My topic might be a bit different. I noticed that a lot of people with multiple myeloma go back to work soon after getting treatments started, or have been through a transplant. They seem to be able to work for a few hours per day at the office or work from home.
I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma after breaking several ribs at home. X-rays and blood tests were done. One rib seems to be slow healing, plus I have a lot of lesions. I am on Revlimid 25 mg 21 on with 7 off, and dex once per week at 40 mg plus 325 mg aspirin. This treatment has worked very well and continues to do so.
My work place has a list of requirements that all employees have to meet if they are off work due to an injury and are able to come back to work. I work on heavy equipment and also farm related machinery. There is no light duty. You are expected to come back to work 100% at the job you had.
So I gave my oncologist, family practitioner and the doctor that will be seeing me for a stem cell harvest and transplant a copy of the requirements from my work. They all said that I cannot go back to work with that requirement list at this time. Just some of the things on that list are that we have to be able to push and pull 100 pounds, be able to work out of position with a max of 40 pounds, and be able to work around pesticide spraying equipment. That's just a few of the demands.
After working at this job for 23 years, and the job before at 18 years, this is all I know how to do. There are no office jobs or light duty available. I will be starting Zometa in about a month. All the doctors said that they will decide about returning to work, if at all, after a few months of the Zometa treatments.
My concerns are that I have been on state disability for the last 6 months and that will end in February 2015. At my age of 63, I have to decide what to do if i cannot go back to work. I was hoping to work until retirement age of 66, but that doesn't look too promising.
Is there anyone out there that is in my line of work that has possibly gone back to work with multiple myeloma. Or anyone at all that has gone on to permanent disability because they couldn't do their previous work?
Thank You,
Castaway
Forums
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Can't meet work requirements - options, suggestions?
Castaway,
I am truly sorry you are faced with this dilemma. Unfortunately I don't have answers, but maybe a few suggestions.
I don't know what part of the country you are in, but I am in rural Wisconsin. We have a lot of dairy farmers and some crop farming, so much of the work is similar to what you have done. We have a Work Force Development program at the county level which can help with situations exactly like yours. It's not ideal, but often they have some good options available and they can provide you with the resources necessary to find suitable employment.
What I have found with regard to employment is that you are compensated for being able to take risks or heavy work. The compensation is not so great if you work in an office.
On the other hand, your health is of the utmost importance here. I have known individuals in similar situations who have opted to take early retirement and become eligible for SSI. I believe they were also able to get Medicare because of it, but I am not sure about that.
Please contact your local county government and see what resources are available to you. Ultimately, you have to make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
All the best.
I am truly sorry you are faced with this dilemma. Unfortunately I don't have answers, but maybe a few suggestions.
I don't know what part of the country you are in, but I am in rural Wisconsin. We have a lot of dairy farmers and some crop farming, so much of the work is similar to what you have done. We have a Work Force Development program at the county level which can help with situations exactly like yours. It's not ideal, but often they have some good options available and they can provide you with the resources necessary to find suitable employment.
What I have found with regard to employment is that you are compensated for being able to take risks or heavy work. The compensation is not so great if you work in an office.
On the other hand, your health is of the utmost importance here. I have known individuals in similar situations who have opted to take early retirement and become eligible for SSI. I believe they were also able to get Medicare because of it, but I am not sure about that.
Please contact your local county government and see what resources are available to you. Ultimately, you have to make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
All the best.
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Toni - Name: Toni
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self - MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Can't meet work requirements - options, suggestions?
George, I was hurt at home moving a box. Due to my back injury I was unable to work. I initially received short term disability through my employer, which ran for six months. I struggled with bills but once I received my ASCT, I applied for SSD and was approved within five weeks with back pay.
Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), multiple myeloma is listed in the Social Security guidelines of conditions which, if you meet all the requirements and receive a transplant, you're enrolled for a year. I had substantial bone damage, so I'm sure I'll need to be reviewed after the one year for an extension.
If you meet these requirements, I would think you should be able to reach your retirement age with the same extensions. I'm only 49, so I'm depending on a recovery which will include Zometa treatments for a while to get back to work.
Hope this helped!
Kully
Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), multiple myeloma is listed in the Social Security guidelines of conditions which, if you meet all the requirements and receive a transplant, you're enrolled for a year. I had substantial bone damage, so I'm sure I'll need to be reviewed after the one year for an extension.
If you meet these requirements, I would think you should be able to reach your retirement age with the same extensions. I'm only 49, so I'm depending on a recovery which will include Zometa treatments for a while to get back to work.
Hope this helped!
Kully
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kullybunnny1 - Name: Kully
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Re: Can't meet work requirements - options, suggestions?
Hi George,
In case you haven't seen them already, you may want to check some of the discussions in the forum related to short-term and long-term disability. Here's a link to them:
Forum discussions on short-term and long-term disability
I'm sure you'll get additional useful advice from others here in the forum that's specific to your situation. But we wanted to make sure you (and others reading this discussion) are aware of these previous discussions. Some of them have a lot of helpful information and insights.
In case you haven't seen them already, you may want to check some of the discussions in the forum related to short-term and long-term disability. Here's a link to them:
Forum discussions on short-term and long-term disability
I'm sure you'll get additional useful advice from others here in the forum that's specific to your situation. But we wanted to make sure you (and others reading this discussion) are aware of these previous discussions. Some of them have a lot of helpful information and insights.
Re: Can't meet work requirements - options, suggestions?
Thank you for the replies and also for the Beacon link.
Just to update a little for Toni, I live in central California near the coast. And I don't know much about the work force project if there is one here where I live. i will definitely look into it. Thank you.
I just had bone survey in July. My oncologist answered a few questions about the survey but his thoughts were that the damage that's listed on the survey was previous to my current treatment plan. At that time, I didn't discuss possible permanent disability with him.
I have been fortunate to have an Aflac disability and cancer plan that has and continues to help financially. It pays me directly and the cancer plan sends me $450 per month for the Revlimid and dex drugs. it also has a disability rider that pays for up to one year.
My health / drug plan is with my wife's work and it takes care of the Revlimid and also is contracted with USC Norris for harvest and transplant.
I will discuss my bone survey with my oncologist again. Our family practitioner is the one who did the original diagnosis and he has already spoke of early retirement. He is familiar with my type of work.
Could someone look at my bone survey and give some insight about returning to work with how this survey reads before my next oncologist visit in about a week. Zometa to start in one month. Thank you.
My bone survey reads like this,
Just to update a little for Toni, I live in central California near the coast. And I don't know much about the work force project if there is one here where I live. i will definitely look into it. Thank you.
I just had bone survey in July. My oncologist answered a few questions about the survey but his thoughts were that the damage that's listed on the survey was previous to my current treatment plan. At that time, I didn't discuss possible permanent disability with him.
I have been fortunate to have an Aflac disability and cancer plan that has and continues to help financially. It pays me directly and the cancer plan sends me $450 per month for the Revlimid and dex drugs. it also has a disability rider that pays for up to one year.
My health / drug plan is with my wife's work and it takes care of the Revlimid and also is contracted with USC Norris for harvest and transplant.
I will discuss my bone survey with my oncologist again. Our family practitioner is the one who did the original diagnosis and he has already spoke of early retirement. He is familiar with my type of work.
Could someone look at my bone survey and give some insight about returning to work with how this survey reads before my next oncologist visit in about a week. Zometa to start in one month. Thank you.
My bone survey reads like this,
- Skull: Multiple myelomatous lesions present
- Cervical spine: Degenerative spondylosis. c4,c5, and c7 vertebral segments with areas of punched out on scout, likely lesions.
- Thoracic spine: Osteopenia. multilevel anterior wedge compression change of the mid thoracic spine. no paraspinous hematoma of fracture. no subluxation
- Lumbar spine: Osteopenia. mild retrolisthesis of L2 vertibral body. anterior compression change of L1 and superior endplate. L5 degenerative this disease.
- Humeri: Right greater than left myelomatous lesions. visualized distal right clavical with two myelomatous lesions.
- Pelvis, AP: No soft tissue mass. myelomatous lesions overlying the right anterior iliac crest.right acetabulum and bilateral inferior pubic rami.
- Femus: Right greater than left proximal myelomatous lesions....
- Overall impression: Multiple extensive myelomatous lesions on skeletal survey. no evidence of impeding fracture or significant soft tissue mass.
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Can't meet work requirements - options, suggestions?
Castaway,
Here is a link to the Social Security Administration as to obtaining long term disability benefits under Social Security. You may qualify.
http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify.htm
Ron
Here is a link to the Social Security Administration as to obtaining long term disability benefits under Social Security. You may qualify.
http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify.htm
Ron
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Can't meet work requirements - options, suggestions?
At your age I would look at retirement. I know you can do Social Security (SS). Medicare is the hangup, you have to wait until you're 65 or 2 years if you take disability.
If you have an option for insurance, spouse maybe, disability will give you full 65 benefits in SS.
If you have an option for insurance, spouse maybe, disability will give you full 65 benefits in SS.
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Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Can't meet work requirements - options, suggestions?
Ron and Wayne, Thanks for the info. So much to learn as far as possible disability and making the best decisions.
66 would be my Social Security (SS) retirement age. I am currently on state disability and that will end around February 2015. Never thought I would ever think about permanent disability. In the last 40 years of working, I have been in between jobs for a total of two months.
I will need to look into some type of work that I can get a small income to supplement SS disability. Possibly do some sales on eBay. I used to sell on eBay until my work hours would no longer allow that.
I am on my wife's insurance which has a great prescription plan (covers Revlimid). If i was to be on SS disability, could i still keep her insurance. My wife plans on working full time for a few more years, then going part time which she could still keep our insurance.
We both have always been hard workers and love to work. This is a big change for both of us. Unfortunately, multiple myeloma brings its own issues but there is the financial part that plays a big part also.
Thank You,
Castaway
66 would be my Social Security (SS) retirement age. I am currently on state disability and that will end around February 2015. Never thought I would ever think about permanent disability. In the last 40 years of working, I have been in between jobs for a total of two months.
I will need to look into some type of work that I can get a small income to supplement SS disability. Possibly do some sales on eBay. I used to sell on eBay until my work hours would no longer allow that.
I am on my wife's insurance which has a great prescription plan (covers Revlimid). If i was to be on SS disability, could i still keep her insurance. My wife plans on working full time for a few more years, then going part time which she could still keep our insurance.
We both have always been hard workers and love to work. This is a big change for both of us. Unfortunately, multiple myeloma brings its own issues but there is the financial part that plays a big part also.
Thank You,
Castaway
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Can't meet work requirements - options, suggestions?
George,
With regard to question of being under your wife's insurance and still be eligible for SS disability payments, I would suggest having a discussion with a rep from the SS office closest to you.
With Medicare, if you were eligible but continued under your wife's plan, Medicare would be the primary insurance and your wife would be secondary - cover the difference. Disability may work in a similar manner, but I am not sure, thus the recommendation for a meeting.
Good luck to you,
Ron
With regard to question of being under your wife's insurance and still be eligible for SS disability payments, I would suggest having a discussion with a rep from the SS office closest to you.
With Medicare, if you were eligible but continued under your wife's plan, Medicare would be the primary insurance and your wife would be secondary - cover the difference. Disability may work in a similar manner, but I am not sure, thus the recommendation for a meeting.
Good luck to you,
Ron
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Can't meet work requirements - options, suggestions?
George-
It sounds like you really need to look at all of the options available to you. I suspect that your doctors won't clear you to return to your job because of the level that is required physically. I was able to return to my job as a physical therapist with the requirement that I could lift 50 pounds on an occasional basis. Fortunately, I never had to do that and wouldn't have even tried because of a fracture in my left arm from myeloma. My co-workers would have helped me if I needed it, because they were very protective of me once they knew what was going on. But, I didn't have to perform heavy physical tasks on a daily basis like your job requires.
You've been given some good advice, but some of it isn't complete. If you go on Social Security Disability, you wouldn't become eligible for Medicare until 2 years after your approval date. If your wife is still working and you are using her medical benefits when you become eligible, her insurance would be primary and Medicare would be secondary. In any scenario you wouldn't be eligible for Medicare before 65 years so of age. One of the advantages for you to possibly consider the Social Security Disability route would be that you would qualify for your maximum SS benefit as if you had waited until 66 to retire.
If you would like to continue working, but don't know what you might be able to do other than your current type of employment, contact your county office of vocational rehabilitation. Each county/state calls it by a different name, but their services are similar. They can provide evaluation of your skills for kinds of employment and pay for training, if needed. They also can help you find jobs that are appropriate with your skill set.
I have heard from a friend in New York, who is trying to return to work following a spinal cord injury, and who is 62, that his county agency wasn't as pro-active in helping him re-train and find work because of his age, he thinks. So, be aware that your age could be a problem even though no one is supposed to discriminate because of age or health status.
You have a lot of homework to do. Call Social Security and/or make an appointment to speak with them. Talk with your doctors about specifics of your condition and ability to do heavy physical work in the future. Call the county vocational rehabilitation agency to find out what services they have. Consider part time work that isn't so physical that would bring in some money and give you a focus beyond having myeloma.
Good luck with your research and let us know how things work out,
Nancy in Phila
It sounds like you really need to look at all of the options available to you. I suspect that your doctors won't clear you to return to your job because of the level that is required physically. I was able to return to my job as a physical therapist with the requirement that I could lift 50 pounds on an occasional basis. Fortunately, I never had to do that and wouldn't have even tried because of a fracture in my left arm from myeloma. My co-workers would have helped me if I needed it, because they were very protective of me once they knew what was going on. But, I didn't have to perform heavy physical tasks on a daily basis like your job requires.
You've been given some good advice, but some of it isn't complete. If you go on Social Security Disability, you wouldn't become eligible for Medicare until 2 years after your approval date. If your wife is still working and you are using her medical benefits when you become eligible, her insurance would be primary and Medicare would be secondary. In any scenario you wouldn't be eligible for Medicare before 65 years so of age. One of the advantages for you to possibly consider the Social Security Disability route would be that you would qualify for your maximum SS benefit as if you had waited until 66 to retire.
If you would like to continue working, but don't know what you might be able to do other than your current type of employment, contact your county office of vocational rehabilitation. Each county/state calls it by a different name, but their services are similar. They can provide evaluation of your skills for kinds of employment and pay for training, if needed. They also can help you find jobs that are appropriate with your skill set.
I have heard from a friend in New York, who is trying to return to work following a spinal cord injury, and who is 62, that his county agency wasn't as pro-active in helping him re-train and find work because of his age, he thinks. So, be aware that your age could be a problem even though no one is supposed to discriminate because of age or health status.
You have a lot of homework to do. Call Social Security and/or make an appointment to speak with them. Talk with your doctors about specifics of your condition and ability to do heavy physical work in the future. Call the county vocational rehabilitation agency to find out what services they have. Consider part time work that isn't so physical that would bring in some money and give you a focus beyond having myeloma.
Good luck with your research and let us know how things work out,
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
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