Too much too soon? need advice for tomorrow.

[littlefreebird]

too much too soon? need advice for tomorrow.

i'm 6 weeks post-op tomorrow, i feel great!!! been more active, making more short shopping trips etc. and apart from a brief dizzy spell in a cafe last week i have managed very well. hoping to have my 1st girly night out on saturday also.

...i've been looking at some dental nursing positions available (as this was my occupation before surgery) and applied for one...the interview is tomorrow.
i'm just really stuck as to whether to go or not. am i ready for full time (45hrs a week) work or not? i can't answer that question as i don't know. the thought kind of scares me but at the same time, i'm being supported financially by my partner and my mum and now that i'm a bit more active i feel bad almost like i'm lazing about the house being a slob and taking advantage.

ahhhhhh!!! i guess i've always been independent and being supported by others is making me feel lazy lol.

also...my car isn't on the road at the minute as it is being fixed and will not be ready until the 26th of this month so to go to this interview tomorrow will involve me travelling 25 miles by train and getting a 2 minute taxi ride...i then have to get back to go to a hospital appointment to see my stoma nurse in the afternoon.

when did you's (if you did) return to work?
i was also planning on NOT telling them about my stoma as it will not interfere with my work and in my opinion how i use the toilet is not their business...is this deceitful?

 

[Terriernut]

You can certainly interview for the job. I wouldnt guess you would start until possibly the end of September all things being considered. By then you should be able to return to work. But going at it full on full time to begin with may be difficult and set you back. However, you are young, so it's possible you will be fine. As for not telling your employer about your stoma, they'll find out sooner or later. But, not telling them about your crohns may become an issue further down the line if you get ill again. However I see no need to tell them anything in the first stages of interviewing.

 

[colleeny beany]

Never divulge that kind of info during a job interview. I can't imagine why they will ever need to know about your stoma, but even for things they will need to know, the interview is not the time or place unless there is something that specifically relates to the necessities of the job.

 

[colleeny beany]

@Terri, I didn't know that about employment law over there. Here, you can be asked if you want to voluntarily disclose that you are disabled during the written application process, but only in vague terms (mobility, vision/hearing, other). You are also obligated to mention how your disability would affect your ability to do required duties (can't have a blind truck driver).Asking an interviewee about their health is against discrimination protection laws.

My main concern, however, was the issue of talking about your butt surgeries out of the blue during a job interview. That's just not going to make a good impression, at least not in Canada.

 

[Terriernut]

It wont here either. You have to wait til they want you for the job!

But, Hannah will be fine! She'll get the job! She can do it, cant you girl?? You will be able to go back to work, and no need to hide out. :heart:

 

[CDDad]

I say chill out for another few weeks. I know the feeling you are describing when you start feeling better. But, take this time to just enjoy life. Take some nice walks, read some books, watch lots of movies. Soon enough you'll be back to work with all the stress that goes alot with that.
Be good to yourself and give yourself some more time to heal - At least another two weeks.

And I agree - no need to tell anyone about your stoma - unless it does affect your job somehow.

 

[Gav]

You've had some great advice already from those here. And it is somewhat of a conundrum you are facing here.

If you feel well enough to go and can manage it, the experience may well be worth it, if you get the job or not. But if you have the slightest worry that you are not healthy enough to get there and back and make it through the interview, it's probably too early for you.

With regards to telling them about your stoma. I have had two new jobs since surgery, and one of them was the first job I had after my ops. I did mention I had been through some major surgery (to explain my time away from work), although if you don't need to mention that then I wouldn't. Having said that, on being offered the role I spoke to HR both times about my condition, as in the job pre-screening it asked if I had any conditions that could be considered disabled. I don't believe I am disabled, but mentioning nothing could mean that sometime in the future if you find yourself needing time off for ops or issues related to the ileostomy it may make things very difficult for you.

In the UK an ileostomy was covered by the Disability Discriminations Act, although I believe this has recently changed to a new act. I really don't have up-to-date info on that. If it comes to that it might be worth asking on the IA forums. They are UK based and can always provide loads of answers.

Either way, best of luck should you go tomorrow!

 

[vonfunk]

I went back to work at the 7 week mark, however was out and about within the week, and after the staples were gone I was really out and about. I'm pretty sure I drink more now than I did pre-surgery.

 

[Ian]

How'd the interview go Hannah? Hope it went well, if you made it. Let us know how Saturday goes too, drunken nights out are incredibly important! .

I'm pretty sure I drink more now than I did pre-surgery.

Haha awesome. Out of interest, what does that do to your output? And your capacity to empty etc without making a mess?! I have trouble texting drunk!

 

[ameslouise]

So glad you are feeling so great!

I agree with advice about not letting them know too much that is not any of their business and won't interefere with your job.

But I agree with Joe about waiting another couple of weeks before you start. Give yourself time. Being out and about on short shopping trips is nothing compared to working a full week, and you might be surprised at how short of energy you are when it comes to working all day.

You can still go on the interview, but perhaps tell them that because of prior committments and because you have no car, you won't be able to start until October 1. If it's the right fit, they'll wait for you!

Good luck! - Amy

 

[littlefreebird]

thanks everyone for the advice! i decided not to go to the interview in the end...i really didn't feel ready! but i've applied for 2 other jobs that require someone to start mid october, which would give me a few more weeks to relax i'm realy enjoying it lol

....and ian, i will let you know how i get on on saturday night with that! lol have been asking myself the same question.haha.

 

[vonfunk]

Out of interest, what does that do to your output? And your capacity to empty etc without making a mess?! I have trouble texting drunk!

I don't notice too much, it's watery but not terrible. I tend to drink a lot of gin & tonic and cocktails. I was afraid of beer for awhile because it increases out put, but I've stopped caring. The bigger issue is the hangovers.

I've had no issues emptying the bag whilst drunk, as drinking is one of my few talents.

 

[littlefreebird]

...emptying the bag was no bother for me either.
and output was the same, i actually was away from home 5pm- 3am and only emptied a 1/4 full bag once. output was bright red because i was drinking cherry wine, kola kube shots and vodka and blackcurrant haha..was GREAT to have a hangover without the tummy pains.