Remission? Great! Back to Work?

Lucky_Horseshoe
Lucky_Horseshoe Member Posts: 15
in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1

Good Afternoon Everyone!!

I received my 3rd clean scan in a row!  The doctors now tell me that I am in remission.  I had an Allogeneic stem cell tranplant on July 1, 2011.  The lymphoma returned.  The cancer doctors activated my Graft Versus Host Disease and I was sick for most of 2012.  Now I am in remission but still on cyclosporine and Acyclovir.  They just took me off the steroids a couple of weeks ago.  I have high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat.  I am taking medications for that.  I have problems with my eyesdue to the GVHD but they are healing.  I just had a mole removed along with a chunk of skin because the biopsy came back "maybe melanoma".  I am still waiting for confirmation from the Mayo Clinic on that one.

Did I tell you that I am in remission though?  I feel the best I have felt in 4 years.  I am bored staying at home now and want to go back to work.  What do you all think?  I had Stage 4 Diffuse B-Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  My doctors want me to go back gradually.  I am on social security disability and I don't want to mess that up.  But, my financial situation needs for me to go back to work full time.  Does anyone out there have the experience of going back to work and then having to go back on disability again?  I do get fatigued towards the end of the day; but, I think I can handle that.  I am an accountant so I sit at a desk all day.

I am curious to see what other survivors have been through.

Thank you.

Traci

Comments

  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #2
    Bumping up...

    Hi Traci,

     I do not know the rules with SSD and going back to work, nor how hard it is to get back on if needed again, so.... I wanted to bump your message to the top in hopes others will see and help you out. I'm happy you are in remission and feeling so much better..."Yeah"! Sounds like it's been a rough 2 years for you, so I can only imagine how good it feels to have those rough years behind you. You might want to call your local Soc.Sec office and discuss your situation and see what they think is best to do. Let us know what you decide. Best wishes...Sue

    (FNHL-2-3A-6/10-age 62)

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    Good luck!!! :)

    I don't know too much about the subject, but I have read up about it. The SS Administration offers incentives to SSDI recipients looking to start working again. Check out this link:

    Ticket to Work

     

    It looks like you can have expedited resinstatement if you discover that you're not quite ready to work. :)

    -Nathan

  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107
    #4
    Hi Traci

    I am so glad you are in remission!  I'm also sorry you are having the other issues and hope they improve.  Regarding going back to work - that's a tough call.  Should you decide to return to work, I believe there is a 9 month period for which you remain "plugged in" to the SS system.  Within that period, you find you are unable to work you are still in the system and can resume benefits.  After that, I think you have to reapply.  You should probably check the Social Security website and/or contact your local office and get answers.  What I'm sharing is based on info from nearly two years ago and things may have changed.  Also, I don't know what happens with medicare (if you are on that yet) during this period.  I do know there is a 24 month waiting period after approval for disabilty for most diseases for medicare.  

    Secondly, consider the stress of returning to work.  Even though your work is not physically demanding, there are the mental and psychological demands and you need to consider those as well.  I realize there's the financial stress of being in this situation as well and you have to weigh the two.  If you become of or near retirement age during disability, I believe SSD converts to SS Retirement.  I'm pretty sure once you reach retirement age and are on SS retirement, there are no limitations on income (you can work, etc.) but again, check with Social Security because things change.

    I hope things improve for you soon.

    Hugs - Jim

  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107
    #5
    unknown said:

    Good luck!!! :)

    I don't know too much about the subject, but I have read up about it. The SS Administration offers incentives to SSDI recipients looking to start working again. Check out this link:

    Ticket to Work

     

    It looks like you can have expedited resinstatement if you discover that you're not quite ready to work. :)

    -Nathan

    Hi Nathan

    Thanks for the link - it was useful.  When you feel up to it, would love to hear how you're doing. 

    Jim

  • Lucky_Horseshoe
    Lucky_Horseshoe Member Posts: 15
    #6
    unknown said:

    Good luck!!! :)

    I don't know too much about the subject, but I have read up about it. The SS Administration offers incentives to SSDI recipients looking to start working again. Check out this link:

    Ticket to Work

     

    It looks like you can have expedited resinstatement if you discover that you're not quite ready to work. :)

    -Nathan

    Ticket to Work

    Nathan,

    Thank you for the link.  It was very informative.  As I said, I really need (financially) to go back to work.  I am just so afraid that I am going to get sick again and be without social security help.  It has only been 8 months.  I will take other's advice too and call my local office. 

    I hope you are doing good too!

    Traci

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