Moving on after loosing job as pilot because of Stage IV Melanoma

This topic has 11 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 5 months ago by BrianP.

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- November 22, 2019 at 2:12 pm
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ra23658
Participant
I am a 43 yr old Male with a wife and 3 kids age 9-13. One year ago I was diagnosed with stage 3b subcutaneous melanoma after finding a bump on my hip that doctors originally thought was a cyst. It was removed along with surrounding tissue. Pet scans and brain mri came back negative. DR Rao at Mcloud in Florence along with Dr Salama at Duke university cancer center suggested I do one year of Adjuvant therapy (Opdivo 12 treatments 1 every 4 weeks). I’m a corporate pilot for a company in Hartsville SC. Because of the cancer I lost my pilot medical and had to quit flying for at least a year. I was told I could reapply by the FAA in a year IF scans came back negative. My company was going to hold my Job for a year. I would go on long term disability and keep my health insurance. Well… A year later and my CT abdomen and pelvis scan showed that the cancer was back and had spread to my Liver and Lungs stage IV. Several tumors in both the largest being about 3.5×2.5 cm. Brain MRI is clear. This is what is happing and what I have to decide next. BTW I still feel fine with no side effects from opdivo. I have an appointment with Duke on Monday to see what to do next. I will be losing company health insurance at the end of December. I most likely will have to sign up on healthcare.gov. Duke cancer center is not covered under the new plan. I am looking at Levine Cancer center in Charlotte NC as an option. I think I will move on from Mcloud cancer center in Florence in hope to get more specialized care. I have long term disability at 60 percent of my Salary for another 1.5 years. My wife doesn’t work but that is an option. My current company is offering to pass my resume around to different departments and try to find me a new Job. The problem with that would be starting a new career probably at a lower pay then my current long term disability all wile navigating stage 4 cancer. I could possibly be a pilot again if treatments work and I go cancer free for 3 yrs. But that is lower on my priority list right now. My faith has helped me keep a positive attitude during all of this and my family will support me if needed. We are at the very least looking at possibly downsizing our current house. Possibly moving from SC to Charlotte NC to be closer to mine and my wifes parents, but I would hate to take the kids away from school/friends. I wonted to put this on the forum to hear peoples suggestions on possible treatment locations/options, and any ideas from other that have gone through changes due to Cancer.

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- - November 22, 2019 at 6:28 pm
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  JudiAU
  Participant
  I’m sorry. It really stinks to feel asymptotic and be told you can’t work. I’d probably start reorienting your live(s) around the diagnosis.
  
  We have kids(12, 10, 6) and managing their schedules adds a lot of stress to our lives. It is just a LOT.
  
  I will say, and you should know this, that my SSDI claim was approved in 16 days. Melanoma IV is a qualifying “fast track” disease. Your kids to qualify (never more than half). After two years, you get health insurance. You might want to figure out your qualifying date, now, and keep that in your back pocket. I’m NOT suggesting that you will never be well enough to fly again, just that it may take some time and you should the options for your family.
  
  My mom is the driver and waiting warrior for the most part. (And I had an UBER driver abandon me after he watched me collapse one time). We also have a helper who drives some of the kids every day. That is very helpful to take the stress of me (depending on how I am feeling) AND my husband who has a flexible/inflexible schedule.
  - November 23, 2019 at 12:59 pm
    
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    ra23658
    Participant
    
    Thanks for your reply, very helpful and good information.
  - November 23, 2019 at 3:18 pm
    
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    JudiAU
    Participant
    
    FYI SSDI is based on your five highest earning years out of ten. Maximum monthly payout is around $2800; kids will qualify for half your benefit max. Average monthly benefit is around $1200. Lower expenses, family to help if they are helpful, spouse working hopefully with insurance, disability payments of some type, location near cancer center, stay at home dad/ cancer patient, selective child care are all working for our family. (Meal train did not work us because it was difficult to manage, often not for kids, etc), gift cards to meal delivery very helpful.
- - November 22, 2019 at 9:20 pm
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  kst
  Participant
  At my previous employer (Large Bank) the long term disability insurance company would sign you up for SSDI immediately after your last paycheck. After the 5 month wait to receive benefits from SSDI the combination of both checks would equal 60% total pay. You will be eligible for Medicare part A and B in 2 years and 5 months from your last paycheck unless you return to work. Keep in mind I had to blow the dust off of my 5 year old HR manual so things may have changed.
  You will be eligible for Cobra benefits for 18 months after your employer sponsored health insurance ends. I would advise you to continue on Cobra as long as possible-usually it is the same price as ACA with much better hospital and doctor options.
  Susanne
  - November 23, 2019 at 1:00 pm
    
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    ra23658
    Participant
    
    Thanks I will look into this.
- - November 22, 2019 at 11:57 pm
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  Edwin
  Participant
  Your melanoma should be tested for the BRAF mutation. Because my melanoma is BRAF negative, fewer treatments are available for me. Yervoy+Opdivo combo immunotherapy sometimes works for people with stage 4 melanoma for whom Keytruda or Opdivo immunotherapy has failed. Melanoma spread to several more of my bones, while I received Keytruda immunotherapy. Yervoy+Opdivo immunotherapy put my bone cancer into remission. I have had good health for 3 years and still receive Opdivo every 4 weeks.
  - November 23, 2019 at 1:02 pm
    
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    ra23658
    Participant
    
    Thanks for your reply, I should have mentioned that it was tested originally and is BRAF positive. I’m not sure if that means the current tumors are the same but I would think so.
- - November 23, 2019 at 7:30 am
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  MelMel
  Participant
  Unfortunately, I cannot help you with insurance questions however when it comes to career, my own experience has been that one needs to be adaptable. This does not necessarily mean that your pilot days are over, although you may need to find alternative employment at least for the meantime. Perhaps you can find something in teaching flight instruction, etc. Just remember that on average people change their careers every 12 years.
  I know how devastating and unsettling all this must be for you. In Oct. 2018, I was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma out of the blue with no known primary with multiple tumors on my liver (largest being 6.7 cm x 4.7) and lungs (largest being 3.5 cm). I immediately decided to go for the combo of Yervoy/Opdivo. Although I was able to receive only two infusions before my liver injury, my tumors shrank 50% in 2 months and another 30% in the next 2 months. Currently, I am on Opdivo only and shrinkage ranges 10-15% every three months. My largest liver tumor is now 1.6 x 1.6 cm and largest lung tumor is 0.6 x 0.5 cm. Being BRAF+ I have decided to keep targeted therapy as my last defence due to the fact that although it works, it usually works only temporary as tumors almost always regrow.
  Here is a good site for information on the combo treatment from Bristol-Myers Squibb press release September 28, 2019
  https://news.bms.com/press-release/corporatefinancial-news/five-year-outcomes-opdivo-nivolumab-combination-yervoy-ipilimu
  The key is to have a melanoma specialist as your oncologist. They can help you make the right choice of therapy for you and also monitor your side effects which is crucial. The oncologist I first got referred to clearly told me that for every 100 breast cancer patients he sees only 1 melanoma patient so clearly you can quickly understand why you need a melanoma oncologist.
  As far as the rest, downsizing is a good option as is moving closer to family. Your children are young and we often as adults forget that children are very resilient and they usually adapt much better than we first think. You are also extremely fortunate to have a wonderful family who are willing to help. Once you have a course of action regarding your treatment plan, I am sure everything else will fall into place. Your pilot training will help you tremendously.
  Wishing you best success.
  Melanie
  - November 23, 2019 at 1:10 pm
    
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    ra23658
    Participant
    
    Thanks for your kind reply. That’s fantastic that the tumors are shrinking. I too am thinking that the instruction/simulator training is a good option. It would keep me current if I ever do want to get back into flying. I do want to speak to the oncologist at Duke to see what direction she recommends, and see if the treatment starts working before I would do something like that. I will feel a lot better if I could see that the tumors are shrinking.
- - November 24, 2019 at 12:11 am
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  MikeInAK
  Participant
  Oh my, I feel for you. My story very similar, a year ago last week an evil looking lesion appeared, and started my road into fighting melanoma. I was flying Part 135 too, as a semi-retirement gig for the last three years after 42 years in a professional surveyiing/photogrammetry career.. So as you know , that is over with until a 3 year NED status and then applying for Special Issuance, and the guidance from the FAA about the requirements of a Special Issuance is financially onerous. For me, I can still fly (though non-commercial) under the Special Med privileges that do not have melanoma as disqualifying. I have two more treatments of Opdivo, and my scans are scheduled for the 10th, your story makes me nervous.
  
  For your questions, if you feel up to trying to find aviation employment, you might find some options there. I am not sure if your CFI or CFII, or were in a Part 121 or 135 line of commercial work, but you may find work as Simulator Instructor or Trainer. Flight Safety and SimCom are always looking for trainers. There are also possibilities as a Safety Management System manager or in dispatch for a commercial operator. I would at least take your current employer’s offer up on doing outreach for you, it is possible that something would come up that would fit for you. You never know if you can find some related aviation work that will be right for you unless you give it a go. And then there is the issue of what the pay would be for entry levels at those positions.
  
  You have lots of considerations to work through with supporting your family and financial issues. Make sure that you take care of yourself too, and find a way to get the treatment you need and deserve. I will keep you in my prayers that you find a way to make things work. If you need someone to chat about fighting Mel and the aviation side of things, send me a PM and I will give you my contact information.
  
  Peace, and take care
- - November 25, 2019 at 9:07 pm
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  BrianP
  Participant
  Sorry about your diagnosis. I’m a pilot as well so I know the feeling of losing your means to support your family. I’m in the process of trying to get my medical back. Submitted my paperwork 8 months ago! Nothing like waiting for a timely answer from a government organization. I’ve heard American Airlines is looking for instructors in Charlotte. If this is something you are interested in feel free to PM me. I don’t have any pull but I could probably get a POC for you. Not sure what kind of medical insurance the simulator instructors have but as a pilot it is pretty good.