my hopes for monday at work

[eye2dry]

hello fellow sjogren folks

My hopes for another work day, tomorrow and actually every day I work.

I hope no one sees me struggle with my vision..glasses on..glasses off...sneaking in some eye drops around the corner

I hope I do not have to get some thing out of a bottom cabinet and have to haul myself up with a grip on a counter, chair,etc...and be seen doing it that way.

I hope I am not caught swaying a tad bit when I should be still.

I hope when I speak I don't forget a word I need to use, or forget how to complete a task in it's entirety ....and be caught at it.

I hope I don't drop a vial, sutures,  syringe, bandage, scissors, etc..while  I do my procedures with the dr. and other staff because my hands won't work right at that very moment.

I never use to have those type of thoughts before on a sunday night.
Heres to hoping all these things come true for Monday and every work day, for myself and others that work and have to deal with Sjogrens.

eye2dry

[Jorja]

Your post made me think back to those awful days I had to struggle to work.  It was so hard to do the things I'd always done easily.  Each day with an autoimmune disease is different and very challenging at best; but, I know first hand that it's alot easier to feel like crud and be forgetful at home than at work.

I pray that you have a very unusual day tomorrow . . . one where you awaken refreshed and painfree with an 'unfoggy head' and the strength to carry out your duties well. 

Blessings,
Jorja

[Katybarstool]

Eye

You put that so well. I hope Monday is a good day for you. One day at a time, that's the only way we Sjoggies can think.

Sending you a big hug.

Kathyx

[KellyG999]

Eye2Dry,

I totally understand. I hope those same things, too - and add:

I hope I don't have a throat dryness and swelling, coughing episode and have to run out of a meeting.
I hope my IBS doesn't flare up while the ladies' room is full of people.

We can make it, and report in Monday evening. I know we'll both be OK. The less I worry about it, the better I do. It is embarrassing, but I think people are often more compassionate than we think. And yes, other times they are really NOT! But we know we are doing our best. That's what matters.

God bless you,
KellyG

[artsyamerican]

I remember those days as well.  As a teacher it was so difficult to be up in front of a critical audience when you can't turn the pages of a book, when you can't get off the floor without help, when you can't talk for very long without coughing, etc..etc... Good luck tomorrow and everyday you continue to work.  I just couldn't do it any longer. 

[Luna]

Dear Eye2dry. I hope you have a good day tomorrow. I will wish on a star that your entire week is a good one. I am so glad I am not working. Miss it, but know it would be so miserably hard on me. I admire your strength to still be working. You need to be proud of yourself. You are tough. Tougher than most you meet..

Luna

[eyeamdry]

Jackie:  You should keep a private journal of these incidences if you think you are being bullied.  If it keeps up, this could come in handy.  Don't do it on a work computer, just make a handwritten note and put it in your purse and take care of it on your home computer.  I did this when I was still working and my documentation came in handy.

[engy]

Thinking of you at work today.

We have the day off so I'm hoping my 4 day week will be easier.

Hoping all your hopes are true. It is so difficult to work.

Blessings, Carie

[Pisces24]

Jackles:          The only people that should know about your medical problems are HR and you immediate supervisor. Unless of course you told others in the office.  If the boss and HR are broadcasting it, it is a breach of confidentiality and there are LAWS Against that!!!! Yes you need to protect yourself so I would keep a journal if you feel you need to. Glad you have the FMLA as we need the protection. I know that personally as I got my FMLA when I got threated with disciplinary action if I didn't come into work with the H1N1, 105 temp, etc. My gp was sooooo p.o'd that he insisted on the FMLA.  BTW: The CDC is completely useless in workplace on this.

Only my boss and HR know of my true condtion. A couple people in the office know I have "an autoimmune disease" and I have to get monitored yearly and it makes me vulnerable to get stuff. But since I LOOK ok and work is fine, so they just take it as a normal thing. I am just not one to let everyone else know my business.

My things are:
I hope if I do have to go home from work sick, FMLA covers it. (My work has a very strick unscheduled absense policy  )

I hope I can make it home or make it to the doctors. (I'm single and no family around.)

[eyeamdry]

Pisces added much more into to my idea than I did.  The more quiet you can keep your health problems, the better.  Nosy office workers are always ready to see what's the next pot of bees they can stir up.  Good luck on this.  Lucy

[Pisces24]

You really wonder about some people. You think that people in certain fields, etc would be more understanding.

I had a coworker who was a BC survivor. You'd think she would understand and sympathize about anyone being sick or having a chronic conditon. No Way!  People were coming in specifically to get her sick and it was their own fault they got sick for not eating right, exercising or following her "I am just being helpful" advice. It got so bad HR had to get after her.   I guess some folks just don't have it in them to care. 

[slccom]

Jackles, don't keep your log on your home computer. If you used it to work from home, it is entirely possible that the company has some software that can let them get into it. I'm sorry they are being so -- unreasonable, and apparently trying to get rid of you. You might want to negotiate with them to let you go out on disability if they really want you gone.

[slccom]

Eyes2day, you describe my normal everyday life. I was an Rh baby and had brain damage that impaired my coordination. While it can become exasperating, usually I just laugh. I have a paper date book, not an electronic one that will break when I drop it. Not if. When. I just plan for things to go wrong. I fall, get up and laugh. I spill things, I laugh and clean it up. If I get really tired, or sick, the number of mishaps goes way up.

I wasn't always this way. I used to take my mother's place in my head and yell at myself, but  one day when I was 21 I mentally yelled at myself for spilling my breakfast milk. I realized that if a guest had  just spilled the milk, I would have laughed, cleaned it up and poured another glass. I decided on that day to treat myself at least as well as I would treat someone else, and quit yelling at myself. It took two years or so to be successful at that, and I used the image of drop-kicking my mother out of my head, but well, this is just part of being me. There was nothing to be embarrassed about, ashamed of, or otherwise upset.