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DanielleS
Regular
Joined: 12 Mar 2005
Posts: 26
Location: Roanoke Rapids, NC
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 Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 5:35 pm Post subject: Breast Cancer and disability |
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Hey everybody! Well my mom should start chemo next week. She will go the day before to get the port put in and the following for the first chemo treatment.
About the disability, she owns her own business. It is a pretty successful cleaning business. But, while taking chemo, she won't be able to do all these tihngs b/c of germs and the chemicals in cleaning supplies. I can help some, but I can't handle all the jobs alone. They told her she could get disability if she was out for 1 year!! Well what in the world will she do for a year???/ Does anyone know any financial assistance programs for breast cancer or something in the like? Please let me know!
Thanks everybody for being so supportive through this nightmare!
Danielle
_________________
My mom
She is 44
Diagnosed 3/7/05
Lumpectomy
Mastectomy 3/29/05
Lymph node biopsy 3/24/05
1 cm
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Stage IIA
Chemo started 5/5/05
AC Taxol (dose dense)
Neupogen shots every other day for 4 months
ER+ |
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AlaskaAngel
Senior User
Joined: 22 Nov 2004
Posts: 170
Location: Alaska
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 6:02 pm Post subject: Self-employed |
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I know THAT feeling. I am self-employed too.
I was able to take my work with me, but that just meant doing it whether I felt good or whether I didn't.
One option available here is the local cancer fund, which allows at least some $ to pay bills for cancer, not a lot but some. You might check and see if there is one where you are.
A.A.
_________________
Dx Dec 2001 at age 50
Lumpectomy Jan 2002, 1.6 cm IDC plus some DCIS
Node neg
ER+, PR+, HER2+++
CAF x 6, 35 rads+boost
NED
Tamoxfen 1 3/4 yrs
In 2 clinical trials
bc for mom and 1 sis and 1 aunt and 1 granny
ovarian cancer for 1 aunt |
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RachelEsther
Experienced user
Joined: 27 Nov 2004
Posts: 71
Location: Bethesda, MD
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| Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 3:58 pm Post subject: Re: Breast Cancer and disability |
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Danielle,
I am self employed also, so I know the terror.
I think that you are wise to think ahead, but perhaps you are going overboard with your concerns? Most women are able to work almost all days - some are not, but you don't know yet how she will react, it is so very individual.
If she gets neupogen or neulasta shots to boost her white blood cell count, then she really shouldn't have to worry about germs so much. I had Neupogen, and my doc told me not to be in a closed car for 5 hours with a person with a hacking cough/bad upper respiratory infection and he let me go if I wore a mask. But I was not otherwise restricted, did not have to avoid crowds or anything like that. So look into the neupogen/neulasta.
About the chemicals, well, that sounds like more of a problem. Have you asked the doc about her being in range of the chemicals and what effect it could have on her?
If she is very active on her job, that may be a bit of a problem - I did well on chemo, but was tired.
Oh, I really sympathize! Not only am I self employed, I also have a disability plan that I need to be disabled 6 months for before it kicks in. So I never used it.
I am sorry, I don't know of any programs that help in this case.
_________________
Rachel
Age 50 at diagnosis, Stage IIIA
IDC grade 1, DCIS grade 2
LB Mastectomy, Expander Recon 3/3/2004
Dose Dense Chemo completed 07/01/04
Radiation completed 09/02/04
Silicone Implant 11/22/04, removed 7/05 due to infection (dental cleaning), replaced 12/05. Reduction RB for symmetry 04/06
Tamoxifen 10/04-10/06, Arimidex 10/06 on |
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