[kullybunnny1]

Re: Working with multiple myeloma & disability

by kullybunnny1 on Fri Feb 13, 2015 12:47 pm

I'm currently on disability due to my significant bone involvement and the loss of height (5 inches / 13 cm).

I'm struggling to get back to work, but the pain level and fatigue has slowed me. As I move, I get the sensation that, if I turn or move too quick, I'll break in half. I'm 49, and know I'll be employable someday, just not now.

I applaud folks with the fortitude to continue working but, for some, this is not possible. If you're transplant eligible, and have the procedure, your social worker can assist you on SSDI.

I'm thankful that this option was available and hope others with similar circumstances consider using it.

Kully

[mammiev]

Re: Working with multiple myeloma & disability

by mammiev on Tue May 08, 2018 10:11 am

I am curious about something. I am a special education paraprofessional. I worked with pre-kindergarten through third grade students. My teacher that I help won't let me go back to work since my diagnosis (November 16, 2017) due to a lot of the children being sick most of the time. With my immune system compromised with the myeloma treatment, she feels it is a bad idea. Also with the fatigue and my stamina or lack of stamina, it is hard for me to even get around doing my own house/yard work.

Would this make me disabled?

My husband says I am in denial and can't accept the fact that this is the case. Why are some multiple myeloma patients disabled and others are not? How would I know if that was my case?

I have not gone into remission yet. In fact, I had to be taken completely off treatment due to getting extremely sick. I was off for one month. I started on my third cycle April 22, 2018 without the Velcade. I am just on Revlimid and dex. I feel better, but after coming off the dex high, I feel the bone pain again and I seem to hit rock bottom with lack of energy. I push myself and pay the price but I have to. I need to feel that I can still be productive.

Any comment will be helpful and appreciated. Have a great day and hang in there.

[LindaM]

Re: Working with multiple myeloma & disability

by LindaM on Tue May 08, 2018 11:13 am

I'm also a special education para­pro­fessional. Thanks to my very sup­portive principal and staff, I was able to continue working through my treat­ment with Revlimid, Velcade, and dexa­meth­a­sone (RVD). I did go home every day exhausted and nap, but it was good for me to keep working. I'm now on Revlimid maintenance. I do seem more likely to pick up an upper respiratory infection. I wash my hands a lot! I'll keep working as long as I can.

[Foundry738]

Re: Working with multiple myeloma & disability

by Foundry738 on Wed May 09, 2018 2:34 pm

Hello Nora,

The short answer to your question is "yes", you are "disabled", but that has many definitions. Many "disabled" people work full or part time. You can still be and feel productive, but it may be that it won't be in the full-time job that you have. I don't think you will know until the treatments are finished and your condition stabilizes. Your doctor and your body should be the ones to provide the best guidance about whether or not you should return to work and at what job.

Disabled as defined for employment purposes from the EEOC site:

Definition Of Disability

Not everyone with a medical condition is protected by the law. In order to be protected, a person must be qualified for the job and have a disability as defined by the law.

A person can show that he or she has a disability in one of three ways:

1. A person may be disabled if he or she has a physical or mental condition that substantially limits a major life activity (such as walking, talking, seeing, hearing, or learning).
2. A person may be disabled if he or she has a history of a disability (such as cancer that is in remission).
3. A person may be disabled if he is believed to have a physical or mental impairment that is not transitory (lasting or expected to last six months or less) and minor (even if he does not have such an impairment).

Versus disabled to the point of qualifying for Social Security disability payments, which is a whole other story.