Re: re: my breakdown- Caroline

[Guest guest]

No we are not Unionized. I do not work for the public school system. I teach at

Early head Start. I will have to look into the regulations but they have been

known to not be sympathetic. Thanks for the advice on housecleaning. I have my

fiance to help and my 16 yr old daughter when she is home. My fiance has a

prosthesis and a broken bone in the same leg that isnt healing very fast (he

broke it a year ago) so he cant do much either. He has also recovered from a

bout with bone cancer.. in remission. I was always the healthy one who took care

of him. We may have to have someone take care of both of us eventually. Thank

you so much for your support. Theresa

Caroline Witte wrote: Theresa, it WILL get

better. As it all sinks in, you will come to accept it and know that you still

have a life, and an important life at that. You will begin learning coping

strategies. For instance, breaking housework down into 15 minute intervals. 15

minutes of housework, and as long as you need to recoup from that, then another

15 minutes. Try to find someone to do the heaviest stuff, like vacuuming. I

sometimes take 2 hot baths a day. I cuddle up with my back buddy whenever I feel

like it. A hot bath with aromatherapy before I turn in for the night. I don't

take my night time meds till I'm out of the tub. I don't want to fall asleep in

there. You will learn how much you can do, and when. It just takes time.

I hope you have a great doctor, that is key. Also, I come from a long line of

teachers. I have had several relatives who have taken time off for

health-related issues without losing their jobs. Are you not unionised there? If

you are, then you need to take advantage of the disabled workers clause most of

them have written into their contracts. Can you talk to your union rep? I do

hope you have a union in your state. I know each state is different, and each

union is different. There does have to be a way that you can take care of

yourself without losing your job. Good teachers are a valuable resource. Most

states know they have to take care of them.

As far as camping, start with a short trip and see how you do. You might be

pleasantly pleased to discover that doing something fun can help the pain and

fatigue. There are still things I am able to do at times, and I'm 62 and have

had this for over 35 years. I do 'baby' myself, and no longer feel guilty for

doing so. Teach your friends and family about this condition. There is a lot of

great info out there to share with them. If they understand, they will be a good

support system, which we all need. VERY important.

WE will all be rooting for you. You are still in shock. Take it one day at a

time, and don't obsess about what you may and may not be able to do next year.

DEEP breaths.

Peace and Love

Caroline

Last night I had my breakdown. I know there will be more to come. I was

diagnosed on tuesday with the monster. I thought.. ok I can deal with

this. Last night I took a hot bath with epsom salts, as I read here was

a good thing to help pain. I felt fine afterward. I decided to mop my

kitchen floor. Before I was finished, the pain in my back was horrible.

I went to bed and laid on my ever present heating pad. It suddenly hit

me as to how my life is now changed forever. I know my meds arent right

yet and it will take a few weeks to hopefully get this under control

but, for example, I love to go camping in a tent. I thought, what if

the monster wont let me do that anymore. Then there is my career as a

teacher. I work for the State of Tn and I know I cant let management

know I have this. They will let me go saying I can't do my job. If I

lose my job, I will have no medical insurance, which I desperately need

now.. These thoughts were going through my head and scaring me to

death. I feel better mentally this morning. Yesterday my back was

kiling me and today it is my legs, hands and hips. I will somehow get

through the day like I did yesterday and start all over tomorrow. I

just wish someone could tell me that it will be ok and get better.

Theresa

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THERESA

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