STFU (Shut the F*** UP)

PickledPhyl

Looks like you used more onion than I do in the B&B. same color, look yummy. Do you water bath yours? I don't, they are crunchy so good cold 😍

Rapscallions - I love it....and ratbag, you can call me a ratbag any ole time Aly. I'll call you fartface - my own personal term of endearment. If I call you fartface it means you are dear to me.

Chicka-no-neulasta-thistime - the chemo session is over, sending you healing thoughts to recover.  One more, right?..then you are pau (Hawaiian for done)??  Chickie and Phylly - pls tell us when your chemo sessions are and when they will be done so we have another milestone to look forward to.

Chickster - when we got SSDI for my husband, I went on the website to see if he met criteria, then applied. Just checked for BC:

Disability Benefits for Breast Cancer

There are three ways to be found medically eligible for disability benefits when you have breast cancer: qualifying as a Compassionate Allowance, meeting the requirements of the official disability listing for breast cancer, or showing your limitations are too great for you to work at your old job or do any new type of work.

Compassionate Allowances

Social Security recently set up a program called Compassionate Allowances to expedite benefits to those with serious diseases and advanced cancers. Breast cancer that is diagnosed as having distant metastases or that is inoperable (surgery not available) or unresectable (not able to be completely removed) qualifies as a Compassionate Allowances condition. Stage IV cancer always qualifies as a Compassionate Allowance condition, with proper documentation. The SSA requests a pathology report and an operative report, if possible, to provide evidence that your breast cancer qualifies for Compassionate Allowance treatment.

Sometimes breast cancer doesn't qualify as a compassioante allowance at first bu t then progresses; see our article on qualifying for a compassionate allowance when cancer worsens.

Learn more about how Social Security expedites Compassionate Allowance cases.

Meeting the Disability Listing

Social Security evaluates breast cancer under Listing 13.10, Breast Cancer, in its listing of impairments that qualify for disability benefits. In this listing section, Social Security specifies the qualification criteria. If an individual has breast cancer, she must have one of the following to qualify for disability benefits:

• inflammatory carcinoma
• tumor with direct extension to the chest wall or skin
• distant metastases 
• metastases to the supraclavicularor or infraclavicular nodes
• metastaes to ten or more axillary nodes
• metastases to the ipsilateral internal mammary nodes, or 
• recurrent carcinoma (excluding a local recurrence that is controlled by treatment).

Note: Distant metastases occurs when cancer has spread from the original (primary) tumor to distant organs or distant lymph nodes. 

You can show your doctor the breast cancer listing and ask your doctor's opinion as to whether your cancer meets any of the above criteria. 

If your medical records don't satisfy the requirements of the breast cancer listing, you can still be approved through something known as a medical-vocational allowance.

Medical-Vocational Allowance

When you don't meet the requirements of the breast cancer listing, it's usually because your breast cancer is not as advanced as the disability listing requires. For instance, you may have only metatases to two or three axillary nodes. Fortunately, you still have a chance to get disability benefits, because the SSA will assess how much functional capacity you have left, to see if you are able to work. The SSA will look at how much you can lift and carry and the length of time you are able to sit, stand, and walk. The SSA will use this information to assign you a "residual functional capacity" (RFC) rating. 

Treatment for breast cancer can make it difficult to work because chemotherapy and radiation can cause pain, fatigue, headaches, depression, mood swings, and memory loss. In addition, recent studies show that a significant percentage of breast cancer patients who have undergone surgery later suffer significant pain for protracted periods. If you have pain and fatigue, your RFC may state that you can do sedentary work only. And if you are given a sedentary RFC and are over age 50, you have a good chance of getting benefits under a medical-vocational allowance.

Learn more about how to get a medical-vocational allowance.

Hope this helps.

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I have some good news but I'll wait until tomorrow to tell my rapscallian (ratbag!?!) fartface sisters, just too pooped to do the good news justice tonight. 💛 😎 💛

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjPmmCtHmfE

Morning gals!  This is just beautiful!  Gives me chills...xoxoxo

Oh Alyson!  You said CHICKENS!  Geez, don't let Cami hear you, she goes nuts, Ha!  They aren't mine...they are the neighbors 6 "girls"!  They are so tame, that little Ivy, their 4 year old just stoops over and picks them up in her arms...

And once you figure it out, it makes it all so simple.   I sound like Dr. Oz.  And try putting them on first thing in the morning, when your legs aren't sweaty.  I've even taken a shower with them on....THAT way it gets cleaned also!  What is "DVT?"  You mean Diverticulitis? I think you get that from snorkeling too deep? 

This kinda hit me today - Just wanted to share - then back to work - ChickaD - my sister has been having a few issues too but she finds if she keeps walking it helps the hurt.  She says she is so tired though she barely gets out of bed most days. I don't know how you do it... On the other hand, my breast pain is no cat walk either.. We are getting the meds switched a bit in dose to see if that keeps me from walking into walls in the morning.

Good Mornng all u ratbags--I love it.

Chevey that foot thingy is exactlu what I though u were talking about but could not describe it. I knew u'd get a pic. of it.

Oh chit I have to go back to sleep my eyes won't keep open and I even took a shower--so I smell good but not awake.

Oh Cami, you are in rare form today. That picture is worth a million. Made me laugh. Ewwww. Woke up this morning about 4 and went out on my porch, there was a pack of coyotes howling somewhere close by. Scary...I never see them just hear them. Ziggy was howling right along with them, tough girl.....

Just stopping in to say hi......wow, by the time I can get here most days there are two or three pages.  At this rate I'm going to have to hire someone to read for me...

Hope you are all going to have a wonderful Wednesday.  I'm taking Dh to the V.A. Hosp.  Has a hernia getting a bit too big.

Lilli

haha Chevy, I wasn't trying to show off!  I was trying to appear less pitiful!  Here's the good news in addition to SSDI:

**NO ZELDA THIS WEEK!!

**Last Ixempra is next Monday.

** I get to keep my life insurance at work, probably with a "waiver of premium" (sassy!)

**I probably won't wont be eligible for retirement benefits from my employer, but they are looking into it.

**I got the COBRA amounts for my medical, dental and vision insurance so I can PLAN! 

I'm feeling good still, which is a miracle in itself.  All in all, a GREAT week !

Hope yours is good as well!

He's wearing dark underwear b/c of a noticable other problem EUUUUUUU!

Phyllisohappy Now needy.med.org to find an organization that will help with COBRA . If you've contributed anything to your retirement fund , you will get a 100% of that back.

 Cami  you described your scenario very well. Your scenario IS highly unusual. You have chosen the management route that is best for you. It wouldn't surprise me at all that either the surgeon or the radiologist doesn't ask permission to publish your story AND the films. I could see them easily doing a co-author approach with submission to multipublications of journals of surgery and diagnostic imaging. It would be beneficial to all young docs in training.

Cami, I know babe. Even though your not having surgery. I just didn't want anyone to think it unimportant. You listened to your doc, weighed the risk. 50/50 chance of making it through is the translation. I know the doc told you all the organs that would have to be moved and fixed b/c you listed them. This is a major undertaking. It isn't just the organs, "there's a whole lot of work around doing that". Use that phrase, if someone says or trys to talk you into it. I'll PM and will discuss pain management lovey.

Now now I thought this was a respectable group, LOL. That really is eyecandy for this time of the morning. What a sight to be greeted with, much better than Cami's one.

Hope you are feeling OK today Chickychickdee,

Big big hugs

Okay, for the news:  There are two hospices in Hawaii that I am particularly interested in working at. I have an interview at one of them this Friday. This would be a very good opportunity for me, so please send me your positive thoughts this coming Friday at 9:00 am Hawaii time, 12 noon west coast time, 6 pm east coast time!

Good luck shell, keeping everything crossed for you!

Shellshine! The best of luck!

Little Shells!  Thinking of you!  Even if you can't SEE straight!   xoxoxoxo