| | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 8 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 8 | I've had my surgery for SCC and the doctor says he got everything but wants me to have radiation because the lymph nodes may be compromised. So that will probably start in a month.
I live in California, so I am probably eligible for state disability that will pay 70% of income and protect my job.
But how do I know if I should apply for it or not? I guess you have to stop working as of a certain date, and you have to name the date in advance. But I'd just as soon work if I can. So what can I do to determine when I should/will have to stop working? Anyone have insight into how the Cal SDI works?
What questions do I ask the ENT surgeon or the RO to help me figure this out?
SCC of buccal mucosa T1N0M0. DX 7/10. Surgery to remove on 8/10 successfully removed the growth. IMRT ending 11/10
| | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 | David,
I collected CA SDI in 2005 when I had a hysterectomy. I think the process was pretty easy, but they do need a statement from your doctor. If I recall, the state website was pretty helpful and I had no trouble qualifying. Its a really great program.
- Margaret
Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 8 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 8 | Yes, it looks like qualifying is pretty easy. I guess I'm trying to figure out if I _should_ apply...if I need to. People seem to react so differently to radiation. If I can keep working and get full pay, that would be preferable. But what if part way through I just can't? Can I apply retroactively if I discover I just can't keep working enough to satisfy my employer? Or should I just figure I won't be able to work after week 3 or 4?
SCC of buccal mucosa T1N0M0. DX 7/10. Surgery to remove on 8/10 successfully removed the growth. IMRT ending 11/10
| | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 | Hmm, not sure about retroactive claims, although I'm sure you can find that out easily enough. Bear in mind also, that just going back an forth to the radiation center, back-ups and delays can keep you away from work as well as wear you out, let alone the side effects! I think you should definitely ask your medical team what they think since they can factor in the type of job you have, your overall health and how they anticipate the treatment will go.
Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | What surgery did you have? Where was your primary? Were you tested for HPV? Were you a tobacco user?
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 8 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 8 | They removed a tooth and the cancer from my buccal mucosa about 3 weeks ago. I'm not a tobacco user. As far as I know, I was not tested for HPV. Diagnosed with Liken Planus in the 80's.
SCC of buccal mucosa T1N0M0. DX 7/10. Surgery to remove on 8/10 successfully removed the growth. IMRT ending 11/10
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Did they Stage you?
Is it possible to get another opinion from a CCC?
Just wondering why they "think" your nodes may be involved?
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 8 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 8 | Sorry, thought all that stuff was in my signature. Wonder why it isn't appearing T1N0M0. Meet with the surgeon this coming Thursday for just that question. My impression from the brief conversation so far is that it's preventive rather than reactive...the radiation, that is.
SCC of buccal mucosa T1N0M0. DX 7/10. Surgery to remove on 8/10 successfully removed the growth. IMRT ending 11/10
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | All to often I see what I call unnecessary neck dissections. I would definitely seek another opinion from a CCC before I went any further in treatment. Not suggesting I know more than this particular doctor but you can't take back a ND. I was told by 3 of my 5 opinions that I needed either a partial or a radical ND and then a CCC told me a ND was unnecessary. I can't tell you how many posts I have seen over the 4 years that I have been on this site that say " I had 28 nodes removed and they ALL tested clear for cancer." If you need radiation (and that's not a given) then the radiation should kill any cancer that may have spread to your nodes (and that's assuming the cancer has spread to your nodes which is not close to being confirmed).
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 711 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 711 | I don't think your claim would be retroactive if you keep working as long as you can and then start your claim as of your 1st day away. The doctor's office should have all the paperwork you need right there so as soon as you decide you can no longer work have their office send in the forms. You do not recieve any pay for the 1st week so if you have vacation time, you can use that and it won't affect your claim. info on line at http://www.edd.ca.gov
David R. 65 yr old male non-smoker, light drinker, stage 3 or 4, depending on which doc you ask, scc rt. tonsil, 2 nodes, 7 weeks radiation and chemo. No surgery. Teatment ended 3/20/08. PET scan 8/08 showed no cancer.
And now, as of oct, 2010, caregiver to wife, Linda, with breast cancer.
May, 2013, Linda diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. Enuf already.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Why not contact your state and get their opinion. This way you will at least have an idea of what to expect if you apply? Let them know everything so the advice pertains to you and not others. Just a thought david.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 17 "OCF across the pond" Member | | "OCF across the pond" Member
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 17 | I'm from UK so can't comment on your insurance issues but I thought I would share my own reaction when the consultant told me back in April that I should plan to be off work for 6 months. I had a partial glossectomey + flap from arm and a left side neck dissection followed by 4 weeks radio.
I simply didnt believe it would take that long and told everyone I would do some work from home I work with computers) long before that time. As it turned out I did virtually nothing for 5 months and now I am working about 80% of full time and feeling quite tired at the end of a day.
So please don't underestimate the energy you need to heal and the tiredness. I tried to do some work a few times but found I could not concentrate properly and in the end decided to concentrate on getting better. I walked every day gradually increasing the length of the walk and bought myself a new bike and started cycling. I'm upto 30kms on a ride now and I am sure getting physical exercise has help me to feel positive as well as healthier.
Diagnosed Early April 2010 SCC left tongue t3n1
PEG insertion 26th April 2010
Patial glossectomy with flap from arm and left neck dissection 28th April
20 sessions of radiotherapy in June
PEG removal Today - yippee! 19th Nov
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,168 Posts196,927 Members13,104 | | Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020 | | |
|
