What to do about my job..... any advice?

it's hard to figure out..
I was only working part time when I got my diagnosis, and had by necessity started drawing my social security checks early because I needed to for income purposes - I had insurance, but not through the job, through my late husband's company, and paid through the nose for it. But I'm thankful, because I sure needed it. Unfortunately, because of the many operations and the small staff at my office, I knew I couldn't ask them to keep me coming in the few days I could work and try to make a schedule around me - I ended up having 6 operations in the past 17 months plus all the attending doctor and lab appointments...the last one was just the day before this past Thanksgiving, so I left work and tried to get along with my retirement fund and SSN. Thank God, just as this last operation is wrapping up, I've found a new part time job, which starts tomorrow. It was getting pretty tight. I couldn't have gotten disability in any respect, not from social security, since I was already drawing as a retiree, and not from the insurance company, since it wasn't from the company I was working for. I have no retirement fund left, but at least I have, hopefully, my health now, and a couple new and improved boobs, plus a part time job for at least a while...which in this economy is a plus!

My advice, based on my last 18 months of no work, is budget carefully, and try to keep to some kind of schedule, even though you aren't working, at least when you're not in the midst of surgical procedures. Get out and perhaps volunteer if you're up to it. Walk - in the neighborhood or a nearby park. If you enjoy kids or animals, see if you can find a way to interact with them. Perhaps take some classes at a local school and learn something new that's always interested you that you didn't have time for in the past.

And whatever you do, best of luck to you~ We're all here for you!

cindycflynn said:

Mama G
Do you have a disability policy through work currently, or are you talking about a state disability plan?

Disability insurance can be a complicated area and probably all but impossible to get after you already have a diagnosis of BC.

Feel free to send me a PM if you want to get into details off the board. I deal with our disability plan at work, so I'm familiar with how policies generally work, but I need more information to be able to answer your questions.

Hugs,
Cindy

MamaG please write me PM
I hate insurance companis too., however I had to deal with them
Thre major types: through work, ask your HR
five states offered it, check with your state;
Social security Disability insurance - everyone who was working through life is eligible.
Even disability sounds awful, nothing wrong with it. You always can go back to the workforce if you feel better.
My advice - apply for all or at least for two of them.
I was on short-term from my employer and California state Disability. When I recovered I have returned to work.
Your oncologist should help you with paperwork and if you need to file before January1 2011, please do it. You have been working and paying for it through you whole life, now the time for using it.
Hugs,
New Flower

DONE
I can't be "done", but I am wishing I could. It is difficult to work for a new boss who is critical, negative, and has no compassion.

carkris said:

I am glad you have such
I am glad you have such informed people here to help. hugs!

Me too carkris, as, I don't
Me too carkris, as, I don't know anything about this. But, I wish you good luck!


Hugs, Leeza

chenheart said:

This may seems silly, but my
This may seems silly, but my advice about most things I am pondering is this: If someone asked YOU this question, and had the same feelings of reluctance, etc...what would you advise them? Sometimes it is just more clear when we step outside of our situation and put ourselves in someone elses...even if they are imaginary!

Hugs,
Chen

I was reluctant too
I was reluctant to file for social security disability insurance twice and it caused serious hardship. First time when social worker tried to talk to me while being in the hospital I did not want to even listen to her. I was confident that I did not need it even had have had a serious case. Later life showed otherwise I needed more time for recovery and treatments that took longer and had serious side effects. I did regret my initial decision and wish social worker could be more persistent and did a better job in explaining to my family and me that social protection is a valuable benefit, which everybody is entitled in.
Second time, when I filed for long-term disability with The Standard insurance company which was forcing me to apply for SSDI as well. When I refused explaining that I planned to return to work The Standard canceled my long-term disability claim.
Disability benefits, in most situations go side by side with medical benefits, including Medicare and medical benefits provided by employer even after leaving a workforce.

P.S.
Claudia,
since my estrogen level below zero and production of completely blocked I lost a sense of humor and diplomacy reacting to comments in direct and defensive way. If I misinterpreted -my apologies

New Flower said:

I was reluctant too
I was reluctant to file for social security disability insurance twice and it caused serious hardship. First time when social worker tried to talk to me while being in the hospital I did not want to even listen to her. I was confident that I did not need it even had have had a serious case. Later life showed otherwise I needed more time for recovery and treatments that took longer and had serious side effects. I did regret my initial decision and wish social worker could be more persistent and did a better job in explaining to my family and me that social protection is a valuable benefit, which everybody is entitled in.
Second time, when I filed for long-term disability with The Standard insurance company which was forcing me to apply for SSDI as well. When I refused explaining that I planned to return to work The Standard canceled my long-term disability claim.
Disability benefits, in most situations go side by side with medical benefits, including Medicare and medical benefits provided by employer even after leaving a workforce.

P.S.
Claudia,
since my estrogen level below zero and production of completely blocked I lost a sense of humor and diplomacy reacting to comments in direct and defensive way. If I misinterpreted -my apologies

I hope the process will be
I hope the process will be an easy one for you. I wish you the best of luck!

And New Flower, I always love what you write!


Hugs, Diane

chenheart said:

Sweet New Flower, yes, I
Sweet New Flower, yes, I think perhaps you did mis-interpret what I was saying! I have just found it is beneficial for me to put the shoe on the other foot. When I feel reluctant to do things, or if I am having trouble making a decision, if I feel maybe I am being selfish or my need/desires aren't all that important~ I stop and think about the advice I would give if someone came to me with these concerns. It helps me to put things in a much better perspective and I usually find that I can stop being reluctant, or feeling that it's nothing. I hope this makes sense! I was trying to help MamG know that she doesn't need to hold back or be reluctant to avail herself of assistance if need be! It isn't a sign of weakness...it can be a gift in a time of need. I apologize if I didn't make myself clear!

I don't have any information
I don't have any information for you Mama G, but, just want to wish you good luck as the others did. I pray for you!


Hugs, Angie

chenheart said:

Sweet New Flower, yes, I
Sweet New Flower, yes, I think perhaps you did mis-interpret what I was saying! I have just found it is beneficial for me to put the shoe on the other foot. When I feel reluctant to do things, or if I am having trouble making a decision, if I feel maybe I am being selfish or my need/desires aren't all that important~ I stop and think about the advice I would give if someone came to me with these concerns. It helps me to put things in a much better perspective and I usually find that I can stop being reluctant, or feeling that it's nothing. I hope this makes sense! I was trying to help MamG know that she doesn't need to hold back or be reluctant to avail herself of assistance if need be! It isn't a sign of weakness...it can be a gift in a time of need. I apologize if I didn't make myself clear!

Thanks Chen -Mama G how are you doing?
Mama G how are you doing?

New Flower said:

Thanks Chen -Mama G how are you doing?
Mama G how are you doing?

Wondering too how you are
Wondering too how you are feeling Mama G. Post to let us know, ok?

KathyLQ said:

Here's info on Social Security disability
Do a browser search for 'cancer and social security benefits'.

Here's one site which tells about when you're eligible for SS disability.

http://www.thedisabilityexpert.com/Cancer and Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Disability Benefits.html

and more specific as to breast cancer:

http://www.thedisabilityexpert.com/Cancer and Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Disability Benefits-breast cancer.htm

Hoping that you can find out
Hoping that you can find out the information from what everyone has posted here. And, good luck to you.