If you suffer from acute colon cancer symptoms, you should submit a claim for Social Security disability benefits.
Fighting back against colon cancer can mean you need to change your role at work. Winning the battle with any type of cancer requires focused attention and often a commitment to physically draining treatments like radiation and chemotherapy.
For many colon cancer patients, there is a light at the end of the recovery tunnel. However, some colon cancer patients have to battle against advanced stages of the disease, which means their physicians might place permanent restrictions on them in the workplace.
Permanent Restrictions You May Experience with Colon Cancer
The gastrointestinal issues of dealing with colon cancer can make it nearly impossible to work a steady job. Constipation and a dramatic change in bowel habits can cause considerable problems with your work performance.
Your doctor might restrict you to work only from home until the symptoms of the disease diminish in strength. Acute pain in the abdomen can force the toughest person to bend over in agony, which is another reason to limit your work to a home environment.
Colon cancer also produces chronic fatigue, as does undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatments. During treatment, your physician might recommend that you do not work at all. Recovering from aggressive treatments of colon cancer is a full-time job.
After the end of the treatments and if your symptoms disappear, you can get back to work in your current position. Because colon cancer often does not result in a permanent impairment, your doctor might not issue permanent restrictions on you in the workplace.
Work History and Job Skills
If colon cancer turns into a disabling condition, you should apply for financial assistance by submitting a claim for Social Security disability benefits. A team of medical examiners from the Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews your claim to see if the symptoms of colon cancer meet the medical standards established by the Blue Book.
If the SSA does not feel you have a disabling condition, the agency will go back 15 years to examine your work history. The SSA wants every applicant to get back to work and examining your work history can help the agency discover your professional skillset
Can I Perform Sedentary Work?
Whether you suffer from pain or irregular bowel movements, performing sedentary work might be your best option to continue working at least part-time. Since colon cancer can reduce your stamina level, you should consider transitioning to a desk job if you already do not work at one.
Sedentary work is much less physically demanding, and you will need all of your energy to beat colon cancer. Working in a sitting position for most of the workday is also a good idea for colon cancer patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatments.
Work with a Social Security Attorney
Although living with colon cancer might not lead to permanent restrictions in the workplace, the disease can disrupt your career enough that you need to apply for financial assistance. A Social Security lawyer can recommend a doctor to help you navigate the recovery process. Your attorney is also there to help you gather and organize the type of persuasive evidence that gets your claim for Social Security disability benefits approved the first time that you apply.
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