So I just lost my job ...

[FirstLight]

I literally just started this gig as a Teaching Asst with the School District this year. I was good at it and did the reading program with the kids and it was really fun and finally something of a decent income...

Then I got sick

Well, let's just say that the pressure of working 2 jobs (yea, I do afternoons at Boys & Girls CLub, been there for a few years and love that too) finally caught up to my autoimmune illness...and the meds I've been on & off for the past 12 years just up and stopped working. I fell apart. I asked my Dr if I could get 2 weeks off. Met again with the specialist this monday and best case scenario, I can't get up and running on new meds till after New Year at least (2-3 weeks for insrance authorization, 2-3 weeks for meds to kick in)

Since you have to have 12 months of employment or 1250 hours under your belt to take leave...I'm Terminated as of 11/30

I'm heartbroken...I really LOVED this job and wanted to grow in it...
But my stupid body can't seem to stay in the game.

[RussBLib]

1. with all the medical technology today...

seems there are more disorders than ever today. Environmental? Or just better understanding?

Sorry for your misfortune. Gotta get well first.

[FirstLight]

2. Actually, the new meds are pretty high tech

The one I was on was a first gen attempt at biologics and hit a wide swath of my immune system. This one is targeted at the specific gene that causes the problem, so I'm hoping less side effects and less chance of allergic reaction

[TheBlackAdder]

16. One thing that fucks with AI, are NSAIDS. People take more, the sicker they feel, spiraling down.

.

The more a person with AI issues takes, the worse their symptoms gradually appear, forcing them to take more and more. Then, they might get skin lesions or rashes on the body from them, which is confused with other skin ailments and they start to get treated for a skin condition they don't have.

I know a few people with gluten and AI issues, and they've found relief staying away from NSAIDS, gluten and went paleo. Their body's auto-immune systems are so inflamed, they need to break regular stuff for a year. My two sisters, and other in-laws have these issues. I've become good at identifying the flareups that I spotted it in a teacher at my kid's school. She underwent surgery and was taking thousands of IUs of ibuprofen daily, after surgery and that tripped her AI where she developed lichen planus. She suffered for almost a year, and had open sores on her arms and neck. She went to multiple dermatologists who were treating it for other things, meanwhile, she was taking IB daily. It took her a year of completely cutting NSAIDS for it to clear up. One dose would trip it all over again.

.

[pnwmom]

17. You are also right about gluten.

My grandfather had rheumatoid arthritis, and he had always had stomach symptoms, too. They said he had a bleeding ulcer. When I started having intestinal bleeding, some (but not all) of the tests the GI doc did suggested Celiac, so he had me go gluten-free. That solved my problem without any other meds. And I've read since then that gluten sensitivity and Celiac can lead to a range of auto-immune problems, like the one my grandfather had. So I feel as if I may have dodged a bullet -- no signs of arthritis so far.

[catbyte]

25. Thank creation I developed an anaphylactic allergy to all NSAIDS & aspirin back in 1995.

I blew out my right elbow in a marathon house cleaning session before I had both sides of our family over for Christmas 1993. (No--my house wasn't filthy--my widowed father-in-law had just married the Wicked Witch of the West & I didn't feel like snarky comments from her all day about our cats, LOL.) Anyway, I tried to avoid surgery by taking Advil all the time, then Naprosyn (the new "miracle drug--by prescription only" back then) for months. One morning I took a Naprosyn as usual. About 15 minutes later, suddenly began to break out in hives over every inch of me & my throat started closing up. That is one scary feeling, BTW. I went to the ER, got the adrenalin, cortisone, etc. then they released me. A few hours later, my throat started closing up again. The Naprosyn in my system outlasted the treatment. Back to the ER. Same treatment, then back home. A few hours later, yep. throat closed up again. This time they admitted me until the next day when the Naprosyn was completely out of my system.

I still carry an Epi-pen to this day. It's unbelievable the things that have aspirin in them & they don't tell you--especially holistic and "natural" supplements, etc. I think I lucked out because shortly before my allergy I started having gastrointestinal issues. Come to find out, the NSAIDS were eating a hole in my stomach. Nasty, nasty stuff. I think they're much more dangerous than opiates for long-term pain control. I'm living proof of it.

[Hortensis]

6. Better understanding's a lot of it.

My mom died of an unknown and undiagnosed autoimmune disease we now know she'd had for probably a half century, but her death certificate says congestive heart failure. We only know because a "cascade" of diagnostic tests available now lead to one that definitively diagnosed it in me.

I'm very sorry that your health is causing such huge problems, FirstLight. Hopefully this next year will see you stabilized on your medications. As always, my husband and I will be voting for accelerated medical research, good universal healthcare, and enabling those who can and want to work.

[Sanity Claws]

3. I'm so sorry

[More_Cowbell]

4. I'm sorry!

With luck, they'll still need someone in the position (or a similar one) when you get healthy again. Good luck.

[FirstLight]

8. That's what my teen said, god love him...

He says it's just a speed-bump and we'll be fine good kid.

[renate]

5. I'm really sorry

It sounds like you were really good at your job. This sucks so much for you and the kids.

[oregonjen]

7. I'm sorry. Having been a preschool teacher, I know how schools can be germ

factories. When I first started years ago, I got sick with everything under the sun. As much as I enjoyed it, the kids were sent to school sick, to spread their illness to their classmates and teachers.

Perhaps when you’re up and running, you can find another job similar in its duties. Hope you feel better.

[KCDebbie]

9. Tour's is the best reason ever for taxpayer-funded

Healthcare plan for all that is completely independent of your employer/employment!

The rest of the first world can get this right but NOT the stupid-@$$ US of A!

[FirstLight]

11. I'm not worried about healthcare, thank goodness for MediCal

But the loss of the job is what sucks cuz I really loved it...

[lillypaddle]

10. Damn, that really sucks

Hope, at least, that you start feeling better soon.

[bronxiteforever]

12. I am so sorry. I hope 2019 is better for you.

[rurallib]

13. This just screams out why we need universal health care tomorrow

in a civilized country yours problem would never have gotten this far. But if it did, you could see the doctor and get the meds you need today.

Didn't mean to hijack your thread. My heart has a lot of sympathy for you, but this BS situation must be fixed.

[former9thward]

24. In post #11 the OP says she is not worried about healthcare.

[rso]

14. Job

So sorry to hear that. I know the feeling , it has happened to me at least twice in my life. But the anguish does decrease with time, and be sure that the day will come when it becomes just another series of events in your life. Meanwhile, take care and get better.

[ZeroSomeBrains]

15. This type of situation is exactly what scares the pants off me

I really hope you can find something just as good or better. I'm doing well but a situation like that would be a disaster for me. Good luck on the job hunt and try and stay positive. Look for a local food pantry for some free food as well. I have worked there before and they have more than a lot of people think they do.

[diva77]

18. So very sorry for your situation!

You probably already thought of this: could you at least salvage a written recommendation/referral from them?

Here's hoping you heal quickly!

[FirstLight]

22. not sure

It's a really small town and lots of people know each other anyway. The Boys & Girls Club is pretty entwined with the District, which is how I got the job to begin with.

I guess the first thing to do is just get well

[W_HAMILTON]

19. Do you not qualify for FMLA?

[FirstLight]

30. apparently not with the district

you have to have worked for them for 12 months or 1250 hours...

[irisblue]

20. I am so sorry this happened

I really really respect your drive & passion.

[Honeycombe8]

21. I'm so sorry. I hope your health improves. That sucks.

Is it something you'll recover from eventually, or is this an ongoing illness that will just be managed? Just wondering if you'll have to deal with this continually, affecting your future jobs.

[FirstLight]

29. Autoimmune is for life

I have been on the current meds for 12 years and they just stopped working, sending me into a flare-up of epic proportions...so now I am at square one waiting for new meds to get approved...

[Honeycombe8]

33. I'm so sorry. Will you be able to hold down a permanent full time job, you think?

My niece has spells that prevents her from having a good career. They're sort of like seizures, but sometimes she just stares into space and zones out, not present. It's not epilepsy. Doctors don't know what it is. It stopped her from finishing college and keeping her job.

I hope you can find a field where you could miss more work than normal and it not be held against you. If you can manage your condition with meds.

Maybe something you can do from home. Customer service, where you use your own computer and take customer calls, maybe. Altho that is probably high stress. I wish you well, though.

[FirstLight]

35. ...

I'm looking into teaching a class for the local charter school, then it would be once a week and only a few kids at a time. I have a background in Journalism, so I cold do essay writing for college teaching or tutoring.

I also still have my PT gig at Boys & Girls Club, so I will still get to see "my kids" and they are the reason I survive

This is my 3rd time in as many years being on temp disability...think I might need a disability lawyer and file for permanent partial disability. I'm pushing 50 years old and working more than 30 hours a week sends me into a tailspin every time... Not to mention being a single mom of teens and having elderly parents who have issues so I'm pretty stressed

[Honeycombe8]

38. I didn't know there was perm. partial disability.

My sister just got on permanent disability. She had a number of health issues. She was a dealer at a casino, requiring her to stand her entire shift. She cont'd to do it for years, but would miss more and more work. Never more than the days allotted to her, but requiring her to call in without prior notice. Despite having worked there for years, they just fired her earlier this year, for that reason. She's in her 50's. She walks with a cane. Her chances of getting another full time job were almost nonexistent.

She got a disab. lawyer and applied for disability. She got it, thank goodness. I didn't ask details, but I'm sure it's not much money. But it's something, since she really can't hold down a full time job due to her illnesses. I don't know the laws, but I hope she is allowed to work part time so she can make more money, if she can find something she can handle.

I've never heard of partial disability, but I hope you can get that. And with your other part time jobs, you will be okay. A background in journalism is interesting. At least you have some skills and/or education and experience. It sounds like you'll be fine.

Hugs from a fellow Democrat!

[misanthrope]

23. Sorry to hear

I can relate to your predicament as I have health issues which impair my ability to work. I also know from occasional experience that a job you love is worth more than the money.

[cilla4progress]

26. VERY sorry!

Sounds like they lost a good one.

It's bullcrap and inhumane. You deserve better. As do your kids.

[Glamrock]

27. I'm sorry man (or sister, as the case may be)

That's terrible. Sending my best vibes your way (for all the good that'll do). But you do has me condolences....

[backtoblue]

28. Sending you some DU magic dust...

I hope things improve for you.

[FirstLight]

31. thanks!

I'll take that magic!

[Marrah_Goodman]

32. I am so sorry :(

[WeekiWater]

34. I am so very sorry.

Not really the time to tell you what to do but I’m going to mention two things. Don’t burn any bridges if the rule is set in stone and try to maintain contact. If you loved it that much many of them probably have a great appreciation for you. Too many people think of an ending like this in absolute terms when the truth is we often have no idea if the stars will one day align.

I wish you the best. You sound like a wonderful person. You are probably already doing what I mentioned above.

[FirstLight]

37. thanks...

Well, being in a small town where teachers and Boys & Girls Club and many parents are teachers who have kids at club, is kinda how I got the job...we all know eachother and they definitely know I love the kids and doing that work. The HR gal is actually one of my "parents" at club so I know she knows I am not just being a flake. She even said to keep watching the job board for the district for when I get better...

I'm just bummed that my body couldn't seem to sustain the two job schedule for more than a few months...then again, my stress levels are that much more, etc, it was a matter of time and circumstances for the meds to crap out...

[demtenjeep]

36. I am so sorry. I have been where you are

I am holding you in my thoughts

[badhair77]

39. I am so sorry for your current situation.

I hope you find some relief from your health issues. And who knows, maybe you’ll find a better job that fits your time frame.

[JudyM]

40. Hoping your next gig makes you happy, too, and that it comes your way soon.

Be well.