Is everyone still working or on disability.

• By mickyinko
• Posted September 30, 2008 at 5:11 am

Hi Bmack,
I had half my lung removed after stage 3a was diagnosed in april 07, had 12 days off for surgery the started adjunctive chemo which caused an embolism after 2 rounds, so from there it was on to daily radiotherapy and two embolism injections for 6 months. then a clear pet-ct scan in march with a recurrence in June, now on first line chemo taxo and carbo. All this and I work daily for 14 hours and have done since the day I left hospital. Even though it's a lot i Feel that I couldn't just sit at home doing nothing, I would just stagnate and at 53 years old i am too young to contemplate any kind of retirement. We oldies also have a lot to offer, my company have just asked me to write a complete curriculum for 12,000 teachers in Korea, a huge mission in anyone's book but something of a challenge and a feeling being needed.
All the best regards Michael

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• By jadams
• Posted September 30, 2008 at 7:47 am

This has been a delima with me for awhile. I've worked thru the 1st line chemo and radiation. Then the brain radiation. For me at work the brain radiation has been worse. I know the quality of my work is not as good as it used to be and my head hurts daily just from having to concentrate so hard. I'm still hanging in there but a lot of days I wonder.

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• By LTLCS
• Posted September 30, 2008 at 10:32 am

That I know of, Small Cell lung cancer is automatic YES/A Go, SSI/social security disability when you apply. Talk to your doctor, he/she will know.

But I do know some people who wish to continue to work, that's with small cell or non small cell lc.

I was dx.d IIIA-B 13 years ago and they SS told me I didn't qaulify. Yet I know many that did, so I am fighting it today after all these years. I worked 24 years of my life and it's shocking to have to go through all this happy hooplah! But, that's our world today. They give to some, and not to others. HUMM!!

Good Luck,
Connie

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• By Ruthy
• Posted September 30, 2008 at 12:06 pm

I have stage 4 non small cell lung cancer. I got my ss after 5 months of not working. I retired from my job at Boeing and then got my reg social security minus a few hundred a month. They told me it had to do with my age 55 and how much I had put in to ss . Since I've worked since I was 16 I had alot of points. Now social security disabilty is not the same thing . Hats off to any of you that could still go to work because I know there is no way I could do that. I had a very demanding physical job no way could I run up and down latters etc..

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• By debra1
• Posted September 30, 2008 at 1:28 pm

I have ext.small cell and I have worked all through my treatments except for the first few weeks. The hardest for me was the pci. I am single and need my health ins., life ins., and full pay. I also think it helps me get up and go everyday.....There were many days I was in bed asleep by 7:00 PM.

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• By Marg
• Posted September 30, 2008 at 2:44 pm

My husband has ext small cell. The docs told him to apply for SS disability. He was accepted ASAP, but you have to wait 5 months before they start paying. Luckily, I work and he had a long term disabliltiy insurance policy. We are on my insurance, (and it is so very good).

There is no way he could have worked this year. He sleeps 12 hours a night, and up until 3 weeks ago was taking an hour nap in the morning and a 2 hour nap in the afternoon. Now he is feeling so much better that he is starting to think about what he could do to volunteer at the schools or hospital. Unfortunately, with the brain radiation side effect of short term memory loss, I don't think he could still be the banker he once was.

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• By MarionW
• Posted September 30, 2008 at 7:05 pm

I had 1a going into surgery and 3a coming out. I took disability retirement from work which meant they would pay me the equivalent of 60 years old and 15 years of services and all insurance.

Social Security disability was given after 5 months of not working but was not difficult to get. Your doctors have to certify that you are disabled. I had my whole right lung removed so there was no way I was going to be able to put in the running around and stressful days my job required.

I am fortunate enough to be married and have additional income and I have no desire to work- I have lots of fun as much as I can. My work wasn't fun and I would not want to waste valuable time in that atmosphere.

Many people love their work and want to continue so that is individual.

I can always go back to work if my doctor says I could and I stay healthy so that is an option if you think you will improve and want to work again.

Get that paperwork in as it takes a long time to process. My best to you!

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• By greccogirl
• Posted September 30, 2008 at 9:46 pm

I tried to go back to work in 05 after my liver transplant in 04. Couldn't do it. I went out on long term disability and got my social security within weeks. Then cancer reared it's head in 06, so now there is no chance. Even my life insurance company gave me a complete disability wavier of premiums so when I do go, my husband will have that, which is a pretty good amount. He'll also have my retirement that I won't live to draw, and my 401K (if there is anything left). I'm glad. I'd hate to think after working my butt off for thirty years no one would get it.

I think you could get your social security fairly easily.

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• By Kerstin
• Posted October 1, 2008 at 9:11 pm

Hi there,
I am on disability and I work part time.
People on disability can make up to $940 a month, might not be much to some but it means a lot to us.
I had to wait six month after approval for my first check. Hope this helps a bit.
God bless you
Kerstin

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• By slbs
• Posted October 1, 2008 at 10:24 pm

At 57, I had no trouble qualifying for social security disability. Made person to person application and was told that lung cancer was definitely a qualifying disability. First check arrived in about 2 months.

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• By greccogirl
• Posted October 2, 2008 at 9:17 am

Kerstin, did you know you can only work part time for I think nine months? After that you can't if I remember correctly.

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• By Kerstin
• Posted October 3, 2008 at 1:33 pm

Hey Greccogirl,
TY yes I do know...I work for a Bus Company and drive Bus for our School District.....that works out well for me.
God bless you
Kerstin

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• By spot24
• Posted October 15, 2008 at 9:59 am

Hey,
my sister has SCLC and her onc suggested disability. He seems to be the only doc we have heardof that does. I would suggest speaking to your onc and then considering the SSI disability.

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