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StephN · 08-22-2012, 12:27 PM

Dear Amy -

Yes, they do make it easier to start the process online, and I had to make only one trip to the office for a face to face and take them some proof of ID.

I have been on disability income since July of 2005. I had been stage IV since Jan 2002, but finally applied after my brain mets. (I did get a bit of sympathy when the interviewer heard that!) And I had my first payment into my account the very next month.

That is now over five years and like Sheila have never had a review, which I was told at the time would be every 5 years. (Who knows what will be in my mail box today?)

The amount I get is not the same as a salary, but if a person can work part time, it may be enough to keep your insurance.

You need to be aware that there is a lapse of time for getting Medicare early (if you are under the age) once you get disability. Two years in my case, and maybe that has changed I don't know.

We just had to fork out the big bucks to keep my health plan during the waiting time, during which the gov. stats probably say a person with stage IV cancer will die. New drugs = monkey wrench in that old stat!

08-22-2012, 12:27 PM	#7
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Re: $$ For Stage IV Sisters Dear Amy - Yes, they do make it easier to start the process online, and I had to make only one trip to the office for a face to face and take them some proof of ID. I have been on disability income since July of 2005. I had been stage IV since Jan 2002, but finally applied after my brain mets. (I did get a bit of sympathy when the interviewer heard that!) And I had my first payment into my account the very next month. That is now over five years and like Sheila have never had a review, which I was told at the time would be every 5 years. (Who knows what will be in my mail box today?) The amount I get is not the same as a salary, but if a person can work part time, it may be enough to keep your insurance. You need to be aware that there is a lapse of time for getting Medicare early (if you are under the age) once you get disability. Two years in my case, and maybe that has changed I don't know. We just had to fork out the big bucks to keep my health plan during the waiting time, during which the gov. stats probably say a person with stage IV cancer will die. New drugs = monkey wrench in that old stat! __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018. Last edited by StephN; 08-22-2012 at 12:55 PM..