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Joan M · 04-29-2009, 08:17 PM

Pam,

I appreciate your honesty and have had a lot of the same thoughts about work. I'm 55, divorced (for a long time) and working at a stressful job.

It seems you feel well enough to work as I do at this point. And you're doing really great so far at eight years out and the Gemzar working for you. Last week I read an article in the New York Times which said that 20% of women with advanced breast cancer don't live for five years (the article questioned in general whether we're winning the war on cancer).

That article got me thinking ... thinking that I have a false sense of security, as well.

My job is very stressful and I work long hours, and my commute each way is 90 minutes. So I've thought about collecting disability and believe I would qualify because of the advanced bc.

But then I worry about whether my current cancer docs would be covered under the insurance and how restrictive the insurance would be for treatments and procedures.

I'm not even sure how that works ... duhhh ... talk about being in denial.

Losing my medical insurance is my main concern, but having no salary would also be an issue. May 1 we're getting a temporary 10% pay cut due to the rough shape of the economy.

But my feelings vascillate. At the same time I'm afraid of losing my job, as three people were let go from my group a month ago.

Personally though I don't think I would miss work. I would not be bored and can think of a lot of things to do.

Joan

04-29-2009, 08:17 PM	#11
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Pam, I appreciate your honesty and have had a lot of the same thoughts about work. I'm 55, divorced (for a long time) and working at a stressful job. It seems you feel well enough to work as I do at this point. And you're doing really great so far at eight years out and the Gemzar working for you. Last week I read an article in the New York Times which said that 20% of women with advanced breast cancer don't live for five years (the article questioned in general whether we're winning the war on cancer). That article got me thinking ... thinking that I have a false sense of security, as well. My job is very stressful and I work long hours, and my commute each way is 90 minutes. So I've thought about collecting disability and believe I would qualify because of the advanced bc. But then I worry about whether my current cancer docs would be covered under the insurance and how restrictive the insurance would be for treatments and procedures. I'm not even sure how that works ... duhhh ... talk about being in denial. Losing my medical insurance is my main concern, but having no salary would also be an issue. May 1 we're getting a temporary 10% pay cut due to the rough shape of the economy. But my feelings vascillate. At the same time I'm afraid of losing my job, as three people were let go from my group a month ago. Personally though I don't think I would miss work. I would not be bored and can think of a lot of things to do. Joan __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!