I’m 47 years old and am on fmla leave from working. I would like to go back but I now have Mets to the skull. I wasn’t sure how realizable my goal is. I work in a school as an instructional coach and love my job. I’m also not sure how to qualify for disability and if I even do. Any help is appreciated!
Colleen
Hi Colleen,
I can't comment on applying for disability, but what I would suggest is speaking to your oncologist or oncology nurses about the possibility of going back to work. They can advise you about your health and let you know if they think you are well enough to work and perhaps even give you some tips on transitioning back into work.
When I was diagnosed my oncologist advised me to keep working. I must admit I didn't see the point after hearing what she had to say, and was considering packing my business in. But I took her advice and I'm so glad I did. I haven't taken a break (apart from the odd holiday here and there) from work. So I would say talk things over with your medical team before you decide what to do. We are all different and one person's choice will not necessarily work for someone else.
Sophie ❤
Hi Colleen: It’s not an easy decision. Go to @kernan’s profile on this community. She has had many excellent posts on the process to qualify for SSDI and other helpful options if you choose not to work.
Any stage IV cancer patient typically qualifies for SSDI.
All the best in your treatment & decisions ❤️🙏🙏
Agree about Kernan’s posts. Also, I applied and it was for me an easy process since MBC is an automatic qualifier for what’s called Compassionate Care Allowance. There is a waiting period before the checks arrive.
If you prefer to try returning to work, the employee has a legal duty to have a dialogue with you about reasonable accommodations. (Failure to have that dialogue is illegal.) 90% of accommodations don’t require a capital outlay. Reasonable accommodations can include flex time, modified arrival schedules, etc. If you go this route, you should have a list of accommodations ready to discuss when you meet with HR. A great website which lists various accommodations by condition is the website for Joint Accommodation Network. They have a number you can call to answer questions. Good luck.
Hello,
So happy to hear you love your position as an Instructional Coach! I’m a Curriculum Director and without good coaches my job would be a lot more stressful than it currently is. That being said, two years after being diagnosed with MBC I have decided to leave my job, so as to take better care of myself and spend more time with my family. You should speak with your HR department regarding disability, as most school districts carry long term disability insurance and we automatically qualify with our diagnosis. You are also legally entitled to reasonable accommodations, flexible schedule...
Sending ❤️
xo Jade
I have MBC with bone mets as diagnosis. Had 14 bone mets for 3 years including 2 skull mets. Got clear scans in May and December so I’m glad I continued to work. But seriously u just never know how long you’re going to be stable (remission) or when something crazy happens. So I just chose to live like I’m going to be fine until someone tells me otherwise...😀
I have Stage 4/liver mets and applied in Oct. & received mine in November. The process was easy but a very personal decision. The Ibrance/Falsodex combo is hard on me. I previously had taken Tamoxifen 10 years before that.
Hope this info. Helps.
Kelly
I have Stage 4 with mets to the skull and pelvis area. After hearing the news which was about 2 weeks ago I was devastated and really didn't know if I should continue working or not. I met with my Onc 2 days ago who supported and encouraged me to continue working. Although its a personal choice I feel good about my decision to continue working. I ask God to walk with me daily on this journey and to show me mercy and favor. I will continue to walk this journey on faith until God states differently.
Stay Faithful and Enjoy Life!
I am 51 now. Applied, one month later recived approval. They have a 5 mnoth waiting perid for benefits to start.
Also, I was approved for my kids under 18 to also receive benefits on my record. The kids get a maximim of 50% of my monthly payment
But it helps and allows me to focus on my health.
Oh, lost the Obamacare tax credit because on SSDI, had to go on Medi-Cal until Medicare kicks in in 2 years.
Hi. I am kearnan. I know many women who are able somehow to continue to work full-time and said it takes their mind off their cancer. And even though if on Ibrance, it says you have to be extra careful not to catch any germs from others, they work as school teachers with young kids and as nurses and they are able to continue to still work.
To apply for SSDI you have to NOT be working. You have to decide whether or not you feel well enough to go back to work. But you cannot apply for SSDI and then continue to work. social worker or nurse navigator can do all the paperwork.
Bc you are a stage iv, they file under Compassionate Allowance which only means you will get approved in say two weeks as opposed to months for others. Stage iv is an automatic approval. It has to be filed as Compassionate Allowance.
The bad news is that even though approved, it takes SIX months with no SSDI payments before you start getting benefits. I have no idea why but nobody gets paid for the first six months. So you have to have enough to live on for that period. Also, depending on your job and other resources, you may lose your insurance if you leave your job and will have to get your own insurance. Medicare does not kick in until two years on SSDI.
If you create a ssa.gov account (Social Security), you will be able to see if you were to go on disability a close estimate of how much you would be getting a month in SSDI payments.
Any questions, just reach out. I was diagnosed in between jobs (so dont know how FMLA and short and long term disability at work.) At first I thought it was the worst possible time to be diagnosed, but in reality, it turned out to be better for me bc I qualified for medicaid. So I did not have to pay a penny for any insurance.
I miss work. I miss the socialization but I live in NY and no way could I do the commute involved and I worked with lawyers for all the years I worked.
They base the amount on the last 10 years you worked with the highest earnings. But if you create an account at least you can get an idea. The bad thing is you cannot work and claim SSDI at the same time bc then they will say you are not disabled.
Any questions, feel free to reach out to me. Good luck with whatever decision you make. Maybe you will feel well enough to continue working. Some because they have to and some because it takes their mind off of cancer and feel okay and want to stay in their jobs.
So very helpful and yes for me working does keep my mind off of Cancer. I am also in graduate school so I have a full plate but I ensure I never burn myself out between work and school. My health takes priority and I pray that I can continue by faith.
Thanks so much!
MBC and work/life changes
Ibrance plus letrozole working
Letrozole and Ibrance is it working? 
Continued Working?
Working through chemo
