I need some help

I was in the hospital in March 2009 with two partial blockages.  Once d/c'd I was put on Cimzia (once a month) and prednisone 40 mg.  I got down to 10 mg of pred about a month 1/2 ago.  Now, I was back at the ER last Saturday with two partial blockages again.  Are these the same blockages?  Anyway, Dr. has increased Cimzia to double the dose.  So now I am taking it every two weeks and up'd the pred-  I am a teacher and have not been able to teach since March.  I was planning and went back to work as this new school year was just starting.  I went for 4 days and now I'm out of work on disabitly  for :  Well, the Dr. put "unknown" on my paperwork-  I'm assuming it is going to be a while.  In the meantime, I am going ahead and applying for Social Sec. Disabilty-  and Long term Dis. through my job;  Does anyone know how long Long Term Dis. will last for me?  At this point, I don't see me being able to go back to work for a very long time.  I guess I'm just frustrated.  I worry about the financial aspects of this whole thing.

Hi Bible,

And sorry to hear you are flaring again. Yes, probably these partial obstructions are from the same strictured area. As for the long term disability I think it covers about 2 years before they ask you to file for SSDI. Hope that helps.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*

Hi Bible. I am so sorry to hear that the ugly "unknown" has reared it's ugly head again. Was it your gastroenterologist that filled that word in? I feel certain you'd get more attention with a more specific description of Crohn's and whatever named conditions you might have along with it.

Many years ago, when I was new to Crohn's and there was no site like this to give me advice and support (heck, that was in eighties; was there even an internet?) I applied and was turned down. I was a teacher, too, but had stayed home to raise my daughter and open a home daycare. They told me I was still qualified to teach; so I didn't need it. At that time, I could not have taught, let alone look for a teaching job, but I was still overwhelmed by all the changes in my life.

So I thought I was just being a wimp and gave up. I had jobs as a nanny, but that didn't pay very well; nor did they provide health coverage. Afterwards, I learned that almost everyone gets turned down the first time. I have heard that hiring a lawyer greatly increases your chances, and some will make you pay only if you get a favorable settlement. This is ancient history for me, but I'm sure there are people here who have fought and won. I hope they can help you.

Having to quit teaching, or probaly any job, is a huge slap to our self confidence. It is also a true loss, similar to a divorce. Back in those days I thought of myself as physically, emotionally, financially and almost spiritually impaired. It was a lot of hard work just to learn that I am who I am, not what I do. I hope you have a good support system of family and friends, but having this site where we really do understand is a Godsend. You're in my daily prayers. May you be comforted and congratulated for getting this far with this DD. I can't speak for others, but I know that things got much better for me, not so much physically, maybe, but certainly in recognizing myself as capable of coping.