Barb1260 Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 Happy New Year! Tomorrow I have consult with radiologist and to set up treatment schedule. I will need to make a decision if I want to go out on full short term disability or work around appointments. Is it even physically possible? I commute an hour each way, my job is stressful, I don’t have to go to the office with cold and flu season-I can work from home. Not knowing what side effects I’ll have, the decision is even harder as I have no idea how I’m going to feel. Has anyone worked through this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rower Michelle Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 Hi Barb For me the decision was a no brainer. I actually filed for full short term disability when I had pneumonia before the cancer diagnosis came into play. I consulted with my pulmonologists, oncologist, Integrative Oncologist & primary care about the STD route. They were all in full agreement that my path to wellness would be my new full time job. I was strongly encouraged to go the STD route & really glad I did as I have time to attend the wellness programs offered at the cancer center (at no cost). My docs thought my best shot was to reduce as much stress in my life as possible. The STD insurance was just as much a hassle as the medical insurance for me. (There’s FMLA in there too). I got harassed twice a week about a return to work plan! I finally called HR & got them to call off the dogs. Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Macaulay Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 Radiation is once daily five times week for six weeks, Chemo is usually once week for six weeks. So once week you will have chemo and radiation on the same day no big deal, And how you handle both side effects is unknown at this time.Also the scheduled blood work once week and the doc meeting once week. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 Barb, With daily radiation — 30 treatments — and weekly chemo you should have no effects for the first 2 weeks. By week 3, radiation will start to sap your energy. My last week of radiation I could hardly walk from the car to the clinic. My chemo was a reduced strength given once a week. I had no side effects from the chemo. I didn’t even lose hair. So you might be fine the first two weeks of treatment and should be able to either attend work or easily work from home. Week 3 will be tough. Week 4 and beyond if your radiation is longer will be very hard to work. Stay the course. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb1260 Posted January 1, 2019 Author Share Posted January 1, 2019 Thanks for the input. I’m leaning towards the disability. Being single, I’m always worried about my job, think I’m going to put me first. Michelle-I’m lucky that my short term is salary continuation not through an insurance company. But I still have to fill out LTD paperwork so they have all the information from the docs and to use later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 I didn't have to take that much time off for recovery from my surgery. Still, it used up my sick time and I needed the short-term disability to tide me over. I was thinking I could work half days or something and collect disability to cover the rest, but it didn't work out that way because any money you EARN gets deducted from your benefits. Weird, but it basically penalizes you for trying to work part-time. I'd suggest discussing it with your HR department and/or consulting with your disability provider (mine was the State of NJ) to be sure you understand how it would work and then plan accordingly. You might want to continue to work (from home, maybe) until you don't feel up to it and then take sick time and/or disability until your treatments are over and you're feeling strong enough to start back full time (again, maybe from home in the beginning so you can ease back into it). I never had chemo or radiation so no thoughts on that specifically, except to note that based on what people here have said everyone seems to respond a bit differently, in terms of how they feel, even when they are on the same treatment regimen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb1260 Posted January 1, 2019 Author Share Posted January 1, 2019 Thanks LexieCat-N.J. disability-I do not miss dealing with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 The Garden State has its charms, but dealing with the bureaucracy isn't one of them. I'm a retired county employee, so my healthcare benefits are administered by the county, which isn't a lot better, but in my experience the lower-level bureaucracies are a bit less frustrating to deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaA Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 Barb, I was just about to post this same question. I'm in the same boat as you. I have my first meeting with radiation/oncology next Wednesday, so I had little details about what I'm facing. I have learned a lot from the replies here on your post. I'll probably take STD so that I can focus on the healing. However, because my hospital that I have been going to is almost a 2 hour drive now I think that I better find a more local place to have chemo/radiation. I am not going to be able to make that near 4 hour round trip drive every day for 6 weeks. Since I am going to be the person that has to drive myself to these treatments, I know now that I have to find a new treatment center here in NJ nearby. I wish that I had a support system here in NJ to help out with the driving, but I know that it fall predominantly on me. I have only my daughter here and she has little time off available. Good luck in your treatment, Barb. Stay strong, we can fight this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulaC Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 LisaA I hope you get it worked out. I personally drove myself daily except chemo days I had a buddy. I really don’t think I could do your drive everyday. I hope you get it worked out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rower Michelle Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 Hello Ladies- This thread triggered a vague memory from my first days at the clinic. I received an overwhelming book called resources. Big thick thing not of much use at the time. Anyway- the American Cancer Society provides transportation to peeps for chemo & radiation. You can do a quick Google- it called the Road to Recovery. There is a toll free number listed to find a ride in your area. Might be worth a shot?? Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb1260 Posted January 9, 2019 Author Share Posted January 9, 2019 Hi Lisa-I have opted to do the STD, I’m exhausted already and working from home is stressful. So as of Friday it is ME time. I hope you find a closer place to home. Good luck to you too and yes we will win this battle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaA Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 Barb, I'm here if you need someone to talk to, just reach out to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb1260 Posted January 10, 2019 Author Share Posted January 10, 2019 Hi Lisa-I have opted to do the STD, I’m exhausted already and working from home is stressful. So as of Friday it is ME time. I hope you find a closer place to home. Good luck to you too and yes we will win this battle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb1260 Posted January 10, 2019 Author Share Posted January 10, 2019 You too Jersey girl😎 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa L Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 Sure wish this Oklahoma girl was closer to you ladies...stay strong 💪 you got this..keeping you all in my prayers. Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb1260 Posted January 10, 2019 Author Share Posted January 10, 2019 LisaL-thanks for your prayers. Stay strong 💪 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.