After I graduated, I went to work at a group home for mentally handicapped people. This was my first fuul time job, and was the happiest time of my life up to that point. I really loved working there. I saved money and bought my first home. After working there for about 2 years, I was diagnosed with Lupus. I needed to go on pain medicine immediately. Because I had terrible back pain and my job was physically demanding. For me. For someone who is healthy it would not be. The home I worked at needed staff 24/7. There was a lot of overtime because it was hard to keep staff. My intent was to work 2 or 3 years and work while getting a masters degree. I should have startes the process of more schooling sooner. As it was, I didn't start it until it was too late.
In addition to the overtime, I had to be on my feet most of the time. There was a lot of running around to dr. appts., and so on. Shifts were 12-24 hours long. A lot of the time I was on my own. It was very hard to keep people. When I did look into getting a masters online, I filled out the app., and then a staff had to quit, and we were short already. There was going to be a lot of hours needing to be covered. I withdrew my application temporarily in order to work. In hindsight I should have went the other way around. My health was getting progressively worse. By the time I was home, my feet would be swollen to the size of grapefruit and I could barely walk. Most days off found me in bed. I missed a lot of church. And if it were not for my faith, I would have ended it long ago. I could not sleep well, I tossed and turned, I woke up a lot with hips, arms, legs hurting and had to change positions. Still do. I kept working to the point I would be at work 2 hors and I would be dizzy and walking into walls; and I would feel like every muscle in my body had been beat on; and my body was full of magnets and the floor was one big magnet and I was being pulled to the floor. In a job where your responsibility is to take care of others, that is not good. I got to the point where I had to make a decision: quit or end up in the hospital. Or worse. So I quit. I tried to find a job for 2 years and noone would hire me. I have tried to get disability. No go. They wont let me have it because of my education and age. The only thing I can do that does not make my disease worse is writing. I have written 2 books so far and am trying to get published. I had to sell my house several years ago because I had no money. Thankfully my mom moved me in with her to help me. Now I live with my dad and step-moom while trying to get published.
If you have to quit qorking, dont do what I did. Try to line up another job before quitting. I could not work any job that had those same working conditions that are natural to the job anymore, but I could have found an easier job elsewhere temporarily if I had looked. Instead I had quit without notice because of my health. I was not able to get unemployment, and every where I interviewed with I had to be honest and tell them why I quit. The kinds of jobs I had experience with I could no longer do. Group home and food service. I had no experience in what my degree was for, or anything else I applied for. I applied for a social work position and got turned for no experience because they had applicants with experience in that job. So if you find yourself needing to quit a particular job for health reasons, get all your ducks in a row first. Dont make impulsive decisions like me. And pray for the Lord to guide you first. I didnt. I should have.
Why didnt the chimney feel well?
It had a flue.LOL
Showing posts with label lupus eye surgery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lupus eye surgery. Show all posts
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
About Me
I started having health problems when I was just a little girl. I remember being skinny, fast, and very talkative and outgoing when I was young. Then at about kindergarden, I lost energy and gained weight. I was very embarrassed about my weight gain, even with my mother. People at school made fun of me. I did not know what was wrong with me. I was taken to all kinds of specialists who ran all kinds of tests with no conclusions. They said I was just lazy. This was very hurtful. I knew there was something wrong with me. Over the years, the teasing became much worse. As a result, I became very withdrawn. I became shy, would not look people in the eyes; and often I did not go to school because I did not feel good, and I could not face the teasing I knew would come. I managed, for my last 2 years of high school, to go to school every day in order to get my GPA up so I could go to college. I made Straight A's and B's. I wanted to go to college to get a degree in business and own my own restaurant someday. I ended up not being able to pursue that. My health was getting worse as I got older. I did not do so hot in the Maths classes. I liked helping people. Those I knew. And elderly people. I felt more comfortable with them than with those my own age. So my Mom advised me to go into social work. I had to graduate with just a minor in Social Work with a bachelor of general studies degree because the head of the department felt I was too shy to be an effective counselor.
I need to stop now. More tomorrow.
If it rains on your parade, break out the slip-n-slide!
I need to stop now. More tomorrow.
If it rains on your parade, break out the slip-n-slide!
Labels:
college,
Health,
lupus eye surgery,
obesity,
shyness
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Welcome! Welcome!
Hello and welcome to anyone who wishes to visit!
My name is Angel and I have Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and Kerataconus. I have had to have 3 corneal transplants. I wanted to create an online support site for those who have problems getting out and going to meetings for whatever reasons. I want this site to be fun, and helpful. Share ideas, thoughts, clean jokes, opinions, etc. I want this to be a place that you will enjoy visiting. So come hang out, check messages, post questions, or whatever is on your mind. Please let me know if I can do anything for you. Sincerely, Angel
Laugh for the day: "Sometimes I Even Scare The Voices In My Head!"
My name is Angel and I have Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and Kerataconus. I have had to have 3 corneal transplants. I wanted to create an online support site for those who have problems getting out and going to meetings for whatever reasons. I want this site to be fun, and helpful. Share ideas, thoughts, clean jokes, opinions, etc. I want this to be a place that you will enjoy visiting. So come hang out, check messages, post questions, or whatever is on your mind. Please let me know if I can do anything for you. Sincerely, Angel
Laugh for the day: "Sometimes I Even Scare The Voices In My Head!"
Labels:
help,
jokes,
lupus eye surgery,
support groups
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