Chemo Journey, round four!
Donation protected
Friday March 14, 2014 at 9am began my second round with Chemo...much more aggressive this time...I'm taking 3 different anti cancer drugs in one sitting for SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA at the base of my tongue. (Surgical removal is not NOT an option.) The intervals are once every 3 weeks and and trying to get in 4 to 6 sessions during that time...and the sick pay situation is not quite the same as before. (Same illness, maximum short term sick pay paid out during round one. If I broke my leg and had to sit home I have a ton of sick hours. Crazy huh?)
As of right now I'm feeling good and I'm continuing to work. I don't know how long that will last, but I'm grateful for every day that I feel well. I've experienced only a little queasiness first thing in the mornings, zofran is doing the trick so far. The other side affects are slowly starting...wierd acne is now starting in my t-zone on my face, my scalp is a little tender...no mouth sores, thank you Jesus...
Doc says the hair is definately gonna go this time and I'm prepared! My wig is here! I've even had a chat with my hairdresser about an appointment to cut my hair short once "my scalp starts to tingle". We'll trim up the wig at the same time and make sure she fits nice and pretty! (I found two more wigs to "play" with at the Cancer Resource Room! One is blond and the other brunette...both long.)
My only pay coming in will be if I work between treatments until long term sick pay can kick in! For LONG TERM to kick in, I would actually have to NOT work for 90 days straight. During that time I would still need to pay health insurance out of pocket, co-pays plus living expenses.
I have applied for short term Social Security Disability assuming I cannot work at some point, but that takes 4 months to process as well...The good news is that I have my phone interview completed and under my belt. Hurry up and wait :)
Love you all!
Caryann
As of right now I'm feeling good and I'm continuing to work. I don't know how long that will last, but I'm grateful for every day that I feel well. I've experienced only a little queasiness first thing in the mornings, zofran is doing the trick so far. The other side affects are slowly starting...wierd acne is now starting in my t-zone on my face, my scalp is a little tender...no mouth sores, thank you Jesus...
Doc says the hair is definately gonna go this time and I'm prepared! My wig is here! I've even had a chat with my hairdresser about an appointment to cut my hair short once "my scalp starts to tingle". We'll trim up the wig at the same time and make sure she fits nice and pretty! (I found two more wigs to "play" with at the Cancer Resource Room! One is blond and the other brunette...both long.)
My only pay coming in will be if I work between treatments until long term sick pay can kick in! For LONG TERM to kick in, I would actually have to NOT work for 90 days straight. During that time I would still need to pay health insurance out of pocket, co-pays plus living expenses.
I have applied for short term Social Security Disability assuming I cannot work at some point, but that takes 4 months to process as well...The good news is that I have my phone interview completed and under my belt. Hurry up and wait :)
Love you all!
Caryann
Organizer
Caryann Sester Hunley
Organizer
Melbourne, FL
