SURPRISE, SURPRISE re Social Security Disability

Always Hopeful
Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
Hi all,

I've been waiting to hear about Social Security Disability which I applied for at the end of September. When I checked two weeks ago, my docs had not received any requests for info. However, after withdrawing money from my bank's ATM tonight, I noticed my balance was quite inflated. I came home, checked my account online and surprise, surprise...the social security administration had deposited two months of what I was told would be the amount I'd receive! I'm still walking around a bit increduously...I never received any notification of being approved. Guess that will be coming by snail mail!!! Interesting process, wouldn't you say!!!

So for those of us who have recently applied for disability, don't only check your mailbox for notification...keep an eye on your bank balance!

Peace and hope, JJ

Comments

  • nempark
    nempark Member Posts: 681
    #2
    disability
    Hi: you sound so happy! good for you, I am wondering why they denied me. I applied in August or July and they said that they had someone looked into my case and I was not eligible. I had Stage 1a Grade 3 MMMT. I know that some Cancers and stages are automatically approved. I think I am going to appeal their decision. Be well and enjoy. June. Any tips will be appreciated.
  • Always Hopeful
    Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
    #3
    nempark said:

    disability
    Hi: you sound so happy! good for you, I am wondering why they denied me. I applied in August or July and they said that they had someone looked into my case and I was not eligible. I had Stage 1a Grade 3 MMMT. I know that some Cancers and stages are automatically approved. I think I am going to appeal their decision. Be well and enjoy. June. Any tips will be appreciated.

    I would defiinitely appeal AND other good news
    I'm not sure what MMMT is but I do see that you thankfully are Stage 1a. Does that mean it has not spread outside of the uterus? If so, that may be why you were denied. I would though definitely appeal.

    I had other good news today from my gyne onc. To back up a bit, as I wrote in an earlier posting, after 18 weeks of taxol and 6 treats of carbo, my cat scan showed quite profuse tumor growth thoughtout my abdomen and pelvis. Basically, the standard protocol did not work...the cells were completely immune to the chemo! A tumor that had grown on the vaginal cuff during this time was also bleeding. Sooooooooo, the decision was to try 10 treatments of radiation (IMRT) to stop the bleeding. Tumor shrinkage would be an added bonus. Well, the bleeding did stop but I was still experiencing a yellow yucky discharge. At my appointment today with my gyne onc, she confirmed that the yellow yucky discharge is because of tumor death AND the tumor did shrink considerably!!! YAHOO! Now at least we know that the tumors do respond to the IMRT and might be able to be used in the future to shrink any other problematic tumors. For right now, though, we're trying the GEMZAR (with AVASTIN being added in a couple of weeks) as the systemic chemo.

    Have a great weekend. Think about appealing the social security decision...you have nothing to lose.

    Peace and hope, JJ
  • nempark
    nempark Member Posts: 681
    #4
    Always Hopeful said:

    I would defiinitely appeal AND other good news
    I'm not sure what MMMT is but I do see that you thankfully are Stage 1a. Does that mean it has not spread outside of the uterus? If so, that may be why you were denied. I would though definitely appeal.

    I had other good news today from my gyne onc. To back up a bit, as I wrote in an earlier posting, after 18 weeks of taxol and 6 treats of carbo, my cat scan showed quite profuse tumor growth thoughtout my abdomen and pelvis. Basically, the standard protocol did not work...the cells were completely immune to the chemo! A tumor that had grown on the vaginal cuff during this time was also bleeding. Sooooooooo, the decision was to try 10 treatments of radiation (IMRT) to stop the bleeding. Tumor shrinkage would be an added bonus. Well, the bleeding did stop but I was still experiencing a yellow yucky discharge. At my appointment today with my gyne onc, she confirmed that the yellow yucky discharge is because of tumor death AND the tumor did shrink considerably!!! YAHOO! Now at least we know that the tumors do respond to the IMRT and might be able to be used in the future to shrink any other problematic tumors. For right now, though, we're trying the GEMZAR (with AVASTIN being added in a couple of weeks) as the systemic chemo.

    Have a great weekend. Think about appealing the social security decision...you have nothing to lose.

    Peace and hope, JJ

    JJ-when it rains it pours
    Great news death to those monsters. I am so happy for you, areyou doing any thing diet wise/life change. I have gone back to my old normal lifestyle (laugh) but I am planning to start at least walking around the block. Now and again, I do get a panic attack wondering if the cancer will ever come back and that throws me back a little. Thank God for the IMRT. Okay my love its late. I will keep in touch and I will look for your posts. Continue the good work. warm Hugs. June. By the way, during my six sessions of chemo I did not lose any weight (bomber).
  • Always Hopeful
    Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
    #5
    nempark said:

    JJ-when it rains it pours
    Great news death to those monsters. I am so happy for you, areyou doing any thing diet wise/life change. I have gone back to my old normal lifestyle (laugh) but I am planning to start at least walking around the block. Now and again, I do get a panic attack wondering if the cancer will ever come back and that throws me back a little. Thank God for the IMRT. Okay my love its late. I will keep in touch and I will look for your posts. Continue the good work. warm Hugs. June. By the way, during my six sessions of chemo I did not lose any weight (bomber).

    Thanks, June
    Not only didn't I lose weight on my 18 weeks of chemo, I GAINED 7 pounds! I attributed to all the steroids and the beastly appetite they gave me. I have lost 9 pounds since then but I'm back on chemo the last two weeks. So far, so good.

    During the 10 sessions of IMRT I developed a gastrointestinal issue and was told by the nurse practitioner to avoid high fiber foods (whole grains etc.) and eat "white" things...white bread, white rice etc., no veggies salads, and the like. I never turned to eating white bread or white rice, but did eat bananas and applesauce and very bland food until it corrected itself. I am now more focused on trying to change my diet to more of the "anti cancer" diet, as well as including the anti-angiogenic foods (many of which are part of the anti cancer diet). I've also begun moderate walking for approximately 30 minutes a day. If weather prohibits this, I "ride" my recumbent bike for 30 minutes. I'm working on sustaining this...it's so much easier to not stay focused but I've decided I need to rely on more than chemo and radiation to heal me.

    By the way, where do you live? The time you posted and since you said it was late, I'm a bit confused.


    Stay well and thank you for your support.

    Peace and hope, JJ
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #6
    Always Hopeful said:

    Thanks, June
    Not only didn't I lose weight on my 18 weeks of chemo, I GAINED 7 pounds! I attributed to all the steroids and the beastly appetite they gave me. I have lost 9 pounds since then but I'm back on chemo the last two weeks. So far, so good.

    During the 10 sessions of IMRT I developed a gastrointestinal issue and was told by the nurse practitioner to avoid high fiber foods (whole grains etc.) and eat "white" things...white bread, white rice etc., no veggies salads, and the like. I never turned to eating white bread or white rice, but did eat bananas and applesauce and very bland food until it corrected itself. I am now more focused on trying to change my diet to more of the "anti cancer" diet, as well as including the anti-angiogenic foods (many of which are part of the anti cancer diet). I've also begun moderate walking for approximately 30 minutes a day. If weather prohibits this, I "ride" my recumbent bike for 30 minutes. I'm working on sustaining this...it's so much easier to not stay focused but I've decided I need to rely on more than chemo and radiation to heal me.

    By the way, where do you live? The time you posted and since you said it was late, I'm a bit confused.


    Stay well and thank you for your support.

    Peace and hope, JJ

    nempark
    check the SSA.gov website. Search for disability criteria also called "blue book". Find your diagnosis and check what they require for approval. This is what they need to see when you appeal.
    Good luck. Mary Ann
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #7
    daisy366 said:

    nempark
    check the SSA.gov website. Search for disability criteria also called "blue book". Find your diagnosis and check what they require for approval. This is what they need to see when you appeal.
    Good luck. Mary Ann

    Approved in 2.5 weeks!!!
    OMG!! I just got my approval letter for SS Disability!! I think it is due to citing of the standards and my extensive documentation that I met these. Unfortunately, I won't start getting money until April (5 months from now) but not complaining.

    Best wishes to all. Mary Ann
  • upsofloating
    upsofloating Member Posts: 466 Member
    #8
    daisy366 said:

    Approved in 2.5 weeks!!!
    OMG!! I just got my approval letter for SS Disability!! I think it is due to citing of the standards and my extensive documentation that I met these. Unfortunately, I won't start getting money until April (5 months from now) but not complaining.

    Best wishes to all. Mary Ann

    Congrats Mary Ann on your
    Congrats Mary Ann on your quick approval! Good to know the bureaucracy can function efficiently when.needed. One less worry for you now. Best, Annie
  • Always Hopeful
    Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
    #9
    daisy366 said:

    Approved in 2.5 weeks!!!
    OMG!! I just got my approval letter for SS Disability!! I think it is due to citing of the standards and my extensive documentation that I met these. Unfortunately, I won't start getting money until April (5 months from now) but not complaining.

    Best wishes to all. Mary Ann

    Congrats, Mary Ann
    Glad to hear your approval came so quickly.

    Hope you are feeling OK...improving each day.

    Peace and hope, JJ
  • gramaval
    gramaval Member Posts: 1
    #10
    When did you first apply for
    When did you first apply for benefits? And did you have a hearing or a hearing date set?
  • Always Hopeful
    Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
    #11
    gramaval said:

    When did you first apply for
    When did you first apply for benefits? And did you have a hearing or a hearing date set?

    Social Security Disability Application
    I applied at the end of September. There was never a hearing date set. I never had to visit my local office...all was done on line and then reviewed during a phone consult.

    Good luck!

    Hope and peace, JJ
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #12
    Always Hopeful said:

    Social Security Disability Application
    I applied at the end of September. There was never a hearing date set. I never had to visit my local office...all was done on line and then reviewed during a phone consult.

    Good luck!

    Hope and peace, JJ

    Thanks for that heads up! $7900 'appeared' in my account today!
    HA! With no advance warning that I'd been approved, I also got my 1st hint that my SSD was approved when my bank account was suddenly $7900 richer in 'retro' disability benefits. So thank you for letting me know it could come down that way. I think when you have a cancer recurrence the assumption is made that you will be in treatment most of the rest of your life and they fast-track your application. I applied less than 2 months ago and they back-dated my benefits as unable to work since January 1, 2010.
  • Always Hopeful
    Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
    #13
    lindaprocopio said:

    Thanks for that heads up! $7900 'appeared' in my account today!
    HA! With no advance warning that I'd been approved, I also got my 1st hint that my SSD was approved when my bank account was suddenly $7900 richer in 'retro' disability benefits. So thank you for letting me know it could come down that way. I think when you have a cancer recurrence the assumption is made that you will be in treatment most of the rest of your life and they fast-track your application. I applied less than 2 months ago and they back-dated my benefits as unable to work since January 1, 2010.

    Isn't it amazing the way
    Isn't it amazing the way this works! It took a week and a half for me to receive the written confirmation of my approval after having received the $...and even with that, they told me I would be receiving my first benefits a week or so later! Go figure.

    Peace and hope, JJ
  • hopeful girl 1
    hopeful girl 1 Member Posts: 454
    #14
    Always Hopeful said:

    Isn't it amazing the way
    Isn't it amazing the way this works! It took a week and a half for me to receive the written confirmation of my approval after having received the $...and even with that, they told me I would be receiving my first benefits a week or so later! Go figure.

    Peace and hope, JJ

    Friends,

    Just wanted to note, when I received recently my lump sum of retro benefits from Social Security, I was advised to hold on to these funds, as theywould be due back to my LTD insurer, which they were. The rep for the LDT insurer, in turn deducted the funds back from my back account.

    I had already been approved by my LTD Insurer, and was receiving a monthly deposit into my account, and so now that I was approved by Social Security, LTD insurerer will now share the responsibility of the amount I receive and both amounts are adjusted.

    Now my LTD amount will be adjusted so that the new amount I will receive monthly from social security and the new adjusted amount I receive from my LTD insurer will equal the amount that I was originally receiving from long term disability insurer.

    Just an fyi.

    Cindy

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