IC Rollercoaster ride w/ work

[Lyn40]

I believe this should go here instead of in the 20's something section

I just need a place to vent here. I have been working in my church office part-time for 5 1/2 years now. I was a fairly new IC pt at the time I was hired. I honestly felt that this job came to me through the grace of God, because of the hours and work load the job entailed with my IC pain. And I work with a wonderful group of people (this is my church, for heaven's sake!).

Please tell me if anyone else has these thoughts, as I am frustrated to the bitter end. I am constantly up and down with my IC - physically, mentally, and emotionally. So because of my instability with my health these last 5 years, I have stayed in my same position, doing my same simple tasks (xeroxing bulletins, odds & end jobs for the staff, etc.). I have turned down other office positions & opportunities I would otherwise have encountered if I were more stable healthwise.
When I am having a bad IC day, its like working in slow motion. I have all I can do to complete even the simplest of tasks. And it is on those days that I am most thankful for this job that was placed before me. Then when I am feeling well, I have a lot of energy, motivation, enthusiasm to do my job well. But it is on those good days that I am bored to tears. I want to quit and be more useful somewhere else.

So, where I am right now is..........Because of other office positions that have grown in these years, volunteerism in our church, etc., I do not have enough to do in my 14 hours. I feel useless, bored, and trapped on how to stabilize this viscious cycle I am in. I could go on and on to clarify some of this, but I won't. I just believe I would run into this same situation with any other job. My pain is a constant concern with my ability to function on a job. Does anyone else feel this way?

I am really feeling down today. It has finally reached a point where I need to do something about this. Thank you for listening.

Lyn
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[Babs RN]

OMG Lyn, I know exactly how you feel. I am a nurse and before my pain became severe, I worked 12 hour shifts mostly in the ER and ICU. I am currently a school nurse(which all in all is technically very easy)and love my kiddos. On my good days, I feel stagnated, on my bad days I feel thankful as well. I have found a happy medium and am becoming an office nurse for a uro. Ironic, huh? Unfortunately I have no choice but to work right now because my hubby is filing for divorce and I need income and benefits.

Hugs and love,
Barb:hi:

[Lyn40]

Thanks Barb. Thats great that you have been able to be a school nurse. Before my church job, I was a part time secretary in an elementary school. I loved that job! That was a fun, busy job and I'm glad I took that opportunity when I had the chance. I think there is a right time for everything. Right now its a slower pace and I just need to accept that.

I love to hear what other IC pt's are doing and what work experiences are working out well for them. Good luck with your nursing job with your Uro.

Lyn

(I also replied to this thread in the 20's career section)

[glassd18]

I soooooo know where you are girl!!! I am in a similar position. I worked as the Office Manager for my family business, but had to quit because my FIL was a tyrant, and my IC was going through the roof, and so I quit, but then unemployment wouldn't come, and I had to work so I went back to the company working in the production department doing packaging etc... (a far cry from managing an office), but I know too that I don't have much of a choice right now due to my IC so I'm trying to roll with the punches. I just recently applied to be a Substitute Teacher where I can set my own work schedule, and I got an interview, but I'm terrified about what my IC might do to me while I'm teaching a class. Good luck to you in whatever you do, and don't put pressure on yourself because it's hard enough that we are suffering everyday.

[mydimples6]

Boy do I know what you all are going through! I work at a hospital 12 hour shifts as an OB/Scrub Tech. It is very stressfull, I was going to go into nursing but have decided that it is too stressfull for my IC to handle and I should go into radiology instead. But now I have been having a lot of flare ups lately, and am questioning whether or not I should just try to get an office job and forget about school. It is something that I have wanted for so long.

I have prayed and prayed and prayed about this, I don't know what God's will is in this situation...and am so confused and frankly depressed! :loco:

I just got diagnossed in august, and was doing pretty well, until the last few months...this disease is so hard to deal with. I am pretty frustrated. I would appreciate any advise that you all could give. :help:

[alianne]

Hi Lyn,

I am glad that God has put you in a job you can do - and I totally understand your frustration over feeling trapped from doing more by your IC. I work at an organic farm which is owned by my best friend and his mom. They have been so full of grace for me as I am constantly in pain and this affects what I do, how often I can go and everything. Today I wasn't able to go because I have an absess in an insison that has not healed from having an interstim removed - it just was too painful and bleeding today to go. Then I heard tonight that my boss was all frazzled today even though it is not a high stress time of year for farming .. I feel like she gets this way when I am not there just to make me feel bad or to make others feel sorry for her having to work without me there ( she is very social and does not like working alone) .. i love this job, but I just hate feeling guilty all the time when I am not there or not working as fast or good as I should. I refuse to give up and go on social security, but my church has been helping me out financially too ... it's just so hard to want to do a good job and to be hindered from everything because of this pain.

ali

[Lyn40]

Thanks guys! I know this is a huge issue for many of us. I continue to struggle with this day after day. Just yesterday,during my 6 hours of work, I was in a lot of pain and I worked in slow motion. Luckily, it was a slow day. This pain slows me down physically as well as mentally. As my pastor left yesterday, she gave me a hug and said 'I am praying for your health'. :pray: I didn't mention my pain, but I think it was pretty obvious, as hard as I try.

Some days it is so hard to put on that happy face. Even though I am grateful for so many other things, when I am hurting, this IC is pretty hard to ignore.

Lyn