Disability？

MaggieG6

After undergoing a bone marrow transplant for ALL，is that still qualify as having a disability？

po18guy

Certainly, as you will be weak and in recovery for some undertermined amount of time. Although some transplants are scheduked as outpatint, some hospitalization may be needed if, as I did, you dewvelop a fever post-transplant. THis was not an infection, but is the body's natural reaction to lowered neutrophils in the blood. An exact recovery time frame will be difficult to provide to your employer, as each of us recovers differently. Remember that in one sense, you are "killed" in preparation for transplant, either by greatly reducing or completely eliminating your marrow's production of blood cells. For a time, you will be depedent on transfusions and will have viretually zero immune system. This is no longer as scary as it sounds, since the precautions we must take are similar to what we have done during Covid. This is something to discuss regularly with doctor, as doctpor will be closely monitoring you and will be well aware of your abilities/disabilities. Best to take care of all of this prior to transplant so that your worries and concerns will be minimized.

MaggieG6

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1708468#Comment_1708468

Thank you for your message . I underwent the transplant and it will be a year next month. Except for the initial few months, I haven't experienced many reactions. I did got COVID during this time, but I managed to overcome it smoothly as well. My medical team mentioned that patients who receive transplants usually return to work a year after transplant. The ALL treatments have led to other health issues. I need to see several specialist periodically. I'm somewhat concerned about whether my body can recover to the same level of work intensity as before I got sick. If I do return to work, would it mean that I no longer qualify as disability.

po18guy

Glad to hear that! Did you receive your own cells or a donor's? As to returning to what we had, I prefer to look ahead and do the best with what I now have. I do not want to go back to my old life, since there was cancer and transplant in that future. As to our health, we are no longer 18, and years of treatment accelerated the aging process. As bad a this sounds, it is far better than cancer halting our aging completely. If we think about it, our parents would not have survived what we have, as medical science simply did not have what it has now. We can be at a turning point - a job change or even career change are possibilities. Sooner or later, early retirement is something to consider. That option becomes more attractive as we go. As you may have noticed, I like the perspective provided by the big picture. I am thankful to be alive 15 years later, when my prognosis back then was in months. At this point, your future depends as much on your employer as it does on you. Thus, we dialog and negotiate is needed.

All the best to you!

MaggieG6

I received donor’s cell. Yes, strongly agree with you that we have to look ahead, and stay in positive.

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1708475#Comment_1708475

I received donor’s cell. Yes, strongly agree with you that we have to look ahead, and stay in positive.

midn8t

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1708545#Comment_1708545

hi Maggie

in 2012 I got diagnostic with T- Cell Lukimea with Myelodysplastic syndrome and Monosomy 7 syndrome in 2019 I had a allogeneic stem cell transplant which was done without radiation at the UW Health system here state of WI, been considered cured sense but also been on disability still due to fact that no one seems to want to hire me after they find out that I had health issues for so long kepts me out of work place, and my degree seems to have become worthless i guess so it is good that you able to keep working, in 2012 there was no stem cell options for me and I had to spend majority of all my time from 2012 to 2019 in and out of hospital 3 weeks out of every month it was not fun not at all.