Anyone else self employed????

It’s could be difficult but do you really have a choice? Are you single because you don’t mention a significant other?

I had a PT job and took medical leave when I was DX because I had to have 33 radiation treatments. Many women work during treatments but my job was the graveyard shift across town and very detailed work. Fortunately I was able to take early retirement and it’s worked out well for my husband and I.

How much time and effort you will have to devote depends on what surgery and treatments you have. There is also down time and possibleside effects. Hopefully your’s won’t be too debilitating.

We all drew the unlucky card. The timing sucks but so does the disease.

I understand you have to work to survive. I would suggest asking for help from friends and family. Support is important. Find creative ways to get the job done.

You will get through this. We are living proof of that. Some of the women who have posted are defying incredible odds and doing fine. You will too.

Diane

My BS gave me the name of a social worker, who I am going to contact to see if there are any resources that I qualify for. I'm single, but not self employed. Living paycheck to paycheck, less than 2K in savings - unlike you I can take FEMLA to secure my job, but that's unpaid leave - I have a mortgage, IRS debt totaling upwards of $87K thanks to the ex - no where to turn.

I relate to your anxiety 100% - one thing, one day at a time has been my approach so far. Awaiting to see how complicated the rest of my treatment will be.

keep breathing....

Do you have a local BC association? The one where I live offers financial support for various things. If nothing else, they might know of resources you can tap into. The facility where I get chemo has social workers, but also has a specific financial counselor to help with insurance issues among other things. The nurse navigator can probably direct you to the right professionals.

I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you. I'm alone too, but can't imagine having to work while juggling all the appointments etc. in addition to being on your own. This place is a wonderful resource for information, guidance and just venting, so please use it as much as you need.

I'm self-employed but not single. My DH is also self-employed, but I've usually been the main breadwinner, but not through cancer. Worked through most of it. The only times when I couldn't were once during chemo when I had a terrible cold and after surgery and radiation when I was on heavy-duty painkillers. I won't deny the my income dropped, and I wasn't as productive as I usually am. But I could work.

You CAN do it. It's not easy, but it's possible. Step one: make sure you have the best medical team you can find and then put your faith in them. As long as you are satisfied that you have good people, you can let yourself be treated without second-guessing everything. As someone said, talk to a social worker where you're being treated and see what they can find for you in the way of local resources.

I was very careful in telling people I know, because I didn't want word to get around that I was ill and couldn't work. My friends were amazing and so helpful. Ditto family. Lean on people, even if it's hard, because you need every single speck of energy for fighting cancer.

It is the unknown aspect of the illness that is so hard to process, but from your diagnosis, I'd say you have a good chance of doing very well. Good luck!

I'm self-employed too, plus I'm caregiver for my spouse. Tons of sympathy to you. I don't know how we're going to do this ... but we will, because we are smart and have good support, right? I have a question that I'll also post in another thread: I'm trying to keep up with work (it's all at the computer) but kind of worried because my lumpectomy was a week ago and I don't want to raise my risk of lymphedema. Anyone with experience on this?

Hi

I'm in the UK and self employed also. I also have a large family so several jobs and several children. I panicked to begin with about how on earth I could keep on top of everything. There's no easy answers but what I do is make sure I keep a 'project plan' of where I'm up to with all medical stuff - ie I know when to chase a test results and I know when to book the next appointment etc. I keep this by my PC so I can regularly review it. Then I try to spend a bit of time each time (not ages, say 30mins) just checking in to the forum so I can see if there's any info that would be helpful to me or any support I can give others. Then I try (don't always succeed) not to panic with all the balls up in the air at once. I tell myself that I am working out a system to cope with it all and it's not perfect yet but as time goes by I will get better at this. What I have done however is cut down hugely on social stuff. I see one or two friends but not many. I did find that something had to give.

Hope this helps.

My mother was recently diagnosed with IDC HER2+ breast cancer and she is self-employed as well. We live in the US so no single-payer system here. She has insurance but it is not comprehensive; instead, it is a limited benefit insurance plan. I suspect she may be able to obtain comprehensive medical insurance through her state's insurance exchange. The only problem is that she has missed the general open enrollment period and it will not return for at least 7 months. She may be able to qualify for a special enrollment period. Any self-employed ladies in the US obtain comprehensive insurance post-diagnosis and outside of the exchange's enrollment period? If so, how did you do that? Any other resources you find to help defer the cost of treatment? I have about $11k in savings for her but I know that's not going to be enough to cover her living expenses and treatment.

DF, If your Mom qualifies, she may be able to get a grant for part of her treatment. She should talk to the social worker at the hospital where she is being treated. I had a huge deductible 2yrs in a row during treatment and I did get a grant to cover some if it, so, it is worth checking in to. I hate that patients should have to worry about financial issues when fighting BC. It can be over-whelming. Best wishes.

LoriCA, Thank you for your help! I've dug into the special enrollment period you mentioned and it seems like there's no way in. She recently moved but did not have comprehensive health insurance in the 60 days before she moved. She still had that limited benefit insurance which seems like a scam the more I look into it. I've started to "shop around" now and I think I've found an imaging center that will help with the myriad of scans she will require. I'm frustrated but not yet defeated. I'm willing to get on a payment plan but I just don't want providers to deny her at the outset. Selfishly, I cannot imagine life without her. I'm grateful that you shared your story and tips. I wish you all the best.

Keepthefaith, Thank you as well! I've started researching grants and they seem like a viable option. I appreciate the advice.