My Survivorship A to Z Guide

Look for a person in your company to act as an advisor to help you avoid missteps and maximize your benefits. Ideally, the person should be someone who fits the following description:

• Has been around the company long enough to know the company culture,
• Is high enough in the structure to have enough information to be able to give you advice because he or she understands the system.
• Is someone you can trust to keep your health status and talks confidential.
• Ideally, may even be able to help you increase what we refer to as your Real Wages - the amount you receive on a net basis after including work related costs such as transportation. .

This is not an area in which to compromise. Don't settle for a person you can't trust, or who doesn't have the knowledge and experience that can be useful.

It's not an uncommon pattern for employers to be very sympathetic to an employee's diagnosis in the beginning but then changing attitude over time to want the employee out. That's not to say this will happen to you. However, it does emphasize the importance of keeping a work journal.

A journal is important in case you ever feel you are discriminated against because of your health condition or if you ever want to apply for disability income such as from Social Security Disability Income (SSDI).

The reason we are raising this issue now is that it is helpful to proving a case of discrimination if there is evidence of what happened dating from the time of the happenings. In the case of a journal, that means making notes at the time things happen (known as contemporaneous) - and not changing the notes later. (If you do make changes later, note the date the changes are made.)

It doesn't matter how you keep the diary, or whether it is in a book, a file, or on your computer -- or even whether you keep it or ask someone else to do it for you.

It may seem counterintuitive, but it is helpful to Include any praise you receive as well as anything that looks like it could be discrimination because of your health condition. 

For more information about what to include in a work journal, click here.

NOTE: This diary is in addition to the Symptoms Diary described in the category Managing Your Care. One relates to your work situation. The other to your health care.

From an employment point of view, consider thinking about this subject as "just in case" insurance for the future. Underpinning this concept are the facts that:

• It is easier to prove that a person is "disabled" for purposes of government and private benefits if there is a historic record that indicates how a health condition impacts work (and daily living.)
• Depression by itself can be a disabling condition for purposes of the subject benefits.
• When to stop working is usually a choice. Taking these steps will help you keep control of the date. that works best for you.

The steps to take are easy.

• When you see your doctor, tell him or her how your condition and/or treatment affect your work as well as your daily activities. Ask that the information be noted in your medical records.
• Start seeing a mental health professional (a social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist.) As mentioned, the time together is likely to help you through the emotions that usually surface with Breast Cancer.It is likely that mental health professionals are covered by your health insurance.

• If you have limited income and limited assets, or could have them, you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you qualify for SSI, you generally also qualify for Medicaid. SSI may carry you over the period while you're waiting for Social Security Disability Income to start.
• Medicare coverage starts 29 months after leaving work on disability.

While you're working is the time to maximize your benefits, to take advantage of employer contributions, and of group rates.

Next time you have a choice about health insurance policies, consider which is best for you as a person living with [insertdiagnosis]. Your diagnosis will not affect your ability to change policies. Our Health Plan Evaluator can help you decide which policy is best for you.

Increase your life insurance if you can. Many employers have an open enrollment period of time each year when employees can purchase life insurance or increase the amount they already have.

• You qualify in spite of your health history because no medical questions are asked during this period.
• This is one of the cheapest and easiest ways for you to get more life insurance.
• If you leave work, you'll probably be able to take the life insurance with you, or convert it to an individual policy.

• As you'll see in the Finances category, in addition to the traditional reasons to buy life insurance, you can sell your policy if you become very sick.

Put as much money as you can into retirement plans. It may sound counterintuitive, but any money you put into a retirement plan now reduces your taxes which in turn increases your net income -- leaving the money available in case you need it in the future.

If you need time off, juggle your various entitlements to your maximum advantage. You are probably entitled to time off with pay for vacations, sick days, personal days -- and possibly as a reasonable accommodation. If you work for a large enough employer, you may also be entitled to time off without pay under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or similar state law. Your benefits will also continue. If time off is due to the FMLA, you may have to pay for your benefits.

Do what you can to keep your disability income insurance in force. It's not likely that you would qualify for a disability income insurance policy on your own because of your medical history.

In addition to credit cards and credit at places you shop, consider obtaining a Home Equlity Line Of Credit (HELOC). A HELOC is a loan collateralized by the equity in your house. Fees to open a HELOC can be low, or waived entirely. With a HELOC, you only pay interest on the money you actually borrow. Please keep in mind that if you actually use the credit available under a HELOC, you may lose your residence if you are not able to repay the loan on a timely basis

To learn more about credit, including new uses of credit, see our article Credit: Getting, Fixing, Score.