I was diagnosed with stage lll ovarian cancer in february this year. after surgery i had 6 cycles of chemo. I finished in july. Three weeks after the end of my chemo I had my IP port removed and I am now on a trial for the next 18 months. I am getting an income protection insurance payment each month. Today I had a call from my doctor saying she received a letter from the insurance company wanting to know why I was not back at work. they felt that the side effects I am experiencing was not enough to prevent me from going to work. I work in retail and I am on my feet all day. I thought it would be better to go back after christmas. this is such a busy time of year when you work in retail. Should I go back know? They make you feel like you are just lazy. If they stop my payment I will have to go back. I hate insurance companies.
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getting back to work
- By kurri
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 5:24 am · 9 replies
- In Financial and insurance issues
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- By Nanamom
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 9:17 am
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I am also III C and had extensive complications after my debulking surgery 11/07 and throughout the time I had chemo but all I wanted to do was to get back to some kind of a normal. I actually had to relearn how to walk among other things and was in rehab for 17 weeks. I started back parttime for two months and was finally able to go back to fulltime work 6/08. I had a handicap tag to help me make it to my office. I do not stand very much - mostly sit at a desk but I teach at a college so I have to stand sometimes during class - I generally lean on a desk.
I need the insurance provided by my job but I also enjoy my work immensely and I think the stimulation of working provides a great distration from the challenges of ovarian cancer. I am now in recurrence and on carbo/taxol. My chemo is on Fridays every three weeks so I typically miss the Friday and the following Monday. I feel fortunate to be able to work through chemo even though I'm not a bundle of energy.
Can you start back part time and see how your energy is? When I first started back I would go home and nap for about an hour. Also, can you sit on a stool or office-type chair on wheels? I usually have that option because I just get very tired standing for any length of time. Best wishes!
- By ldianne
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 10:49 am
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I also was diagnosed with stage IIIc ovarian cancer in
October of last year.....and finished chemo in April '09.
My regular job is in consulting but I lost that during
chemo.....I didn't go back part-time to retail until September because I didn't have the energy and it
is a lot of standing and very tiring...I could not possibly do this full time right now.....
I am looking for other work in the meantime....I do have
disability insurance...I am 61.....and this helps....
Christmas is a very busy time but a good time to work because after Christmas it will probably be a little slow.
If you could go back part-time, that might help you ease back in...
Hopes this helps....and Good Luck!
- By Milashka
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 11:07 am
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Okay, I am stepping on my soapbox :)
I am originally from Germany where you are sent to rehab after chemo - 3, 4 weeks of detoxification, mud baths, massages, rest and good food, to get you back up quickly.
Here, they spit you back out into the real world fast. If you don't work during chemo, you're expected to do so afterwards. I was off work from Nov 05 through April 06 and started back full-time (office job) 30 days after my last treatment.
My doctor's office said 6 weeks post-op, when I tried to work but couldn't sit long because of incision pain: "you will never get back in the swing of things if you don't get back in the swing of things". I thought that was rude. I was hurting - huge abdominal incision and two toxic treatments under my belt! I wonder how much they would feel in the swing, after that!
My problem also was/is that I live alone. While I may have had the energy - barely - to do some light office work, I would have not been able to do anything else - like grocery shopping, laundry, taking care of my dog and my household. Towards the end of treatment, I slept 15 hours a day!
It really irks me that patients are almost expected to suck it up and continue with their lives as is. I know a lot of women that prefer this, and that is fine - however, it is also important to remember that you are not just battling the flu, but a fatal disease and potentially fatal treatment, and I think it's better to acknowledge that and give the body what it needs - rest.
Another consideration if you are still undergoing treatment, is the potential to catch the flu - cancer patients are at high risk. So if your immune system is still down, I would not recommend working retail during flu/swine flu season. I wonder if your doctor would be able to explain that to the insurance company.
(I work at a large university so exposure to germs and viruses was a big concern for me).
- By Shearaw
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 11:39 am
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I have been on disability for over 3 years, and have had to navigate the ins and outs of my own policy, too. For example, it is important to know whether or not your policy will provides for partial disability benefits and return-to-work coverage. You don't want to be penalized for trying to work, and then finding out that certain side effects make it very difficult. I was able to try a return to work, but I was unable to continue, and my full benefits kicked back in.
You mentioned that you are on a trial. If that has side effects, perhaps your doctor needs to more clearly explain those to the insurance company. I am a little surprised that the insurance company went directly to the doctor, without sending you a copy of the communication. My disability insurer always send requests directly to me. I also have had the same case worker for the entire time, so that she is familiar with the matters on my case. She has been very courteous and professional in every matter, and has worked to expedited things when unforseen red tape delays get in the way.
Good luck to you.
- By pat813
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 7:53 pm
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I think that deciding when to go back to work is a very personal decision. When I was first dix, my instinct was to take LOA, but very glad that I didn't. I went back to work 2 week after surgery and have worked all thru my treatments.
I am very fortunate to work for a wonderful company that has been supportive and has been like my second family. I have tried not to take advanage of their flexiblity and have limited my time off. For me, work was a distraction--it allowed me to focus on something other than my cancer.
I am exec recruiter and most of my day is behind a desk. Unlike you, I am not on my feet all day and have no idea how difficult that would be.
My only "profesional" advice I would give you.. is to reach out to your employer personally to discuss your decision and not allow the insurance company to be your communicator. At the end of the day, you will be the one that walks back into that store and not the insurance company. Preserve your relationships with you boss and coworkers.
Good Luck with your decision.
- By quacker
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 10:52 pm
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The new rules of social security disability gives automatic approval to anyone with stage III or IV OV CA, no questions asked. Perhaps you could use this news as "leverage" with your insurance company.
- By Cactacat
- Posted November 6, 2009 at 7:48 am
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I never did go back to my old job after being diagnosed with stage III in 1998. I'm an accountant so I began working from home during income tax season. Also I found that I could sell lots of stuff on eBay so I started that business. I'm still at it and it's been almost 11 years now. And I'm on social security disability. Had no problem getting that after my second recurrance. Just finished up chemo following my 4th recurrance. Got to keep plugging along!!
- By Milashka
- Posted November 6, 2009 at 9:47 am
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If you have health insurance through your job, then go on social security disability, what happens to your health insurance?
- By TvlBeach
- Posted November 6, 2009 at 10:23 am
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You pay for cobra for 18 months at full price. If you do this, make sure you put in the paper work than you will have to extend until Medicare kicks in at 2 years. If you don't do it in the beginning they don't have to cover you till Medicare starts. Paying for health insurance is like sending a 1/2 kid to college!!!!
I am finally on medicare, but still trying to find the best supplement with people with cancer. I do not know how some of our senior population does it.
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