hurdle07:
Welcome back. Yes, time does fly - apparently whether you're having any fun or not, it seems.
You have perfectly good reason to be a bit depressed (AN diagnosis + looming job loss) but you said it correctly when you posted that you have to get your butt in gear, that is, do something besides avoiding doing something about your AN, medical insurance and post-layoff work plan. Unless you have a very tiny AN, you should be researching treatments, doctors and facilities. AN's sometimes lay dormant for years but in most cases, an acoustic neuroma grows s-l-o-w-ly, and until symptoms are manifested, you don't even know you have it. Once you receive the ominous-sounding diagnosis you don't know what the heck it is. Then you're scared you're going to die (the words
'brain tumor' often have that effect). Then you find out this is a problem but a manageable one, although not an easy road. Finally, you start doing research, calling doctors and hospitals. As has been previously stated, the size and location of your AN is crucial to how you'll proceed from here on.
Insurance is certainly a valid issue but as others have mentioned, COBRA (which is an acronym for
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) is a good bet as it keeps your coverage intact. Although expensive, it'll costs less than medical insurance you might purchase as an individual because you're still getting a group rate, although it is no longer subsidized by your employer. If possible, you may want to consider addressing your AN (radiation or surgery) before your present job finally ends, as you'll need time off, even with radiation, but
especiallyif you opt for surgery. So, if you have any accumulated 'sick time', why not tie it into the treatment you're going to need? Just a suggestion, as I don't know the specifics of your work situation regarding what, if any, paid time off you may have accumulated.
In the final analysis you must know that you'll have to begin looking into how you'll address your AN. It isn't likely to go away on it's own and the bigger it gets the more problems it will make for you in the future. You certainly don't need that. Obviously, retaining your medical insurance is a must but that shouldn't be too difficult (just pricey) with the COBRA option. As for venturing into a new line of work, that is certainly your prerogative and may just be what you need to renew your outlook on things. As an old saying goes:
If you're happy, you're successful.. Works for me.
I trust you'll keep us apprised of your progress because we're here and want to help, if we can.
Jim
