Returning to the Work Place

[st789]

This is a great discussion.  I have been away for a while, glad to be back.  I have been doing a lot of thinking myself about my career and I still thinking, just like some of us.  While on dialysis for 4.5 years, I just go to school and still it was a struggle physically just like many of us experienced.  After kidney transplant, I feel must better.  I am sure I will return to dialysis in the near future, thus I am looking at some possible in home businesses so that I still can have the income when dialysis is rough. Any advices or sources to look into. Currently I am working but is not a career.  My work experience is limited thus sometimes it is hard for me to communicate with co-workers due probably to dialysis and being very introver person, which is not good and not very sociable personallity and I try to change it.  I need to work on my communication due to being diagnosed with the disease and I unintentionally suppress my emotions.  My co-workers all think I am too shy.  I hope I do not sound like a whiner, but it helps to type this here.  Thanks everyone.

[Duane]

After reading the posts about work and energy, I'm starting to believe it's not me being lazy, it's my kidney disease and what comes with it.

I've worked all my life in sales/marketing and management, worked up to 50hrs per week salary/commission jobs.

Now on SSDI (Social Security Disability Ins) they have what's called (Spend-down) before Medicaid kicks in to provide 100% medical. My spend-down is $900 per month, in other words all over $650 in income goes towards ssi spend down before i recieve medical coverage for that month and every month.

I can work but only allowed to make about $600 while staying on ssdi. All over that and in time they will take me off ssdi.

so working under the table is my only solution, money that's not reported. What do you say in this matter?

I might be fine today, but tomorrow i will have to recoop.

[paris]

Ok, George, I need to know the restaurant!!!   George and I live in the same town - my kids went to the same middle school that he went to.  I need to find their yearbooks and look George up!  My daughter is the same age and they had to be at the school during the same time period. The world really is small!  Also, George, your posts are so full of positive thinking. You really have come along way in the past few months.  It is amazing how this site helps us get through daily life.  So--- what's for lunch??

[goofynina]

After reading the posts about work and energy, I'm starting to believe it's not me being lazy, it's my kidney disease and what comes with it.

I've worked all my life in sales/marketing and management, worked up to 50hrs per week salary/commission jobs.

Now on SSDI (Social Security Disability Ins) they have what's called (Spend-down) before Medicaid kicks in to provide 100% medical. My spend-down is $900 per month, in other words all over $650 in income goes towards ssi spend down before i recieve medical coverage for that month and every month.

I can work but only allowed to make about $600 while staying on ssdi. All over that and in time they will take me off ssdi.

so working under the table is my only solution, money that's not reported. What do you say in this matter?

I might be fine today, but tomorrow i will have to recoop.

I'd say shhhh, watch what you say to who and where and dont get caught   Good luck to you and keep us posted on what'cha find out there, we are here for you 

[goofynina]

Ok, George, I need to know the restaurant!!!   George and I live in the same town - my kids went to the same middle school that he went to.  I need to find their yearbooks and look George up!  My daughter is the same age and they had to be at the school during the same time period. The world really is small!  Also, George, your posts are so full of positive thinking. You really have come along way in the past few months.  It is amazing how this site helps us get through daily life.  So--- what's for lunch??

Paris and George?? how long have you known this?? You two need to have an IHD Mini Meet in your area and take some pics,  we have a thread especially for these "little togethers" so please, plan something, but make sure you include all of us

[Duane]

Nina  Our Father answers prayers sometimes through the words of people talking to us.

Most of my life i always tried to be slick and cut corners, and that's a good thing and when it comes to the law, now that's another story.

So today I follow the law. My Father told me to: Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's and render unto God what is God's.


Matthew 22:21  They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 

Posting this passage above in no way is it intended to push what i  believe in on anyone this is just where i'm at in my life today.

Caesar in today terms is our Government and the law.

So Thanks Nina for helping me stay on the right track about making an income.

Love ya

[okarol]

Reading this thread made me think about how important it is too work if you can, especially in the US after a transplant. I always have in the back of my mind that Jenna's medcare coverage for her anti-rejection meds will run out 3 years from her transplant. It seems pretty far off now, but the last 3 months have actually sped by. She needs to get a job that has a good insurance plan so she won't have to worry about paying full price for the meds. So this next couple of years is like a training period, where she can get ready.

[paris]

We have just recently figured out the whole living in the same town thing!  I haven't posted for a few weeks -- but am back amoung the "living" so maybe George and I can put faces to names!  Fox NC lives in the area, also. Anyone heard from her lately?  Goofynina, I promise to work on George and I meeting!

[angela515]

Reading this thread made me think about how important it is too work if you can, especially in the US after a transplant. I always have in the back of my mind that Jenna's medcare coverage for her anti-rejection meds will run out 3 years from her transplant. It seems pretty far off now, but the last 3 months have actually sped by. She needs to get a job that has a good insurance plan so she won't have to worry about paying full price for the meds. So this next couple of years is like a training period, where she can get ready.

There is company's out there where the insurance starts day 1 or within first 30 days... After my first transplant I got a job at Citbank (Citigroup), and benefits start day 1. Whats funny is, I went on maternity leave the next day lol... I was a temp for 3 months prior though.

But yah, keep an eye out for companys like that with insurances like that.

[okarol]

100 Best Companies to Work For 2007

This link is for best benfits: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2007/benefits/

Read about: the Best Company to Work For in America - Google - http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2007/index.html

Here's the full list: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2007/full_list/

You can also view by state.

[George Jung]

paris - you don't have to "work" me to get togeather.  I am kinda busy for the next couple of weeks but we can plan on something for the near future.

[vandie]

I said it was a blessing to work?  I sure didn't feel blessed today!  3rd day back and I am the only cook!  Lunch is a two man show, we usually do about $1000 in business.  Come on.....thanks a lot.  On top of that the reach in freezer is empty!  It had frozen up the last night and someone emptied it to de-thaw but never un-plugged the damn thing so I had to work without it...running back and forth from the walk-in to the line.  It wasn't crazy busy but I sure felt like it was.  I had one of the owners trying to help me ......the guy is 6'2" and probably 275.......he is not small and he doesn't know where everything is and he just gets in my way....so frustrating.  But I took it cool and told him I have it under control and got him out from the line.  I used to be the guy to count on in situation like the one I had today, but I didn't realize I had signed up for that again.  What are you gonna do?  I was thinking about learning Spanish and finding work as a translator.  Any thoughts on that?

George,
In California, a State certified Spanish interpreter, depending on the county, can make 290$ a day.
Not sure about other states.

[George Jung]

I talked to my friend who works at a hospital and she said they have full time interrupters that make around $20 hr.That's not great but it isn't bad either.  $290 a day sounds pretty good to me!  I have been seriously considering pursuing this option.  I believe I am fully capable of learning and doing the job and I believe it would be a rewarding position in almost any setting.  Essentially, I would be helping others.  There also seems to be many different possibilities that could open up so for right now I am going to check into classes for the fall semester.  My grandfather is from Cuba so I am contemplating moving in with him (N.J.) so he could teach me.

[goofynina]

$290.00 a day    Good Lord!!  I dont know what you will be doing, and i dont know how legal (or illegal) it is, but George, if you dont take it, you best believe i'm gonna      (yah right, who am i kidding)  but that sounds like some pretty good moolah to me 

[vandie]

$290.00 a day    Good Lord!!  I dont know what you will be doing, and i dont know how legal (or illegal) it is, but George, if you dont take it, you best believe i'm gonna      (yah right, who am i kidding)  but that sounds like some pretty good moolah to me 

LOL @ Susie. . . .
The downside of a Court Interpreter is the element with which you are dealing.
Interpeters have to translate from the cage, right next to the custody.   They are shackled, but some of those boys and girls are pure evil.


 

[goofynina]

$290.00 a day    Good Lord!!  I dont know what you will be doing, and i dont know how legal (or illegal) it is, but George, if you dont take it, you best believe i'm gonna      (yah right, who am i kidding)  but that sounds like some pretty good moolah to me 

LOL @ Susie. . . .
The downside of a Court Interpreter is the element with which you are dealing.
Interpeters have to translate from the cage, right next to the custody.   They are shackled, but some of those boys and girls are pure evil. 

Oh Puhlease, Honey, i ran a day care with 14 kids, they dont know what they're dealing with   lol

[paris]

George, I am sure one day we can figure out schedules.  How is the job going?   My DIL is a nurse at Wake Med and she says they are always desperate for interpretors.  Sounds like a good long range plan.  Does Wake Tech offer the classes you would need?   Hope work goes well for you this week.

[George Jung]

The job is going great!  Still very little talk about dialysis or my health.  I can count on one hand the questions I have been asked, everyone has just been glad to see me and to have me back.  I have not felt over extended working 8 hour shifts (just p.o.'ed the one day by myself) and it was really nice to get paid again (today).  More than the money, the social interaction and physical activity have been priceless, I would do it just for those benefits alone (but the pay day is alright).  The work has been the most therapeutic activity I have experienced.  I have been to psychiatrists, tried meds, took up a new hobby, joined IHD, which all have helped in some small way but working has been key for me.  My friend Christian helped give me a reason to live and work is enabling me to keep my mental health from going to hell. 

My uncle e-mailed me a few days ago and asked me if I'd be interested in a catering job.  His daughter is graduating from ECU and she asked if I could cater a party for her.  I did a luau party for her when she graduated from highschool and she requested me to do something similar for her again.  It was a nice feeling to be remembered like that and I am really excited about doing this party.  I think I am going to do everything "mini" starting with some of my jalapeno, cheddar and onion burgers, It should be a good time.  Some of my family will be visiting from out of state so it will be nice to see them as well.

About my possible new careear path, any suggestions/thoughts anybody?  Wake Tech (local school) does offer classes which I will be looking into.  I am thinking I could learn the language in a 2 - 3 year time period, does that sound reasonable to anyone? 

[goofynina]

George, you mentioned you catered for a "Luau" before?  I have some friends who are having a luau for a bridal shower and they are having a hard time figuring out a menu, can you please maybe pm me some ideas of some simple, yet filling dishes or finger foods.  I (and they) would greatly appreciate it.  thank you 

[kitkatz]

So here it is folks.
I pretty much am stressed out and exhausted all the time at work.  So here are my ideas to make it through the rest of the school year with my sanity intact.  Tell me if it sounds too crazy.

1. Call a psych through work or Kaiser and get an appointment to talk to someone.  I feel I am in the miiddle of a crisis and need help.
2. Call my nephrologist for an apoointment for sick leave days.
3. Call my union and ask them to represent me for accomodations with the school district in a 504 Plan.
4. Take a day off a week to do something different and fun for myself.  So my life quits being dialysis and work all of the time.

I cried all of the way to work in my car on Friday. My poor husband thinks I have gone completely crazy. All I do now is cry all over him at night.  I function minimally with the kids at work and am not my usual cheerful self. Something has to give. 

[goofynina]

Kit, you go ahead and cry on him all you want, HE is your safe place to fall, rememberrrr??    We are always here for you as well, oh, and on one of those days off when you want to get in the car to go, come on up to my place, we can always sit and cry together 

[kitkatz]

I may take you up on that offer.

[paris]

George, I think the 2-3 year plan is very reasonable. You seem to have determination and the will to achieve.   We seem to have several things in common - I have done catering for years; well until the kidney thing came along. I love the "mini" foods idea. It will make for an easy party for people to eat and visit.  My daughter lives in Hawaii - need any authentic food ideas?  Glad work is going well. There was an article in the local paper on Sunday about the importance of working while dealing with severe illness.  I agree that the social part is almost as important as the paycheck.  Keep us updated on the luau!

[George Jung]

Thanks paris.  I am not doing the luau this time but goofynina knows someone who is and I'd bet my kidneys that she would like to hear from you.  What sort of catering experience do you have?