Need Advice on Employment

[rookiegirl]

Hi Everyone,

Over the last 4 weeks, I've been torn to whether put in my 2 weeks notice at work.  I'm currently a Revenue Analyst.  My job is to oversee Revenue going in and out of the company.  I'm responsibility to speak to the whys regardless if positive or negative.  I find it more easy to speak on the negative than the positive.

I've been on Short Term Disability twice.  The 1st was back in Oct 2007 because of my catheter placement and training.  I tried to go back to work 4 weeks after that.  The 2nd time was 2 weeks after I returned from the 1st time.  I was out for 6 weeks.  I returned back to work Dec. 17th.  I have my good days and bad days.
 
But this past 4-5 weeks, it's been hard.  I don't sleep well at night because I wake up to some discomfort in my belly.  It was explained to me by the PD Nurse and Dr that the catheter tends to float around and sometimes gets stuck and rub against some nerves.  I started seeing a specialist because of my overactive Thyroid and I'm currently taking meds for that.  I still have complications during my drain time even though I stop just as soon as I feel the pinch.  My blood pressure was low, now it's border line high.  Since I carry fluid all day, I look 6 mos. pregnant.  I sometimes have a hard time walking long distance because I get a cramp in my belly.  I just feel pitiful.  I know it could be worst 

As for work, my job is so very stressfull, especially in the last 2mos.  I have projects after projects, deadlines after deadlines.  Sometimes I have to work overtime just so I can have something to report the next day.  When I get home, I just crash.  I can't seem to find the energy to get up in the morning.  I'm always late for work or sometimes call in because I didn't get rest from the night before.

This week, I had 4-5 people asked me if I was alright.  I asked them why?  They said my eyes look as if I've been crying.  I believe is the lack of sleep and worrying if I'm going to get fired because I can't meet the deadlines.

So, here is my question and need your advice.  I want to quit my job and maybe after 1yr or so go back and find something else.  I don't know if I would qualify to go on Short Term which is good up to 6mos. and after that I can apply for Long Term.  I don't know if my Dr will approve.  I guess my definition of disability is someone that really can't work because it's a Life and Death situation or they have a handicap.  I just don't know.

I'm going to call my Dr's office tomorrow to see what they think.  If He agrees that this can be done, I will follow up with the STD people.

If not, well I guess I will put in my 2 weeks notice.  I just can't keep this up.  I'm just emotionally and physically drained.  I'm trying to avoid going into depression.  My poor husband gets an ear full 24/7.

HELP!!!!






EDITED:Moved to working on dialysis section-kitkatz,moderator

[Romona]

 
I hope you figure out what is best for you!

[livecam]

You are having a tough time of it and I really appreciate what you are going through but here is my advice.  Your employment is one of the most precious commodities you have.  It provides not only current income but medical and retirement benefits we couldn't get anywhere else.  Hunkering down and keeping that job now has plenty of benefits.  I assume you'll be receiving a transplant and after recovery you'll be ready and raring to go.  Rather than having to start over with a long gap in your employment history you are in the drivers seat as soon as the doc says go back.  Three years after you get that transplant you won't have to worry about how the drugs will be funded.  Your insurance will take care of that.

Right now you are feeling awful.  You will definitely qualify for disability, almost all dialysis patients do so try not to worry about that.  Use your short term and or long term benefits as you need them but remain an employee of the company.  They can not fire you because of your medical condition.  I repeat, they can not fire you because of your medical condition. 

Would an accommodation at work help?  Perhaps different work hours or days off?  Maybe a clean and private place to do your exchanges?  They are required by law to provide that for you.

I can't tell you what to do but I'm just pointing out the benefits of keeping your job.  If you really feel it is all just too much then only you can decide what is right.  I hope you feel better and reach a decision you and your husband feel good about.

[Joe Paul]

You are having a tough time of it and I really appreciate what you are going through but here is my advice.  Your employment is one of the most precious commodities you have.  It provides not only current income but medical and retirement benefits we couldn't get anywhere else.  Hunkering down and keeping that job now has plenty of benefits.  I assume you'll be receiving a transplant and after recovery you'll be ready and raring to go.  Rather than having to start over with a long gap in your employment history you are in the drivers seat as soon as the doc says go back.  Three years after you get that transplant you won't have to worry about how the drugs will be funded.  Your insurance will take care of that.

Right now you are feeling awful.  You will definitely qualify for disability, almost all dialysis patients do so try not to worry about that.  Use your short term and or long term benefits as you need them but remain an employee of the company.  They can not fire you because of your medical condition.  I repeat, they can not fire you because of your medical condition. 

Would an accommodation at work help?  Perhaps different work hours or days off?  Maybe a clean and private place to do your exchanges?  They are required by law to provide that for you.

I can't tell you what to do but I'm just pointing out the benefits of keeping your job.  If you really feel it is all just too much then only you can decide what is right.  I hope you feel better and reach a decision you and your husband feel good about.

Very well said Livecam.  I was disabled prior to dialysis, and have no choice but to collect SSI. But, as someone who is disabled, I can tell you the 4 walls close in FAST. If I had the choice, I would try and keep my job, as I said being off work is very boring, and the limited income is hard to work with, and causes problems of its own. I hope you come to the decision that works for you and your husband.

[kitkatz]

Ask for them to have a 504 plan discussion for you at work to relieve some of the workload and make it manageable while you are ill.

[Psim]

I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. I have no advice, but wanted to give you a  -- hoping you find a way to make things a bit easier.

[Sunny]

DON'T QUIT YOUR JOB!
Utilize your disability insurance through your employer, that what it's for.
You should try to retain your benefits for as long as possible.
This means you go back to your doctor, as you have mentioned, and explain how your health is being compromised due to your work load.
Yes, being on dialysis and having renal failure is a true disability. It doesn't take having a missing arm or being wheel chair bound to be disabled.
Kidney failure is a disability.
Your doctor should be able to write you a disability slip indicating you need to work part time. By law your, employer will have to accommodate you.
Disability insurance through your employer will be required to make up the salary difference. Hopefully this is all it will take for you to get back on your feet again.
If your doctor says you must continue to work only part time, then the employer will have to continue to accommodate you.
Should you find even part time work is too difficult, then your doctor may end up writing a disability slip stating you are unable to work at all, in which case long-term disability insurance kicks in through your employer.
The oldest ploy in the world, is an employer getting you to quit so they don't have to pay disability benefits.
DON'T LET THAT HAPPEN TO YOU.

[rookiegirl]

Thank you all for the wonderful advice.  I spoke to my Dr's nurse today and explained my situation.  She took notes of all that I said and will discuss with my Dr.  According to her, she doesn't see any problem for me going on short term and the possibility of long term.  I also talked to my manager and she was very supportive in whatever decision I make.

I've decided to pursue this option.  I will be calling the company that handles our disability program tomorrow.  STD is up to 6mos and after that I can apply for LTD.  The bad news is after 3mos, I will no longer have my position.  If and when I decide to come back, I will have to apply again. Good news is they always need an analyst.  The other good news is that I will receive 100% of my income due to time served.  But, once I do go on LTD it will only be 60%.

I thought about what you guys said about working part-time.  But the way things are at work right now, it's just too much.  I truly believe it's hectic now because of all the VP changes.  You know the drill if it ain't broke, don't fix it?  Well, this new person came in and had to re-arrange everything and demand more.  I hope when I'm able to return, I will find something better.  The wonderful thing about working for this company is there are plenty of areas to choose from, especially with my knowledge and experience.

I really pray I can be put on the waiting list soon and hope for a transplant.

I pray all goes well from this point.

Again, thank you all for the support.

[Psim]

I'm so glad it worked out well for you rookiegirl. Now on to the transplant!

[Sunny]

Good news for you. Sounds like things will work out for you. Good luck and let's hope for the best for a transplant.

[rookiegirl]

Here's an update.  Monday I was kinda out of it when I spoke with the examiner in reference to my STD approval.  I couldn't remember how long they approved me for.  So I called them back the next day and was told I was only approve for 1 week because there was nothing in the medical records that my Dr's office sent that would justify why I need time off.  I don't think the program understand dialysis is dialysis, ESRD is ESRD regardless if you are on Hemo vs. PD.  I know a lot of people never heard of PD and I don't think they consider it  severe vs hemo.  I know if affects individual differently.

Anyway, I called my Dr's office and told them what I was told by the STD plan.  They didn't understand it.  So I they told me to tell them to give them a call to let them know what they need to justify.  Beside oh she has kidney failure and need a transplant.    What more can be said about that. 

So I called the program and come to find out I was given the wrong information.  I was approve to take 4 weeks of STD.  But still they need more information.  I just don't get it.  Anyway, I'm satisfied with the 4 weeks.  At least this will give me time to recover from whatever I'm fighting (flu like symptoms) and more rest.  When I return to work in April, my Dr will write a note to only allow me to work reduce hours for at least 2-3 months.

[Sunny]

     I cannot begin to explain to you the many confusions I had regarding disability benefits with my employer benefits department. They have so many hoops to jump through and so much paperwork to comply with to justify receiving benifts. In the end, I finally figured out it was because they didn't really know what they were doing because my situation was unique and they had never dealt with it  before. This is probably the case with you too. It's not that they don't mean well, it's just that you are probably the only case like yours they have ever dealt with. Stick it out, have patience, and comply with all the never-ending paperwork they may ask of you and your doctor.
    Hopefully, the time off will allow you to regain needed health.
    Good luck to you, and wishing you renewed health.