Connie, there are two ways I know of to get SS disability, and that is SSDI, which requires a certain amount of work credits, like 10 years, and wait for medicare is 29 minths from dissbility date, the other, which is not really paid by SS, is SSI for those with not with enough income, work credits and are usually qualified for Medicaid automatically. I only really know about SSDI, and was approved quickly by telephone, 3 months. They can expedite it quicker, for compassionate reasons, for certain conditions, which cancer usually qualifies, and all the conditions are listed on their website, where you can get all other the information by telephone, in person, or Internet.

I can't really advise you what to do, as far as doing treatment as planned vs waiting for MD Anderson. If it were me, I would probably proceed, and not wait. I sought a consultation a major CCC, and waited a month just for a consultation, only to be told, don't bother coming in, but I wasn't waiting on them either, and already had another CCC in the works, ready to go, and proceeded with them, and was probably a better choice.

Good luck with everything,