| Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Sounds like the short end of the stick. Is there such a thing as going back with limitations or light duty? Is this a union job? It sure isnt like he was calling out sick to play cards. I was a former union steward and know how big companies skirt around doing the right thing for their employees sometimes. I hate to see the underdog get the shaft. Im going to think up something to help you guys with this. Soon I will have way too much time on my hands so I will come up with something ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 216 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 216 | No union at his shop. We will be ok...I'm one of those push, pull or drag yourself thru it gals...you know the type He's been approved for Social Security and will get long term disability for awhile. I'll still work part time and we will be ok. It will be a big change from what we had income wise before but then this whole thing is a big change from before isn't it? This too will be part of the new normal and we will get thru it. (Doesn't mean I have to be in a good mood while I wrangle with creditors, insurance companies, etc. tho does it?!?!)
CG to H with SCC BOT T4N2cM0 dx 12/19/08, teeth removed pre-tx; Erbitux & RT-done 3/12/09, PEG 2/9/09-7/14/09; ND 6/16. Pet 6/12-no mets except lymph node in neck removed on 6/16. Chyle leak,2nd surg to repair. Dilate esophagus 4/15/10. Clear PET 12/17/10
| | | | 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 | Why doesn't he go back to work on the line and then develop his leg or foot problems due to the working conditions and then file for work related disability? Two can play this game.
Re the creditors calling. get their name and address and write a quick "do not call me" letter and by law they are required to stop. If they continue to call you, write down the time and hire an atty as there are big fines that can be imposed federally.
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: Jul 2008 Posts: 507 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 507 | Cheryl, Since your husbands has qualified for SSD benefits, I believe he also qualifies for Medicare after receiving SSD for two years.
To help bridge those two years of medical coverage you might want to looking into COBRA. If you husband is fired the Federal Government has currently been covering up to 60% of COBRA cost for fired and laid-off workers.
Your husband's employer is required to provide you all of the details of COBRA and allow him to keep his policy for a minimum of 18 months, basically at the 'group rate' his employer is paying less anything the Federal Government will currently pick up under the 'Recovery Act'.
In some states, under certain conditions (including disability) COBRA coverage can last for more than 18 months. For Example, in California it can last up to 36 months (Federal COBRA - 18 + State COBRA - 18).
Good Luck
Don TXN2bM0 Stage IVa SCC-Occult Primary FNA 6/6/08-SCC in node<2cm PET/CT 6/19/08-SCC in 2nd node<1cm HiRes CT 6/21/08 Exploratory,Tonsillectomy(benign),Right SND 6/23/08 PEG 7/3/08-11/6/08 35 TomoTherapy 7/16/08-9/04/08 No Chemo Clear PET/CT 11/15/08, 5/15/09, 5/28/10, 7/8/11
| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 216 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 216 | I think the "do not call" thing only applies after a debt is turned over to a collection agent - that's when the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act kicks in. As long as it's the creditor themselves calling from in-house they can get by with a lot. On bad days I pick up the phone and chew some butt since I've told them all before - I ask them to go back and read their notes they should have for the past 3 months at least....anyhow, as soon as the FDCPA kicks in, they will get a letter. They already have emails and phone notes. I even had one hang up on me - I consider that to be an accomplishment!
CG to H with SCC BOT T4N2cM0 dx 12/19/08, teeth removed pre-tx; Erbitux & RT-done 3/12/09, PEG 2/9/09-7/14/09; ND 6/16. Pet 6/12-no mets except lymph node in neck removed on 6/16. Chyle leak,2nd surg to repair. Dilate esophagus 4/15/10. Clear PET 12/17/10
| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 216 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 216 | Thanks for the info on COBRA. I will look into that as soon as the time comes.
CG to H with SCC BOT T4N2cM0 dx 12/19/08, teeth removed pre-tx; Erbitux & RT-done 3/12/09, PEG 2/9/09-7/14/09; ND 6/16. Pet 6/12-no mets except lymph node in neck removed on 6/16. Chyle leak,2nd surg to repair. Dilate esophagus 4/15/10. Clear PET 12/17/10
| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 225 "OCF across the pond" Gold Member (200+ posts) | "OCF across the pond" Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 225 | Ooops, my finger must have stuttered, I pay �202.93 a month. Wow, �2002 a month, I don't even earn that. Anyway, i think it's good value for money, at the �202/month not the previous amount.
Girlfriend to Martin 49 years old at diagnosis Diagnosed with SCC unknown primary June 2008. Cancer found in single node Stage N2A (3 to 6cm). Tonsilectomy 16th june, Radical modified neck dissection left side 30th june. 30 TX radiotherapy ended 9th October First comparative study scan came back clear
| | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | i thought you must have made a typo lol.Either that or you are very very rich!!!
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007 Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 225 "OCF across the pond" Gold Member (200+ posts) | "OCF across the pond" Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 225 | Maybe when I win the Euromillions!
Girlfriend to Martin 49 years old at diagnosis Diagnosed with SCC unknown primary June 2008. Cancer found in single node Stage N2A (3 to 6cm). Tonsilectomy 16th june, Radical modified neck dissection left side 30th june. 30 TX radiotherapy ended 9th October First comparative study scan came back clear
| | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 96 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 96 | I was surprised to see this post still getting replies after all this time. The ironic thing is, I am left with a $310 Fentanyl precription that I filled 2 days before Ron died. I called the pharmacy and told them I had not even unstapled the bag, but they "could not" take it back. They told me to wait for one of the special disposal days to come so I could throw them away. Yeah.....Just another thing that makes me want to scream! Lori
Lori, cg to H Ron, age 56. Stage IV Oral SCC-T1N2. Tongue resected and right ND 8/05. Teeth removed, PORT, PEG, IMRT x33, Cisplatin x3. Tx ended 10/05. Recurrence 7/08 Stage IV. Surgery 8/30/08. 2nd recur. 11/08. 2nd surgery 2/2/09. 3rd recur. 4/9/09. Erbitux wkly. 5/09-? Ron died 6/6/09. Lori also passed away 8/20/11, colon cancer | | |
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