Returning to the Work Place

[George Jung]

So I am making an attempt to go back to work tomorrow (Monday) and I am curious if anybody has some good advice.  I have not worked since starting dialysis (4 months) nor have I had any contact with any of my co -workers.  I have a bit of anxiety and I'm not sure how to handle the reactions of people or their comments/questions that I am sure will come my way.  I would love it if I could just walk in like nothing ever happened but I know there is no way on god's green earth that's going to happen.  I suppose I will just try to minimize the conversation and just stay busy the whole time but what else can I do?  Keep in mind that I work in a restaurant and employees there (like all restaurants) tend to gossip alot and get into everyone else's business.  I don't want any special attention or anybody feeling sorry for me (although I have a feeling that is out of my control).  Any thoughts are welcome.  Thanks - George  







EDITED:Moved to work topics-kitkatz,moderator

[Zach]

Best thing a person on dialysis can do is go back to work!

Do you look about the same?  Beard and all?
You'll get a lot of, "How are you feeling?" "How are you doing?" etc.  Just say "fine" and move on.

Get to sleep early (that means no hanging out in the IHD chat room!), wake up early and have plenty of coffee!
Good Cookings!
 

[goofynina]

Hey George, that is awesome, glad you are going back to work!!  What is it that you do?  I do like Zach's advice, when they ask you "how are you doing"  tell them the question is "how are YOU doing?"  that way it will take the focus off of you   Good luck and let us know how your first day went

[jbeany]

Use the gossip to your advantage, George.  Ask them what you missed while you were gone, and get them to talk about everyone else.  If they ask, dialysis is "fine, mostly boring sitting in the chair." 

Good luck!

[MyssAnne]

Jbeany is right, ask THEM what's new, what's been going on....people LOVE to talk about themselves,
and other people, just give them a chance!!! And she's right, what more can you say about dialysis
other than it's boring?

[George Jung]

Thanks for the replies you guys!  I AM just going to go in and cut loose with everyone.  I think as long as I don't bring attention to myself it won't be much of an issue.

Zach - I am in many ways ready to get back to work.  I think, if only a few days a week to start, having a purpose and responsibility (other than medical) is extremely important to me.  I just feel a little anxiety right now but I think it may go away once I confront it.  I did not have the beard when I left but I have worked there for over 3 years so most everyone has seen me with some sort of facial hair style.  I used to wear some big chops or a goat, whatever.  It still may cause attention, we'll see.

Thank you all again

[Sluff]

I wish you a lot of luck on your return to work. I'm sure you are nervous but I'm sure you have a lot of friends there.

Good luck my friend. 

[George Jung]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[livecam]

Good move George!  It will pay off for you in many ways, especially after dialysis is in the past and you have a new kidney. I wouldn't worry about a thing..just go in there and do your best.  Good luck!

[goofynina]

OK George, whenever you punch out of your first day, we are here waiting to hear how it went 

[okarol]

Glad to hear you're going back to work. People will be curious for awhile, but they will adapt quickly.
Guess we will have to look for you in chat at a different time? What hours will you be working?
Hope all goes well!

Karol 

[George Jung]

Thanks everyone for your input and kind words.

Today was a lot better that I was imagining it would be.  Besides hearing about a kidney transplant success story 2 minutes after I walked in the door there wasn't any talk about me.  Not that I am not interested in kidney related success stories, I just don't want to talk about them while I am at my job.  The staff today was virtually all new with exception of 3 people including one of the owners so I think it may have an easy day for dealing with people.  Nobody knew anything ever happened which is how I would like most people to act (like nothing ever happened).  I don't mind talking about personal things to certain people but the staff are more like acquaintances, not friends.

What was most challenging for me was to not drink too much.  It didn't help that I woke up this morning with a sore throat and the feeling of a cold coming on but on top of that it is pretty warm in the kitchen and all I wanted to do was drink.  I used to work 12 - 14 hours a day @ 6 days a week and I hardly had enough in me to work 5 hours today.  I hope I can improve my stamina.  I don't know if I am just a bit rusty from so much time away or what, but I could tell my mental capacity (concentrating, remembering) was not as good as it was and I had to try to keep my patients with myself and other staff on a couple of occasions.  Overall it was very good and I am looking forward to doing it again on Friday.  I plan to temper myself back into it as much as I can, I will be cooking on Monday lunches, managing on Fridays and everyother Sunday for the first couple of weeks.  So that should be a walk in the park.  Should be.

Today did make me think about changing carears though, it is just such demanding work.  Any thoughts?

Again, thank you all.

[Sluff]

Congratulations on your first day and I think it's cool you made it as far as you did. Take baby steps, you can't expect to just go back to all those long hours. Changing careers is dependent what your skills are. I have thought about the same thing but I don't know anything else except what I already do. good luck on what ever decision you make.

[jbeany]

Maybe you need to think about what section of the food industry you are working in?  A full steam, active kitchen can be exhausting.  What about parts of it that are more off-hours?  I used to bake pastries for the family restaurant after the place had closed for the night. All the salad prep was done during the slow hours.  One of my aunts does salad prep for another nearby restaurant - she never works when it's busy - she usually goes in at the crack of dawn before the rest of the staff gets there.   Either way, you get the kitchen to yourself, and while there is plenty of work to be done, the pace isn't so insane as it is in the middle of dinner hour, with the place full of customers and harassed waitresses running around in circles.  How about a smaller, cafe-style restaurant or even a baked good shop that would let you work in the food industry without having to work in the crazed rush of a full service restaurant?  Some place where you could go in early in the morning or late at night, and prep for the next day's soups, salads or desserts?

Just my  

[carolyn77531]

i worked in resturants all my life...i know im not on dialysis..i quit my job....today was my first day after being off for about 5 months..i chage to another job.....so, what else to you know how to do...also do u love you job...if you love your job....then that will get you thru

[Sluff]

If you like what you do you'll do fine.

[okarol]

I worked in the motorcycle business for 7 years, selling parts, customer service, tech support, and trade shows. It was a lot of fun. I could see you doing that if it gets too hot in the kitchen!

[George Jung]

Yes, Karol!  Something along those lines is exactly what I had in mind.  Sales, parts, maybe even in the paint shop?  Along with my passion for the culinary field I have always been a motor head.  Who knows how things will change for in time but I am having difficulties believing that the restaurant world is going to be kind to me.  I don't think I would be happy in a kitchen unless I am going full on.  I like to be in charge and have my hand in everything that goes on.  jbeany had some very good thoughts that I will defiantly take into consideration.  As far as what else I know.........I know I am highly trainable, willing to take on classes (school), like working with people.  I am interested in restaurant equipment sales....maybe that would be a good avenue.  Anyhow, keep the thoughts coming if you have an idea, you all have been more help than you might realize!

[Sluff]

I worked in the motorcycle business for 7 years, selling parts, customer service, tech support, and trade shows. It was a lot of fun. I could see you doing that if it gets too hot in the kitchen!

That's an excellent idea.

[Wattle]

George congratulations on returning to work. Well done!

I work part-time, five hour shifts and its long enough for me. I continue to work when I come home.  

My dad was also a chef on dialysis, so I understand the demands of a kitchen on a dialysis patient. He went to catering functions from home. It was a lot easier than working all day then going to dialysis and coming home at midnight.

Going into sales sounds good. Cooking equipment or motorbikes would be ideal. You are passionate about both, have the gift of the gab and have a willingness to learn. Any employer would be lucky to have you!    

[kitkatz]

I think it is great you went back to work. I have been working steadily the last eight years.  I need to work.  It makes me forget about my problems for a few hours.

[MyssAnne]

I agree, you tend to feel more 'normal' when you are working. I too am working 40 hours a week,
an office job. There is NO way I could do anything physical! I'd like to, but not right now, perhaps
as I gain back my strength.

[angela515]

Speaking of work, I want to return to work SOOOO bad after not working for 3 years. However, right at the moment I got a catch 22.... I live 30 miles from town, I have no vehicle and my D.L. is suspended. My dad is not willing to work out a way to give me a ride to be able to go to work, due to gas prices, and due to I would have to work a graveyard shift so I'm home to get my kids off to school in the morning and be home in the afternoon when they get off the bus, because he works days, and would get no sleep.

So, I have to get a car to go to work, and work to get a car. Lovely. Right now i'm working on paying off a 1600 ticket to get my D.L. unsuspended, and then my mom says my dad will help me get a car... we shall see... and this wont be for at least 3 or 4 months before I have my D.L. back, the goverment don't pay enough to support myself and kids AND pay huge amounts on a ticket.

Life is crazy! I look at the positive side though... I'm home all day everyday, so I use that time to start eating healthy, and working out to lose the weight I have gained over the last 5 years. Teehee.

[MyssAnne]

I understand, Angela!  It's a catch 22 any more. And living out in the boonies does not help. There's another post somewhere in here, someone can't afford to do his dialysis 3 times weekly because he is so far from the center. That is so not right.  I am fortunate to have had the job already, and to have everything I need fairly close by.

[Stacy Without An E]

Being able to return to work while on Dialysis is an amazing accomplishment so kudos to you.  It also allows you to reach a level of normacy and remind you that Dialysis doesn't have to control your life.

My only problem on workdays is because I need to keep the energy up for the radio show, I slam a little too many Coca-Cola during the day for the caffiene (not a coffee drinker).  Yes, phosphorous is my mortal enemy.

I agree with people's suggestion to deflect the questions as much as possible.  I get nervous when people ask about my condition, so that's good advice.

Good luck and Godspeed.