Weggies & Work

[Sangye]

Jack is right, Phil. You might have had this infection lingering for some time. Who knows how much it weakened you?

I know it's probably impossible to imagine you can ever work or go to school again. I can sure empathize with that! But just take one day at a time, okay? Right now you've got a lot on your plate each day. Use all your energy to fight this bug and heal up.

[pberggren1]

Thanks Jack and Sangye. I just am affraid right now of the prognosis of my situation. I am also affraid that when I get better if I try and go back to work or school that I will flare again like the last 3 times. But then again there is no way of predicting a flare. I will try and keep my chip up and stay positive.

[Sangye]

This might help: It occurred to me that they did so many cultures of your bacteria and must have checked the antibiotic "sensitivity" for it. That determines which antibiotics are effective for a particular bug. It also shows if the infection is resistant to a particular antibiotic. The fact that they've got you on 3 antibiotics means each one is effective for your bug. I think there's good reason to be hopeful that you'll get over this infection. And Wegs? Well, who the heck knows what wakes that dog up! But right now he's sleeping. zzzzzz

[pberggren1]

This might help: It occurred to me that they did so many cultures of your bacteria and must have checked the antibiotic "sensitivity" for it. That determines which antibiotics are effective for a particular bug. It also shows if the infection is resistant to a particular antibiotic. The fact that they've got you on 3 antibiotics means each one is effective for your bug. I think there's good reason to be hopeful that you'll get over this infection. And Wegs? Well, who the heck knows what wakes that dog up! But right now he's sleeping. zzzzzz

You are absolutely right Sangye!

[Hopeful]

Hi malin,

I've been lurking here trying to find out how "odd" I am disease-wise compared to others. My apologies for not sharing. I work a standard 35 hour work week as a librarian. This involves computer work, a lot of standing & stair-climbing, pushing trolleys of books and just carrying heavy loads of books. After work I go do the shopping for essentials (2-3 days per week for fresh fruit/veg), then I go home and cook dinner, do laundry, the dishes, minor cleaning, then collapse in bed. Thankfully my boss is very understanding when it comes to appointments. I was diagnosed March 2009 and have had one or 2 flares, the latest of which was in July when my Dad died. I have been rather tired since then, but getting enough sleep seems to help. I only took time off work the day after my intraveinous chemo. So all in all I guess I'm doing okay, but I'd love to cut back to half-time for a little while and do something fun!

[elephant]

Hi Hopeful, sorry you lost your Dad. When you feel like it,I like to hear your story on how it (WG) began. Do you see a Wegeners Specialist? I too noticed Hopeful that I feel better when I rest. My sinuses are better when I nap. Maybe you could cut back half time, talk to your boss about it. Are you having joint pain?

[Sangye]

Hi Hopeful, nice to meet you. I have the same questions as Elephant. I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. It seems to be very common that stress triggers a flare.

I'm amazed at how well you're doing. A big day for me is just going grocery shopping using an electric cart. It takes me a day or two to recover! Make sure you get plenty of rest-- that can lull the Wegs dog to sleep.

[brocky99]

I got made redundant just as the symptoms were starting to cause problems got diagnosed 4 months later so havent been back to work since. We also ran a pub for 2 yrs before i got made redundant but after i got diagnosed we decided to give that up as well it wasnt fair on my other half, the plan was when i got made redundant i was going to run pub and he was going to go back to work, but it didnt go to plan. But i was so tired all the time that he seemed to be doing all the pub work and looking after me and it was taking his toll on him so we gave notice in the pub and we was out 6 months later. I am now a stay at home mum which I love but I have worked 2 jobs from being 16 and I am missing work big time, but I know deep down I wouldnt be able to work at mo. Plus now I have started dialysis I cant see any firm wanting to take me on then give me several hours time off each week for it.

[Jack]

I have met lots of people who manage to work while on dialysis either by doing it at home or by going to evening sessions at hospital. I was on CAPD so was able to work and just spent an hour at lunch break in the medical room. Of course, you need to feel well enough to work first.

[brocky99]

If I was still in the job i was before i got made redundant jack i know it wouldnt be a problem cos i worked for them for 13 yrs and it wasnt a problem for u because u had been with the same company for years but i just feel at the mo if i was able to work and with the current climate if i was to go for a full time job and then have to ask for an hour off every other day so that i could get to dialysis for the latest 6 o clock i would be overlooked for someone who could work the full hours if you know what i mean. When they told me I had to do dialysis i looked at all the options and decided haemo was the best option for me at the mo because i havent got a spare room to do it in which i could keep clean and tidy, what with 2 kids and 2 dogs the house isnt always as tidy or clean as i would like it to be all the time and i havent even got any space to store the fluids etc. Plus i really didnt want the kids to have to see me on dialysis 4 times a day, the nurse said they would get used to it and the big one probably wouldnt bother but the little one doesnt always understand cos he is only 8 and he has struggled last few years to get his head around his mummy being ill. It really upsets him at times. I do evenings and there are a few there who work so I know it can be done but on speaking to them they have been with the company for a long time. I am sure in time when i feel upto work i will be able to work round dialysis if possible, so long as i can get work local to the dialysis centre. I think at the mo though the kids are enjoying me being at home for them. They both went to a child minder from 8 weeks old so they have never had me taking them and picking them up from school apart from last 2 years. It is just my opinion at the mo that i dont think anyone would be willing to take me on a mo but maybe when things start to settle down it will be a different matter. I am just bored being at home all day i was always on the go before this disease struck so i find it hard to sit and do nothing although today i have spent most of it once i got up that is on the computer so i have done nothing today at all which i dont do very often but i do enjoy the fact that i can occasionally. It will be even better next week when both kids are back at school, 1 because i will have peace and quiet again and 2 they dont half make a load of mess lol. I spend most of the day moving what they have had out or teling them to move it. Kids hey.