Hi All,

I just have a general question for those of you who've had resections or their entire colons removed. Did you have to apply for short/long term disability? What was the most time allowed off work from your employer before the disability kicked in. I will be having my colon removed in a couple of months (I have AFAP) and I am trying to prepare myself financially as well as trying to find out about my other options.

Thanks,

Ann

July,

I did not have to apply for disability as I am a stay home mom, but, just FYI, on my discharge sheet the doctor's orders stated that I should not go back to work for one month. This was after my resection on 9/1. Of course I told my hubby that gave me the full clear to not do housework! ;)

Barring any complications, I would think you could head back to a non laboring job in a month. Even though you may be off of pain meds sooner and able to move around, you will still have bathroom issues that could prevent you from feelign comfortable at work.

Good luck!

We were extremely lucky in that DH's employer has a disability plan that kicked in from the day before surgery, when he couldn't work because of the prep. He gets 13 weeks at 100% pay, but was told by his doctors that he will probably be back to work in 8 weeks. If he gets chemo and is unable to work becuase of it, he will receive an additional period of disability at 85% of his regular pay.

Perhaps you are wondering about Social Security Disability, though? That I cannot answer. :(

Hi July,
My husband had his resection on the 22nd and has been on short term disability since the 11th of last month. He is currently getting 50% of his regular pay and can get that for 6 months. Chemo will run a month past that though so we are not sure what will happen then. He is supposed to sign up for long term disabilty if he goes past that 6 months. We can't see doing that for just a month but at the same time we don't know how he will do with chemo either. So we will have to wait and see then I guess. We did find out though that he can get unemployment along with the partial pay when he is cleared for light duty. The chemo doc said that with the work he does his port is in danger of damage and he will not be able to return to regular duty till it is removed.
If I were you I'd look into the Social Security Disability with the condition that you have. It would be worth a shot.

Cats, did the excuse work? LOL :) Glad you are doing so well. You're one tough lady.

I wish you the best July. Take care, sherri

This is very informative as my brother has gone fr his colon ressection too.
But wat kind of bathroom issues to expect , how bad and how long do they last?
Tks .

This is very informative , thanks.
With reference to bathroom issues, my brother has gone for his colon ressection 7 wks ago and still purging for as many times as 4-6 a day.
Sometimes continuosly.
Is this normal?
What other kind of bathroom issues can we expect and for how long?
Just to share, this running to the toilet cn be quite dissruptive at work especially at meetings. It is also very disturbing when it's in the nites.

Frequent visits to the bathroom is very normal after colo/rectal surgery. It can go on for a long time but it is different for each person. My husband had surgery three years ago and still has times when he has to go often. This is mostly in the evenings when he is home and he makes sure he does not eat a heavy breakfast or lunch so he has no problems while at work. Then he eats a huge meal in the evening and has to go several times! Things do get better over time so do not be discouraged. It is just a matter of finding out how best to deal with it, what foods to avoid and so on. Metamucil to bulk up the bowel movement can help and certainly will do no harm.

Love and prayers,

As for STD/LTD, every plan is different, and every person is different. MOST people AT LEAST have an STD program. After that, or depending on your work they may include and start from day one, you are entitled to FMLA if you are in the US. FMLA can last by law up to 12 weeks. After STD is used, you must switch to LTD if you have it. Most Private Long Term Disability Plans, which you most likely had to elect and pay for through your employer, will require that you apply for Social Security Disability. In most cases, it's actually better because the government will consider your earnings over a three year period to determine the amount you qualify for. If you were to have a year or two with $0 then that would lower the funds you potentially would receive.

You have to remember that in MOST CASES, everything turns out FINE, and you are able to return to work. Then there are those of us that experience SIGNIFICANT side-effects-- I have chronic pain for which I take serious meds as a result of the radiation and very aggressive chemo regimen; I suffer from chronic fatigue like NOTHING I have ever experienced before. There are times when I go for two days with VERY limited energy, and then even with pacing myself, I am SO OUT OF IT the third day, it's scary. I cannot urinate since my initial rectal resection-- I have to catheterize myself 6+ times a day. I also have other urogenital problems and also have been tested for significant cognitive defecits... . I was diagnosed at 31 and even after chemo radiation, I had 6/10 positive lymph nodes. I have spoken with so many experts, I can't even tell you. They all tell me not to expect the pain to get any better or any of the other problems after suffering from them for 3 years... I am now 34. I NEVER WOULD HAVE GUESSED that my life would be what it is now at 34. I would give ANYTHING to have my career back, and be able to play with my kids, and have the relationship with my wife that I used to.

I DON'T WANT TO SCARE YOU IN ANY WAY. My only hope is to demonstrate that EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. Everyone has a different history which I believe factors into some of my side effects. What I suffer from are called "After Effects of Cancer." Get a copy of Cure Magazine's Special Edition published Fall of 2006. They actually have a doctor tell of her experiences with "After-Effects" and describes the Chronic Fatigue and Pain associated with cancer. The edition FINALLY sheds some light on some of the issues encountered post chemo/radiation/surgery, etc. It really is enlightening to read.

I wish you the best of luck.

Regards,
CancerDad