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Social Security Disability – has anyone lost it after 4 years?
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Social Security Disability – has anyone lost it after 4 years?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Social Security Disability – has anyone lost it after 4 years?

  • Post
    • February 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm
    JackieDoss
    Participant

      Hi gang. I've been on Social Security Disability for about 5 years due to melanoma. A stage III diagnosis is an automatic yes, and I was Stage IV when I applied. Anyway… I have THANKFULLY been NED for 4 and a half years, and have simply been living my life without the stress of having to hold down a job. Hubby makes a good income, and my disability helps us pay the bills.

      Hi gang. I've been on Social Security Disability for about 5 years due to melanoma. A stage III diagnosis is an automatic yes, and I was Stage IV when I applied. Anyway… I have THANKFULLY been NED for 4 and a half years, and have simply been living my life without the stress of having to hold down a job. Hubby makes a good income, and my disability helps us pay the bills.

      Well, SS sent me a re-evaluation form to decide if I still need to be on disability. So I'm a bit afraid that they will determine that I'm no longer disabled, even though I'm still considered a stage-IV patient. (I also have lymphedema, which lately has been more of a hindrance than the melanoma has).

      If you or someone you know was on SSD for melanoma, and lost it… would you let me know? OR if you've been re-evaluated, and they let you stay on it… please also respond. It would help with my nail-biting!

      Love to you all!

      Jackie Doss, Stage IV NED… Dallas, TX

    Viewing 7 reply threads
    • Replies
        • February 5, 2011 at 6:57 pm
        Shelly in Switzerland
        Participant

          Congratulations on your NED status!  Keep going.

          I have just been put on SS disability myself.  Could you let me know the outcome when you learn the decision?  I have been wondering the same thing. 

          Shelly in Switzerland stage IV

          • February 5, 2011 at 6:57 pm
          Shelly in Switzerland
          Participant

            Congratulations on your NED status!  Keep going.

            I have just been put on SS disability myself.  Could you let me know the outcome when you learn the decision?  I have been wondering the same thing. 

            Shelly in Switzerland stage IV

            • February 6, 2011 at 3:05 am
            NancyGM
            Participant

              Hi Jackie, I am in the appeal process for 5 months now. I have been stage IV for 4 years and for 3 years of that I have been NED .  I was sent the redetermination application after 3 years on disability and was turned down. Feel free to e-mail me and I will tell you more about this.

              The disability redetermination person got my Oncologist to approve moving up the date of my yearly PET scan ( to next week) so that at least I will have that covered by medicaid/medicare this month if he ends up turning me down.

              • February 6, 2011 at 3:05 am
              NancyGM
              Participant

                Hi Jackie, I am in the appeal process for 5 months now. I have been stage IV for 4 years and for 3 years of that I have been NED .  I was sent the redetermination application after 3 years on disability and was turned down. Feel free to e-mail me and I will tell you more about this.

                The disability redetermination person got my Oncologist to approve moving up the date of my yearly PET scan ( to next week) so that at least I will have that covered by medicaid/medicare this month if he ends up turning me down.

                • February 12, 2011 at 2:15 am
                KRob
                Participant

                  Hi, Jackie.

                  You and I are about on the same time table with our stage IV diagnosis….I haven't been on here for awhile so it's great to see you doing well. As to your question/concern about disability….

                  Since being diagnosed stage IV Feb. of '05, I didn't apply for disability until Oct. of '07 after a relapse. I have also chosen quality of life and remained on disability since that time. I am on STRS of Ohio disability. Last summer ('10) STRS requested a review of my case. I was worried too because while I am healthy-looking at present, but the entire process and lingering effects of both the treatment and emotional/mental trauma of living with mel has left me a different person than I was before (as I'm sure you know).

                  I worry about the stress of the effects and the job (teaching) taking a toll on me again (keep doing what's working…right?)

                  My lead oncologist asked me what I wanted to do and I told him my concerns and he said, "I completely agree. This is not a disease with which to take risks…(additionally) given the uncertain climate of the healthcare system, I wouldn't want you to leave the system because it might be very difficult to get back on. I know what it takes to keep you on but I can't guarantee I can get you back."

                  Enough said. He filled out the paperwork and my review was accepted as plausible by the disability board and I was renewed.

                  Talk to your doc. Speak your concerns and I'm sure they'll agree.

                  Take care,

                  Karen

                  • February 12, 2011 at 2:15 am
                  KRob
                  Participant

                    Hi, Jackie.

                    You and I are about on the same time table with our stage IV diagnosis….I haven't been on here for awhile so it's great to see you doing well. As to your question/concern about disability….

                    Since being diagnosed stage IV Feb. of '05, I didn't apply for disability until Oct. of '07 after a relapse. I have also chosen quality of life and remained on disability since that time. I am on STRS of Ohio disability. Last summer ('10) STRS requested a review of my case. I was worried too because while I am healthy-looking at present, but the entire process and lingering effects of both the treatment and emotional/mental trauma of living with mel has left me a different person than I was before (as I'm sure you know).

                    I worry about the stress of the effects and the job (teaching) taking a toll on me again (keep doing what's working…right?)

                    My lead oncologist asked me what I wanted to do and I told him my concerns and he said, "I completely agree. This is not a disease with which to take risks…(additionally) given the uncertain climate of the healthcare system, I wouldn't want you to leave the system because it might be very difficult to get back on. I know what it takes to keep you on but I can't guarantee I can get you back."

                    Enough said. He filled out the paperwork and my review was accepted as plausible by the disability board and I was renewed.

                    Talk to your doc. Speak your concerns and I'm sure they'll agree.

                    Take care,

                    Karen

                    • February 12, 2011 at 2:15 am
                    KRob
                    Participant

                      Hi, Jackie.

                      You and I are about on the same time table with our stage IV diagnosis….I haven't been on here for awhile so it's great to see you doing well. As to your question/concern about disability….

                      Since being diagnosed stage IV Feb. of '05, I didn't apply for disability until Oct. of '07 after a relapse. I have also chosen quality of life and remained on disability since that time. I am on STRS of Ohio disability. Last summer ('10) STRS requested a review of my case. I was worried too because while I am healthy-looking at present, but the entire process and lingering effects of both the treatment and emotional/mental trauma of living with mel has left me a different person than I was before (as I'm sure you know).

                      I worry about the stress of the effects and the job (teaching) taking a toll on me again (keep doing what's working…right?)

                      My lead oncologist asked me what I wanted to do and I told him my concerns and he said, "I completely agree. This is not a disease with which to take risks…(additionally) given the uncertain climate of the healthcare system, I wouldn't want you to leave the system because it might be very difficult to get back on. I know what it takes to keep you on but I can't guarantee I can get you back."

                      Enough said. He filled out the paperwork and my review was accepted as plausible by the disability board and I was renewed.

                      Talk to your doc. Speak your concerns and I'm sure they'll agree.

                      Take care,

                      Karen

                      • February 12, 2011 at 2:15 am
                      KRob
                      Participant

                        Hi, Jackie.

                        You and I are about on the same time table with our stage IV diagnosis….I haven't been on here for awhile so it's great to see you doing well. As to your question/concern about disability….

                        Since being diagnosed stage IV Feb. of '05, I didn't apply for disability until Oct. of '07 after a relapse. I have also chosen quality of life and remained on disability since that time. I am on STRS of Ohio disability. Last summer ('10) STRS requested a review of my case. I was worried too because while I am healthy-looking at present, but the entire process and lingering effects of both the treatment and emotional/mental trauma of living with mel has left me a different person than I was before (as I'm sure you know).

                        I worry about the stress of the effects and the job (teaching) taking a toll on me again (keep doing what's working…right?)

                        My lead oncologist asked me what I wanted to do and I told him my concerns and he said, "I completely agree. This is not a disease with which to take risks…(additionally) given the uncertain climate of the healthcare system, I wouldn't want you to leave the system because it might be very difficult to get back on. I know what it takes to keep you on but I can't guarantee I can get you back."

                        Enough said. He filled out the paperwork and my review was accepted as plausible by the disability board and I was renewed.

                        Talk to your doc. Speak your concerns and I'm sure they'll agree.

                        Take care,

                        Karen

                    Viewing 7 reply threads
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