Should I Give Up My Job???

[finallyadx]

Hello.  So I was a stay-at-home mom for quite some time but after feeling "better" or improved in November (sjogren's symptoms seemed to ease up), I accepted a job at my children's school.  When I interviewed for it, I was under the impression it was part-time, however when the contract was presented to me it was full-time (36.5 hrs per week).  I accepted the position thinking I can do anything from December to June...wrongo.  I have been out sick now for probably 5 days off and on since December.  Today I am home because I have a headache that is causing some numbness in my right arm, a few weeks ago I stayed home because I was having bathroom issues. 

Working with children I am exposed to anything and everything and I thought I could handle it, but now I am not so sure. 

I went into this thinking my health and the health and happiness of my family is the most important, and still is but now I am finding myself conflicted about whether or not sign a new contract for the new year.  I was presented with the contract last week and have yet to sign it or meet with my supervisor about it.  I am tempted to tell them full-time is not working out for me and that I am amiable to part-time in the fall.

I am not looking for anyone to give me an answer as to what I should do but was looking for some insight as to what others have done when their health has taken a nose dive when working too much or too hard.

Thank you all for your thoughts and insights.

[eye2dry]

 hello.

I tried to get my employer to give me a less stressful role in his medical practice......such as
receptionist duties or doing nurse call backs to pts. and pharmacy , authorizations ,etc...
But to no avail....apparently he felt he hired an LPN and I was to do LPN duties......I was
even willing to decrease my salary with the decrease in nursing duties.

The fumes , the bright surgical lights , maintaining a certain position for hours at times , there
were a few employees who were habitual call-offs and I and others had to fill their shoes as
well as our own.

So...I just quit one day and filled for disability the next week. It's been a year now since I quit and
9 months since I was  approved for disability. Last winter was hard on me.......but I am adjusting
better. The only thing I miss terribly are the co-workers and the patients.


I know you said you didn't want advice; however, I would see if I could get part-time this time around, The
sick days you've had are ammunition that you fall ill easily.  I was even working part-time at 3 days per
week and it got to the point where that was too much.....the formaldehyde, disinfectants and bright lights
took such a toll on my eyes that they could never heal well enough to see or feel good.

What does your family think?


shelly

[Kathy57]

I literally had to give up my full time job because I felt sooooo sick!  After diagnoses and treatment I felt much better but never "normal".

I went back to work just part time with very flexible hours.  So far so good.  I actually don't think I could tolerate full time.  😞😞

I'm just glad to be able to work at all and I try not to look too far into the future.  One day at a time.

Good luck to you in what you decide.

Kathy

[SunshineDaydream]

Full-time work is 40 hours or more, so your recent contract was part-time. If you want to work less, you would be requesting reduced hours.

My work involves reading a lot and sometimes talking to people about what I read. I work from home and on a part-time, contract basis. The last few years, my contract has been for x hours per week and the amount of time per day ebbed and flowed. Severe, chronic dry eyes are my worst symptom so having to read a lot in one day can be very difficult to the point sometimes I was dreading getting assignments and considering not renewing my contract. If I overdo it one day, it can have a negative impact not only on that day but the next, too. Last time my contract was up for renewal, I spent a day reading continuously to see how long I could do it comfortably. Based on that, we agreed to the same number of hours per week, but based on my little experiment I put a cap on the numbers of hours per day. That allows me to work for varying periods throughout the day and rehab my eyes in between if necessary. If I'm comfortable doing more than the cap that day, I do more. If not, I let the things without deadlines wait until tomorrow.

The nature of your work and ability to work from home may not be the same, but the point is to figure out what and how much you are comfortable doing and when, and see if your employer is willing to work with you within those parameters. You won't be any good to anyone, including yourself, if you push yourself too hard.

I hope you are feeling better by now. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

[angeldancer]

I have just recently tried to work.  It has been difficult especially since I am in a flare.  I haven't worked all week because my body said no and the pain won't leave.  I can't even imagine working with kids in a school because my immune system is not strong enough.  I think you should definitely weigh your options to figure out how many hours if any are doable.  Don't overdue it like I did.  My body is rebelling big time right now and all I can do is wait it out.

Good luck,
Angeldancer