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#1 WoofWoof

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Posted 15 November 2011 - 08:36 PM

In late July my employer laid me off so I went from fired to retired. I immediatly applied for social security disability. Today I received notice that I was approved for disability. First time I applied and on my own and without outside help. Didn't even call 1-800-lawyersharks. So it can be done. If you are in a position, file your claim & see what happens!


I have cancer but it doesn't have me


#2 pamsouth

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Posted 15 November 2011 - 09:00 PM

Unfortunately I wasn't diagnosed until after the five year time limit from last day of work.  However I asked the doctor for my CBC lab work which was 3 years before I was diagnosed with CML and my platelets were high and my granulytes were off.  Also when I flew to MD Anderson Houston TX the doctor said I probably had CML for several years as it is very slow growing and take a long time to show up in a CBC.  Anyhow i call social Security and they said good luck proving it.  So I just never file.  I am 63 years old and went on regular social security at 62, but I understand disability iis a lot more.  I wish I had went ahead and tried to get social security and then hired an attorney, I think it is a pretty know fact at least today that it take quite sometime to show up.


PamSouth


#3 snickers

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Posted 17 November 2011 - 09:51 AM

Very curious.  I did not know there was a time litmit on filing for SSD.  How did you get approved so fast.  I was looking on line and they list CML however you have to be in accelerated or blast phase.  Any hints on applying? 

Snickers



#4 Teresabourgeois

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Posted 17 November 2011 - 10:22 AM

WOW!!!  Congratulations!  I applied in the state of Louisiana and was denied.  Now I have a lawyer and we are waiting on a hearing date.  MD Anderson says that most CML patients live a normal life and do not need disability!!!!  Really??  I guess my Dr. doesn't know how it feels to be on Sprycel   Just sayin!!!  Please give us your tips



#5 WoofWoof

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Posted 17 November 2011 - 09:42 PM

Snickers & Teresa- Didn't really do anything special, just filled out the forms & mailed them. I had two phone interviews to clarify some items. Next thing I know I get an approved letter. You don't need to be in accelerated or blast, I'm in chronic. Take a look at the S.Soc. web page: http://www.socialsec...gnant-Adult.htm


I have cancer but it doesn't have me


#6 pamsouth

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Posted 18 November 2011 - 10:11 AM

I copied this from the socialsecurity.gov/disability site that you posted. How would you interpret the chronic myelogenous leukemia?

13.06 Leukemia. (See 13.00K2.)

A. Acute leukemia (including T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma). Consider under a disability until at least 24 months from the date of diagnosis or relapse, or at least 12 months from the date of bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, whichever is later. Thereafter, evaluate any residual impairment(s) under the criteria for the affected body system.

OR

B. Chronic myelogenous leukemia, as described in 1 or 2:

1. Accelerated or blast phase. Consider under a disability until at least 24 months from the date of diagnosis or relapse, or at least 12 months from the date of bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, whichever is later. Thereafter, evaluate any residual impairment(s) under the criteria for the affected body system.

2. Chronic phase, as described in a or b:

a. Consider under a disability until at least 12 months from the date of bone marrow or stem cell transplantation. Thereafter, evaluate any residual impairment(s) under the criteria for the affected body system.

b. Progressive disease following initial antineoplastic therapy.


PamSouth


#7 ChrisC

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Posted 18 November 2011 - 06:19 PM

What is listed as your disabling causes are what get judged. If you only mention CML then that is what is judged: your blood work. If it's the TKI side effects, and perhaps other non-CML-related conditions of whatever duration, are why you can't work, then emphasize those very strongly, even primarily. This is my continuing experience over the past three years of trying to get SSI. Good luck.


Be alert, but not overly concerned.

 

• Dx Oct. 22, 2008, WBC 459k, in ICU for 2 days + in hospital 1 week

• Leukapheresis for 1 week, to reduce WBC (wasn't given Hydroxyurea)

• Oct. 28, 2008: CML confirmed, start Gleevec 400mg

• Oct. 31, 2008: sent home when WBC reached 121k

• On/off, reduced dose Gleevec for 7 months

• April 2009: Started Sprycel 100mg

• Sept. 2009: PCRU 0.000

• Sept. 2011: after 2 years steady PCRU & taking Sprycel 100mg before bed, quit Sprycel (with permission)

• Currently: still steady PCRU, testing every 6 months 🤗

— Fatigue, hearing loss continue, alas, but I prefer to think it is all getting better!

 

 


#8 Teresabourgeois

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Posted 18 November 2011 - 06:40 PM

Hey Pam,

I would interpret CML as 13.06, 2. Chronic Phase, as described in a or b

b.  Progressive disease following initial antineoplastic therapy

Definition of this is: 

antineoplastic - any of several drugs that control or kill neoplastic cells; used in chemotherapy to kill cancer cells;

So I say that it should be an approved disability.  What's you take on this?  I've studied the wording and provided my attorney with my findings.  I'm hoping that it will help her to win my case.



#9 pamsouth

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Posted 18 November 2011 - 08:28 PM

Embarrassed that I am not familiar with the reference TKI, I take it that would be the drug/s you are on.  I worked for over 32 years of my life and rarely missed a day of work.  However the last couple of years that I worked I was sick a lot, still showing up for work even though I was not well.  I knew something was wrong the doctor just coldn't  put her finger on it.  So I just thought it was pre menopause.  Also had severe night sweats, bone pain, flu all the time, tired, head aches.  Presently going to a chiropractor 3 x a week. I have to pace myself.  I wanted to go back to school or work but I have up and down days with low energy and bone pain, stress level have to keep down.  I should have filed Social Security when diagnosed, but when I called Social Security I was not in the 5 year time frame from last day worked.  Even though I had labs that were slightly off in 2002 which would have put me in the 5 years, I guess the doctor didn't feel the labs were off enough to have them checked.  In fact the doctor did not order another CBC for 3 years even though I found out later that 3 different counts were off / slightly, which were the platelets, Band Neutrophil and the Basophil which make up the white cells. Well I am 63 and have been drawing early social security since I was 62, I have heard people say that disability social security is much higher then regular.  So I am debating whether to try for disability SS.  Also was just thinking most doctors think as long as your are on these drugs you are fine.  My doctor has been on me to change from Gleevec to a newer drug and I keep saying NO, NO, NO!!!  Just another chemical to go thru all that nasty yucky stuff.  Beside Gleevec will be generic in July 2015 ( according to LLS).  I hear Gleevec will go down to $5.00 0 $10.00 a pill, so if I would lose my prescription coverage I would be able to afford it.  However my doctor keeps saying she has away to get the new drugs if I lose my prescription coverage, however I keep hearing on some of these telephone conference and other doctors, etc, of people who don't qualify, so I am not trusting my doctor on that one!  I remember how they kept telling me Gleevec was a piece of cake, it was anything but a piece of cake.  I don't know if doctors think they are doing you a favorite by sugar coating this stuff!!


PamSouth


#10 Trey

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Posted 18 November 2011 - 08:59 PM

The language says that if you are in Chronic Phase and respond to drug therapy, then you do not qualify.  BarkBark just got lucky. 



#11 pamsouth

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Posted 18 November 2011 - 09:17 PM

Trey, I kind of got that feeling that he, BarkBark " just got plain lucky."  I don't really think I would want to take on a long fight with Social Security Disability.  I think it would be just added stress, and I am doing pretty well considering everything.  My days are just a little shorter of energy then I would like, trying to keep stress level down, by pacing myself, & doing a few things I enjoy, like singing in the choir, and doing some aqua exercise and hanging with some friends and reading. Maybe taking back up the piano lessons. I wanted to go back to school but it would have required several hours a day of studying and I think I would be biting off more then I can chew.  Little hard to though sometimes had two death in the family and son was in the hospital 88 days but is home now.  I tried not to overdo it at the hospital.  I Go to chiropractor for chronic bone pain and physical therapy and love those massages.  Darn can't take to much on my plate stress wise, good or bad. But at least I am still able to enjoy things as long as I pace myself.  Thanks for the feed back. When I hit a new challenge I get a bit ungrateful, so am trying to stay on the upbeat.  Went to the nursing home to visit someone and was listening to a friends sorrow and actually I felt blessed even with CML.  Pam  P.S. TKI would reference the medication one is on?


PamSouth


#12 Teresabourgeois

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Posted 19 November 2011 - 01:51 PM

Well, I'm thinking if Woofwoof got lucky, then there is hope that others could too.  It's not like we are in control anyway.  I've applied and going to fight the good fight.  I'll except whatever the outcome is.  My faith belief is that God has a plan and he will handle this however he wants.  Happy Turkey Day All   Oh and I forgot to mention that I have other medical issues that could effect this decision.



#13 pamsouth

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Posted 19 November 2011 - 02:39 PM

WoofWoof, Did you need to have a letter from your Doctor or what? Pam


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#14 pamsouth

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Posted 19 November 2011 - 02:44 PM

Yea Teresa, Me thinking the same day.  I went for our Christmas Choir Practice this morning.  We had to stand for 40 minutes to get thru the program.   My back hurt so.... bad, got to keep moving.  I have been going to a chiropractor 3 x a week physical therapy and aqua water and weekly massage, costing me a fortune for the massage but it helps a lot at least for a little while.  My back will get a lill better then flair back up again.  I am not doing pain pills don't want to add another chemical to the Gleevec, however I do ice and creams.   Been going to the chiropractor on & off for a number of years. I am going to see a surgeon this next January.


PamSouth


#15 WoofWoof

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Posted 20 November 2011 - 10:53 PM

Pam- I didn't directly give them a letter from my Drs. but they may have contacted them. I'm guessing that my first contact person was the most helpful.

For all those that said I got lucky, maybe so. Mmmmm...WoofWoof got lucky


I have cancer but it doesn't have me


#16 Augustfirst2010

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Posted 21 November 2011 - 03:23 AM

Hey PS...Here's what I see...

B. Chronic myelogenous leukemia, as described in 1 or 2:

1. Accelerated or blast phase. Consider under a disability until at least 24 months from the date of diagnosis or relapse, or at least 12 months from the date of bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, whichever is later. Thereafter, evaluate any residual impairment(s) under the criteria for the affected body system.

I am in the middle of putting together my information for applying, and from what the lawyers and people at the "Center for Independent Living" (who I would highly recommend contacting in your area, they will help you file and have everything that you need to file, they are a great help) tell me, is that it isn't so much the CML as it is the side effects of the chemotherapy drug that we are on. I am losing my job because of the side effects, and that fact helps also. I don't get paid when I am not at my desk at work, and currently i am missing from 1 to 2 days of work a week...that puts my family into a financial bind. I wish I was wealthy and didn't have to worry about finances, but if you also see a mental health specialist - as I am because of all my stress concerning finances and the like (I still have three children at home, plus my wife), they also take the stress into account...but you HAVE to have that in your medical records for SSDI to take it into consideration.

Anyway, what I did was sit down and write out all the side effects I am having and how some of them keep me from going to work, or from remaining at work after I go in. A lot of mine are gastrointestinal, and that is also in the SSA's list of things for consideration.

Good luck!



#17 pamsouth

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Posted 21 November 2011 - 10:09 AM

I guess my problem is I didn't file for Social Security within the 5 year time frame of last day of work.  Last day of work was 1997 Dec.  Diagnosed July 2005. 

However when I asked the doctor for my CBC labs done before 2005 it was back in 2002 which was in the 5 year time frame.  But that really would not help, I don't think, unless the doctor would have order another CBC as my Platelet counts were about 100,000 or something like that high along with my granulytes which tell you if your white cells are normal or abnormal.  That should have alerted the doctor to have at least ordered another CBC instead of waiting another 3 years when my platelets were over a million.  I never ever had a high white cell count, like some.


PamSouth


#18 Marva

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Posted 21 November 2011 - 04:10 PM

I have to agree with the person  who stated that it is more about  the fact of the side effects than the fact that we have CML. Everybody has to try it for there self, I dont believe no two cases will be the same, but take it from an insider a person from SSDI.



#19 Augustfirst2010

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Posted 21 November 2011 - 05:13 PM

Pam, I would apply for disability NOT because of the CML, but because of the side affects you are experiencing due to the medication - THAT's where the main issue is and that is where they have to take into consideration. like me, if your side effects are too painful for you to be able to keep working, that is what they have to consider...not just the fact that you have CML. I would tell you again to check your local area for a "Center for Independent Living" and they can really help you with what to file for and how to file it.



#20 pamsouth

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Posted 22 November 2011 - 12:33 AM

Augustfirst,  Thanks I am getting bits and pieces to ponder on.  Next week after the Holidays I will check out the independent living, never thought about that.

I am afraid to complain to the doctor about side effects.  I usually just say great, Because they really want me and other to change to the newer patent drugs.  In fact I went to a second doctor for another opinion.  Yep if I complain of side effects sure enough they will change my med's.  I would  almost rather die then change meds and go thru all that adjustment again.  When i was first diagnosed my life was living in out of the doctors office, test, labs, x-rays, feeling sick in so many way.  Fighting with the billing and insurance everyday over stacks of bills. Oh God I would hate to go thru that again, it is awful to have to fight with the insurance company when your are wore down.

But I am getting some ideas!  You guys are really helping me on this discussion board.  I can't believe how you all support each other and stick together.  You are the best ever!  I try not to bother others, they got the own problems and don't want to hear.  You know I put on the biggest smile ever when I go out, no matter how I feel.  Been sending out Thanksgiving cards and trying to send Holiday cheer.  I sike myself up every morning and pray Dear Jesus help me this day to be what you want me to be and be kind and compassion to others, Help to make wise decision, help with these last days of my life to find joy and peace!  I am Thankful this day for all of you! Pam


PamSouth





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