Unable to return to work
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URL: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=5273
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Topic: Unable to return to work
Posted By: scared
Subject: Unable to return to work
Date Posted: Nov 29 2009 at 1:39am
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It has been very hard for my wife recovering from her treatments, she is very fatigued and suffers from chemo-brain. Her job demands are extremely stressful and she is not ready to re-enter the workforce in the capacity she was before breast cancer.
The thing is I was wondering if anyone here has been able to qualify for disability. It has been over a year since she has been unable to do her job, she tried three weeks after treatment and was unable to continue because it was too much for her.
We are not used to being in this situation and am not sure what to do next. My wife was the major wage earner and now we are feeling the stress of only one of us working. I do not want to bring it up because I know if she was able to work she would be working. My wife has a reputation and would put it in jeopardy if a friend got her a job and she was unable to work because of fatigue and complications due to her cancer treatments.
So any advice would be welcomed.
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Wife diagnosed 7/08 stage 2B 4.78cm with 3 nodes. 15 weeks of Adriamycin and Cytoxin, Mastectomy, 12 weeks of Taxol, and 6.5 weeks of radiation.
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Replies:
Posted By: MaryinSarasota
Date Posted: Nov 29 2009 at 8:28am
Good morning,
Earlier this year I had chemo brain so bad I couldn't work. I emailed a lawyer in the area (I found her on the net) and asked what to do. She was kind enough to call me and tell me that usually the first time you submit for disability they reject it. She said it happens practically every time. She advised me to do it and if I got rejected then call her back and they would do it for me and they always got it through.
So, to be short, I advise you to go the quickest route and have a lawyer trained in Disability to do it for you. I don't know how much it is, can't be that much, but you will have it a lot sooner than if you wait and wait and wait for them to say no.
Your wife certainly qualifies for it.
Best of luck.
Mary
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53 @ Dx 5/08 Stage 1, grade 3, IDC 1.6 cm, 0 nodes, TNBC, lumpectomy, chemo TAC-6, radiation-34 12/18/08
NED-10/09, PBM w/TE recon. 7/10, removal of TE/infec 8/10. CT chest. Rec fat-graft & stem cells
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Posted By: 123Donna
Date Posted: Nov 29 2009 at 11:20am
Dave,
My sister-in-law is unable to work due to a chronic autoimmune disease that has attacked her liver. She filed for long-term disability with her employer and also social security. At first it was rejected, but with the help perseverence of her doctor, she eventually got disability approved. You should contact a disability lawyer or if financial concerns prevent that, maybe ask the social worker at your onc's office where your wife is getting treatment. They may have experience with situations similar to these and offer help and advice.
Good luck,
Donna
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
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