Mike

I told you when you first mentioned you had cancer that you will have a new normal. Anyone who has had major cancer like stage 3 or stage 4 will never be the same.

No ones knows what the new normal will be because everyone goes through it differently. After i was through with my cancer i asked my doctor why he did not tell me about some of my side effects. He told me he could write a book and not list all of the side effects you could have.

At the time i was going through my cancer i was 45 and in super shape. Working 60 to 100 hours, running and lifting weights. Im 53 now and i am 40 pounds heavier than when i got sick and its not muscle. It is my new normal.

I beat cancer but now i have osteoarthritis, which caused me to have both knees replaced. I have it in my hands, back, neck, and left shoulder. Plus my knees still hurt. Also i have tinnitis and Addisons disease.

After you finish your treatments wait about 18 months and that might be your new normal. I will not lie to you it will suck. I was/am like you in that i think people on disability is wrong. I was raised to take care of my family not get handouts.

However like me, you are not playing the system to get something when you can work. When you can not fish for more than 4 hours and have to stay in bed for days afterwords you need to be on disability.

Mike if i am not mistaking you can apply for disability and go back to when you found out you had cancer. From when you had cancer add one year and you should get pay from then forward.

So you should get a nice check.

You did nothing to cause your situation it is just a part of life. I know where you are in your mind because i have been there. Its a mental hurdle that you HAVE to get through.

If you want to talk or e-mail post up here and i will give you my information.