I have to vent for a tiny second.
When I got up this morning, I stubbed my little toe in the door frame of the bathroom. I hit it so hard, I broke it and tore the nail off.
This other woman that I work with on the project was scheduled to act as a "runner". That means, when ever the ER or any department needs a chart in the hospital, she goes to bring it. I was limping a lot by the time I got to work this morning. My shoe kept rubbing on my nail that was just haning on. For some reason, and long story short, they made me the "runner" and gave my co-worker a nice cushy job. I had to replace a woman who was doing some other cushy job. I can't stand it there. I work like a dog for them. Even through my last huge flare, and it doesn't even matter. I am nothing to them. I am back living at home because I am saving money for university ( I am 32, but am going back to school). My parents don't think my flare was anything. They have aches and pains every now and then. I have never seen them not be able to dress themselves or even brush their teeth because of the pain though. I am not "allowed" to call in sick at work though. My father told me that as long as I am living with them, that is how it will be. I am so tired. My latest tests show my thyroid not working, but my father says that I am only tired because I am not going to bed at the right time. There is no talking to them, or my boss, or my co-workers. I just want to get in my car and drive and get out. I haven't had a vacation since last September. Not one. I don't get any. Sorry about this long winded post! I just needed to vent!
I'm very sorry that is extremely bad. Thats why I have to stay home I can't handle the pain and stresses of working. I think I would have a mental break down. I do that sometimes with my two children. I just can't do anymore I have to tell my husband that I need to lay down. I do my best I think that all of us are trying our hardest whether it working or making it through the day. I hope tomorrow is better for you.
I'm sorry things are so tough right now. And I'm glad you have this place to vent!
Here's my two cents, for what you think it's worth!
You need to speak up for yourself, be your own best friend. Tell your boss, I'm sorry, I would like to help, but I'm just physically unable to be the runner. You'll have to use someone else. And don't budge!
As for your parents, you need to have a heart-to-heart with them. Try not to let yourself cry, which all of us want to do. Just be firm, not nasty or whiney, and tell them, "I know that's how you feel, but you are wrong. You need to educate yourself about this disease, so that you will understand what I am going through. I want you to come to the doctor with me on my next visit." When you're at the doctor, ask the doctor questions about your condition that will "enlighten" them. "Doctor my parents think my pain is comparable to their occasional aches and pains, and that I should be able to work through my bad days, without missing any work. Do you think that is correct or even wise?"
Many times our loved ones don't allow themselves to believe how serious the situation is. It feels safer for them to live in denial and blame us for our problems, because then they don't have to really accept it, or change their lives because of it. Unfortunately, it's a normal human reaction, but not one you should allow to continue.
Your life is too precious and too short to allow others to control it this way. I know it's hard when you're an adult living at home, because your parents still want to tell you what to do, and actually it's often easier to let them. But you are an adult, and should be able to decide for yourself if you are too sick to go to work!
I agree with Hillhoney take your parents to one of your rd visits and let the dr talk to them as to what is going on with your body and you need to get a book for them to read or have the dr explain how thyroid problems can cause more problems with the ra and how it can cause problems with your heart, and other organs besides your well being. Let us know how it goes, and don't worry about the venting that is what this place is for. memeBTW - I'm sorry your toe hurts. You don't need that on top of everything else. Good advice Hillhoney. I am so sorry Dar. What a lousy situation. Wishing you better times........... You have good reason to vent.Hi Dar, I'm sorry you are not getting the support you need at work and home. I don't think it's easy for those around us to understand what it is to be chronically tired and to hurt all over. Could you check out a book from the library to enlighten your parents on RA? Good Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis by the Arthritis Foundation was the one I put on my husbands side of the bed to read. At work I think you need to speak up about what really causes you pain. Could you get a doctor's note saying that you can't be on your feet for extended periods or whatever parts of your job are really hurting?Could you xerox a few pages from the arthritis book explaining ra and its symptoms to share with those at work? That's what I did with my principal at school. Vent away. We all need to. Hope you feel better.Thanks guys! I really needed to get that off my chest or else I was going to blow yesterday! I was so tired and sore and they keep taking advantage of me at work.... I remember going to the storage to get a chart yesterday and just sitting in there and crying. I must hear them call my name at least a hundred times during a shift. If the keyboard on the computer is not working, they call me. I am not a computer expert. It happened again yesterday, and nobody wanted to go under and just push the cord in (sometimes it is pulled out of the connection). So, here I am with sore knees and a broken toe, on my hands and knees and all three of them watching me! They are so lazy! I can't tell my co-workers anything because they believe if you can't do the job, don't come in. Some of them are so tight with the boss... if they complain about my work, I am out of there. I can't afford to loose my job. I am casual... and not in the union. My parents are from a time where if you are not dying, you go to work. I remember my father going to get a root canal done, and then going back to work right after it. He was a principal of a Jr. high school. But, if they are sick, it is a much bigger issue though. My mother had a cold that caused her to loose her voice a bit... and she took a week off work. I could never get away with that while living here!
I agree though. I need to stand up more at work and not let them take advantage. It has to stop. With RA or without, it isn't right. My co-worker who I had to replace told me yesterday not to come in today if my toe was still hurting. I am going in. I can't afford not to, but I am NOT doing her job today. There are three other people who could. Time for them to run for a change! I am going in, doing the job I was hired to do, and if they don't like it, I will go home. Enough is enough.
Dar, You have rights. Look up those links that were given to me on the thread scared, sad blah blah blah. I learned A LOT. Linda, was that a good book? I might look for it. Rox