What Jobs Go With IC?

[shel]

What are good jobs to have that can coordinate with IC?? I am thinking about going back to school (something short) and I have to consider my IC! Bummer :eek: I was going to be a surgical tech-until hubby reminded me that I could not make it through any surgery that was over 20 minutes without having to go pee!!That is not good esp when you have to be sterile in surgery! I can do blood and guts but not smells :eek:When my kids were little,I had to put something over my nose to clean up after them when they threw up! LPN is out Ya think???LOL

I will post about what happened with my old job another time ---right now I need IDEAS
HUGS

[MelanieJ]

Hi Shel.
I think most office jobs are good choices for ICers. You can sit most of the day, if that's what you need to do. Plus, you're pretty free to use the restroom whenever you need to. I have worked in an office setting for years and am so grateful for that some days when I'm really flaring and don't feel like being on my feet (but can still do my job).
Hope this helps some.
Melanie J.

[Rita]

I joked with my hubby , the only career
opportunity that is available to me right
now is 'MOTEL MAID'. That way I can pee
every few minutes. Yeah like I really want
to clean up after other people having fun!!
Have a good day. (((HUGS))) Rita :p :p

[Gail]

Hi Shel,

I'm a career counselor so maybe I can help
If you have an interest in the medical field then you might consider a career as a medical transcriptionist. This is a job where you listen to the tape recorded voice dictation of a doctor which is then typed up and placed in the patients' files. In fact, it is possible to work as a MT within your own home. You can check into your local junior college for training, or through correspondence courses.

Another possibility is to be a home health aide, where you take care of an elderly or disabled person within their homes. Duties would include bathing, cooking, light housekeeping, keeping company with the person, etc. You would have quick access to the bathroom with this position. Minimal, if any training, would be needed. Since you are a mother you are fully qualified. Usually jobs are listed in the paper, or you can contact a local area agency on aging.

Other possibilities within the medical profession are receptionist within a doctor's office, where you would have quick access to the restroom.

What else interests you, or that you have job experiences in? Maybe I can come up with some more ideas

Take care, Gail

[icnmgrjill]

Shel!!! What a great question and I have lots of suggestions. First of all.. don't sell yourself short. Dream big! You can do almost any job you set your mind to. You can start your own company like I did. You can go to work for NASA and work on the space program. If you're willing to put in the time, the energy and get the schooling.. you can do great things! Don't ever let IC prevent your dreams!

How about medical technologist and medical lab work? How about nursing? How about other hospital work, administration? How about medical research?? How about assisting in clinical research??? How about being a doc.. just not surgical. That's what Vicki Ratner does and she's an ICer!

But, how about a variation? Medical pathology? How about investigative work? How about working with the police department or even the FBI. I was recruited for an FBI lab job... and that IS achievable for an IC patient.

How about Nasa?? How about an art gallery?? How about music?? How about the world??

This is a time for you to really dream. Ask yourself.. what would you LOVE to do.. even if you weren't paid. What would make you so excited that you couldn't wait to get to work in the morning. Don't settle for a boring job. Think about what you'd love to do... and then set a plan and go for it.

One last thing. In my 20's.. during grad school.. I had an epiphany. I was really struggling with my life.. especially after I was attacked and struggled with panic disorder for several years. But then I read a book and it asked a very important question. "How do you want to be remembered?" I realized that I didn't want to be remembered as selfish. I wanted people to look at my life and see that I tried.. I tried to make a difference.. and to help others. I realized that 50 years from now, noone would remember what money I made. But they sure might remember an act of kindess that I did. So.. I try to have my actions speak louder than my words.

Now, if I could do something differently? If I didn't have IC and feel so strongly about this.. I'd probably be doing something with art.. or art history... or architecture!!! Who knows, maybe after the cure is found, I'll go back to school and do that! Why the heck not!

Jill

[shel]

Thanks for the inspiration Jill!!! I told a friend once that I would be to OLD when I finished school if I went back. She said you will still be that age even if you don't go back! I have never forgotten that!! I have been a mom since I was 22 and my passion has been raising my 2 children!! My youngest (19) moved out in January. Since then I have been sruggling with the empty nest syndrome! :eek:
Then along comes IC It has really thrown me for a loop! This was supposed to be MY time. Time where "I" came first!! Now with IC on good days--I feel like I can reach for my dreams!! On bad days though when I am peeing 6 times and hour--I don't feel like I can contribute much to the world from the bathroom!
The one thing I am REALLY passionate about is writing! They say when you submit a book--get ready to be rejected time and time again--well I have to finish my book and submit it before I can be rejected!!! Now I have the time but with IC--I can't seem to stay focused! I really like your idea about medical research! I am just really confused right now with everything that has been thrown on me this year! I'm tough though and will eventually figure out what I want to be now that my kids are grown!!
Thanks for the great ideas-I truly appreciate it!!
HUGS

[shell]

Shel,

If you really want to write, maybe you could start off smaller than a book. The local newspaper where I live is always looking for contributing writers. Some of them will just write an ocassional article, others have a regular column. They are not employees of the newpapers, they're considered freelancers. It could be an ideal situation for someone with IC, where you have the ability to set your own schedule. Or maybe you could write articles for a medical magazine or journal on a freelance basis.

Another option is to look around your community to see if there are places that may need freelance writers. I work for a college PR office (NOT as a writer), and we hire freelance writers and editors on a regular basis. We have them do everything from writing one page press releases, editing publications like the course catalog, and writing articles for the alumni magazine. Maybe check with a local hospital to see if they ever have a need for freelance writers?


I definitely agree with Jill, you shouldn't let your age or condition stop you from trying to attain your dreams. At the college I work at we have a student that is at least 90 or 91 years old, and she takes one class each semester just because she wants to stay active and learn.

Keep in mind that with all the technological advances being made, laptop computers are getting smaller and more lightweight. As a writer you can contribute to society from the bathroom

[shel]

Thanks Shell!! Those are great ideas! All my IC friends have such good ideas. I am glad I picked your brains!! Boy I could write some awesome IC articles for a medical magazine !!!
Right now I am in so much pain with this flare, I was thinking there is no way IC is going to let me follow much less reach my dreams. With IC I take 2 steps forward and 8 back it seems like.Then you mention the laptop!! What a great idea!! I have always loved to learn. I appreciate all the ideas!
Our names are almost the same-except shel is my nickname. My real name is Shelby
TONS OF HUGS

[songbird7]

I don't know how any of you do any jobs at all especially when you have to sit. Sitting is some of the worst for me. I also need to nap daily because the IC exhausts me. Good luck to all of you. If they find a cure I can think about jobs at that point. Don't ; let this discourage anyone however. I would think that office jobs would be the very worst because they took a nation wide survey and office jobs were # 1 for stressful occupations. :eek:

[ragsmom]

Shel,there are so many things that you could do.A Home Health Aide or Nursing Assistant,you need to be certified by the State of Mass.And a lot of local colleges are offering courses for Medical Assistant,Pharmacy Tech,Dental Assistant etc.In my area the local hospitals are looking for qualified personnel.Another is Diet clerk/diet aide.You can almost write your own ticket re:the hours you would want to work,they are really desperate.Oh,forgot about Phlebotonist and many of these courses are only for a few months but some a little longer depending on what you choose to take.Conact your local colleges and see what they have to offer.Good luck shell. delores :p :p

[Brenda M]

I happened upon this tonight, because at times I really feel like I miss work. I have been off for about 3 years now, and it took about a year to be accepted for disability. I have IC, FM and CFIDS. I have gone through related depression as well. My kids are 15 and 17. I wonder what it would be like to be in the work force again. I had looked into Medical Transcriptionist, yet for me that wouldn't work either. The hours of sitting at a computer with FM would make my muscles sore. I have decided to get more involved with our family investments so that the money we do have is better put to use. I have a friend who is teaching me. I also do some artwork when I am feeling, "in the mood". I know we are all different. For me I take things day to day. I need a nap and some days it's just a matter of getting through. I don't sleep well at night and that makes everything worse. I know my biggest efforts are to help the family in the best way I can. I try to stay healthy and have a positive outlook. I hope for better days, yet the stress of most jobs would not help me. For now I pray and try my best each day to do my best in whatever that day brings.

[Grinch]

I was wondering the same thing. I amgoing into my second year of college. My first wasn't so great. I was in the hospital three times. I ended up dropping my pre-med courses. I am now majoring in sociology. I want to be able to have a real career and a nine to five like everyone else, but I have to wonder if I will be able to handle the kind of job I want without running myself intot he ground. I am only interning now with light duties and every day is a struggle to get out of bed between the fatigue, the pain, the peeing, and just general wear and tear. I do not know what to think or do. Anybody with some insight i would appreciate it.

[gypsyg1rl]

Hi Shel, Hi All! First I'd like to say that this was a really great post! Good job Shel. I'd also like to add that I agree with Jill, don't sell yourself short! Aim for the stars and you might get the moon! I agree with the suggestion about office jobs though. I am an Office Administrator for a Marketing Firm. I love my job. It's perfect because I sit for most of the day, and I can go to the bathroom when I need to. Whatever you decide Good Luck! Let us know how it goes.

Big Hugs,

gypsyg1rl

[liz2]

I wouldn't advise any job that kept you on your feet or that required lifting and carrying anything. Also I can't sit at a computer for more than 30 minutes, and sometimes I can't do that at all. I can make telephone calls from a flat position and have volunteered for telephone reassurance for the elderly.

I had been a college professor, but had to take medical retirement 6 years ago.

[HannahKate]

Hi Shel
Don't give up on your writing. You might get lucky and have your book published without receiving a rejection. Are you interested in writing fiction or non-fiction? I wrote a book about a battle in World War II (non-fiction) and was lucky enough to sell it to the first publisher I talked to before I even finished the book. I had to hurry to finish it so I could give him a complete copy and sign the contract. It can happen -I agree it is a huge amount of luck involved and timing is important but don't ever give up your dreams. I don't know if you like to cook but cookbooks have a very long shelf life in bookstores and that would be something that you could do at home. Of course you can write any subject at home. One hint is to investigate publishers and see what they are interested in publishing and then talk to the ones that specialize in your field of writing. GOOD LUCK! Let me know when you are published and I will be first in line to buy your book. I know you can do it.
I do outside sales and marketing and that was pretty tough with IC-but I was able to do it.
I wish you great success.
HannahKate