Re: Re: Fw: Hi--Caro

[Guest guest]

Hi Caro, its good to hear from you again--you were missed!You can work and still get SSDI.  The amount of work is not based on hours but rather dollars.  You can earn up to $ 890.00 per month and any medical supplies which you need in order to work can be deducted from that amount.  So if you earn $1000.00 per month and have $200.00 in related expenses to work (driver, walker, etc) your considered earnings would be $800.00 a month and you would still be allowed to work and collect disability.I was awarded in May (effective from October) and I continue to work 15 hours a week.My workplace is very accomodating.Roxanne, 59, South Carolina

2006 Asthma/ PF

2008 PF/ Sarcoidosis/Gerd

Lady Slipper OrchidSubject: Re: Fw: HiTo: Breathe-Support Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009, 11:53 PM

 

Carolyn, One of the new rules that Obama put in place was that people who were laid off or fired before 12-31-09 are eligible for a Cobra subsidy.  Instead of having to pay the full amount for insurance if you elect cobra you would only have to pay 35% for nine months.  Your employer gets the subsidy back on their 941 taxes.  Since your employer works with you, have them "fire" you.  I'm not sure about earning money on disability but I will see what I can find out for you tomorrow.  I do know having a "terminal" disease helps getting disability on the first try.  My wonderful husband who was on disability for 4.5 years after his lung cancer was found was not expected to make 1 year.  So enjoy your 50th birthday!Dyane Phoenix> >> > > > > > > > > > ----- Forwarded Message ----> > From: Carolyn Wade carowade44@ ..> > To: MBMurtha mbmurtha@> > Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 1:23:51 AM> > Subject: Re: Hi> > > > > > Thanks so much MB!!!  After a big run around of being totally brain dead, I guess I figured out how to get another email account!!  So much has happened since the big mixup!!  I have found a lot of  u guys on Facebook and that was a real blessing!  They have definitely determined now that I have pulmonary fibrosis ( UIP), polymyositis, dermatomyositis, Sjogren syndrome, and now 3 weeks ago I

have lupus (SLE), so basically since I have multiple autoimmune diseases, they are calling it "mixed connective tissue syndrome" and I have an appointment to see a rheumatologist at UAB (Birmingham) on September 2.  They sent me paperwork in the mail and I got it the day before yesterday. Says I should be prepared to stay if I am new patient, cuz they will probably do lab tests and xrays, etc.....  Also, I have appointment with OB-GYN-ONCO on August 28 for another colposcopy/biopsy and then depending on results, probable laser surgery.    The real thing I> > am dealing with right now is the doc in Birmingham (my pulmo) said I need to have liver function tests once a week as long as I am on the prednisone and Imuran and that was cool, ok, I can deal with that.  He said he was going to put in an order to make sure it got done.  He asked me have they been doing LFTs?  I said yes, and he said they haven't been sending me a copy.  Ok, I go

to my local pulmodude and tell him what Dr. deAndrade said in Birmingham and that was that my lungs are stable and if I had to have open-heart surgery tomorrow, he thinks my lungs would make it. (YEAH!, that was around the first of July).  Okay, when I tell him what he said, he said, here's what I want you to do --  If you get a cough, hear wheezing, get jaundiced, or have a fever, come by the office and we will do blood work right away.  Other than that, my next appointment is scheduled for January!!  I did some research on the Net and lupus can affect nearly every> > organ in your body.  I have noticed the last couple of  months, I have noticed I have had trouble with my handwriting.  I googled " can lupus affect motor skills?" and yes, it can affect the central nervous system, which will affect your handwriting.  I can make out a grocery list and then go back the next week and can't even read what I wrote.  I look at it, and I am

like, what the heck is that?  That is one major question I have for the rheumatologist at UAB when I go on 9-2-09.  This is really frustrating.  The other thing is the "butterfly rash " on your face.  This rash TOTALLY SUCKS!!!  I got it last summer and it was all blamed on swimming in the pool.  This summer, I have had it for 3 months now.  It is 10 times worse than it was last summer and it burns and itches constantly.  The doc in Birmingham told me to put lotion on it and keep it moist and that would work.  yeah, keeps it from burning, but doesn't make it go away. I was> > told by my pulmo dude here to put sunblock on it and that would work (I am definitely NOT going to stay inside all the time).  Well, that didn't work, either.  I have a rash on my face for the last 3 months that goes all the way around my nose, then around my mouth in a circle and now is a patch between my eyebrows.  I have tried covering it with Cover Girl

when I go out in public and it helps, but still does not cover it. So embarrassing! !  Guess I am just going to have to deal with it.  I noticed the other night when I took a shower that I am starting to get a rash on my leg too..> > > > On a good note, I have lost 21 pounds since February, so that is a good thing.  I am still 4' 10" and weigh 137 pounds, but hey, 137 is WAY BETTER THAN 158 that I was in February from the prednisone.  I am hoping to get out and start walking again next month when it cools off a bit.  Is still right at 100 degrees here everyday and I just can't get out and walk in the heat.> > > > Enough about me!!  I miss you guys SOOOOOOO much!!  I am so glad I finally found  a way to get back to you again!!  Please know how much I have loved and missed you guys!!> > > > Hope you all have a wonderful night!> > > > Caro> > Welcome back

girlfriend!> > > > > > > > ____________ _________ _________ __> > > > From: MBMurtha mbmurtha@> > To: carowade44@ ..> > Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 8:36:14 PM> > Subject: Hi> >>

[Guest guest]

Oh that sounds wonderful!! My employer has PT positions, too, at 20 hours per week and it is medical transcription from home, so that would work out great! CaroMissippi, COPD 2005, UIP January 2007, Sjogren syndrome July 2008, polymyositis/dermatomyositis November 2008, Fatty liver disease June 2009, Lupus (SLE)July 2009, mixed connective tissue disease August 2009

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 2:45:20 PMSubject: Re: Re: Fw: Hi--Caro

Hi Caro, its good to hear from you again--you were missed!

You can work and still get SSDI. The amount of work is not based on hours but rather dollars. You can earn up to $ 890..00 per month and any medical supplies which you need in order to work can be deducted from that amount. So if you earn $1000.00 per month and have $200.00 in related expenses to work (driver, walker, etc) your considered earnings would be $800.00 a month and you would still be allowed to work and collect disability.

I was awarded in May (effective from October) and I continue to work 15 hours a week.

My workplace is very accomodating.Roxanne, 59, South Carolina2006 Asthma/ PF2008 PF/ Sarcoidosis/ GerdLady Slipper Orchid

From: dyanebillings <dyane.billings@ ball-mcgraw. com>Subject: Re: Fw: HiTo: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comDate: Thursday, August 20, 2009, 11:53 PM

Carolyn, One of the new rules that Obama put in place was that people who were laid off or fired before 12-31-09 are eligible for a Cobra subsidy. Instead of having to pay the full amount for insurance if you elect cobra you would only have to pay 35% for nine months. Your employer gets the subsidy back on their 941 taxes. Since your employer works with you, have them "fire" you. I'm not sure about earning money on disability but I will see what I can find out for you tomorrow. I do know having a "terminal" disease helps getting disability on the first try. My wonderful husband who was on disability for 4.5 years after his lung cancer was found was not expected to make 1 year. So enjoy your 50th birthday!Dyane Phoenix> >> > > > > > > > > > ----- Forwarded Message ----> > From: Carolyn Wade carowade44@ ..> > To: MBMurtha mbmurtha@> > Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 1:23:51 AM> > Subject: Re: Hi> > > > > > Thanks so much MB!!! After a big run around of being totally brain dead, I guess I figured out how to get another email

account!! So much has happened since the big mixup!! I have found a lot of u guys on Facebook and that was a real blessing! They have definitely determined now that I have pulmonary fibrosis ( UIP), polymyositis, dermatomyositis, Sjogren syndrome, and now 3 weeks ago I have lupus (SLE), so basically since I have multiple autoimmune diseases, they are calling it "mixed connective tissue syndrome" and I have an appointment to see a rheumatologist at UAB (Birmingham) on September 2. They sent me paperwork in the mail and I got it the day before yesterday. Says I should be prepared to stay if I am new patient, cuz they will probably do lab tests and xrays, etc..... Also, I have appointment with OB-GYN-ONCO on August 28 for another colposcopy/biopsy and then depending on results, probable laser surgery. The real thing I> > am dealing with right now is the doc in Birmingham (my pulmo) said I need

to have liver function tests once a week as long as I am on the prednisone and Imuran and that was cool, ok, I can deal with that. He said he was going to put in an order to make sure it got done. He asked me have they been doing LFTs? I said yes, and he said they haven't been sending me a copy. Ok, I go to my local pulmodude and tell him what Dr. deAndrade said in Birmingham and that was that my lungs are stable and if I had to have open-heart surgery tomorrow, he thinks my lungs would make it. (YEAH!, that was around the first of July). Okay, when I tell him what he said, he said, here's what I want you to do -- If you get a cough, hear wheezing, get jaundiced, or have a fever, come by the office and we will do blood work right away. Other than that, my next appointment is scheduled for January!! I did some research on the Net and lupus can affect nearly every> > organ in your body. I

have noticed the last couple of months, I have noticed I have had trouble with my handwriting. I googled " can lupus affect motor skills?" and yes, it can affect the central nervous system, which will affect your handwriting. I can make out a grocery list and then go back the next week and can't even read what I wrote. I look at it, and I am like, what the heck is that? That is one major question I have for the rheumatologist at UAB when I go on 9-2-09. This is really frustrating. The other thing is the "butterfly rash " on your face. This rash TOTALLY SUCKS!!! I got it last summer and it was all blamed on swimming in the pool. This summer, I have had it for 3 months now. It is 10 times worse than it was last summer and it burns and itches constantly. The doc in Birmingham told me to put lotion on it and keep it moist and that would work. yeah, keeps it from burning, but

doesn't make it go away. I was> > told by my pulmo dude here to put sunblock on it and that would work (I am definitely NOT going to stay inside all the time). Well, that didn't work, either. I have a rash on my face for the last 3 months that goes all the way around my nose, then around my mouth in a circle and now is a patch between my eyebrows. I have tried covering it with Cover Girl when I go out in public and it helps, but still does not cover it. So embarrassing! ! Guess I am just going to have to deal with it. I noticed the other night when I took a shower that I am starting to get a rash on my leg too..> > > > On a good note, I have lost 21 pounds since February, so that is a good thing. I am still 4' 10" and weigh 137 pounds, but hey, 137 is WAY BETTER THAN 158 that I was in February from the prednisone. I am hoping to get out and start walking again next month when

it cools off a bit. Is still right at 100 degrees here everyday and I just can't get out and walk in the heat.> > > > Enough about me!! I miss you guys SOOOOOOO much!! I am so glad I finally found a way to get back to you again!! Please know how much I have loved and missed you guys!!> > > > Hope you all have a wonderful night!> > > > Caro> > Welcome back girlfriend!> > > > > > > > ____________ _________ _________ __> > > > From: MBMurtha mbmurtha@> > To: carowade44@ ..> > Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 8:36:14 PM> > Subject: Hi> >>