When the sciatica kicked in and killed her job opportunity, I insisted she apply for disability. There are good days and bad days, but some days she can't even walk. Her initial plan was to retire at 67, but that idea pretty much tanked. She hits 65 next year, so Medicare will at least be available, but we'll still need to foot the bill for plan B and a drug plan. It's been MONTHS since she applied for Disability. We sent in all the tests, doctor reports, x-rays, CT Scan ... everything they asked for to document the problem, but have heard nothing. We call every month and are only told "it's in process" and that's all they can say. If it follows the normal course, it'll be denied like 90% of all disability claims, then we'll start over ... or have to foot the bill to hire an attorney. I think they're simply stalling until she hits Medicare age. Who knows? This has been dragging on for a year now. It appears the rat bastards have permeated the whole system! This is b/s.