working while on dialysis

[geoffcamp]

How many of you are still working full or part time while doing treatments?  I have just gone back to work after two years back on dialysis (this was my first week) and I was wondering how many others work and how they are coping with it.  Also did you tell your employer before you were hired or wait to explain the time you must be on the machine?  I do hemo so I work all day and go directly to my center after work Mon, Wed and Fri for dialysis from 5:30-9:30.  Night Dialysis seem to do ok for me I sleep off the effects of the night before and I seem to be able to function "normally" days after dialysis so far.  Tell me your story please.





EDITED:Moved to work topics-kitkatz,moderator

[Rerun]

WOW Geoff, I applaud you!  I am in the process of applying for disability.  I can't drive at night, so night dialysis is out for me.  I am NOT going to ride the stupid van and get there late and not get picked up!  I just can't do it.  In my job we travel, not a lot, but when we do it is fast....."Next week you need to go to Savannah, GA".  I just can't see myself trying to organize that and attend training.  I just want OUT!  But, hey, you go for it!   

I want to move back to WA State where all my family is.  Once I get home and get settled, I may try and find a part-time job.

[Epoman]

Good for you Geoff, I really miss climbing the corporate ladder. I thank GOD I have my son to keep me so busy with his school, PTA, Karate, Basketball (I'm assistant coach), School yearbook creator, School Historian (next year), and soon guitar lessons, Plus this website (now I have reruns help so that really helps alot). I guess you can say I live vicariously through my son. 

I sometimes think about trying to work again but honestly I make a nice amount collecting Social Security for me and my son. And if I worked I would miss so much of my sons life and I wouldn't trade the for the world.

[Bear]

  Whoa!
    ....well, apart from times off for hospital stays, I continued to work
(I.T. desk job) as I was getting sicker & when I went ont P.D. But the
.5km walk from the underground parking to work included 1 or 2 rest
stops along the way. I was stuffed on arrival @ work and just fell in the
chair for 5 mins before pulling myself together & logging in. My colleagues
got the ladder out & put a plant-hanger hook in the ceiling & another on
a screw on the 'fishbowl' partition, so I could put one onto the other &
it was the right height form ny P.D. input bag. THe other went on the
floor under the desk & when finished I would empty them in the washroom.
    By the time I got my fistula op(s) I was even weaker & sicker from non-
removal of anything-you-care-to-mention. I took time off to recover from
the ops...then just as that finished, I started Home Haemo training. It took
me a while to pick up (they didn't even seriously try to train me for a few
weeks) and they were giving me an extra day's dx a week (so 4 all up),
so it wasn't even worth going back.
    SO, in the end, I'd used up ALL my sick leave, all my annual leave & all
my long-service leave. THis got me to Xmas day (when I came back in Jan
& went up to see the pay supervisor). She booked a week leave-without-pay
and I've worked Mon/Wed/Fri since then, doing 5-6 hours dx on Tues & Thurs
and 4-5 On Sat a.m./Sun evening. And boy has my pay taken a dive!!!! since
with no leave to take, I now have to have the 2 days a week unpaid leave.
    However, I'm hoping to get my Superannuation fund to 'top-up' my pay
to 80% (they have a scheme for 80% 'temporary pension' to be paid to
long-term sick employees). Fingers x'd...
    Whether this will continue (assuming I get it in the first place) after 12
months is debatable & I may have to attempt full-time after I've been on
nocturnal for a while....     ...or pack in & 'retire early', altho I can't really
afford to. But then my wife is a teacher & now earns more than I do 
 

[Bear]

...oh! and as for the 'corporate ladder' Epoman, someone kicked out all the rungs
above mine, years ago!! 

[Sara]

Joe is still working basically full time.  He has dialysis Tues, Thurs, Sat, so normally the only days affected are Tues and Thurs.  Right now he has it worked out so he goes to dialysis something like 6:30-10-something and then goes to work right after and works a few hours late, to get about 8 hours per day.  I think it's very tiring for him, and I really don't know how long he can keep it up, also considering he's needing to go to lots of doctor appt lately.  His boss offered to make his days off Tues and Thurs instead of Sat and Sun, but Joe doesn't want to do that since he would have no real time to himself.  So far his employer seems to be a good company and understanding, but I am almost expecting them to say enough is enough.

[kevno]

On CAPD I had no trouble with working, worked at an insurance company for 12 years on CAPD.  Had to give it up, when I went on Heamodialysis, just could not consentrate. So I have not work for 5 years now.  Been to busy with hospitals.  In with Heart attack, in three time a week on Heamo. Plus trying to raise fund for the unit.  Raffles, dinner talks and snooker exhibitions.


Kevno

[Bajanne]

I am a high school teacher (I teach English). I took ill on the second day of school in September last year.  I spent 10 days in the hospital and then was told I had to have dialysis.  At first my classes were given to another teacher who had a light schedule and her schedule was given to another teacher who is not really an English teacher, but someone who had just come back (from having a baby) and had a free time table.
Well, my doctor wrote a letter saying that I could work as normal; that they just had to allow for my dialysis sessions.  They treated me in a very fragile way at first, only giving me my senior class (thankfully, the only one which did not clash with my dialysis sessions).  Then some parents complained and they gave me back another class.  Then some more parents and students complained and they gave me back another class.
Right now, I am almost back to my normal schedule.  I am hoping that next school year, they will work dialysis into my schedule so I don't miss any classes.  MWF second shift is the best, since I only miss 9 periods in a 35 period week (and we usually get about 11 free anyway).  If I did TTS I would lose 2 whole days since there is only the morning shift then.  And MWF would mean losing 3 out of 5 school days.
I really want to work a normal schedule, since my contract is up in 2007 and want it to be renewed.  I am sorry for the teacher who was filling in for me, but at least it shows that Admin is confident in my ability.

[Rerun]

That is GREAT Bajanne 

I would work if that is what you love and you can feel good enough to do it.

I'm giving up because I've got my 20 years in and I just can't do both dialysis and work "well."  If I can't do my job and be productive and feel good about it I don't want to do it anymore.  I love my job, but since I started losing my kidney back in May of 2004, it has been nothing but doctor appointments, surgeries, dialysis and not feeling well.  I am so far behind at work that I feel stressed that I'm not doing a good job anymore. 

Work as long as you can!   

[Bear]

Good on ya Baj' !!!
My wife's a teacher too (grade 4) and she is technically a disabled person, having been
born with difficulty (@ home) & suffering cerebral palsy.
She has been 'lecturing' me about not working full time     ...and saying stuff like
"I couldn't do that at school - just go in late* or finish early*, and only work 3 days a week!"
*when I have to call in at hospital on the way in/way home for some reason.
My response of course "Well you'd just have to work it differently to me" and I don't
really _Choose_ to lose 2 dyas pay a week!!!!
 For a start, if she was on Home Haemo like me, she could be on by 5p.m.; off @ 10p.m.
 & that would only have to be 2 days in the week, if necessary (like me) and 2 sessions @ the weekend.
I couldn't get on before 7p.m. @ the absolute earliest, which is way too late.
But her being disabled means I get NO leeway with my sickness!  
...which is probably just as well     NO wallowing allowed!!!

[kitkatz]

I have worked ever since I was diagnosed and put on dialysis.  I am a stubborn old woman I guess.
I went into hospital on November 2, 1998 for treatment for a backache and when they saw my hematocrit was a 3 they threw me into the emergency room and began trying to save my life.  I promply obliged them and crashed. I had double pneumonia and heart failure caused by kidney failure.  One sick puppy.  I went on dialysis and felt better.  Got the chest tube put in, then got the graft in to lower left arm. What fun.  Returned to teaching in another position as an RSP-Learning handicapped teacher (not me, the kids are learning handicapped. lol) on January 2, 1999.
   The new Principal called me over break and said she'd never had anyone in my situation and did I need anything special. I told her I did not think so, but we would see as time went on.  Nothing special was needed.

My hours are 7 to 2.  And dialysis is 3 to 7 MWF.  Works out pretty good didn't it.  Had quite a scare a few years back the unit was thinking about doing morning hours only, two shifts, but votes to stay three shifts mainly because of me and my work schedule.  I was having fits when they told me what they were thinking.  Thank god they stayed open.

The only thing I have asked the school district for is for me to have a six hour aide instead of a five hour aide, so I have an aide in the classroom with me when the kids are in session.  This has worked out really good.  This year my regular five hour aide and another aide come in with me daily.  It is working out okay.  I enjoy the work and the challenge every day.  Other wise my brain would turn to marshmallow corn puffs from lack of use. 

I do value my vacations and rest a lot during that time.  So I teach 6th grade special education students every day.   

Katherine

[Rerun]

My Surgeon released me to go back to work this week.  I went back Monday.  I wanted to wear my wig, but didn't have the nerve! 

Work has been going well.  I turned in my disability papers before I left for surgery.  But, my Nephrologist has not sent in her "statement."  So, we can't send in the package yet.  It is just a matter of time.  I love my job, and could do it if I wasn't here alone.  I moved to Sacramento about 5 years ago by myself.  I have friends here, but I need my family.  Disability is my ticket home and then I would like to work part-time somewhere.

[fireguy]

Hi, my employer has been excellent in dealing with my Dialysis. I work every day Monday to Firday 8-10 hrs a day as a Superintendent in a paper mill. Also I am the Fire Chief. Have set it up if I am on Dialysis, Dept Chief covers calls at mill. I am also a Vol Fire Fighter with the municipal dept and do training on Haz With the regional departments. Do dialysis in the evenings 3 times a week Tues, Friday and Sunday at home. If I need time off for Dialysis or those annoying appointments with the Doc or Home unit, no problem. Guess I am lucky.

[kitkatz]

God Bless the work sites that will work with us and our family members.  My hubby's work has been a Godsend because they will let him off work if I need him no questions asked.  It was nice to have him take me to appointments at the beginning of all of this.  Now if I feel really lousy then I will make arrangements with him to take time off and take me to dialysis.  It can be a pain in the butt sometimes.  My work does not really get affected by dialysis except for not feeling well or being tired and at work anyway.  Often it is bad attitude not really wellness that I am battling. So work can help.

Katherine

[Sara]

Hi, my employer has been excellent in dealing with my Dialysis. I work every day Monday to Firday 8-10 hrs a day as a Superintendent in a paper mill. Also I am the Fire Chief. Have set it up if I am on Dialysis, Dept Chief covers calls at mill. I am also a Vol Fire Fighter with the municipal dept and do training on Haz With the regional departments. Do dialysis in the evenings 3 times a week Tues, Friday and Sunday at home. If I need time off for Dialysis or those annoying appointments with the Doc or Home unit, no problem. Guess I am lucky.

Wow!  I'm not on dialysis, and I don't think *I* could handle all that.  You go! 

[cannot believe]

I work full time and I am on dialysis.(for over 10 years) I dialyze at home on a portable machine (NxStage) every day for 2-3 hours. I feel great. I work more than full time. I have a family. People on dialysis should consider owning and/or running their own business. Then you can set your own hours. Why collect Social Security when you can work and be productive? You're a teacher? Consider tutoring--for example.
You can feel great on dialysis. You just have to do the right things. I am no exception. I had to work to find out how. Dialyzing every day makes my body functions so much closer to normal. My blood tests come back and tell me I am doing fine. Take charge and take off. Proper diet and right attitude go a very long way towards healing.

[kitkatz]

Did you NOT hear me say I was still teaching? Everyday, all day long.

Katherine

[kevno]

Cannot believe,

I see you are new to Dialysis, you are one of the lucky ones with a portable machine at home (NxStage)
Not many renal patients are as lucky. Even those who  have been on dialysis a lot longer than you. I feel you need to live in the real world, not one that a lot of doctors, of which you are one, have made up for you.

I have read a lot of stupid things over the years. But your post is a insult to the normal renal patient. Who in many cases get an hard ride.

I do not know what you specialize in. But I have nearly always thought a Doctor has a bit of since, I see none in you case. Try moving to a different unit, not telling them that you are a Doctor.Then see what happens. I know you will be shocked. Sorry, I forgot. You have a (NxStage) portable machine at home.

Kevno

[Naggy6]

I work full time and I am on dialysis.(for over 10 years) I dialyze at home on a portable machine (NxStage) every day for 2-3 hours. I feel great. I work more than full time. I have a family. People on dialysis should consider owning and/or running their own business. Then you can set your own hours. Why collect Social Security when you can work and be productive? You're a teacher? Consider tutoring--for example.
You can feel great on dialysis. You just have to do the right things. I am no exception. I had to work to find out how. Dialyzing every day makes my body functions so much closer to normal. My blood tests come back and tell me I am doing fine. Take charge and take off. Proper diet and right attitude go a very long way towards healing.

I do watch my diet and do every thing I'm supposed to do and I also work full time and I have for many, many years. In addition to all that work I raised three children and take care of my elderly parents. Cooking, cleaning, getting the kids to and from school any other activies and their doc. appointments. I also do the same for my parents with the exception of school. I do all this and still do dialysis 3 times a week.

My mother went through lung cancer and then in the hospital for 9 months, I never missed a day. Now my father needs full time care.

Do you do all those things I bet not, it's easy for you to say you work more than full time. A job is just that a job and you can not work when ever you want to. You can't tell a sick child or elderly parent I don't feel like taking care of you today.

So when you do all those things then you can tell us about it and about how great life is.

Face it when people in the hospital know your a doc. you get treated differently.

[Epoman]

I work full time and I am on dialysis.(for over 10 years) I dialyze at home on a portable machine (NxStage) every day for 2-3 hours. I feel great. I work more than full time. I have a family. People on dialysis should consider owning and/or running their own business. Then you can set your own hours. Why collect Social Security when you can work and be productive? You're a teacher? Consider tutoring--for example.
You can feel great on dialysis. You just have to do the right things. I am no exception. I had to work to find out how. Dialyzing every day makes my body functions so much closer to normal. My blood tests come back and tell me I am doing fine. Take charge and take off. Proper diet and right attitude go a very long way towards healing.

I do watch my diet and do every thing I'm supposed to do and I also work full time and I have for many, many years. In addition to all that work I raised three children and take care of my elderly parents. Cooking, cleaning, getting the kids to and from school any other activies and their doc. appointments. I also do the same for my parents with the exception of school. I do all this and still do dialysis 3 times a week.

My mother went through lung cancer and then in the hospital for 9 months, I never missed a day. Now my father needs full time care.

Do you do all those things I bet not, it's easy for you to say you work more than full time. A job is just that a job and you can not work when ever you want to. You can't tell a sick child or elderly parent I don't feel like taking care of you today.

So when you do all those things then you can tell us about it and about how great life is.

Face it when people in the hospital know your a doc. you get treated differently.

Oh man it that so true!!!

- Epoman