? Thank you!

carpe_diem · August 2013

You might ask your doctor if you're likely to have a low white cell count as a side effect, as happens with a lot of chemo. Even if you have the energy to keep working with babies, exposure to drippy noses and other infections might be dangerous to you during treatment.

VivianS · August 2013

I worked as a nurse in a hospital while I was going through chemo, but I was constantly worried about infection when my white counts were low. It was a real drain with my fatigue and anemia. When my cancer came back, (Bone mets), I decided to stop - my job was stressful, physically demanding, and not as much fun as working with babies! I got compassionate SSDI approved right away, but it does not start until 5 mos later. I was lucky in that I work for the VA and they are continuing my health insurance while my early retirement is pending (otherwise I would be in big trouble)!

Have you used your FMLA? If you can swing it, I think you should stop working and turn your attention to taking care of yourself. It is not hard to apply for SSDI, but you need the doctor to support this in writing. Easier said than done if you need to put food on the table and pay the mortgage! Good luck and best wishes to you.

To work or not to work????

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