SSDI/Insurance?

Since my DH was diagnosed with PC in 7/08 he has been able to work fulltime missing only a few days here and there after each treatment.  Recently he has had feet pain due to neuropathy and edema that have made it increasingly more difficult for him to work.  We checked into his getting on SSDI (disability) but they won't even consider him since he's working.  If he quits his job he'll have no insurance and it could take up to 5 mos. to even get a check once he's declared eligible.  And, from what we're told, it could take up to 2 yrs to get Medicaid/Medicare; therefore, he'd had to pay for his own insurance, which could cost up to $1000 per month and he'd only be getting $1400 per month SSDI.So...my question is what is one to do?  Work until you literally drop dead or quit and lose everything you've worked hard for all your life?

I work but don't make that much.  I'm just a receptionist/secretary

We are in a similar situation.  My husband who is 50 years old and has stomach cancer, he is very ill from the chemo and not being able to eat.  He is so thin and weak, he has been on short term disability now but that's coming to an end.  He will not be able to go back to work - he just can't do the work at all.  He was a mechanic and he is required to lift 50 plus pounds, right now he can't lift a broom.  His treatment will go on for a very long time, one year or so on chemo, then surgery and then more chemo.

I am in the process right now of applying for SSD insurance, which as you said takes about 5 months or more to get an answer.  Then you would have to be on disability for 24 months before you are eliglble for medicare.  Since I have a job with insurance we are going to use that, in the meantime - SSD might take anywhere from 5 months to 24 months to get approved.  I have contacted a lawyer, hopefully this won't take more than a few months.  In the mean time, we can't live just on my salary.  Our lives were built on a two income salary, going down to one salary is going to be extremely difficult.  I am also meeting with a financial advisor to see what I can do in the mean time to get through the bills.

I asked SSD what do people do in these types of situations, no income, increased medical bills, how do people survive and they simply said they don't know.

If your husband can go on short term disability which is usually 26 weeks maybe his health will improve a bit.

Best of luck