A severe or dire medical diagnosis, such as one that involves cancer or another chronic illness, can be devastating to an individual and his or her family. These types of illnesses often engender many questions, but perhaps one of the most pressings questions on people’s minds is how long it will take to recover from the illness and what it will take on the part of the individual and his or her family.
At UEW Healthcare, we offer free home healthcare services for individuals who have contracted cancer or other severe diagnoses because of their employment with the US Department of Energy (DOE) or one of its contractors or subsidiaries. We also provide training for family members to care for their loved ones where they are also eligible to receive payment for their services. As healthcare professionals, we have helped many families facing similar chronic illnesses and disheartening diagnoses, and we know that the questions about timeline and healing are important. In this article, we will discuss how long you can expect your elderly loved one to take to recover and what the best course of action is for your family to help.
Timeline Depends on Illness and Severity
As you might suspect, the timeline for healing and recovery from a disease greatly depends on the disease itself and how severely it has spread or impacted the body. For instance, a colon cancer diagnosis at stage 0 will take relatively less time to treat and recover from than a stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis. Chronic beryllium disease may never fully be curable, but the symptoms may be easier to treat than chronic silicosis or pulmonary fibrosis. The timeline for healing and recovery for any occupational disease varies widely and will depend on myriad factors that you are able to discuss with your doctor at the time of diagnosis or during subsequent visits.
Talking with Doctors About Realistic Timelines
Medical professionals often have your best interests at heart, but it is up to you and your family to also be straightforward with the doctor about realistic timelines regarding your illness or disease. Your doctor will be able to assess your situation carefully, including your previous medical history and the severity of the disease. They will be the best source of helping you realize your potential for recovery and whether there are other factors to consider. There are also plenty of online resources about specific diseases you are also able to check out, including our blog, that relate to your specific illness that can give you a better idea of your disease and potential timeline for healing.
Choosing the Right Path
When it comes to cancer or other types of EEOICPA and RECA-qualifying illnesses, you will be presented with many options regarding recommended courses of treatment. Some many entail surgery, a regime or drugs, chemotherapy, and potentially much more. Before making any decisions, you may want to think about the things that are most important to you, which can inform your decisions about treatments and your best course of action. Your doctor, again, will be an excellent source of information in addition to discussions with your loved ones and other online resources to determine the best path and what you most want from treatment.
Home Healthcare Services
While you are healing and making decisions about your course of healing and treatments, we encourage you to take advantage of our free home healthcare services. We will assist you with any of your health needs and assure you have the assistance you need at home while you are going through the difficulties of your disease. Contact us today for a free consultation and to discuss your qualifications.
Who We Serve
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If you already have this card, then you are already approved to receive no-cost medical benefits! Call us to get started today.
In order to be eligible for EEOICPA/RECA benefits, an individual must have been employed at a covered Department of Energy facility, an approved atomic weapons facility, or at a permitted beryllium vendor. An individual must also have one of the covered conditions as a result of exposure to radiation, beryllium, or silica while employed at an accepted facility. In addition, uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters are eligible for benefits if they develop an illness as a result of exposure to toxic substances (such as radiation, chemicals, solvents, acids, and metals) and worked at a facility covered under RECA. Eligibility requirements vary by location and condition.