Opinion ID: 1203472
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Personal History

Text: Tilley was born on March 21, 1944. She is a high school graduate and has completed some college courses. From 1978 to 1991, Tilley worked in food services as a cafeteria worker. She was fired when she was no longer physically able to perform her job. Tilley has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since her alleged disability onset date, though she worked from 2001 through 2003 as a product demonstration person, handing out samples to customers at a Walmart store. In that position, Tilley worked either one day a week or every other weekend for six hours on Saturday and six hours on Sunday. She testified that after working her weekly shift, it'd take me nearly another week to get healed up to go back and do that one Saturday. Admin. R. at 728. Tilley alleges that she became disabled due to fibromyalgia, hypoglycemia, hypertension, and degenerative changes of the cervical and lumbar spines. In 1983 and 1991, Tilley underwent surgery of the cervical spine. The first surgery was successful and alleviated her left upper extremity pain. Her second surgery was less so, and Tilley continued to suffer from back, neck, and right arm pain. Tilley completed Social Security Disability Supplemental Interview Outlines in October 2002 and August 2003. She reported that her pain was located in her lower back, her neck, and her right side (shoulder, arm, and leg) and that it would subside only when her medications took effect. She could not engage in activities that required repetitive motion or heavy lifting. Tilley's ability to complete household chores was limited, but she could launder clothes, wash dishes, change sheets, prepare simple meals, and complete short errands. Even though she was able to complete those household tasks, things like cleaning, cooking, standing, driving, and working caused pain or other symptoms. Other than attending church, Tilley's recreational activities were solitary and sedentary; she no longer visited friends or family. At her 2005 hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), Tilley testified that her condition was about the same as it was in 1998, although in 1998 she was taking more pain medicationfour to six Darvocet [1] each dayand receiving trigger point injections in her lower back, neck, shoulder, and arm. She testified that she felt real tired and draggy and that her medications upset her stomach and some made her a little woozy. Admin. R. at 737, 730. Tilley's hypoglycemia was troubling her in 1998, and she was throwing up, dizzy, couldn't stand up straight. [2] Id. at 736. Tilley also testified that she has suffered hearing loss, that she has pain from fibromyalgia, and that she takes medication to manage her high blood pressure. Tilley's testimony concerning her daily activities was consistent with the information she provided in the interview outline. She explained that she does light housework and that her husband does the vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping. Tilley's husband also makes breakfast, while she might microwave something for lunch and make a sandwich or a bowl of cereal for supper. Tilley testified that she goes to bed around 11:00 p.m. because being in bed for too long causes pain and she often is unable to sleep through the night, despite being on medication to assist her in doing so. Once a week, Tilley teaches a children's Bible study class at the church she attends. She rarely drives, and when she does, it is for a short distance (three to four miles). She watches television and reads short magazine articles, but she no longer has any hobbies.