Stressed to the Max

[SjoGirl]

So I made a choice to quit one of my three jobs because of a number of issues. Today was my last day after many years of serving an organization that I had hoped to work at until I retire (about 3-5 years from now).

On top of that today I learned that my sister, my last living immediate family member, has stage 3 colon cancer. She had a significant portion of her colon removed last week and is having some complications from the surgery as well. The docs think they got all the cancer, but are recommending chemo and she, like me is very med sensitive so is concerned.

Other things have happened, too many to mention, and as a result I'm not sleeping well, ache, and am prone to crying at the drop of a hat. Just needed to get this out as this group has been so supportive.

Thanks for listening.

[irish]

I'm so sorry that your sister is having such health issues. I hope that giving up this job will be a positive step and helps you have more energy and ability to do what needs to be done. When we have health issues we get so bogged down with our health that living a normal life and working can just drain our body so bad.

I hope and pray that things go well for your sister and that she is able to heal from the surgery and get through the cancer treatment. Know that the people on this site are always there for you. At any given time there is usually at least one caring soul there to give encourage and hugs. Good luck and hugs from Irish

[alwaysimproving]

Hugs. I'm sorry all these things are happening at once. When it rains it pours.

[Tharrell]

Oh wow! I am so sorry. Sending you and your sister lot's of prayers!

[lorigacc]

I pray for peace and healing for you and your sister. 

[Carolina]

Dearest SjoGirl,

The hardest  decisions occur when we have to choose between two things we want:  You wanted to stay with this "family" organization, one you loved, AND you wanted to care for your health and well being.  So hard to say good bye.

And so you are grieving that you had to make this choice before you were 'ready'.   

And to learn of your sister's critical health problem, stage 3 cancer, complications from surgery, AND this was information that arrived after the diagnosis and surgery, if I read your post correctly.  It is hard to be informed of so much so suddenly, with no time to 'prepare'.   There is only prayer, writing about how you feel (if that helps you), sharing hugs and love with those close to you, and bearing the pain, acknowledging it, honoring it.  How hard this is to do, SjoGirl.

We are all here for you.  Please keep us posted.

Hugs,  Elaine (aka Carolina)

[warmwaters]

Hard time for you.  Take it as you can, try to find a small amount of quiet or pleasure, even if it's ten minutes sipping an ice tea. 

Best of luck to you and your sister.

Hugs

[SjoGirl]

Thanks all, my sister went home today and will work with an oncologist over coming weeks to choose a course of action. She needs to get stronger first because she lost a great deal of weight.

I was ready to leave my job in that it was not working out, just not ready to leave the place. I actually hope that I will feel better because it was difficult to keep going into the office. I have other things that I love that I am focusing on and hope that joy will positively impact my health.

I know I can always count on this group for support, thank you so much for your advice and good wishes.

[Wal]

So sorry to hear. Prayers for peace for you and your family.

[Judie P]

I am glad that your sister was able to come home today.  My MIL had surgery for colon cancer last year.  She was lucky it did not go beyond stage 1.  However, they had to readmit her because there was complications from the surgery as she did not do well with the staples, so she had to use a bag for 2 months.  Everything healed nicely after that.  I am ever grateful for your doctors and your sister to be able to remove it all.  She has a great chance of living now.

I had the same problem when I left a job that I loved but had to give up.  It dawned on me a few months later how happy I was to be in my new environment and how less stressed I was!

May peace and love hug you always!

[nannysbaby]

So sorry to hear about your sister. Praying for peace for you and your family.

[SjoGirl]

Thanks all. My sister is struggling both with her diagnosis, but also because it is going to upend her life completely. I have learned from years of experience that I can do all that I can and there are things I cannot do, in part because there are other people to do them.

I started my new schedule today and felt freed from being chained to a desk I didn't want to be at anymore. It was more liberating than frightening, a good start to my new life!

[SunshineDaydream]

Sorry to hear about your sister, SjoGirl. I hope she and her doctor come up with a plan soon and all works out well.

Glad to hear you are enjoying life without the job you didn't want anymore.