Sandi

I saw that you quit on FB. Are you going to look for something new, or go on Disability? I've been looking for work since April and right now, nobody is hiring up here. Our Prime Minister says our economy is very good, but I don't know where!

I am going to do nothing for a while. I've been struggling for 7 years to keep going and it caught up with me. Right now I'm working with a few stress fractures in my foot, remnants of a month long battle with bronchitis and medication side effects. It's been one thing after another all year. I need to get my body back. As much as I hate to do it, I am going to apply for disability. It's been a really hard decision because I've been so stubborn about working, but my husband is worried that if I don't quit, I will continue to decline. I'm not that old!

I'll find ways to keep busy (photography) and may go to work part-time eventually.

What kind of job are you looking for?

Sandi, it's usually you giving advice to us. Now I am giving you some - I was in the same situation as you ten years ago. I was eventually so sick I had to go on disability - fortunately I had help and support which it seems you have. I am still on full time disability and doing volunteer work and doing things I never had time (through work, family and prednisone!!) genealogy, gardening, Tai Chi and so on and so on, now I am enjoying myself and feeling much, much better. My disability is still paid as long as I do some volunteer work, and I choose the work. It takes a while to adjust to not having the routine we have had for years but it's worth it. I still have ITP but it doesn't seem so bad.
Take Care of yourself, after all you are with you until your last days and they are better later than earlier.
Hugs and lots of Platelets, Christine
I have ITP, ITP doesn't have me.
Cindy, You're right about the economy with the gas prices going up drastically last night. I'm an official senior in a couple of months so I'm not sure what will happen then. Must think positive thoughts!

I think I am finally comfortable with the decision. I've realized in the past year that all I do is work....rarely go out of the house after work or on weekends. If I do have somewhere to go, it's a major ordeal because I'm just not up to it. My Mom lives 10 minutes away and I only go there about twice a year. My daughter moved out 3 1/2 years ago, 40 minutes away, and I've only been there about six times. Is this how I want to live the rest of my life? No fun, no enjoyment, just constant exhaustion. Uh, no. I come home from work and drop. Everyone around me is pulling the load and it's taking a toll on them too. I don't feel useful; I feel like I'm in the way. It has to stop.

Hey Sandi,
I am so relieved for you. I have been very concerned about your situation for a long time & am glad you can re-balance your life some.
Sandi, you give so much to everyone here. Know that your knowledge, encouragement & support is very much appreciated by all, including some of us who've been around a long time.
Your health & family are the most important things for you. Hopefully you will feel less stressed & able to enjoy spending precious time with your family & friends now. Wishing you restored health & much peace.
mj

I came to the same conclusion three years ago and gave up full-time work. I got so tired of either being at work or asleep in bed that I gave it all up, moved house to where I really wanted to be and have only worked part-time since. Now I'm stable on Nplate I could probably go back to full-time work but I don't want to. I love having time to myself and time to do things. Life shouldn't be about just work although for many it is.

Sandi, right now I'll take just about anything I can get! Times are really tough here right now. We've had to move into a smaller place. The stress was so bad, my counts took a nose dive a couple of months ago. I've still got a few bruises, but my counts are decent again.

I've been away from the forums for a while, are the stress fractures in your foot something new? I'm glad you're going to take some time for yourself.

Christine, I think our gas price went up by 5 cents today; at least I was told that's what it was going up. Harper needs to visit all the Provinces and then say, the economy is good!

If it was something that would pass, I'd keep going. This hasn't been weeks or months....it's been years. My muscles are so weak that I am failing simple muscle strength tests. I'm wiped out before I even get to work. Too many days I can't find the right words to talk, so I avoid phone calls at work (which is not acceptable). I'm drugged up on pain meds, plus the dead brain that Methotrexate causes. I am one who never calls off of work. Ever. Maybe once year. I never missed work because of ITP even when counts were low or Prednisone was high (except for Rituxan days). But this year, I have far surpassed my allotment of sick time and vacation days. Co-workers are taking work from me to lighten the load. Not fair.

Cindy - I've had the stress fractures for 2 months now, but just got diagnosed. Part of the delay was me just hoping it would go away, so I ignored it. Today I got a boot that I get to lug around for the next month. I hope you find a job soon!

Ann - how nice that you rearranged your life the way you wanted it to be. Not everyone can do that.

MJ - thanks, I appreciate that. We'll see how it goes!