Will I Have To Go Back To Work After Transplant?

pbpc95 · Oct 20, 2009

I've been a lurker for a while now. I read a lot of posts and I know this has been discussed about people going back to work. My story is, I'm about to start my evaluation process and have decided to get a lung transplant when the time comes. My question is after I recover and am in better health, will I be forced to go back to work by the SSA? Will my doctors have any influence over the SSA if I do not want to work? I rather like not having to work anymore and I feel with the rejection meds I'll be taking, keeping my immune system down; won't it make sense to NOT work? It's just a thought that has crossed my mind and I would appreciate any input anyone may have.

pbpc95 · Oct 20, 2009

I've been a lurker for a while now. I read a lot of posts and I know this has been discussed about people going back to work. My story is, I'm about to start my evaluation process and have decided to get a lung transplant when the time comes. My question is after I recover and am in better health, will I be forced to go back to work by the SSA? Will my doctors have any influence over the SSA if I do not want to work? I rather like not having to work anymore and I feel with the rejection meds I'll be taking, keeping my immune system down; won't it make sense to NOT work? It's just a thought that has crossed my mind and I would appreciate any input anyone may have.

pbpc95 · Oct 20, 2009

I've been a lurker for a while now. I read a lot of posts and I know this has been discussed about people going back to work. My story is, I'm about to start my evaluation process and have decided to get a lung transplant when the time comes. My question is after I recover and am in better health, will I be forced to go back to work by the SSA? Will my doctors have any influence over the SSA if I do not want to work? I rather like not having to work anymore and I feel with the rejection meds I'll be taking, keeping my immune system down; won't it make sense to NOT work? It's just a thought that has crossed my mind and I would appreciate any input anyone may have.

pbpc95 · Oct 20, 2009

I've been a lurker for a while now. I read a lot of posts and I know this has been discussed about people going back to work. My story is, I'm about to start my evaluation process and have decided to get a lung transplant when the time comes. My question is after I recover and am in better health, will I be forced to go back to work by the SSA? Will my doctors have any influence over the SSA if I do not want to work? I rather like not having to work anymore and I feel with the rejection meds I'll be taking, keeping my immune system down; won't it make sense to NOT work? It's just a thought that has crossed my mind and I would appreciate any input anyone may have.

pbpc95 · Oct 20, 2009

I've been a lurker for a while now. I read a lot of posts and I know this has been discussed about people going back to work. My story is, I'm about to start my evaluation process and have decided to get a lung transplant when the time comes. My question is after I recover and am in better health, will I be forced to go back to work by the SSA? Will my doctors have any influence over the SSA if I do not want to work? I rather like not having to work anymore and I feel with the rejection meds I'll be taking, keeping my immune system down; won't it make sense to NOT work? It's just a thought that has crossed my mind and I would appreciate any input anyone may have.

summer732 · Oct 20, 2009

I can't speak to what SSA will or won't make you do. But I will offer an opinion on going back to work post transplant. When I first got my transplant I was still in college so I went back to finish that off. I started my career about 4 weeks after I graduated college. I could not imagine my life without work. It provides a place for me to be with my peers and is a great distraction from the day to day transplant care (meds and things like that). Without work I feel that I would just be sitting around waiting for the next doctor's appointment or next medical issue to pop up. That being said there are people who choose not to work post transplant and have very fulfilling lives. I'm an extreme type A personality and would be bored out of my mind if I wasn't constantly intellectually and socially stimulated. I've been very lucky with my work environment and the support that I have had with my illness. I show my bosses my quality of work up front so when I have a doctor's appointment they don't worry because they know that I won't fall behind. As far as daily interaction with others, I feel that it has made me physically stronger. I don't get colds as often as I did when I first started working as my body has adjusted to the environment. Sometimes I work 13 hour days and then go to the gym after so that I can still keep my lungs healthy.

It's all a balance and you need to find whatever it is that works for you whether it is getting back into working or completely caring for yourself at home. I don't think it matters much either way as long as you are happy.

summer732 · Oct 20, 2009

I can't speak to what SSA will or won't make you do. But I will offer an opinion on going back to work post transplant. When I first got my transplant I was still in college so I went back to finish that off. I started my career about 4 weeks after I graduated college. I could not imagine my life without work. It provides a place for me to be with my peers and is a great distraction from the day to day transplant care (meds and things like that). Without work I feel that I would just be sitting around waiting for the next doctor's appointment or next medical issue to pop up. That being said there are people who choose not to work post transplant and have very fulfilling lives. I'm an extreme type A personality and would be bored out of my mind if I wasn't constantly intellectually and socially stimulated. I've been very lucky with my work environment and the support that I have had with my illness. I show my bosses my quality of work up front so when I have a doctor's appointment they don't worry because they know that I won't fall behind. As far as daily interaction with others, I feel that it has made me physically stronger. I don't get colds as often as I did when I first started working as my body has adjusted to the environment. Sometimes I work 13 hour days and then go to the gym after so that I can still keep my lungs healthy.

It's all a balance and you need to find whatever it is that works for you whether it is getting back into working or completely caring for yourself at home. I don't think it matters much either way as long as you are happy.

summer732 · Oct 20, 2009

I can't speak to what SSA will or won't make you do. But I will offer an opinion on going back to work post transplant. When I first got my transplant I was still in college so I went back to finish that off. I started my career about 4 weeks after I graduated college. I could not imagine my life without work. It provides a place for me to be with my peers and is a great distraction from the day to day transplant care (meds and things like that). Without work I feel that I would just be sitting around waiting for the next doctor's appointment or next medical issue to pop up. That being said there are people who choose not to work post transplant and have very fulfilling lives. I'm an extreme type A personality and would be bored out of my mind if I wasn't constantly intellectually and socially stimulated. I've been very lucky with my work environment and the support that I have had with my illness. I show my bosses my quality of work up front so when I have a doctor's appointment they don't worry because they know that I won't fall behind. As far as daily interaction with others, I feel that it has made me physically stronger. I don't get colds as often as I did when I first started working as my body has adjusted to the environment. Sometimes I work 13 hour days and then go to the gym after so that I can still keep my lungs healthy.

It's all a balance and you need to find whatever it is that works for you whether it is getting back into working or completely caring for yourself at home. I don't think it matters much either way as long as you are happy.

summer732 · Oct 20, 2009

I can't speak to what SSA will or won't make you do. But I will offer an opinion on going back to work post transplant. When I first got my transplant I was still in college so I went back to finish that off. I started my career about 4 weeks after I graduated college. I could not imagine my life without work. It provides a place for me to be with my peers and is a great distraction from the day to day transplant care (meds and things like that). Without work I feel that I would just be sitting around waiting for the next doctor's appointment or next medical issue to pop up. That being said there are people who choose not to work post transplant and have very fulfilling lives. I'm an extreme type A personality and would be bored out of my mind if I wasn't constantly intellectually and socially stimulated. I've been very lucky with my work environment and the support that I have had with my illness. I show my bosses my quality of work up front so when I have a doctor's appointment they don't worry because they know that I won't fall behind. As far as daily interaction with others, I feel that it has made me physically stronger. I don't get colds as often as I did when I first started working as my body has adjusted to the environment. Sometimes I work 13 hour days and then go to the gym after so that I can still keep my lungs healthy.

It's all a balance and you need to find whatever it is that works for you whether it is getting back into working or completely caring for yourself at home. I don't think it matters much either way as long as you are happy.

summer732 · Oct 20, 2009

I can't speak to what SSA will or won't make you do. But I will offer an opinion on going back to work post transplant. When I first got my transplant I was still in college so I went back to finish that off. I started my career about 4 weeks after I graduated college. I could not imagine my life without work. It provides a place for me to be with my peers and is a great distraction from the day to day transplant care (meds and things like that). Without work I feel that I would just be sitting around waiting for the next doctor's appointment or next medical issue to pop up. That being said there are people who choose not to work post transplant and have very fulfilling lives. I'm an extreme type A personality and would be bored out of my mind if I wasn't constantly intellectually and socially stimulated. I've been very lucky with my work environment and the support that I have had with my illness. I show my bosses my quality of work up front so when I have a doctor's appointment they don't worry because they know that I won't fall behind. As far as daily interaction with others, I feel that it has made me physically stronger. I don't get colds as often as I did when I first started working as my body has adjusted to the environment. Sometimes I work 13 hour days and then go to the gym after so that I can still keep my lungs healthy.
 
 It's all a balance and you need to find whatever it is that works for you whether it is getting back into working or completely caring for yourself at home. I don't think it matters much either way as long as you are happy.

Tumbleweed · Oct 21, 2009

i hear ya. i am listed for a transplant right now, and after transplant DO NOT want to go back to work. ( i am a stay at home mom though, so that might change things) i would rather find things to keep busy on my own than return to work.... (going to the gym, taking my son to swim lessons etc.)

i hadn't thought deeply about the ssa payments..... i probably will just go with a kinda "don't ask, don't tell" thing. correct me if i'm wrong, but we still have cystic fibrosis after transplant, we still will have doctor's visits/hospital stays that could definitely affect your career. if i am not required to give out the info that i got a transplant to ssa, i won't. if they ask (which i doubt) i'll tell them.

i view it as: our diagnosis is the same. cystic fibrosis. but hopefully the treatment of transplant makes you feel much better. i wouldn't call them up and say "take me off social security because i started a treatment called tobi and i feel great right now" haha

also.... there are options for people who want to go back to work, who can still qualify for disability. then you get the best of both worlds, in my opinion, and hopefully would not have to re-apply later down the road if your health ever got worse again.

i'm sure people's opinions vary greatly on this subject... but that's mine <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Tumbleweed · Oct 21, 2009

i hear ya. i am listed for a transplant right now, and after transplant DO NOT want to go back to work. ( i am a stay at home mom though, so that might change things) i would rather find things to keep busy on my own than return to work.... (going to the gym, taking my son to swim lessons etc.)

i hadn't thought deeply about the ssa payments..... i probably will just go with a kinda "don't ask, don't tell" thing. correct me if i'm wrong, but we still have cystic fibrosis after transplant, we still will have doctor's visits/hospital stays that could definitely affect your career. if i am not required to give out the info that i got a transplant to ssa, i won't. if they ask (which i doubt) i'll tell them.

i view it as: our diagnosis is the same. cystic fibrosis. but hopefully the treatment of transplant makes you feel much better. i wouldn't call them up and say "take me off social security because i started a treatment called tobi and i feel great right now" haha

also.... there are options for people who want to go back to work, who can still qualify for disability. then you get the best of both worlds, in my opinion, and hopefully would not have to re-apply later down the road if your health ever got worse again.

i'm sure people's opinions vary greatly on this subject... but that's mine <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Tumbleweed · Oct 21, 2009

i hear ya. i am listed for a transplant right now, and after transplant DO NOT want to go back to work. ( i am a stay at home mom though, so that might change things) i would rather find things to keep busy on my own than return to work.... (going to the gym, taking my son to swim lessons etc.)

i hadn't thought deeply about the ssa payments..... i probably will just go with a kinda "don't ask, don't tell" thing. correct me if i'm wrong, but we still have cystic fibrosis after transplant, we still will have doctor's visits/hospital stays that could definitely affect your career. if i am not required to give out the info that i got a transplant to ssa, i won't. if they ask (which i doubt) i'll tell them.

i view it as: our diagnosis is the same. cystic fibrosis. but hopefully the treatment of transplant makes you feel much better. i wouldn't call them up and say "take me off social security because i started a treatment called tobi and i feel great right now" haha

also.... there are options for people who want to go back to work, who can still qualify for disability. then you get the best of both worlds, in my opinion, and hopefully would not have to re-apply later down the road if your health ever got worse again.

i'm sure people's opinions vary greatly on this subject... but that's mine <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Tumbleweed · Oct 21, 2009

i hear ya. i am listed for a transplant right now, and after transplant DO NOT want to go back to work. ( i am a stay at home mom though, so that might change things) i would rather find things to keep busy on my own than return to work.... (going to the gym, taking my son to swim lessons etc.)

i hadn't thought deeply about the ssa payments..... i probably will just go with a kinda "don't ask, don't tell" thing. correct me if i'm wrong, but we still have cystic fibrosis after transplant, we still will have doctor's visits/hospital stays that could definitely affect your career. if i am not required to give out the info that i got a transplant to ssa, i won't. if they ask (which i doubt) i'll tell them.

i view it as: our diagnosis is the same. cystic fibrosis. but hopefully the treatment of transplant makes you feel much better. i wouldn't call them up and say "take me off social security because i started a treatment called tobi and i feel great right now" haha

also.... there are options for people who want to go back to work, who can still qualify for disability. then you get the best of both worlds, in my opinion, and hopefully would not have to re-apply later down the road if your health ever got worse again.

i'm sure people's opinions vary greatly on this subject... but that's mine <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Tumbleweed · Oct 21, 2009

i hear ya. i am listed for a transplant right now, and after transplant DO NOT want to go back to work. ( i am a stay at home mom though, so that might change things) i would rather find things to keep busy on my own than return to work.... (going to the gym, taking my son to swim lessons etc.)
 
 i hadn't thought deeply about the ssa payments..... i probably will just go with a kinda "don't ask, don't tell" thing. correct me if i'm wrong, but we still have cystic fibrosis after transplant, we still will have doctor's visits/hospital stays that could definitely affect your career. if i am not required to give out the info that i got a transplant to ssa, i won't. if they ask (which i doubt) i'll tell them.
 
 i view it as: our diagnosis is the same. cystic fibrosis. but hopefully the treatment of transplant makes you feel much better. i wouldn't call them up and say "take me off social security because i started a treatment called tobi and i feel great right now" haha
 
 also.... there are options for people who want to go back to work, who can still qualify for disability. then you get the best of both worlds, in my opinion, and hopefully would not have to re-apply later down the road if your health ever got worse again.
 
 i'm sure people's opinions vary greatly on this subject... but that's mine <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

pbpc95 · Oct 21, 2009

I'm glad I'm not alone in not wanting to go back to work. It will in no way hinder my decision to have the transplant when the time comes, I'm just considering all things down the road. I looked up on the SSA website and this is what it says about Lung Transplant:

3.11 Lung transplant. Consider under a disability for 12 months following the date of surgery; thereafter, evaluate the residual impairment.

I suppose after transplant as long as my "residual impairment" meets the SSA's criteria of disabled I will remain on disability. Whatever that means!

I'm not a lazy person. I keep busy around my house as much as I can these days. I started working when I was sixteen and worked up until two years ago and I can honestly say I don't miss working outside the home, LOL!
Thanks for the input. It gives me more things to consider when the time comes.

pbpc95 · Oct 21, 2009

I'm glad I'm not alone in not wanting to go back to work. It will in no way hinder my decision to have the transplant when the time comes, I'm just considering all things down the road. I looked up on the SSA website and this is what it says about Lung Transplant:

3.11 Lung transplant. Consider under a disability for 12 months following the date of surgery; thereafter, evaluate the residual impairment.

I suppose after transplant as long as my "residual impairment" meets the SSA's criteria of disabled I will remain on disability. Whatever that means!

I'm not a lazy person. I keep busy around my house as much as I can these days. I started working when I was sixteen and worked up until two years ago and I can honestly say I don't miss working outside the home, LOL!
Thanks for the input. It gives me more things to consider when the time comes.

pbpc95 · Oct 21, 2009

I'm glad I'm not alone in not wanting to go back to work. It will in no way hinder my decision to have the transplant when the time comes, I'm just considering all things down the road. I looked up on the SSA website and this is what it says about Lung Transplant:

3.11 Lung transplant. Consider under a disability for 12 months following the date of surgery; thereafter, evaluate the residual impairment.

I suppose after transplant as long as my "residual impairment" meets the SSA's criteria of disabled I will remain on disability. Whatever that means!

I'm not a lazy person. I keep busy around my house as much as I can these days. I started working when I was sixteen and worked up until two years ago and I can honestly say I don't miss working outside the home, LOL!
Thanks for the input. It gives me more things to consider when the time comes.

pbpc95 · Oct 21, 2009

I'm glad I'm not alone in not wanting to go back to work. It will in no way hinder my decision to have the transplant when the time comes, I'm just considering all things down the road. I looked up on the SSA website and this is what it says about Lung Transplant:

3.11 Lung transplant. Consider under a disability for 12 months following the date of surgery; thereafter, evaluate the residual impairment.

I suppose after transplant as long as my "residual impairment" meets the SSA's criteria of disabled I will remain on disability. Whatever that means!

I'm not a lazy person. I keep busy around my house as much as I can these days. I started working when I was sixteen and worked up until two years ago and I can honestly say I don't miss working outside the home, LOL!
Thanks for the input. It gives me more things to consider when the time comes.

pbpc95 · Oct 21, 2009

I'm glad I'm not alone in not wanting to go back to work. It will in no way hinder my decision to have the transplant when the time comes, I'm just considering all things down the road. I looked up on the SSA website and this is what it says about Lung Transplant:
 
 3.11 Lung transplant. Consider under a disability for 12 months following the date of surgery; thereafter, evaluate the residual impairment.
 
 I suppose after transplant as long as my "residual impairment" meets the SSA's criteria of disabled I will remain on disability. Whatever that means!
 
 I'm not a lazy person. I keep busy around my house as much as I can these days. I started working when I was sixteen and worked up until two years ago and I can honestly say I don't miss working outside the home, LOL!
 Thanks for the input. It gives me more things to consider when the time comes.

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