Sjogrens World Forums

Dear Sjoggie friends,

I have been working PRN (as needed) in my current position as a nurse in admissions and case management.  They had asked me to work full time for them when I first started (almost 2 years ago), but I knew I couldn't hack full time with my Sjogren's.

You may remember that I got so sick (and no diagnosis) prior to this that I had to quit my full time job totally unexpectedly.  I was actually unemployed for a year before I felt well enough to go back PRN.  I was so sick that I thought I would never work again.

Thanks to my Rheumatologist, I feel so much better but I know full time is beyond my current capabilities.  I'm lucky to not HAVE to work, but I would like to!

I really would like to work more than I am doing now and would love a more concrete schedule.  Now I just fill in when they are short or when someone is on vacation.  That means I can work a lot and then go for long stretches without working.

My perfect job would be two scheduled days per week.  Well they had posted two new part time jobs to the area where I am working now!  Unfortunately they are both three days per week instead of two, but they are benefit eligible.  (Don't need the health insurance) because my husband's is so good. 😊

One of the positions is for working at home and I am very interested in that!  I already have a home office and working from home would allow me to control the humidity, heat, and my personal work environment!  I would love this.  ❤️ 

I spoke to my boss who said that I was "uniquely qualified" to do either job and she told me I would definitely get an interview for both positions.  I told her that I really wanted the "home" position.

The jobs have just been posted and they will not do interviews until mid August.  (The hospital is slow about everything!)  My boss has been trying to get these new positions for over a year now and they finally gave her the green light to hire.

So my friends,  please say a prayer for me because I think I would really like this!  Wish it were two days per week but if I can work from home it would be a huge plus!  I find myself very hopeful for the future but I am afraid to get my hopes up too high unless they get dashed.

I feel very good about getting one of the positions but I really want the home position.

I will keep you all informed!  Of course, I still have my PRN position and it has worked out pretty well.  I can say no if I don't want to work.  If I take this part time job, I will HAVE to be working and won't be able to take off when I need to or when I want to.  So, not a perfect situation, but I would like to try it.

Thanks for always being there for me in good times and in bad😊

Kathy

A new job that fits with your interests, abilities and area of expertise would be great. The work-from-home job sounds ideal, Kathy. I hope you get one of the jobs, especially the WFH one! 

Oh, I really hope  you get the home job, sounds perfect for you!
Glad to hear you're feeling well enough to potentially take on either job.
How has your new rheumy been helping you?

BTW, I'll definitely say that prayer for you  :)

Yes, the home job sounds ideal for you.
I'll definitely pray you may be successful.

I, too, would like a home job.
As you say one can control your environment.

All the best.

Lotus1

I hope you get the job of your dreams kathy, you deserve it. It's so hard to work with this disease and there aren't enough options out there for accommodations for folks like us! Keep us posted.

Good luck. And it never hurts to have benefits of your own, particularly given the uncertainty about healthcare going forward -- some of the new rules could affect employer-sponsored programs.

I will pray for you to get it! Please pray for me too as I am looking for a new teaching job. It has to be FT as I completely support myself and need the benefits.

Hugs!

Thanks everyone, for all for your supportive thoughts and prayers!  Nymph, I will pray that you find your perfect full time teaching job! 

I'll keep you posted😉👌

Kathy

I hope all is well, Kathy. How did the job situation turn out?

I did get a new job... as a school librarian! I love it! Kathy, what happened with yours?

Sunshinedaydream and Nymph,

Sorry that I havent got back to you sooner.   Congratulations, Nymph, on your new job.  I have mixed news.  I had applied for two part time jobs and I did get one of them, but not the one working from home.

I work every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and I like my paycheck!  They did give me a 6 percent raise, but I don?t get to work from home like I had wanted. 

Ijoool been doing a lot with my grandkids and trying to adjust to a regular work schedule and so far I?ve been doing pretty good.

Unfortunately, I feel like I?m having a flare and I?be developed another sinus infection.  I just wish I had more energy.  My Rheumatologist told me to try and exercise more but I feel like I?m really pushing it just trying to do my everyday stuff.

I?ve been trying to avoid an antibiotic and trying to kick this on my own but you know these things can last for weeks😔.

My husband is doing well and still in remission from his cancer.  We only have to go to MD Anderson every 6 months now.  He has much more energy than I do, and he is remodeling our kitchen.  I?ll be so glad when it is done as it adds more stress for me.

I?m debating on whether I should call my doctor and get something for the awful drainage and low grade fever.  Ibuprophen helps and. I take all my meds and supplements.

I made some homemade vegetable soup today and I?m looking forward to it.

Sjogrens is such a pain in the butt, isn?t it?  I feel like I?m dragging but I am so grateful for being able to do what I have been doing.  I just hope I can stay well.

Thanks for asking about me.  I?ve been reading posts but I?ve not had time or energy to post myself.

The new job is doing what I have been doing PRN but I?m doing it regularly now.  My coworkers are great and so is my boss.  I just have to keep it together and learn to say no to unnecessary things.  I find myself resting up on my days off but I have the normal social obligations.

I?m supposed to go to a family baby shower tomorrow and two family/ friend events on Sunday.  Ordinarily this would be fun but since I don?t feel well, I may have to pass on one of them.

Love to everybody,

Kathy

Glad that you got a job that is meeting a lot of your needs. I would advise you to get antibiotic though as you can get so run down that you could get pneumonia. It is always so tempting to attempt to get over a sinus infection but we usually fail cause we don't have the resistance that other people do. Hope that you feel better and can get some strength built up.

Yes, remodeling is stressful and hard on us plus the dust can contribute to infections. Good luck. Irish

Kathy---you are a nurse...and your b/g info says you are 60. You have an AI disease (and stress w' your hubby)...don't tax your poor body to tackle an infection now!!  Do that next year...or better not, don't.  :)  Get yourself an antibiotic!! Take care of yourself and you'll be stronger.  EOL (end of lecture)
ccc

Dear CCC and Irish,

You are so right!  I took your advice and got into a Clinic.  Could not get into my regular Doc cause it is a weekend, but they put me on Augmentin and I started it ASAP.  I don?t know why I think I can ride these things out.

Thanks for your good advice.  You are so right.  It would be the same advice that I would give you😂.

I am taking it easy and drinking lots of fluids.🤧

Kathy

Good to hear! Hope that you are starting to feel a bit better. I have also been flaring after a cold. I rested all weekend. That's really the main thing that helps.