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ACHIEVING GOALS UNEXPECTEDLY AS A STAGE IV BABE

sr2603
  • By sr2603
  • Posted June 24, 2009 at 7:59 am · 16 replies
  • Shared with the public
0 Recommendations

At the bright age of 46 and having been diagnosed as a triple negative breast cancer gal after a messy divorce, I lost hope of pursuing a career change to become a chef. Financial more than health issues prevented this. A month ago, I was doing a demonstration of nutritious foods and shakes at a cancer support group I set up at our local church. Whilst driving home I smiled. I realized I was never going to have the oppoprtunity to train as a chef, but had a small spot being a "chef" at church which made me very happy. One of the people who attended asked if I would repeat the demo again. So it just goes to show, God works in mysterious ways and open various paths to grant your wishes! I can be the cancer support group chef LOL.

I have realized that having stage IV cancer throws some curve balls in your path, but you can dodge them and achieve many great things. That made me feel good.

Explore topics in this journal entry and replies:

Cancer Breast cancer

16 replies

beebie

nice work! isnt that what this is all about. Taking advantage of whatever time we have left. To make the most of the life we have now. To still be able to feel pride, and be surprised and open to new experiences.

I'd love to have your recipe, I love protein and fruit smoothies. Last birthday I got a very fancy high speed commercial grade blender! Yum! Fresh peaches and blueberries in the summer are my favorite. Hope you continue to find ways to fulfill your dreams. hugs my sister, b

faithmena

sr2603 what a lovely post. I am so happy you had a chance to demonstrate your talents!!! It is so healing to be able to express our creativity. Wishing you lots of opportunities to showcase your talents!

sr2603

Beebie - send me your email address and I will send you some addresses. My email is on this website or sharonriley1@verizon.net.

Thanks for the comments girls.

margaret27217

Fantastic!!! I'm not sure if you have applied for disability, but I applied a month ago and received a letter of acceptance last week. Didn't realize that a Stage IV diagnosis nearly always qualifies. Not only that, they expedite it and will pay retroactive from the date of diagnosis (no more than 12 mos. retro). I also have a very small job and they are aware of that. I qualify anyway. Perhaps you would too. Hope this helps

sr2603

Margaret - I cant apply for disability because I heard that in some states it takes from 6 monhts to a year to come through. I would like to go on disability because I struggle now and again now and again on chemo, but simply cannot afford not to work. I live on my own and have a mortage etc. Its like being stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. If I could work as long as possible while my application is processed and stop working when the benefits are payable that might make a difference, but dont see that happening. LOL. I have been on chemo for over 18 months now constant and working full time. It sure is a challenge to keep up with it all. LOL.

kleighk

Congrats on your new found talents!!! You're right...God works in very mysterious ways, so He will work out your disability issues. Have you tried talking to anybody at your state disability or Fed disability about possible options? Does your employer carry any short term disability that will carry you until long term kicks in?
I will definitely keep you in my prayers for this, and I hope you get an answer real quick. Karyn

sr2603

Thanks Kleigh. I have short term disability, but was out on that last year. AFLAC. I dont know if you can claim a second time. I think I should make an appointment with the social worker at my local cancer center. She might point me in the right direction to get an appt with the Social or Federal Disability benefits. I am sure the dear Lord will work it all out for me. I just need to have faith.

Lr24

Hi sr2603 - I enjoyed reading your post. What a great talent to have "chef!" I watch Food Network a lot and think that it would be a fun job.

Now about the disability... it wouldn't hurt for you to go ahead and call the 800 # (can find it online) and start the ball rolling. They will explain to you a lot of your unanswered questions. It would be worth it to know. I applied for SS Disability last March (after procrastinating for a few months) and it was not that bad of a process. I was approved this month. And they do back date your application for 12 months from the date you apply (if your initial dx was 12 months ago or longer). Take care and good luck with all you are doing!

sr2603

LR24 thanks for the info. I will try the 1800 number.

barb366

That's very positive thinking. I think you even look like a food network chef! Good job.

sr2603

Thanks for the compliment Barb. This pic was taken pre-chemo when I had hair. What I have now is pixie short baby fine hair which I cant do a darned thing with and I dont look so great LOL. Before imy hair was very thick and naturally curly. I wont complain though' cause at least its hair

barb366

Yes, hair is good. Any hair. I started showing my head when it was just white and fuzzy. Thank goodness color came back.

Dreamy

I am learning to sew one article and mistake at a time.

sr2603

Isn't it amazing the little things that give you so much pleasure when you are a stage IV. I am sitting here at my PC with the window open and a nice breeze blowing through the room. I am going to take a nice cool shower to sooth my fingers and feet then have an early night. The perfect end to a great day!

Dreamy, keep practicing, before you know it, you will be turning out items you never would have thought possible.

Its the little things that matter!

kleighk

sr2603, have you contacted your AFLAC rep? I was signed up for short term dis. and I was able to claim it a couple of times, with months in between. I don't remember exactly how it worked, but there is a way. It is not a one time thing, I don't think. And mine went on for a year when I stopped working permanently. Also check into them waiving the premium. I know on some policies, like cancer, they will waive the premium if you're disabled. It might take a few phone calls, and some legwork to get the papers signed, but it would definitely be the Godsend you're looking for!

sr2603

Kleigh. Thank you sooooooooooo much for the advice. I will call my AFLAC rep and see what the scoop is. I thought short term disability was for perhaps a maxumum of 3-4 months or so. I suppose a phone call wont do any harm.

I the meantime I am going to finish work today and spend a week with my sister who has flown all the way from the UK to be with me. I hope my feet problems dont flare up on Xeloda so that we can go shopping and spend some fun time together.

I will check on AFLAC when I get back.

Hugs to you all.

Sharon.

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