Starting work and need advice

[callypat]

starting work and need advice

Since I got laid off last March I have been enjoying my time at home to take care of myself and my family. In the last few weeks I have been getting called for interviews, but no serious bites until now. I am about to start a new job in a few weeks. Once the paperwork in finished it's back to the 9 to 5. The pay checks will be nice, though I will miss my naps. I'm really nervous that I will not be able to handle this disease and a full time job. I was just diagnosed last January so this has not been an issue before. I have not told them that I am sick (and don't plan to). I have been receiving treatment for the last year but have had very little relief. The problem is if I eat, I'm in pain, period. If I have to be out during the day I just don't eat or drink anything. Nothing goes in and nothing comes out. I'm not sure I can really do this on an every day basis. I need some advice on how to get through the day without being sick.

My GI is wonderful and is doing everything he can to try an get ahead of it, but nothing seems to be working so far. Recently he ran an endoscopy and a small bowel follow through and is planning to do the pill cam. I think we are headed in the direction of Remicade and I have hopes that this will help. In the meantime I need to get through this.

 

[Sojourn]

It can be a delicate balance. I basically just try to eat as little as possible while I'm working. I eat a larger meal at the end of the day and get up early to try to empty my bowels as much as possible before going to work. I don't have much of a pain issue right now, but diarrhea is what plagues me which can ultimately lead to pain if I eat too much. But you need to eat to have energy to work so it can be difficult, including being hungry, especially, if you're on steroids.

If you can get by on small meals or snacks when you're working that might help.

 

[Shane]

My personal view is that if your employer doesn't know you are ill, it could make life difficult for you in the future. How are you going to explain your problems? They may think you are slacking/uninterested in your work if they don't know the truth.

We really need to move on in terms of employers not understanding illness in this day and age. People shouldn't be scared of the reaction they might get. It's just not good enough!

I feel for you callypat, it must be difficult. I'm lucky that, although I'm still not well enough to work, my employer is understanding about the situation and has kept my position open for if/when I'm able to return to the same job. I know most people aren't that fortunate.

I wish you the best of luck.

Shane

 

[Kev]

It's a personal choice, and depends on your circumstances. I had to kiss my career goodbye after I became ill... And then try to re-enter the workplace. I had to find some part time employment that would pay enuff to live on. I interviewed for a job, and I chose to be totally upfront about my health situation. But I was only 'risking' part time employment, and there were no potential benefits, or any other incentives, to be lost if I wasn't hired. So it was really a 'small' gamble. fortunately, I got the job anyway, and it didn't matter as far as my employment went. For the most part, I have been able to work around my disease. Your situation may be different. there may be a probation period, there may be extra benefits or privileges once you get past the initial stages. Those you have to take into consideration. In the hiring process, you have the responsibility, the duty, to answer any appropriate questions honestly. If the employer has not questioned your health, and you feel that their knowing would jeopardize your employment, at least before your probationary period, I would say your first duty is to yourself. If you think you can get thru this first stage w/o your illness playing a factor, then you need to decide which route is best for you. It is not an easy decision to make. However, once a person, any person is a full time, permanent employee... they offer no guarrantee that they will never/not develop health issues. I admit, it's a pretty fine line distinction. I wish you the best, whichever way you decide. Bear in mind that this forum isn't a judgemental lot, and no one has the right to second guess your decisions, OK

 

[Shane]

Yeah, Kev's absolutley right. Just wanted you to know that I wasn't judging your desicion in anyway, I would never dream of doing that. Was just having a bit of a rant about some employers lack of understanding in general.

Shane

 

[callypat]

I totally understand and I agree too. I don't know that it would have even made a difference in my being hired or not. I live in a community where good jobs are scarce and when one does come up there is usually a lot of competition for it. During the interview I was not asked about my health so I didn't lie about it. In this position I will working with families in the community as a case manager so I imagine I will have to have a physical before I can start. I still don't think that requires me to do more than just prove I don't have TB or any other communicable disease. I think if I try to explain my illness others will probably notice more or be looking for way in which it affects my work. I will try to be careful not to let my fatigue be interpreted in my attitude toward my job though. Thanks for pointing that out. I don't start for a couple more weeks. I'll keep you posted.