I know I promised you all a blog on travel tips and my journey to the new world – okay, to the new smudge mark on the map of a town. But, I have not had time by to scribble a few notes down on paper.
Why? Well, I fell into a job! Yep, you read that correctly. They person that could not get unemployment because they said I was too sick to look for work and maintain that level of job, so they did not give me benefits, got a job! That same person that tried to get disability, since I was so sick, then got denied… got a job! Okay, technically, I would still qualify for disability, as my income is still less than the amount required for cut-off. But still, it’s a job.
Nope, that’s not me in the pic. Sorry gang!
How did it happen? This is a great story. So, pour a cup of tea and snuggle in!
I was working on our budget after my husband received his first paycheck after we relocated. To my dismay, we are short every month. We have two options: use the savings we have from the sale of our home to supplement us or I find a job. Say what?! After some thinking I decided I could apply to do some sort of part time filing job. I need something that is low in hours and easy to do. These two requests, should keep my nausea from going too wild. As a reminder, I can not take any medications for my gastroparesis. Therefore, I have a very ridged schedule to stick to. This includes foods, liquids, sleep times, stress levels as well as supplements and so on. There was no way I could go back to the high stress type of job I had before (Claims Manager for an Insurance Co).
I got my resume in order, hooked up the printer and printed out my new life. There were a few great options I found on line via the local job center. Only catch was, I had to go to their office and fill out specific applications and do some testing. Ugg. Really?! I put on some nice clothes (skirt, for my tummy that can expand at any moment), mapped where on earth I had to go for this, hopped in the car with a few resumes and in less than 2 minutes was at the door of the job center. That was easy. I found what the applications I needed and a guy told me that they do not set up appointments for the testing, it’s first come, first serve. I said I would be back tomorrow. Which I did, with all 6 of the applications all filled out and ready for them to do what ever they wanted with them. That morning I did receive a rejection of a job that was located 60 miles (one-way) away. That was a happy-sad moment. I could not imagine that in the winter. My heart was set on a filing job for the County Sheriffs Office. The testing center was open, so 45 minutes later I did all 5 of their stupid tests and was happy with the results — pat on the back! My scores were above average and I was very proud. The gal was going to send off the apps to the specific places and all I get to do is weight!
I drove to the store for some last minute items for dinner. When headed out of the parking lot I saw the building across the road and had an urge to go in and see if they had any openings. Sitting at the stop sign with the building directly in front of me, I decided what the heck, I look good today, might as well. I parked, almost left the car running, but didn’t and went inside. I ask if there were any openings and the young gal said there was. She asked if I was willing to do the application now and she would have the manager come see me. Umm… okay. In my head I was thinking about what in the car could spoil. I told her this was a little unexpected and told her I had to run back to my car for my resume. I had just one left. Wow, this is going better than expected. Since I had filled out 6 applications the night before, I knew most of the answers to these questions too! I’m on a roll. I sat and waited for the manager. Then I noticed she was giving a tour to some people and wondered on much longer will this be? I gave it a little longer, then gave in and walked back to the front desk. The guy behind the counter said she would be with me very soon. So, I plopped myself on a couch, grab the free newspaper and a cup of mint tea. Finally, the gal came in and was very up-beat and out-going. I liked her. We chatted like we were old friends. She didn’t ask the normal questions for an interview, these were more of what she needs at the front desk and to see if I could fill that void. She was very happy with my resume and all that I have done. She was even more excited that I wanted part time, as that is what is needed right now. A person to fill in for vacations, sick leave and a few days. I told her I was willing to be on call and even work the late shift, as I understand that is not too popular in some business’s. She was thrilled. Furthermore, she hoped she could use me in an accounting position too. Basically everything that she does, she wants me to learn… is what she said.
WOW… pinch me…. is this really happening?!!
I accepted the job offer she verbally gave me, even though I didn’t know the pay or much of the details. I told her I just handed in 6 applications to the job center. She told me to let her know if something I find better is offered, but she would be heart broken. I received a few offers, but none of which I wanted to take. And no, the job I had my heart set on never called or e-mailed me. Oh well!
After the verbal offer and I accepted, she continued to tell me about a person she has on staff that needs to go to the doctor a lot. It’s nothing dire, but that leaves them short a person and it would be great if I could fill in on those days. That was a good opening for me to tell her I have gastroparesis. It’s a personal choice to say it up front. But since I was already offered the job, accepted and she is now telling me personal stuff, I felt the need. I almost fell on the floor when I didn’t have to explain GP, she already knew about it and was concerned for me. Later, I found out she was a nurse and has diabetes along with tummy issues, so who knows how she knew about it, but thankfully she does and that part of my life is out in the open. I told her I have had it mostly under control and seem to have a few bad days a month. That I didn’t know if it was because I was out of a stressful job for a while now, that I am learning my triggers, or a combination. She talked about the stress of the job and that it is okay to come grab her or another person if I need to step away. She was so caring, I almost cried. My prior job of 16 years was never that way when it came to the work we do.
I was asked if I could come in the next day to do l the legal paperwork with the General Manager. I was there and come to find out he worked for an insurance company and was so excited with all my work history. He even made the comment that he was excited to have a person like me on board. Very nice man. Later I found out that my husband is this guy’s daughter’s manager. What a turn of events!
The next day I got a call from the new work place and they needed me to answer some of the normal interview questions so she could write them down and send it off to their corp office. I had been thinking about it the night before and had some good answers picked out for the normal questions they ask. Thank goodness I did, as I needed that info!
My first day of training started Monday at 7am. I had told her that mornings are not very good for me, due to the high nausea. She was sorry to hear that and wanted to know if I wanted to work something else. I said no, I need to learn all the shifts (as she intended). Well Monday went fine, it was the next day that my head was in the toilet and I had to call in sick. If it was just high nausea, I would have tried to do it. But there was no way I could go in like that and the bathroom is so darn far away! I hoped by afternoon, I would be better and could clock a few hours of training, but no. So I called her directly and she was very short with me. For the rest of the night I panicked. I loved the first day and wanted to work there. Otherwise, I would not have cared.
Wednesday was my day off and I nursed myself back to health…so to speak. Thursday was training on a different shift. At least that one was slow and I liked it for the most part. Gave me time to learn the ropes a little bit. The manager was in and she wanted to ‘talk’… oh crap. Mainly she was concerned that the mornings were going to be too hard on me. I told her I thought it might have been nerves and a new food that I tried. Well, not exactly a new food, but rather a new brand of the same food. Even a brand switch can upset my system. I explained that I was very upset I could not come in, that I loved it here and do want to work here. After that her and I were back on the same page.
Friday (the 13th) was the late shift and I was asked to run it myself as my trainee sat in the back office (goofing off), in case I needed him. I did a couple of times, but handled the psycho guest all by myself. Even though the night shift is GP friendly (for me), it is so dang boring and it’s hard to sleep when I get home.
Monday and Tuesday I am back to the morning shift. The manager said she was going to put me down for 8a (instead of 7am) since that is the latest she can schedule me to come in for that shift and hoped that, that would help my tummy. Can a manager get any better than that?! I’m not sure if it will help or not, but I didn’t want to make a fuss to her kindness.
Typically I am given 1 day off after working 2 days, to insure I get rest and not push my GP. But this week is a little crazy and she wondered if I would help them out by working Wed late shift and having Thur off. Well… I have told her, “I will not know, unless I try”. The guy to work that shift was asked to come in early and she hopes I will be okay on my own, so he can leave early. I assume that is why he pushed me so hard on Friday night.
There is a ton that I do not know, but I will have phone numbers to ask people and can tell guests that the morning staff will get back to them (if it’s nothing urgent). I have bluffed my way through a lot with my former job, I am sure I will do just fine with this client base too!
Right now all I ask is that my tummy please continue to be good and all will be well!! I love being around people again and feeling like I have a purpose in life. And I don’t want that to read wrong. I have all of you and love all the advocacy work I do for gastroparesis (along with chronic illness in general), but being home alone gets old real fast. My bird is good company, but not enough.
So, with the odd hours I have to work, I am afraid I will not be on as much as I have been. But, that does not mean I am not here for you. I will always be here and I will also continue to fight for all of us!
Did you drink all of your tea? Haha, told you it was a long story, which I hope will inspire you to do all that you can too!!
Melissa's GP Fight - Gastroparesis 