After Affects & Disability

ttwwspirit

Hi All - I am looking for anyone who has dealt with disabling after affects of treatment and successfully obtaining disability, either through social security or private companies, benefits. My issues are severe joint pain/dysfunction, fatigue and "chemobrain". Please, I am desperate. All income has been lost and all I get are referrals from all the cancer groups to other cancer groups and local services which only assist for low income, not non-income. please help (ttwwspirit@hotmail.com)

Ellison

In Oct. of this year, I was diagnosed with masatise breat cancer.

I have stage IV bone cancer. I was told nothing can be done and was given 2 to 5 years. I am at the moment on Femera.

I have applied for social security disability. From what I understand, because it is terminal, I should not have a problem. All you can do is apply. I understand that it takes 4 months from the time you apply to see if you are accepted. Then it takes 2 yrs. before you get medicare.

I would go for it. What have you got to loose... It is worth a try.

Good luck
I hope you get help soon
Ellison

inkblot

Hi:

I haven't dealt with this personally but if your doctor certifies your level of disability, with a specific diagnosis, then you should be able to successfully apply for either short term or long term disability. If you are turned down, then getting an attorney to handle it from there, should net a good result. It all depends upon what your disability is based upon, I believe.

Chemo brain is a hot issue and many studies have concluded that chemotherapy does not contribute to it! Many of us would contest that conclusion, but what's on the medical/legal books is what employer and soc.sec. administrators are going to follow. Chronic fatigue and joint pain probably have to be documented by a "cause" in order to be considered, again, meaning that it must have a specific diagnosis. (Just guessing here, from things I've heard from others in similar situations, so hoping others here can offer more specific advice for you)

Since you have no income, you should easily qualify for Legal Aid. My suggestion would be to begin there where you can benefit from their assistance and likely save yourself a lot of steps. (You can find them in your local phone book)

Hoping everything works out well for you.

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

jbodkins

Hi! Just read your message and thought I would tell you my experience. I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in Jan. '01. In Feb. '01 I went to the social security office and applied for disability benefits. They told me that they couldn't guarantee it, but they were pretty sure that I would be approved. About 5 months later I started receiving my benefits. My case went up for review last April. I only have some mild lingering effects from treatment, so I thought for sure I would lose my benefits, but I didn't. The best thing for you to do is go apply and if you get turned down appeal the decision. My mom appealed hers 3 times and lost. Then she got a lawyer and won. The lawyer didn't collect any money unless he won the case and then he waited for her to get her settlement before he collected!

rutaf

It seems that a lot of people get turned down the first time and then have to appeal. Keep trying.