Working with Dialysis

[Rodneyss1]

I have been off from work since starting dialysis December 2010.  Luckely, I have been on short term disability since them.  I am about to transition to long term disability and have applied for my S.S. Disability Benefits.  Before going on dialysis, I used to work 50-60 hours per week.  With what's going on now in my life, I can barely get out of bed after my treatments.  Gosh, I don't know if I will ever have the strength to make back to the work place.  Can anyone offer advice or tell me this is normal?

[rsudock]

I think once you adjust to dialysis physically and mentally you will be able to go back to work. Maybe not 50 or 60 hours a week. I was a full time teacher and resigned from my job at the end of January.  I just couldn't keep up with the demands. After I took a month off and got myself back together mentally I started working part time. Now I am thinking about going back to school to either become a gift & talented teacher or special ed that way my classroom size will be guaranteed smaller. To accomodate my new dialysis life and energy levels. I think you can make it work but take your time and make realistic goals. I know there are other people on the boards who work (paul.karen?) full time and are doing well.

good luck and I know things are going to work out!!

xo,
R

[Rodneyss1]

Thanks for the kind words!  I am going to give myself some time to adjust.  I have only been on dialysis since December, but it feels much longer than that.  Are you on disability?

[rsudock]

Yes I have been approved for disablity but not supplemental social disabilty income (SSI) I am in my 5 month waiting period for my disability right now. The lady at the social security office told me that since I went back to working part time that they may take away my disability but so far I haven't received any letters so, I am just letting it ride. I mean they make you wait 5 months for a check...ummm hello I do have bills to pay!!! Thank goodness I have a significant other that helps me!
 

phew!

xo,
R

[sullidog]

I went back to work part time once I got adjusted.

[rsudock]

it is Ken Sherman and KarenWA that work full time and do dialysis!!! Way to go folks!! Sorry if I left anyone else out but these are the only 2 IHD members I can think of off the top of my dialysis brain!

xo,
R

[cattlekid]

I work full time and do 3x week incenter HD as well.  Like KareninWA, I have a sit-down computer job so it's easy to do even from the center!

it is Ken Sherman and KarenWA that work full time and do dialysis!!! Way to go folks!! Sorry if I left anyone else out but these are the only 2 IHD members I can think of off the top of my dialysis brain!

xo,
R

[brandi1leigh]

I stopped working when I went on Dialysis. My energy is so low and I also feel terrible after treatments. Luckily I had private disability insurance otherwise I don't know how I would make it.

[Rodneyss1]

Brandileigh.....I know exactly what you mean.  I am sooo glad I took out the Long Term Disability option at work when I started.  My job consists of me managing 50-60 people in Aircraft Maintenance and working 50--60 hours per week.  I was barely getting by before, and now.....can't do it.

[Tracy]

Hi, I work full time, but I mostly sit at a computer.  Sometimes if I have to walk around the school (I work at a high school as the Principal's secretary) and it might tire me out, but for the most part, I hang in there.  I do HD in center 3 times a week. 

Good Luck.  ps I have just been on 1 year this month. 

 

[HouseOfDialysis]

I do PD and work full-time. I'm actually trying to get a part-time job, too. Here's to hope?

[rsudock]

Hi, I work full time, but I mostly sit at a computer.  Sometimes if I have to walk around the school (I work at a high school as the Principal's secretary) and it might tire me out, but for the most part, I hang in there.  I do HD in center 3 times a week. 

Good Luck.  ps I have just been on 1 year this month. 

 

 

Tracy cheers to your one year dialysisversary!!

xo,
R

[brandi1leigh]

Brandileigh.....I know exactly what you mean.  I am sooo glad I took out the Long Term Disability option at work when I started.  My job consists of me managing 50-60 people in Aircraft Maintenance and working 50--60 hours per week.  I was barely getting by before, and now.....can't do it.

How funny. While I'm a teacher by trade, my mom worked in airline maintenance for 25 years and I worked for her company during the summers growing up. They worked mostly on aircraft instruments.

Long term disability is by far the best decision I've made in my entire life. Texas teachers don't pay into Social Security. My retirement system does have a disability provision, but it won't be enough to live off.

[Poppylicious]

it is Ken Sherman and KarenWA that work full time and do dialysis!!! Way to go folks!! Sorry if I left anyone else out but these are the only 2 IHD members I can think of off the top of my dialysis brain!

xo,
R

And my Blokey!  And for that I am extremely grateful; I do realise that some people really find it hard. 

[kitkatz]

I think once you adjust to dialysis physically and mentally you will be able to go back to work. Maybe not 50 or 60 hours a week. I was a full time teacher and resigned from my job at the end of January.  I just couldn't keep up with the demands. After I took a month off and got myself back together mentally I started working part time. Now I am thinking about going back to school to either become a gift & talented teacher or special ed that way my classroom size will be guaranteed smaller. To accomodate my new dialysis life and energy levels. I think you can make it work but take your time and make realistic goals. I know there are other people on the boards who work (paul.karen?) full time and are doing well.

good luck and I know things are going to work out!!

xo,
R

You will work your "ass" off as a special education teacher.  Smaller class size does not mean easier job!   I have been a special education teacher for the last eighteen years, twelve on dialysis.  Good luck doing it all.

[*kana*]

I worked full time for the first 2 1/2 years until I just couldnt do it anymore.  I worked in a large hospital and was on my feet all day and would cry walking out to my car because I didn't think I could make it one more step.   I get 50% of my pay from SS and long term disability and I am doing ok. 

[rsudock]

I think once you adjust to dialysis physically and mentally you will be able to go back to work. Maybe not 50 or 60 hours a week. I was a full time teacher and resigned from my job at the end of January.  I just couldn't keep up with the demands. After I took a month off and got myself back together mentally I started working part time. Now I am thinking about going back to school to either become a gift & talented teacher or special ed that way my classroom size will be guaranteed smaller. To accomodate my new dialysis life and energy levels. I think you can make it work but take your time and make realistic goals. I know there are other people on the boards who work (paul.karen?) full time and are doing well.

good luck and I know things are going to work out!!

xo,
R

You will work your "ass" off as a special education teacher.  Smaller class size does not mean easier job!   I have been a special education teacher for the last eighteen years, twelve on dialysis.  Good luck doing it all.

so true kit I agree. I was just going off the advice that the GT teacher at my D unit gave me.  I don't think I could do special ed either. It would probably drive me nuts.

xo,
R