Getting Back to Work

[Jeanne_C]

I need some advice.  If my scans turn out ok, I'm hoping to get back to work by Mid-March.  Here's the kicker tho, my old job came to an end in September last year when my long term disability insurance kicked in.  I had planned on going back to the same company (probably in a lesser position) but have been told that they have no openings at this time.  So now I have to face putting out my resume and finding something else.  Do I get a wig?  What do I tell potential employers about the gap in employment?  I'm starting to get really concerned financially because SS has denied my claim (they say I am currently disabled, but will not be disabled for the full 12 months necessary to qualify for SS) and I don't know how much longer the LT insurance will continue on its own since the doctors agree I should be good to go by Mid-March.  I'm also concerned about health insurance at a new job.  The plan I have is soooo good right now.....any ideas???!!!!

[Celeste]

   Hi Jeanne C.


     I think the first thing you need to do is find out how long your long term disability will last.
Also long term disability will tell you to work part time and they will make up the difference. That
is what happened to me when I had breast cancer. I went back to my old job part time. I did end up going back full time but I added hours a little at a time. If you can do that, then on your resume you would have no time lapse. Are you still covered with the same insurance or cobra
from your last job?? If so you should not have any pre-existing condition problem. I had the exact
problem as you, and that is what I did. I think it is best to go back to your old job. Is your hair starting to grow back yet?? I think you should take a month to get strong you have the rest
of your life to work. Get strong first!! You just finished chemo. I know you want to your to get back to normal but if you rush then you can't go back. Your doctors will back you up. I stayed at my job for about a year then went to another company then I got the bone cancer and started
all over again. I always say...bone cancer made breast cancer a piece of cake.


  Best of Luck,
  Celeste

[Cari]

Hey Jeanne!
First let me say UGH!!  What stress that you really don't need to deal with!--Something about SS--is they will deny--you need to appeal!!!  its a long process but at least it can give you some more time to look for a job that you want and to grow some hair!
I was denied because of the same reason--I wasn't going to be disabled for the 12 months required--I appealed 2 because everyone told me too--once it went all the way to "hearing" i was approved--it's stupid but again it can by you some time!
What kind of job are you looking for?  I wish I had some brilliant advice to give you about how to apply, but I am scared about the same things--i still have my same job but want to eventually look for a new one--INSURANCE is a HUGE thing obviously and you want to work with people that are going to be understanding to medical appts and things like that.  Is there a company within the same field that you know from your old position that might have some openings?  Someone who already knows you and knows your a good worker and maybe even your history so at least you don't have to feel the pressure of when, how, and how much do you need to tell.  i am just rambeling because I don't really know--and I totally understand your concerns!
I know you are tired of being home and just want to get back to some "normal"daily things, but take your time also---I pushed to go back to work a couple of months after treatment and it was really hard!  Your energy level is definately different and it was and still is hard for me to stay concentrated on a job task!--Although the power of being out is huge--you still need to listen to your body and heal!!
Keep us posted on how things are going!!  I wish you luck--let me know if there is anything I can do!
hugs to you
Cari

[Jeanne_C]

I'm reallly lucky in that my LT disability insurance does all the SS appeals for me.  I've been denied twice already but I don't have to do anything, the insurance company does it all.  I have COBRA from my old job....what a great plan....it has paid everything without question.  I guess I want my new "normal" now.  I try not to waste time with worry, but without chemo I have to angst about something right??!!??
I was a training specialist for a mutual fund company which I loved doing.  I had been with them for six years when all this happened.  When I was first diagnosed, they were great....visits at the hospital, gift baskets, the works.  Once I was no longer an employee tho....not a word...which I understand.  I just always assumed I would be able to go back to that company at some point in some capacity....so I kind of feel robbed once again by this dratted cancer.  I'm working to focus on the positives and the possibilities tho....life is way too short to focus too much attention on a job.

[Mike]

Hey there Jeanne,

Sorry to hear about all of your woes in trying to figure out what to do next as far as employment and such. I don't have much in the way of advice as I had to totally switch gears as far as work was concerned. Before Cancer (B.C.), I was doing house painting, and framing and landscaping and general construction types of jobs. I was also very young, 17 when I got cancer. After Cancer (A.C.), I had to think of something to do. I was already on SSI and Disability and was told I never had to go back to work if I didn't want to. But there was no way I could've done that. For one, it was very little money and two, it would've driven me crazy. So, while I was still on disability, I actually volunteered in some different offices just to gain experience. I ended up getting a real full time job at the Child Support Enforcement Agency, which was considered to be a good, stable "State" job. I do remember it being nerve racking to have to interview and tell my prospective employers why I was on crutches and why there was a 4 year gap in any employment at all. Well, I worked for the State for 4 years until I ended up hating it, no motivation, no room for advancement, etc. I them started my own Destop Publishing business. While that was getting started, I did some temp work just to keep money coming in. Well, I did temp work at Glaxo, and they offered my a full time job with them, and now I've been ther 10 years. It still seems weird that I do what I do, that is being a computer/data geek. Computers have always been just a hobby for me, but I was able to take that hobby and make a good career out of it.

Maybe you can think outside the proverbial box and maybe look for something that is in a totally different field? What are you interested in? Maybe take a hobby or something you like to do and capitalize on that?

I don't know, I'm just kinda rambling..(must be the percocets kicking in).

Good luck in your quest though.

Miike Smith

[Cari]

Hey guys,
I found a little article about survivors returning to work from the american cancer society thought I would share it with you.
www.cancer.org
Down in the right hand bottom is a link Job Interview Tips for Survivors

[Michelle]

When was your initial diagnosis?  The SS claim should start day one of diagnosis really....that is what they did with Chris.  Even though he worked 'some' for the next several months. 

Also, find out all about the Americans with Disability Act---it can be your friend.  Make sure that you do the research on healthcare and all that---and DONT let your Cobra lapse.  They CAN deny you insurance in the future if you let it lapse (I think 63 days or some quirky number).  I did talk to someone from a cancer legal aid site and they said that cancer patients actually have longer than normal---I want to say they get the 18 months PLUS an additional 11 and then you can talk to your State Dept. of Insurance and there is something called a Guarentteed Issue Policy that you can apply for.  I have it all written down----ummm----somewhere!

As far as the wig thing----I think you have to do what feels comfortable and it may depend on the type of work.  I have seen women do the scarf wrap thing---dont know if that is 'you'?  I think if I was an employeer that I would really look highly upon anyone willing to come in bald----although it might not work so well if you are squirting perfume at Filienes or something....LOL.  Lunch Lady---no hair net.....

I will see if I can find that legal site that I accessed to get my info.

Michelle

[Michelle]

Ohhhh....I found the link.  I found the site rather difficult to move around---but what do you want???

The Cancer Legal Resource Center, a joint project with Loyola Law School, provides information, educational outreach, additional resources, and referrals to people with cancer who are facing legal problems because of their disease.

http://wlcdr.everybody.org/whatwedo_cancer.htm

[Mary]

Here is a page called Your Employment Rights as a Cancer Survivor that gives the following information about employment after cancer:

Under federal law and many state laws, an employer cannot treat you differently from other workers in job related activities because of your cancer history as long as you are qualified for the job. You may be protected by these laws only if:

1. you are qualified for the job (you have the necessary skills, experience and education) and you can do the essential duties of the job in question; and
2. your employer treated you differently from other workers in job related activities because of your cancer treatment or history; and
3. at some time your cancer substantially limited your ability to do everyday activities or your employer thought that your cancer so limited you.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (also known as the "ADA") prohibits some types of job discrimination against people who have or have had cancer by employers (who have at least 15 employees), employment agencies, and labor unions. Additionally, every state has a law that regulates, to some extent, disability based employment discrimination. Some laws clearly prohibit cancer based discrimination, while others have never been applied to cancer based discrimination. State laws also vary as to which employers — public or private, large or small — must obey the law.