Re: sick/family support/co-workers

Errol White (eamjwhite(AT)bigpond.com)
Sun, 13 Dec 1998 20:38:32 -0800

Hello Annie in Texas.
I can relate to what you are saying regarding workmates not understanding
about the problems with TM. I had one person accuse me of not trusting
them because when I go to the toilet I take my back pack with me. I
finally relented and told him as to why I did that. I said that when I
have to go the little room, I have to do thing a little differently than
maybe the way he did. This did not satisfy, so I finally relented and
asked if they knew what a catheter was, the answer was yes, so I said that I
had to use them all the time and explained that I have a spinal condition.
I was then asked by our team leader at work to give a simple over view of my
condition so as they could be more aware of any problems.

I did this and things are ok now, they now understand s to why I am so
fiercely independent and always setting new goals and setting out to achieve
them. My family and friends are all understanding and respect my
independence but are always willing to help if it is something that is now
beyond my capabilities. I just wish the general public sometimes would be
a little more considerate for people who use wheelchairs and mobility aids.

Any way I have rambled long enough. I hope this all means something Annie.
Kind Regards from Errol, Narangba, Queensland Australia. ( Where the summer
is great, as they say here Queensland, beautiful one day, perfect the next).
-----Original Message-----
From: Ownmeny(AT)aol.com <Ownmeny(AT)aol.com>
To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com <tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com>
Date: Wednesday, 09 December, 1998 10:18 AM
Subject: re: sick/family support/co-workers

>O.K. I am on day 12 of the bronchitis and sinus infection. I have already
>been to the doctor 2x and am going again today. I'm having some
"virbrating"
>in my torso (feels like stomach growling but is in all sorts of places) and
>I'm not sure if it is my lungs or new TM problems or what. It happens all
day
>off and on but of course it won't happen when I am at the doctor's office!
>
>I missed 1 1/2 days last week. Well, I worked 1 1/2 days. I was scheduled
>off 2 days, left early 1 and took another unscheduled day. My mother asked
if
>I was going to get fired! She makes me so angry. I feel like crap, worry
all
>the time about the hours I miss and then she has to say something like
that!
>I have FMLA and am a top performer at work but you know how people in the
work
>place can be. I'm sure they think 1/2 of what I miss is for fun. It
really
>never is. THe only fun I have when I'm out sick is an hour or 2 on the
>computer. I usually sleep the other time. How do you get that across to
>family and co-workers? I know it has been asked before. It is just that
>since I don't look sick (usually - now I look like hell because of so many
>days of meds and cough, etc) people tend to not understand. Should I
discuss
>it in a unit meeting? Should I just say, "forget what other's think?"
>
>Sorry, just sick of being sick. I rarely take time to feel sorry for
myself.
>I remind myself often that I have it easy compared to others. THen I feel
>guilty because I even bothered to feel bad for myself!! LOL!!! Boy, I need
to
>up my Prozac dose, huh?
>
>Thanks everyone!!!! Just writing to ya'll makes me feel better!!
>
>Annie in S TX where it is about 45 at noon (bought a new leather jacket
today,
>though!!)
>