i want to fight a good fight; i am afraid; i feel alone; i have faith

Yikes...can you speak to the dean of the college, maybe get a sabbatical that would tide you over to retirement?

I'm glad to hear you are ok after that scare that landed you in the ER.
Take care,
Wendy

Mssmr,
It is good to see you are getting lots of info and have opened up to the forum. You seem to be fearless, strong and able. All of those things are certainly a blessing considering the fight you are up against. I think you will prevail, and as you said ready to fight the fight, I just wanted to wish you luck with the 2nd opinion , and glad you joined us!!!!Happy Holidays Ginger Beane

Hi again ms,
The local oncology center where I had my chemo offers a social worker for patients. They have helped get stuff thru ins, co-ordinate services - sucessfully. If that doesn't exist where you are, I would call the American Cancer Society - I met up with a lady there who really helped me with the oddball stuff- even helped me find (who we lovingly refer to at my house as) "the shrinky dink lady" ! She deals with oncology patients :)God Bless, Holly

Hi,

I was wonder if maybe you could use FMLA - family medical leave act to help you get thru the last semester. It is a federal program which allows 12 weeks off to deal with a major medical(or new baby, etc) issue. I would check with the human resource or union ( if you are part of one) to get info.
You are in my prayers, God bless. Holly

Dear MSSMR,

I am sorry that you are having such a time...Is it possible to go to the board to find out if you could be an exception to the rule (so to speak) and due to the circumstances, could you get get early retirement with benefits? It can't hurt to ask. The worst answer you could get is "No". In that case you are back to taking early retirement without benefits, or paying on credit for your care...I still think you should get another opinion, but if you are comfortable where you are, sometimes that is the important thing...Just whatever you do, don't let that insurance drop...It is almost impossible if not impossible to get insurance with your diagnosis. I hope you figure this out, it is hard to stop doing what you love...that is one of the worst parts of this disease, all the things you have to give up.

In My Thoughts,
Karen

Since I posted last, I had an emergency room vist. I woke up with chest pain and, though it was tolerable pain, I went in because I thought it would be irresponsible to just die of a heart attack, if that was what was happening, without getting checked out. (I'm still feeling well enough to enjoy living each day.) The only findings they told me about that night were EKG = ok, very low white count (I knew that) and high blood pressure. They also did chest xrays that showed several masses(provided more information that I had previously.) I have an appointment with my medical oncologist today and I am prepared with my questions.

If I am honest with myself, I think my unwillingness to ask for a second opinion relates to my hope to work just one more semester because I need to to that to retire with health benefits. My work schedule would permit treatment any day of the week if done locally. But the evidence is building that I need to marshall all my forces now. I guess I could use my retirement as a lump sum or use credit to pay cobra fees to keep my insurance if I have to do that.

I think I need to find a good counselor or social worker.

mssmr