What do you do about your job

buckeye2
buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
My husband has not been working since his diagnosis at the beginning of May. He gets chemo every other week and would not be able to work that week but the next week he feels good enough to work. The problem is that his job involves working with live turkeys and they carry disease. With his immunity down from the chemo, the doctor believes it isn't in his best interest to be around them. He is Stage IV with one spot on the liver and a mass outside the colon. Dr. says chemo indefinitely. I want him to make a decision that is in his best interest for his health. I worry no work will give him too much time and he will become depressed but also want him to have the time he needs to do fun things when he feels good. I am curious as to what others of you have done. I assume he is eligible for disability but have not explored this option. Fortunately, I have the insurance through my employer.

Comments

  • daBeachBum
    daBeachBum Member Posts: 164
    #2
    This is a tough one...
    I am sorta going through the same thing - albeit without livestock :-)

    I did some on-line research and reached out to some people with HR experience. Its a LOT more complicated than it might seem, when you figure in; insurance, FMLA, STD, LTD, SSDI and the implications of going part-time and the possibility of losing your job for any reason after you go back. Even the state you live and work in in comes into play. Let alone the health implications of his job!

    I am going to bite the bullet and pay a disability lawyer for a consult soon. It won't be apples and apples, but I can PM you with what they say. You may want to consider doing the same... I may also reach out to Livestrong.org I hear they have an excellent "Navigator" program.

    Strength and love to you both!
  • buckeye2
    buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
    #3
    daBeachBum said:

    This is a tough one...
    I am sorta going through the same thing - albeit without livestock :-)

    I did some on-line research and reached out to some people with HR experience. Its a LOT more complicated than it might seem, when you figure in; insurance, FMLA, STD, LTD, SSDI and the implications of going part-time and the possibility of losing your job for any reason after you go back. Even the state you live and work in in comes into play. Let alone the health implications of his job!

    I am going to bite the bullet and pay a disability lawyer for a consult soon. It won't be apples and apples, but I can PM you with what they say. You may want to consider doing the same... I may also reach out to Livestrong.org I hear they have an excellent "Navigator" program.

    Strength and love to you both!

    Good Advice
    That's good advice. Keep me informed and I will do likewise. Nothing is ever easy in this game.
  • daBeachBum
    daBeachBum Member Posts: 164
    #4
    buckeye2 said:

    Good Advice
    That's good advice. Keep me informed and I will do likewise. Nothing is ever easy in this game.

    Livestrong.org Navigator video
    Here is a good video that explains what kind of support Livestrong navigators can provide.

    http://www.livestrong.org/Get-Help/Get-One-On-One-Support/LIVESTRONG-Cancer-Navigation-Center
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #5
    Working with Turkeys
    I know the feeling...
    He is entitled to FMLA, I would also think that since he is stage IV and may be on chemo for a while that he would be able to collect SSDI. They usually "fast-track" people who are stage IV for the SSDI.
    I would look into it for sure.
    It's great that you have the insurance. I'm sorry that he (and you) is going through this.
    -phil
    Sorry bout the fowl humor
    ;-)
    SSDI Link
  • buckeye2
    buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
    #6
    PhillieG said:

    Working with Turkeys
    I know the feeling...
    He is entitled to FMLA, I would also think that since he is stage IV and may be on chemo for a while that he would be able to collect SSDI. They usually "fast-track" people who are stage IV for the SSDI.
    I would look into it for sure.
    It's great that you have the insurance. I'm sorry that he (and you) is going through this.
    -phil
    Sorry bout the fowl humor
    ;-)
    SSDI Link

    Thanks
    Thanks for both the laugh and the info.
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #7
    buckeye2 said:

    Thanks
    Thanks for both the laugh and the info.

    Talking Turkey
    He probably won't be able to keep his job if he is taking time off for chemo and any surgeries that he may need. FMLA covers your job for 12 weeks, so if he is going to lose his job anyway because of that, if... they he should protect himself. Get all the benefits before his loses them, if he goes back to work he may lose LTD, remember there is a waiting time for LTD from any employer. Also, there is accelerated life insurance benefit, anyone in stage IV would probably qualify for that. Even is death isn't in the next 6-12 months. Read your documents. I went out on FMLA and collected STD, but I went back to work while on chemo. I feel now that I should have checked into accelerated life insurance and LTD, because I was let go when I went back. But...that is another story.

    I would listen to ONC also...
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    edited October 2020 #8
    Nana b said:

    Talking Turkey
    He probably won't be able to keep his job if he is taking time off for chemo and any surgeries that he may need. FMLA covers your job for 12 weeks, so if he is going to lose his job anyway because of that, if... they he should protect himself. Get all the benefits before his loses them, if he goes back to work he may lose LTD, remember there is a waiting time for LTD from any employer. Also, there is accelerated life insurance benefit, anyone in stage IV would probably qualify for that. Even is death isn't in the next 6-12 months. Read your documents. I went out on FMLA and collected STD, but I went back to work while on chemo. I feel now that I should have checked into accelerated life insurance and LTD, because I was let go when I went back. But...that is another story.

    I would listen to ONC also...

    FMLA

    Just to clarify FMLA, it's 12 weeks during a 12 month period. You know the govt, details, details... Here's a link about (link expired - removed by CSN)  You brought up some good points Nana about LTD and the waiting period etc... -phil

  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #9
    PhillieG said:

    FMLA

    Just to clarify FMLA, it's 12 weeks during a 12 month period. You know the govt, details, details... Here's a link about (link expired - removed by CSN)  You brought up some good points Nana about LTD and the waiting period etc... -phil

    FMLA
    It may be a rolling 12 month period or, it may reset January 1. Each company is different on which method they follow.

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