Continued Working?

[OCWarrior]

Hello Fellow Warriors - I am currently trying to decided if I should go on CA State Disability. I was diagnosed with MBC Jan 2020 and have continued working full time. Its a rather toxic environment at times and I worry that with my MBC diagnosis the added stress and negativity is not conducive to healing. My question is How many of my fellow Warriors have continued to work? I do have LTD insurance but not sure how it works. Love to all.

[Anitafazz]

Hello I was also diagnosed in jan'2020 and I am struggling with that decision . I am 52 far from retirement age and work in the medical field and it is stressful at times . I have been thinking about it more and more the last 2 month . At the same time i worry if not working will take my activity level go down but I'm sure I will work it out lol .

I have STD and LTD with my company but i wonder how to get on STD without having surgery which i have not decided on either .

If you look on my page you will see i posted about it couple month ago and you can get a lot of information from all of our fellow friends here .

I feel good now and i want to enjoy life now not when i fell tired and weak .

Good luck !!

[OCWarrior in reply to Anitafazz]

Anitafazz- I feel the same way. Thank you for pointing me to your page. I will read the posts. Blessings to you...

[Bettybuckets in reply to Anitafazz]

Guys you can retire full Social security benefits as if you were 67( full payout) after 2 years from MBC dx. I would do that

[Building-strength in reply to Bettybuckets]

Didn’t know that thanks!

[Building-strength in reply to Anitafazz]

Definitely consider it. I wasn’t sure what I would do except stress over my diagnosis. I’ve always been busy, taking care of business and always on the go. The meds have slowed me down a bit but with the spare time I build my strength. Spend time with family, take walks, low impact workouts, and read more which I’ve always said I do when I retired.🥴

The best part is once your on ssdi you can decide. Do what makes you happy. Find your happy place.

[Topood]

I was diagnosed with MBC at age 60, and did work for 6 more months, but then stopped because it was very physically demanding (I was an Occupational Therapy Assistant) AND because I wanted to move to Germany where my husband was working. Unfortunately my cancer progressed while I was there and I had to return to and stay in the States for IV treatment....I recently asked for federal disability and got it, with my start date being the day I began the IV chemo. I am to relieved to be on Disability, and am reassured by my family telling me that I paid into it and I should draw from it as needed. And though I’m still pretty active I think working a job would really decrease the quality (and maybe the length) of my life. And I do believe that stress at work (in addition to the death of my father) may have been the cause of my developing cancer again...my family an friends agree. So I would seriously consider it....

[Hidden in reply to Topood]

Also, I am a recently retired lawyer who focused on employment law. My last few years I represented employees almost exclusively.

A regular piece of advice I used to give: How hard do you want to fight to keep a job you no longer enjoy?

I also told them that it is hard to imagine a job that is worth it if it makes you feel sick.

These notions helped many clients focus on what they really wanted. Good luck!

[Hidden]

FYI you should crunch the numbers and also consider accelerated SSDI for MBC. No discount due to age as MBC is the determining factor. Here s a link to the government web site about Compassionate Care Allowance.

ssa.gov/compassionateallowa...

This link discusses how SSDI and LTD can sometimes complement each other

mbcn.org/2017/02/ssdi-and-m...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

One more option. Have you explored asking for a reasonable work accommodation as allowed by the Americans with Disabilities Act? Most accommodations do not require a capital outlay. Instead, they apply to flex time, etc.

Here is a link to an excellent resource sponsored by the government. It lists various accommodation options for different conditions. askjan.org/soar.cfm

[PJBinMI]

I was diagnosed at age 57 with denovo bone mets. I kept working until I met some other women with mbc who talked about going on disability. So I called Social Security with questions about going on Social Security Disability. (SSD, sometimes called SSDI). If one has worked enough quarters and paid into Social Security, MBC will qualify us for SSD. The "buts" are that we cannot apply until we have actually stopped working and there is a five month wait before we start collecting. AT least that has been how it has worked in the past. When I applied, I phoned SS the day after my "early retirement" and was given an appt for the very next morning. When I got there, others waiting had asked for appts weeks ago. You can call the local SS office. I have always found the people there very helpful. We also qualify for Medicare 24 months after we start receiving SS even if we aren't old enough to receive it for age. I loved my work and was only a few years in to my second profession. Making the decision was the hardest part for me, but I have never regretted it! I don't know what I would have done without my supportive husband. Without his income, it could have been really hard for me.

[Topood in reply to PJBinMI]

Thanks so much....I didn’t know about the Medicare after 24 months...do you know it that would count from my IV start date of 11/19 or my receiving of benefits date of 5/21?My last few months of work I only did 3 days of week, using what I think is called Family Care or Family Leave? I was really lucky and had lots of sick days coming, so I was paid for the other two days a week that way.

[SusieIM]

I was diagnosed in August 2017. I work but not as much as I used to. Presently I work anywhere from 20 to 35 hours a week; have two part time jobs. One job involves working with special needs kids as a paraeducator substitute teacher aide for special ed classes; I take assignments when I want to. The other job is working at a fast food restaurant, I have a set schedule. I made the decision to cut back on the fast food restaurant work by one day; I will be working there about 15 hours a week starting in August. Next month dear ladies I will be 67, even if I was in good health, I would be slowing down. Deciding to work or not is a hard decision. Personally for me I like working, always have, I guess it makes me feel useful, it keeps me active. Of course part of it is I need to make money.

[TLLS]

Hi I'm in the UK, I was diagnosed 8months ago and I'm self employed, I've continued working (not as much as I was last year) I'm 31 so way off UK retirement age but I have been claiming some benefits to help with bills as my partner has had to reduce his work load (he's self employed) also as I was extremely tired and from the chemo and needed help with the kids at home (they're 5 and nearly 2) now I've stopped chemo and are on tablets now we're both increasing our working hours.Could you ask your employer if you could reduce the hours you work or transfer to a less stressful environment?

Sending hugs

Andrea x

[gerisplace]

I was diagnosed with MBC after the large tumor in my lower back fractured my iliac joint. I live in CA. I went out on disability which lasted 12 months. At that point I was six months from being 65 and I went ahead and retired. I just had to pay my own medical until Medicare kicked in.

[Adele_Julia]

I'm on SSDI - so thankful ! There is a waiting period after you're approved and in 2 years you can get on Medicare. I'm 57 but they pay out as if you're 67 !

[hopenowandtomorrow in reply to Adele_Julia]

I agree with you Julia. I went on SSDI when I received my stage IV MBC 4/2019 diagnosis at age 61. Approved within a week or two. 5 month waiting period. Using COBRA from my employer until I am eligible for Medicare - 2 years after SSDI payments start. I am making almost the same amount I would have at normal retirement age of 67. Very thankful I did that. With the fatigue & brain fog from IBrance & Faslodex, I could not keep up with the mental acuity & pace the job demanded. All the best in your decision 🙏❤️🙏

[Buffwright]

I was diagnosed with MBC in March 2016 at 62. I worked full time for about three months and then cut back to half time. I was fortunate to have lots of sick leave and a long term disability policy. My income was almost the same working half time. I applied for SSD before I quit a year later (I think you have to still be working, then MBC is almost a check box for qualification.) The amount of SSD I received was almost as much as I would have gotten at 66. When my employer’s long term disability and sick leave ran out about five months after I left the office, I started receiving SSD and the state long term disability insurance, which paid most of my salary less the SSD amount. That insurance eligibility is 5 years, so it goes through January, when I’ll be 67.5 and then will draw on my annuity. It has been a sweet deal! No stress. I am actively engaged in my Rotary club which gives me lots to do and a great support network. Insurance costs more and the copays for meds are more. But I wouldn’t trade it for work. I’ve travelled quite a bit and keep busy enough to distract myself from feeling my side effects from treatment. No regrets!

[Itisfinished]

I am 53 years old and diagnosed may 13 2019 with mbc to bones. I couldn't work anymore because of standing on my feet for long hours and having so much back pain. So I applied for disability and was approved in 2 weeks. I loved my job but now I get to spend more precious time with my children and grands. God has always provided for my needs. Enjoy your life my friend! If you are like me I have worked since I was 15 yrs old so I have put in my time and I am sure you have! It's nice to sleep in when I feel I need to and stay up late if I want too. Also I can travel and visit friends/family whenever I want too! There will always be things to do at home maybe things you put off because of work. So I would reccomend it!!

[Tolife_18]

I’m almost 59 (on June 10), and actually got a new job last October, 6 months after being diagnosed with de novo MBC (was downsized from the previous job). I’m a main provider in the family and, most importantly, the one with medical insurance. Although, we probably would be able to manage financially with SSD , paying for COBRA for 2 years and supplement Medicare after wouldn’t be feasible. So as of now, I’m planning to continue working. Then will take STD, LTD when the time come and apply for SSD.

I’m currently working from home, but the company wants to start 3 days in the office in July.

I’m planning to ask for a flexible work accommodations to continue working remotely. It’ll allow me to rest a bit when needed.

It would be great to have more free time to enjoy, but unfortunately the medical expenses are too high.

Apologies for a long post.

Wishing you all the best!

[Sparky95]

I was diagnosed with MBC at age 56. I struggled to decide if I should keep working but decided I wanted to spend my energy doing things I truly enjoyed and fighting this disease.

I had LTD through my work that kicked in six months after being on state disability. I also learned that MBC qualifies for SSDI. That was two years ago. I learned that once you have been on SSDI for 24 months you receive Medicare. For many the challenge is making sure you still have medical insurance.

If you have LTD and work is stressful realize this is why you paid those premiums.

I hope this is helpful. Wishing you the very best in this fight.

[Building-strength]

Hello love,

I was diagnosed with mbc August 2020 at 54. I didn’t realize I could get Ssdi until someone told me at the hospital. My job actually help set me up while on long term disability. I decided to do it as I have 3 small grandchildren that I want to get to know and build a relationship with and two teenagers in college that I can’t imagine not spending all the time I can with before they have their own lives. I agree if you have a stressful job and can manage on the disability live your life taking care of you and spending time with the people you love!

God bless

[Stronger_Than-Cancer]

Thank you for your post. Since diagnosis I have been thinking about the same thing.

I am thankful that I am doing well with my condition and that I have a great Management team. 2021 was a great year for me in my career and I love what I do. I have only informed my employer that I have cancer. They are not aware that I am MBC. I currently have an accommodation for flexible work hours to provide for my treatments as I am still working full time. I am seeking another accommodation to continue to work remotely.

I am in Canada and my employer has STD and LTD if I require. I can also apply for Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits as I am Stage 4. I am thankful that these are available if needed.

My husband is the larger income earner and continues to work as he is healthy. If I was to stop working I am not sure what I would do to stay busy & fulfilled without driving my husband nuts!

At this point in time I am choosing to continue to work. The work can be stressful and I am consciously monitoring this so as to not affect my health. When my health begins to decline where full time is no longer an option I will re evaluate the situation. I am 52 and with current treatments doing well I have heard from others who have been healthy for many years with MBC.

I hope my insight provides some guidance for you. Other posts on this topic have done the same for me.

I wish everyone well and encourage everyone to do what is best for themselves as an individual.