posted
Congrats!! bringing this up for the workers!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
I also just want to add my congratulations, bird! I know there are people on this board who are working; right now, I'm still in a consultant capacity, though there are weeks when I've put in full-time hours on-site.
When those times come, I have to remember to dial everything down a little. I make sure I get so bed early and get enough sleep, and I'm also really organized about my meds. I found these little plastic bags at the vitamin shoppe that hold my segmented meds, and then I put them all in a bit larger plastic bag and take them to work.
In a way, working is a great distraction. I found myself not really thinking too much about being sick and feeling lousy.
As far as the brain fog, I've tried to make a joke out of it to clearly puzzled colleagues. I have a Palm that's been invaluable, and I've just gotten a little digital voice recorder for meetings. With my writing, I'm always sure I have someone to proof whatever I write before I submit it. There are almost always bizarre -- brain-slip-errors.
Anyway, I think it's great. It also, I suspect, means that your medical insurance is covered. What a relief that must be!
Congratulations again!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
chicago,
I work full time and go to law school part-time. So it is doable.
The best thing to remember is that sometimes your body needs a break. So take a day off when you need to. Take a breath before you let work stress you.
Good luck!
-Aniek
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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HEATHERKISS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6789
posted
Hi Chicago!
I am! I am! I've been working full time for over 3 months and going to curves 3x per wk.
At first working was all I could do. As you get better you start to do more things in your life.
Like go to a bridal shower or wedding. Or doing the stupid laundry and ironing clothes to wear to work.
Good luck! You can do it. Go to bed early every nite.
-------------------- HEATHER
Posts: 1974 | From ABERDEEN, NJ 07747 | Registered: Jan 2005
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I work full time, commute 200mi/day to NY and go to school part time. Been putting in 70-80hrs week between these for the last 4yrs.
Looking back, at my absolute worst, I could only work full time and sleep more than full time. That was my life for the first 5 yrs.
Posts: 184 | From CT | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
I do but when I get home I sleep. I'm a teacher and my hours seem to be when I'm feeling the best. I work from 7:30-2:30 and then at 3:00 its nap time. I think it varies from person to person. My son had to drop from school and do it at home for over a year now and I can keep going. I hope this pattern continues I have great health insurance.
Good Luck
Amy
-------------------- Amy Holloway Posts: 255 | From Michigan | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
I have been back to work for three weeks now. It is hard. Especially when I can't go home right at the end of the day. Staying for meetings that have nothing to do with me drives me nuts when I need to go home and rest.
I did find that I had more energy when I started to take antioxidants to clear out the Bb corpses and left over antibiotics.
Posts: 48 | From Wisconsin | Registered: Sep 2006
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hopeful123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3244
posted
i have worked full time throughout, however, i didn't have much of a life AFTER work since i needed to rest. still need more rest than i would like. cleaning and cooking are both optional imo. rest is not!!
good luck!!!
-------------------- some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield Posts: 1160 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2002
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
I went back to work full time as a drug & alcohol counselor with the severely mentally ill (severe schizophrenics, bipolar people) for a year and it was GREAT!!! I was so scared it would wear me out and I would relapse but I was fine!!!!!!!!!
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
p.s. Then I had another baby and have been home with the kids again & BOY OH BOY is that harder!! It sure is!!!!!!!! From one thing to another all day long~!~
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521
posted
Chicago, I've technically worked full time throughout. However, I'm a university professor and there is flexibility in a lot of my schedule and I get long breaks. It might be hard to put in 40 a week 52 weeks er year. The good news is that I continue to improve and have taken steps to begin outside consultation.
Concerned Mom, how is your son doing? Last I read you were thinking about a change of direction in his treatment.
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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I work full time, and then some. It takes excellent nutritional support, and you can't stop, just cause your feeling good. Get your rest and time off. GABA is a wonderful thing. Best of luck.
Posts: 3 | From Keizer, Oregon | Registered: Dec 2006
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And besides, it would be against doctor's orders: A body with chronic infection requires rest.
But I don't need his order. I could never handle working full time and do not think I will ever be able to work full time again. Because we never really know if the spirochete is eradicated or just under control, stress could activate the disease again and I don't want to take that chance.
I will never have my old life back, but I am beginning to enjoy and accept the new life I have.
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
I just wanted to say THANK YOU! to everyone, for all these thoughtful and wonderful responses. I got overwhelmed and lost the thread here, so I am just finishing reading all of these now.
I have been at my new job three weeks now! It is hard, but I think it is good for me. I told myself I will just do it as long as I can handle it.
Thanks for the tips about sleeping and how to organize things. I've been going to bed early, and it's a HUGE lifestyle improvement.
GABA is the one thing I haven't tried yet for sleeping. Dr. C. recommended it too, so I will have to try it.
Vitamin bags! Great idea. I am having a hard time remembering to take all my pills and supplements.
I'm glad to hear there are so many of you who are physically able to work outside of the home. We are lucky...
Thanks for sharing your stories. It sure makes me feel better!
What would I do without LymeNet??? I'm going to print this out, so I can read all your advice again.
Thanks, guys!!! Chicago bird
Posts: 69 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: May 2006
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MagicAcorn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8786
posted
chicago_bird,
I have a fun weekend planned and then Sunday night I'll hit the computer and fine tune my own resume.
I work part time at the moment, but I am ready to try again a fulltime position.
Andie I'm happy things are going good for you and I really do hope to be joining you and chicago_bird soon and the other lymies that work full time.
Good luck, Acorn
-------------------- Posts: 1279 | From In hiding | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Oh my gosh, that Super Squirrel photo is the funniest thing I have seen in a long time!
Good luck, Magic Acorn!
Posts: 69 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: May 2006
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MagicAcorn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8786
posted
chicago_bird,
That little guy reminds me of the heroes we all are within and that we should never give up. He is cute too!
Acorn
-------------------- Posts: 1279 | From In hiding | Registered: Feb 2006
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
Chicago,
The answer to this question has changed for me since it was postecd in November. Now, I've gone from consulting to full-=time work for the same company.
It's still my first week, so I can't gauge how it's going to be yet. But I do know I'm grateful for the chance AND for the benefits.
Good luck with your new job!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Hooray to everyone who is able to get out of bed in the morning and walk across the room -- because it is a triumph!
Whether you're working full-time or part-time, or just working to get well, it's a struggle and we all deserve to be applauded.
Keep up the good fight, everyone!
And thanks for your kind words and advice...
Acorn, I hope you find a good job!
Andie, way to go!
ALL of you inspire me!!!
all the best, bird
Posts: 69 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: May 2006
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MagicAcorn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8786
posted
chicao_bird said: Acorn, I hope you find a good job!
So do I! Thanks for the well wishes!
-------------------- Posts: 1279 | From In hiding | Registered: Feb 2006
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
Best wishes for that Acorn*)!*)!!
(Whenever my 9 year old - in remission with Lyme & Babs- is around and sees me on LymeNet she goes, "Show me the squirrel, Mama, show me the squirrel!!!" She makes me look up a posting of yours- then goes into a frenzy of 9 year old ooohing and aaaahing over it, "Oh it's sooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!!! I love that squirrel Mama*)!*! I LOVE that squirrel!" over & over-)
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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MagicAcorn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8786
posted
CaliforniaLyme - That made my day!
-------------------- Posts: 1279 | From In hiding | Registered: Feb 2006
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
I'd hire that squirrel anytime!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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I worked part-time for a year in half-and tooks some break in between, and just started working full time January 2nd.
If I didn't have to work full-time I wouldn't, but I don't really have a choice anymore.
I think it's different for everyone, just as lyme effects everyone a little different, so I wish nthing but the best of luck!
For me, everyday it's a struggle. I really thought that I could do it and be fine, but this is so much more than I ever thought it would be.
I am doing IV therapy and new therapies and working and trying to "be normal" have a social life etc.
It's not really working out too great for me-I usually I am so exhuasted by the time I get home that I eat and go to bed. I don't go out on the weekends because I am trying to recover from the week.
It's been very emotionally hard on me, because I have so many friends and I feel like I am letting them all down by not being able to go out with them.
I try and push myself when I shouldn't and then I end up even worse off. I never imagined it would be this hard. I truely believed that I could do this and I was strong enough, but I regret to say that if I could quit tomorrow I would.
Good luck!
Lindsay
Posts: 484 | From Burlingame, Ca | Registered: Sep 2005
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
Yikes Lindsay!!! I am sorry. I hope you get to where it is not a struggle. Years and years ago I worked at this place that felt like a "daily grind" to get through and it was just terrible. The pressure of feeling that. That must be hard on you physically stresswise and you don't need that!!!! I will cross my fingers you find a job you like better!!!!!!!!! Best wishes, Sarah
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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