Returning to the Work Place

[Bill Peckham]

I started working through the carpenters union three years after starting dialysis (one of these days I'll finish my introduction). I work as a trade show specialist, i.e. set up conventions and trade shows. When you first start you get all the hard shifts and are the first to start sweating; last to stop. I didn't think I'd get through the first shift but I did and I was called back.

I wouldn't have gone to the gym for eight hours but I finished those shifts. The work is what turned what was clearly a downward spiral - not exercising, not eating, not sleeping well, repeat - into an upward spiral. The more I worked the better I slept, the more I ate (I'd actually eat breakfast, lunch and dinner), the more I could work. I just never said no. There were times I had to take a knee but I would try what ever a foreman thought I should be doing. I spent about half my shifts in the field doing the physical work and half my time making graphics, at first on a reverse ink press, now with computer driven large format printers.

The physical work was a positive in my case but working my way into making graphics instead of kicking out carpet is a definite plus. Now I have to make an effort to exercise.

I've always been "out"when it came to dialysis. I used it in the sense that some foreman would want me to work - when there are a couple big conventions in town there is way more work than people - and I'd say I could work tomorrow but I was going to dialyze - if I work I die. I'd say this in as dramatic a way possible. In the union unimpeachable, unique excuses are highly regarded and no one can top mine. I also b*tch when people I'm working with a guy and he announces he's going to "take a piss" - I mumble f***in' show off, or call him a urinator. This sort of talk passes for union humor and goes over very well. If I take a shift I see it through but they couldn't make me feel guilty for turning down shifts. Now my employer does all sorts of in kind donations for the Northwest Kidney Centers. In the last 11 years I have made thousands of posters on just about every topic, not to mention the Kidney Expo (it's October 27th this year). Most of the office staff go to the yearly NKC Foundation breakfast - I see the NKC calendars on their desks.

So be you and do not assume what you can and can't do - give it a go and find out. You'll surprise yourself.

[George Jung]

Tomorrow will be day # 2.  I must say that I am looking forward to it.  Quite a change in feelings from earlier in the week.  Optimistically, I think I am on my way to turning some things around and living a better life than I have been.  My life has been a train wreck since last November but I am gaining mental strength (thanks in part to IHD) and then I will be able to work on getting back to where I was physically (maybe better than before).  I do need to think about a careear path for the future still.  Plan B, ya know!    Thanks everyone.

[Sluff]

George I remember your first couple of posts and I would have to agree that you've gotten stronger maybe just less angry and in my opinion you've come to accept life more on your terms and I think you are a little happier.

Part of that acceptance is being allowed to have your own feelings show and being accepted by others no matter your opinions.

I appreciate (most) of your posts and your opinions.

I hope you continue to work and get stronger both mentally and physically, but please don't stop posting and visiting us, because sometimes your opinions and or comments helps us too. Someone somewhere needs to hear, what you've got to say.

I hope you understand what I'm saying.

Good luck friend, I am glad IHD has been a positive influence in your life.

[goofynina]

Tomorrow will be day # 2.  I must say that I am looking forward to it.  Quite a change in feelings from earlier in the week.  Optimistically, I think I am on my way to turning some things around and living a better life than I have been.  My life has been a train wreck since last November but I am gaining mental strength (thanks in part to IHD) and then I will be able to work on getting back to where I was physically (maybe better than before).  I do need to think about a careear path for the future still.  Plan B, ya know!    Thanks everyone.

I love it when i hear someone with this disease does not let it take over their lives, i think it makes me stronger as well, gives me that little "ooomph" i need.  You go George, like the song says "Ain't no stoppin' us now"   I believe you can do anything you damn well want to do, just as long as you take us along with you on your journey, deal? deal!  And i am so glad that IHD has been a big part of regaining your mental strength,  i blame IHD for losing my mental everything   i've done gone cuckoo!!  But i am loving every minute of it and i wouldnt change it for the world,  love ya and everyone else here too 

[carolyn77531]

goofynina, u know you are a amazing woman...alote of poeple here are so strong..why do i feel like my world is falling apart..im not the one who is on dialysis...my daughter is so strong such a fighter..i just wish i can i have the half strengh as she has most of you guys..i have been dealing with all her life.....this is a great site...yall have taught me so much

[nextnoel]

CONGRATULATIONS, GEORGE!  IT'S FRIDAY, AND YOU'RE MADE IT!  TGIF !
I'm proud of you!

[Sluff]

  It's finally friday ..gettin ready for a wild weekend..time to let the good times roll..

[goofynina]

goofynina, u know you are a amazing woman...alote of poeple here are so strong..why do i feel like my world is falling apart..im not the one who is on dialysis...my daughter is so strong such a fighter..i just wish i can i have the half strengh as she has most of you guys..i have been dealing with all her life.....this is a great site...yall have taught me so much

Thank you Carolyn, but i believe the amazing woman is YOU my friend.  Believe me, i would much rather be the one going through this disease than to see my child suffering from it.  Your world is not falling apart, it is just not the way you'd like it to be, you have to make the best with what you have.  It is apparent you cannot change the world and all that happens, all you can do is jump on this rollercoaster of a ride we call "life" and try to have the best fun you can have, take this from someone suffering from ESRD and so many other ailments, i know it aint easy, Lord do i know!!   You hang in there girlfriend, and always remember, we are here for you, it is this site that has helped me cope with my problems too, so please, come here often as you can and let it out, hope to hear from you soon,   

  xoxoxo
Goofynina

[George Jung]

Today was great!  Went in at 10am, wrote some checks, received some product, went and bought produce at the market, counted money, went to the bank, expedited lunch orders, and supervised staff for the rest of the afternoon.  It defiantly feels good, I think work is a blessing.  When you have to work sometimes you might wish you were just filthy rich so you could do nothing but after doing nothing for so long it can have very negative effects.  Like I said, work is a blessing, everything depends how how you view it.

Everybody's words of encouragement and support are truly meaningful.  Thank you all.

* I forgot to mention...there was only 2 or 3 very small instances about how I was doing and 1 very big hug, so that helped too.

[Sluff]

Good for you George.

[thegrammalady]

yea george!! glad it's going well, keep it up

[kitkatz]

Just do what the rest of us poor working Joes do.  One day at a time. Wait until vacations and the weekends.

[Ohio Buckeye]

Congratulations George!
It is a great thing that you could return to work.
I am so glad for you.
Keep pressing on!

[George Jung]

Thanks Buckeye, I really do feel it is a blessing.

 Obviously it won't solve my problems but what it does do is put me on the right track to whatever bit of normalcy (normal for me) is left in my life.  Getting over the initial windfalls of the reality of the disease and dialysis is the toughest challenge I have ever faced..... by far!!!  All of my focus was on what ifs and whys and hows and I was getting nowhere, I have had bouts of depression in the past but these past months have been the most intense.  I have no doubt that depression will rear it's ugly head again, all I can do is try to be prepared for it, give myself some outlets and try to be strong.  Being physically and mentally active is a great way to build that strength.  It also helps to have a place to come and say what it is you are thinking and not be crucified for doing so. - Thank you Epoman.

[Sluff]

Congratulations George!
It is a great thing that you could return to work.
I am so glad for you.
Keep pressing on!

How absolutely generous with your encouraging words after what you are going through. OB you are a gem! 

[Ohio Buckeye]

George, you have a great attitude and have come a long way in meeting
this challenging time of your life.  Depression is always lurking over our
shoulders looking for a ride.  Tell it you don't pick up hitchhikers. Not making
light of it tho as I had deep depression when I lost my husband and know
how hard it is to deal with.  You are doing great.  Have a good week on the job.
You are right, it is a blessing to be able to work.

And Sluff, thank you for the kind comments.  I hope I always have an encouraging
word as long as I breathe as we all at times need to hear words of encouragement to meet
these challenges and sometimes prayer for strength to endure the day (or night).
I hope I can always be an encourager, no matter what!

[George Jung]

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?

[Sluff]

Great idea George.

[okarol]

That may take awhile.
You can go to http://www.carolinamcevents.com/ and post your resume under "I need a job" and also check out "Help Wanted"

[George Jung]

Thanks for the link Karol.  I will see what comes of it for sure.  As for learning a new language taking awhile.....I will probably be on dialysis for awhile too so that might be the perfect time to take up a new study.  I know kitchen Spanish and have always wanted to learn...are you familiar with careear opportunities?  I bet I can learn it faster than some!

[goofynina]

That may take awhile.
You can go to http://www.carolinamcevents.com/ and post your resume under "I need a job" and also check out "Help Wanted"

Okarol, i need a job, got a link for me    now wait, i dont do windows, i dont do laundry, i dont do homework, i dont do... (well, i can for the right price)        i just need some source of income, we're hurtin' over here, any suggestions?

[okarol]

Goofynina:

According to employers, the top 10 personal characteristics they seek in job candidates are:

   1. Communication skills
   2. Work experience
   3. Motivation/initiative
   4. Teamwork skills
   5. Leadership abilities
   6. High GPA/academic credentials:
   7. Technical skills
   8. Interpersonal skills
   9. Analytical skills
  10. Ethics

And, according to employers, the top skills they look for in job candidates are:

   1. Interpersonal
   2. Teamwork
   3. Verbal communication
   4. Analytical
   5. Computer
   6. Written communication
   7. Leadership

So what are your strengths? Skills? Talents (ok, don't go there...!)

[George Jung]

goofynina, what sort of work have you done in the past?  I might know of some possibilities.

[goofynina]

goofynina, what sort of work have you done in the past?  I might know of some possibilities.

Hmmm, well i started babysitting since i was 9, went to job corps to become a nurses assistant (but all i became was an alcoholic at the age of 18)   came home and finished my schooling to become a nurses aide, worked at a convalescent hospital (and that was heartbreaking)  applied for a printing company and became a customer service rep for 4 years which i absolutely loved (the job, not the people) , so i decided i wanted to be my own boss so i opened up a home day care in my home from '91 - '03  and here i am,  i've done some other jobs but..........oh nevermind

[Bill Peckham]

I know of an opportunity. Russ at globaldialysis.com put together a print directory that he is selling in Europe and he needs someone in the US to call units and see if they'd be interested in a directory. Russ reports that people have been very interested and sales are good. I have no idea what the terms are, etc. but I think you could do it from home and the US is big enough if more than one of youse guys are interested in checking it out. It sells for, I think 70 something Euros so like $100 US, which I imagine allows for a nice commission for those doing the selling. PM me if you're interested.

(Full disclosure: I wrote the forward but I receive nothing but accolades for my my effort (Russ did send me a DVD and Petter Quaffie's book of dialysis cartoons as a thank you) - no money changes hands this sales opportunity is just an FYI).