Disability

NanaLou
NanaLou Member Posts: 71
in Kidney Cancer #1
Just want to get your thoughts on this. My oncologist told me with stage 4 cancer I qualify for social sercurity disability. There is a part of me that would love to sit at the house. But there is a part of me that does not want to do this. I am wondering does he mean I will never be cancer free?? If I take this and the cancer shrinks or goes away,then can I go back to work? My job will be gone if I final fo disabilty. If I knew I only had a little while left I would have no question about this. But, I don't feel that way yet. Now maybe after I start the Sutent, I will know I can't work anymore. Just tell me what would yall do?

Comments

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #2
    Difficult decision
    The position in the UK is somewhat different so I can't pretend to be able to give solid advice and I wouldn't have the temerity to do so anyway. However, a little logical analysis might help?

    You're going to give the Sutent a go. Why not play it by ear for a bit? It may suit you and work wonders in which case you will probably choose to keep working. It sounds as though taking the disability option might be burning your bridges and there might be a risk that in doing so you slide into an attitude of acceptance of a scenario that isn't appropriate. Presumably not taking the disability option yet isn't going to lose it and it will remain available if needed?

    If things take a turn for the worse, the choice might make itself for you. Meantime, since you're not feeling too bad and are about to embark on a treatment that may keep you that way, my guess is that it's better to carry on and see what happens. Just my gut feeling Nancy and maybe your many friends here will come up with better based suggestions. We'll all be thinking of you anyway and willing the best possible outcome for you, whatever you decide.
  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #3
    Texas_wedge said:

    Difficult decision
    The position in the UK is somewhat different so I can't pretend to be able to give solid advice and I wouldn't have the temerity to do so anyway. However, a little logical analysis might help?

    You're going to give the Sutent a go. Why not play it by ear for a bit? It may suit you and work wonders in which case you will probably choose to keep working. It sounds as though taking the disability option might be burning your bridges and there might be a risk that in doing so you slide into an attitude of acceptance of a scenario that isn't appropriate. Presumably not taking the disability option yet isn't going to lose it and it will remain available if needed?

    If things take a turn for the worse, the choice might make itself for you. Meantime, since you're not feeling too bad and are about to embark on a treatment that may keep you that way, my guess is that it's better to carry on and see what happens. Just my gut feeling Nancy and maybe your many friends here will come up with better based suggestions. We'll all be thinking of you anyway and willing the best possible outcome for you, whatever you decide.

    SSD
    Kidney cancer is a qualifier for social security disability. I don't know if there is a specific stage you must be. The process can be done on line. Once the diagnosis is made there is a 5 month period before benefits are given. If you are able to go to work for a few months or more after diagnosis, that doesn't penalize you. If down the road you can return to work, that is acceptable. Benefits will end. You will be re-evaluated every so often to make sure you still deserve benefits. But don't expect that too often. It's not like you are saying you can't work because your back hurts. To qualify for medicare health care coverage , it is 2 years from diagnosis.
  • Jamie1.3cm
    Jamie1.3cm Member Posts: 188
    #4
    disability?
    Sorry I don't remember your specifics, but I assume that if you're on Sutent, then your kidney cancer metastasized somewhere else?

    Your age should also be a factor to consider.

    I agree with Tx Wedge above: I wouldn't file for disability, possibly making any future employment impossible, until I absolutely had to. Your outlook and attitude can (not always) really influence outcomes. I wouldnt resign myself to disability, get myself in that mindset, unless there was no other choice. And even then, I wouldn't give into it! I know I'd find myself volunteering somewhere! ; )
  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #5
    Jamie1.3cm said:

    disability?
    Sorry I don't remember your specifics, but I assume that if you're on Sutent, then your kidney cancer metastasized somewhere else?

    Your age should also be a factor to consider.

    I agree with Tx Wedge above: I wouldn't file for disability, possibly making any future employment impossible, until I absolutely had to. Your outlook and attitude can (not always) really influence outcomes. I wouldnt resign myself to disability, get myself in that mindset, unless there was no other choice. And even then, I wouldn't give into it! I know I'd find myself volunteering somewhere! ; )

    Disability
    Social Security disability requires that you be permanently disabled from any employment.
    I did a little research in answering this question and basically if you have Stage 4 Kidney Cancer which is inoperable you would be on a faster tract for a diaability decision. The fewer of us that would qualify the better.

    Icemantoo
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #6
    icemantoo said:

    Disability
    Social Security disability requires that you be permanently disabled from any employment.
    I did a little research in answering this question and basically if you have Stage 4 Kidney Cancer which is inoperable you would be on a faster tract for a diaability decision. The fewer of us that would qualify the better.

    Icemantoo

    Disability qualification
    I'll drink (green tea) to that iceman.
  • rae_rae
    rae_rae Member Posts: 300 Member
    #7
    Texas_wedge said:

    Disability qualification
    I'll drink (green tea) to that iceman.

    hard decision
    When I was facing what I thought was a recurrence last summer and going on Sutent, I thought about this as well. Moy employer approached me and asked me if I wanted to step down from my position (I am the director of sales) to take on something less demanding, or even not work. I remember feeling offended that he even asked. I am sure he meant well but it brought up the "fight" in me. I was determined to work and fight and be as normal as I could, for as long as I could.

    In the back of my head I didn't know if it was possible, and I knew that at least I had the option of disability down the road if it didn't. I think your doctor was just letting you know it is an option but in no way does this mean you are doomed to forever having cancer, or not working, or feeling sick. Too many people living with cancer living fairly normal lives will tell you the same. And with the advances they are making every day (ask Fox) with new meds, it's just going to keep getting better. Don't let the disability remark get you down. It's an option, not a lifestyle!

    Wishing you all the best,
    Rae
  • NanaLou
    NanaLou Member Posts: 71
    #8
    rae_rae said:

    hard decision
    When I was facing what I thought was a recurrence last summer and going on Sutent, I thought about this as well. Moy employer approached me and asked me if I wanted to step down from my position (I am the director of sales) to take on something less demanding, or even not work. I remember feeling offended that he even asked. I am sure he meant well but it brought up the "fight" in me. I was determined to work and fight and be as normal as I could, for as long as I could.

    In the back of my head I didn't know if it was possible, and I knew that at least I had the option of disability down the road if it didn't. I think your doctor was just letting you know it is an option but in no way does this mean you are doomed to forever having cancer, or not working, or feeling sick. Too many people living with cancer living fairly normal lives will tell you the same. And with the advances they are making every day (ask Fox) with new meds, it's just going to keep getting better. Don't let the disability remark get you down. It's an option, not a lifestyle!

    Wishing you all the best,
    Rae

    Playing it by ear
    I don't want to sign up for disability when I feel so good. i will admit it took some wind out of me when he told me I qualified. I will wait to see how the sutent makes me feel. I can get FMLA and miss some work as needed. Or I have short term disability at work if it gets really bad. I am not ready to give in or give up. If I could see the future and it wasn't good. I would go on disabily fill the house with junk food and veg out!!LOL But since I can't and this is not the psychic friends network. I guess I will try to eat more veggies and fruits ,drink my green tea, pray to God that all this works!!! Oh yeah and keep that positive attitude everybody keep telling me about!! I think you all for your comments here and on the other feeds as well. I read them all and they help me a great deal. You all know what I am going through. Now just waiting to start the sutent. I have to get the results from my brain MRI done yesterday. And I am ready! Thank you again and God Bless you all with good health and good reports always.
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #9
    NanaLou said:

    Playing it by ear
    I don't want to sign up for disability when I feel so good. i will admit it took some wind out of me when he told me I qualified. I will wait to see how the sutent makes me feel. I can get FMLA and miss some work as needed. Or I have short term disability at work if it gets really bad. I am not ready to give in or give up. If I could see the future and it wasn't good. I would go on disabily fill the house with junk food and veg out!!LOL But since I can't and this is not the psychic friends network. I guess I will try to eat more veggies and fruits ,drink my green tea, pray to God that all this works!!! Oh yeah and keep that positive attitude everybody keep telling me about!! I think you all for your comments here and on the other feeds as well. I read them all and they help me a great deal. You all know what I am going through. Now just waiting to start the sutent. I have to get the results from my brain MRI done yesterday. And I am ready! Thank you again and God Bless you all with good health and good reports always.

    Playing it by ear
    Good for you Nancy - keep putting that best foot forward. Sutent has proved so good for some, let's hope you're another who does really well on it and here's hoping the brain MRI results are encouraging.

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