What do you do for a living/job/career? Any advice for me?

[fateful_one]

I would like to ask all those with Crohn's out there - What do you do for a living? What kind of job do you do? Also, I have a few other questions - Are any of you able to keep steady employment? What do you do when you are sick?

I am asking these questions because I have been struggling for years now with employment issues. I have a Bachelors in Anthropology, but I haven't been able to get employment anywhere for 3 years now - with the exception of fieldwork. I am currently suffering through another extented fieldwork job, but my arthritis is killing me and I am flaring...there are no bathrooms and I really don't think I can keep this up. I feel really stressed out and nervous, which can't be helping the Crohn's either! Anyway, is it pointless to try to build a career? I have given up on the idea of going to exotic lands for excavations, but what about "other" jobs? I am buried under bills and student loans and I need to make at least 30K a year. Any ideas on what I could do for work? SIZE]

 

[RafHam]

Maybe do a Phd and go into teaching? Just thinking out loud, you wouldn't be starting a whole new career and you'd be in a 'safe' environment on campus.

 

[ChefShazzy]

That's a good idea, RafHam!

I work in a kitchen, and Crohn's is making me re-think my career choice as well. I'm lucky in that where I work now, I am able to run off to the bathroom just by having someone cover or watch what I'm working on... but it's awkward because you have to tell someone everytime you're leaving to go to the washroom. I've used all of my sick days and even some short term disability. In other (most) kitchens, you can't just keep running away from what you're doing... it's a very faced paced environment and they have to know where you are at all times.

So, in your personal situation, I wouldn't recommend making a drastic career change and becoming a chef. I just wanted to relate that there must be a range of professions that are more difficult for us Chronies. Being a bus driver must be hard also. Or librarian - if it's so quiet around and you suddenly get the rumblies...

If you're thinking about 'other jobs'... do you have an interest or hobby that you would really enjoy working with? What are your restrictions? (i.e. no lifting, no bending, no standing)...

 

[NatalieMT]

I work as a part time sales assitant, it's quite a laid back job, reasonable pay, very nice colleagues. My manager is particularly understanding - hasn't minded my sick days, has let me bring a fold out chair to sit down on when I'm not feeling so hot.

If I need the bathroom there are quite a few within the store I'm in, all I do is tell a colleague I'm just going for 5 minutes. Luckily one of them has ulcerative colitis so can relate.

I like RafHam's idea too, teaching seems very rewarding - maybe you could even become a lecturer in the subject you have your Bachelors in.

 

[cheeky]

i work in education...

i am a facilitator and part-time instructor for a unique college program... the program is designed for students with developmental disabilities to experience college life, while developing self-confidence, life skills and increase their independence. so i provide various academic and community supports, as well as teach a course about goal setting.

anyway, i work on a small team... very supportive. i'm EXTREMELY lucky to have such supportive coworkers who have really become more like my friends.

i don't suffer from diarrhea but in the past (before meds) i would experience severe fatigue, stomach cramping, nausea and joint pain while at work... it was very exhausting. i didn't take too many sick days, but my schedule is pretty flexible at times, so i would usually have to go in a bit late or leave early... but i didn't push it.

all my coworkers know that i have Crohn's... they don't treat me any differently and are understanding when i haven't felt well (in fact, they encourage me to take as much time off as i need to get better).

it might have a lot to do with the field i'm in - we're all from a social worker/community worker/education backgrounds specifically dealing with children and adults with disabilities... so we are very empathetic and patient people. lol

 

[cheeky]

Maybe do a Phd and go into teaching? Just thinking out loud, you wouldn't be starting a whole new career and you'd be in a 'safe' environment on campus.

yes, i will add, working in post-secondary education is a good deal.

we are one of the few areas of employment who don't suffer during the recession...in fact, more people return to school during these times.

depends on your position, but for the most part, it's great.

 

[realtormatt]

Well as you may be able to figure out I am a real estate agent. I have been doing this for 6 years, so I have had Crohns for all my work years. Since most Realtors are independent contractors I get to make my own hours. Mornings tend to be the worst for my symptoms so I work from home then, since most people are looking at houses in the evenings and weekends.

The big negative is health insurance, but since I am married my wife's company carries me. In the states in is very expensive to get your own insurance, if at all without preexisting conditions.

I also do some sales of wellness products for some extra monthly income, as another at home business.

In the end nothing beats working for yourself, especially when the belly is upset and you just need to roll over and go back to bed.

 

[Kev]

I went from a 20+ year career in IT to driving a garbage truck. I love the driving, I enjoy the scenery, and my co-workers only occasionally complain about the smell.

 

[fromthegut]

Thanks for the question. I am considering going back to school for a new career. Something in Social Work. My Crohns and the challenges with it has made me go in this direction. I'm tired of working in adminstration where people don't understand and are unsympathetic. I do at least hope my future co workers in Social Work would be.
I'm just wondering if I myself could make it through school as a mature adult. My Crohns is doing well now but I am scared of getting sick and wodnering if I can handle the stress. Then again maybe school has changed since I went and they'd be more accomodating. I also wondering about financial aid.

 

[teeny5]

I am a retail operations manager. I tend to work a ton of hours, but have learned when to stop myself. When I am feeling bad I try to take it easy and tell my boss when I don't feel well. I have had to take a medical leave before. You learn that life goes on at work with out you, I am lucky it was still there when I got better. I like my job, though I wouldn't say it is my life's ambition or anything. I would love to work with animals. (Really I would love to not have to work, but that isn't reality).

 

[Colt]

I'm a phlebotomist at a major university hospital. I work 4 10.5-hour days from 4:30A-3P. Honestly, it's surprisingly very physical work. I am responsible for so many patients that many days I'm going at a full sprint for the entire shift. Bending over bed rails and so on, especially with my ridiculously tender abdomen, can be quite difficult. It's at times completely overwhelming and I end up stumbling my way down a stair case or whatever.

The main issue is that even though I'm sick I'm dealing with much more important issues and I have trouble taking care of myself because of that. If I take a break someone isn't going to get a test that could save their life. Sure I'm bleeding, but my patient is bleeding more than me and they need to have theirs replaced right now.

But, the thing to realize is that it's not really important what you do, but who your boss is. Your boss makes all the difference. My supervisor is very good and forces me to stop and take a break sometimes, she's insistent that I go home if I'm clearly too sick to work, etc. She makes sure that things accommodate me when necessary too. Because of her my job is doable and when I have a good partner, very fulfilling and enjoyable.

 

[jooles6377]

I think an office job would be best as it means you can go to the loo any time you need to and can get up and walk, get a drink when you need to. I have a great employer who let us work from home when we want but I prefer to be around people and chatting which definately ups my mood and keeps the depression at bay. I am an HR/Personell Advisor.

 

[crohnsappleadams]

I work three jobs. One gives me insurance. The other two are labors of love. The 40/wk job is working for a cruise line, making reservations and answering questions. It's a crap job that doesn't pay particularly well, but I'm good at what I do and make a fair amount of bonus. I end up coming out with about the same pay as my friends who are teachers, but I don't have to deal with hormone-challenged adolescents all day, so advantage: me. There are no real complications for me with this job. My co-workers and superiors understand that on certain days I'm going to be better friends with the toilet than I am with my desk, and they're cool about it. I'm rarely late and, up until my surgery this past week, I never miss days regardless of how I feel.

The second job is working as the featured writer and senior editor for a sports website. That means I get to watch games, talk crap on guys with natural talents far beyond my own, and collect a modest sum of money for doing so. Because I'm BMOC for that part of the site, the owners let me work on my own schedule. There are no complications here either, obviously, and the laptop works just as well in the bathroom as it does on the couch. If I can get them to fund a 32" LCD with a cable feed in the bathroom too, I might just never leave. I think I could get some beers on ice in the bathtub too.

The third job is working as a musician, which means a lot of performing. This has the potential to be tricky. I contemplated giving it up altogether in high school before I was diagnosed and properly medicated. Now, however, it's just a matter of medicating myself appropriately beforehand and tailoring my pre-performance diet. Also, if I'm going to be drinking at a show, I need to ensure that the medicine I'm taking to control my Crohn's won't interact adversely with the liquor. As a last means of preparation, I also have to ensure that I'm comfortable enough with the material I'm playing to be able to do so even if I'm doped to the gills.

Even with all of those potential complications, I can still count on one hand the number of times Crohn's has affected a performance or caused me to postpone/cancel it. It's just proof that you can do absolutely anything you want to with Crohn's disease if you pay attention to your body.