Going back to work??

2timothy1 7
2timothy1 7 Member Posts: 345
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello ladies,
Just wanntedsome thoughts on this. Im 44, dx stage 3c in november2011. Had last chemo May 22. Starting to feel normal again. I received first Ss check in June. I've worked since I was 16 at something. Now I'm not sure what to do with myself. I'm considered in remission at the moment.

Not sure if I should put myself thru the stress of work yet I will be bored when children go back to school in the fall. Plus I guess I would lose my SS check.

Just wanted some input on this. My life has changed so much , I guess Im reaching for some sort of normalcy.

God bless all of you!
Shawnna

Comments

  • Ruffy7
    Ruffy7 Member Posts: 126
    #2
    Hi Shawnna
    Can you find something part-time? I thought even with SS checks as long as you don't go over a certain amount, you would still get it. Not sure how they determine what amount you can earn though... could talk with someone with the SS dept.

    Even though I wasn't off for long, going back to work (even with the bad days) was very therapeutic. Work made everything seem normal again and made me think about and do things that weren't about myself and cancer. Still have moments when cancer anxiety takes over but I was and still am so grateful to have work to help me get through a tough time. Maybe a part time job would work for you?
  • 2timothy1 7
    2timothy1 7 Member Posts: 345
    #3
    Ruffy7 said:

    Hi Shawnna
    Can you find something part-time? I thought even with SS checks as long as you don't go over a certain amount, you would still get it. Not sure how they determine what amount you can earn though... could talk with someone with the SS dept.

    Even though I wasn't off for long, going back to work (even with the bad days) was very therapeutic. Work made everything seem normal again and made me think about and do things that weren't about myself and cancer. Still have moments when cancer anxiety takes over but I was and still am so grateful to have work to help me get through a tough time. Maybe a part time job would work for you?

    Hi Ruffy,
    It would be a part
    Hi Ruffy,
    It would be a part time job I would do. I suppose I will need to talk to someone at SS. I have heard that if the disease reoccurs they will reinstate your payments immediately. And yes I think I would benefit from the social interaction of work. It would help to take my mind off of cancer.

    Thanks for responding.
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #4
    2timothy1 7 said:

    Hi Ruffy,
    It would be a part
    Hi Ruffy,
    It would be a part time job I would do. I suppose I will need to talk to someone at SS. I have heard that if the disease reoccurs they will reinstate your payments immediately. And yes I think I would benefit from the social interaction of work. It would help to take my mind off of cancer.

    Thanks for responding.

    I received permanent
    Social Security Disability based on my diagnosis. I didn't expect to because my doctors felt I could return to work but on the social seurity website ovarian cancer is on a list that I guess is a sure thing for SSDI. I had already decided not to return to work. My job was stressful and I didn't want to subject myself to that. Plus I was 62 and had been thinking about retirement prior to my illness.


    Karen
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #5
    volunter
    Have you thougth about voluntering somewhere it would keep you from being board. I do know that if you are getting SS then even part time could cause you to lose. My SS I can't go over 892.00 I get 872.00 so I could only earn 20.00 so it is not easy to work while getting SS.

    Much,
    Love, Hugs, and Prayers
    Anne

    P.S.
    glad you are NED
  • 2timothy1 7
    2timothy1 7 Member Posts: 345
    #6
    AnneBehymer said:

    volunter
    Have you thougth about voluntering somewhere it would keep you from being board. I do know that if you are getting SS then even part time could cause you to lose. My SS I can't go over 892.00 I get 872.00 so I could only earn 20.00 so it is not easy to work while getting SS.

    Much,
    Love, Hugs, and Prayers
    Anne

    P.S.
    glad you are NED

    Anne
    Thanks for responding
    Anne
    Thanks for responding even though I know you don't feel good from reading your other post. You took them time to respond anyway. I hope your medication kicks in soon. It will, it just takes some time to get in your system. Praying for you!
    Shawnna
  • lulu1010
    lulu1010 Member Posts: 367
    #7
    2timothy1 7 said:

    Anne
    Thanks for responding
    Anne
    Thanks for responding even though I know you don't feel good from reading your other post. You took them time to respond anyway. I hope your medication kicks in soon. It will, it just takes some time to get in your system. Praying for you!
    Shawnna

    call SS
    You need to call Social Security. You can not make more on your job than you would get in social security but you can make up to almost that amount and not have to lose Social Security. They let you work a few months to make sure it is going to work out.
  • LoveButterflies
    LoveButterflies Member Posts: 74
    #8
    Hi Shawna,
    I was just
    Hi Shawna,

    I was just approved for SS benefits also. I was informed that I could work part-time and could not make more than $1,000 per month in that job. I haven't decided if I'm going to do that or not, but it's good to know I have an option.

    Hope you feel better soon.

    Carmen
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #9
    I think normalcy is great
    I went back to work for 3 years after my diagnosis, surgery and chemo. I had a part-time job that kept my mind active, great co-workers and customers to interact with all day. I didn't make much money, but I felt "normal".
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • 2timothy1 7
    2timothy1 7 Member Posts: 345
    #10
    LoveButterflies said:

    Hi Shawna,
    I was just
    Hi Shawna,

    I was just approved for SS benefits also. I was informed that I could work part-time and could not make more than $1,000 per month in that job. I haven't decided if I'm going to do that or not, but it's good to know I have an option.

    Hope you feel better soon.

    Carmen

    Hi Carmen
    Thanks for
    Hi Carmen
    Thanks for responding. It is a difficult decision to make after such a diagnosis and chemo. Anyway, I probably will go back to work. I have been praying about this decision. I know this disease has a high return rate but I can't just sit around waiting to see if it comes back.
    Shawnna
  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
    #11
    I think you should do what
    I think you should do what feels right. If you like to work ...do it it is ggod for your mental health!. Plus income keeps you financially stable. Kim
  • Glad to be done
    Glad to be done Member Posts: 569
    #12
    I too was diagnosed with
    I too was diagnosed with stage 3c cancer. Because I work in a school my doc said absolutely not to working during treatment. My last chemo treatment was the last day of school. I can not wait to return to work in September. I love my job and miss it so much. I think you need to do what you feel up to physically. If you feel work would be too much, volunteering is always a great option.
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #13
    2timothy1 7 said:

    Anne
    Thanks for responding
    Anne
    Thanks for responding even though I know you don't feel good from reading your other post. You took them time to respond anyway. I hope your medication kicks in soon. It will, it just takes some time to get in your system. Praying for you!
    Shawnna

    love it
    For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
  • 2timothy1 7
    2timothy1 7 Member Posts: 345
    #14
    AnneBehymer said:

    love it
    For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

    Thanks! It was the verse I
    Thanks! It was the verse I repeated to myself over and over before my debunking sx. It gave me strength to face it.

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