Stress and MC- good news for me

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:19 am

After an eight month wait for a job change, it has finally happened. After 16 years with my current employer, I now have two days left on the job. It has been a whirlwind and I am waiting still waiting on a determination of separation benefits which may get nasty but I am moving on to job that has me very excited for the change. Sadly, it is less money than I am making now but I decided I had no choice but to put more worth to health and happiness. That was the hardest choice ever and it's been rattling in my head for many months.

I start on Wednesday and have been fortunate to have been allowed to work there on a handful of occassions to try it out. The management is supportive and seems like a total 180 from where I'm at now. I am nervous about things I know will work into a routine but in 16 years I could get to work in less than three minutes now I will have to drive across town, I will actually have to think about making a lunch where before I have always came home for lunch and made it fresh. After 11 1/2 years behind a desk, I will finally be back into a shop/warehouse environment. It is a big change but I look foward to my steel toes and jeans and can't stop grinning at the fact I won't have to answer phones and faciliate customer service anymore (all which are generally complaints). I am walking away from four weeks vacation and a maxed out sick leave bank but can earn equivilant benefits in time. I will be working outdoors and managing stock in a freezer that is kept at -12 degrees. I've been in the public works department before and was ok with frigid Wisconsin winters but that was all prior to my MC and thyroid issues. I am now about 15 pounds lighter and still have issues regulating my body temp so I am a bit nervous about that. But it is also a work environment that I have longed to get back to for a very long time so I figure attitude and preparedness will get me through it. I have my arsenal of winter bibs, boots, gloves, layers of jackets, etc packed and ready to go. I may look like an idiot bundled to the max but as long as I stay warm, I'm good! I figure I will need to keep my winter attire there year round and will have to crawl into my bibs in the middle of July but you do whatever it takes, right? Eating breakfast and taking my meds will have to be coordinated differently. Currently I'm up between 4-5AM and have until 7:30 AM before I leave the house. I can take my thyroid meds, wait to eat, eat, poop 4-5 times and leave the house good to go. Now I will need to leave the house around 5:30 am which upsets the routine. Very nervous about that.

I'm hoping to find an improvement with my D since the major stressor in my life will be gone (old job). Recently, I made it 42 days off entocort before I had to go back on. Prior to that it was 23 days when I tried. I'm back to taking one pill about every third day and I am seeing semi Normans regularly. I'm hoping once I get through this transition I will be able to shoot for 60 days off, haha.

nerdhume · Post by **nerdhume** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:28 am

Deb,
I am so excited for you. Hope all goes well on the new job and hope the lessened stress will help the MC.

JFR · Post by **JFR** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 8:12 am

Great news Deb! May it be smooth stress free sailing once you work out the changes in your routine and the ins and outs of your new job.

Jean

Post by **tex** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:51 pm

Deb,

I believe you made a wise choice. Most people just take the money and assume that they have made the best choice. But after their health heads south, and they begin to spend more and more time and money trying to regain their health, what have they gained, other than additional worries and more health problems that will probably plague them for the rest of their lives?

Sometimes it seems that the higher pay associated with more stressful work only briefly passes through our bank account, on its way to its final resting place in the fat bank accounts of stockholders in the medical and pharmaceutical industries.

I realized long ago that it just isn't worth it, and I reined in my ambitions. "Lowered expectations" may not sound cool, but IMO it is much safer (much more health-friendly), and it leads to improved quality of life (and therefore more happiness) in the long run.

Welcome to the club of overachievers who are now much happier (and healthier) underachievers.

Tex

JFR · Post by **JFR** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 1:29 pm

tex wrote: I realized long ago that it just isn't worth it, and I reined in my ambitions. "Lowered expectations" may not sound cool, but IMO it is much safer (much more health-friendly), and it leads to improved quality of life (and therefore more happiness) in the long run.

Welcome to the club of overachievers who are now much happier (and healthier) underachievers.

Tex

Life got much better for me when I was able to let go of the need to be "successful". I'd rather be healthy.

Jean

ldubois7 · Post by **ldubois7** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:02 pm

Good for you, Deb! When I retired from teaching in the public school system, I felt I started healing better.

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 3:21 pm

Congratulations! Great luck on your transition! Money isn't everything. My ideal job would allow for some movement in the day--it is much healthier than being at a desk 8 hours a day. :yourock:

Brandy

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 5:48 pm

Congratulations, Deb! It is definitely worth it. I have been considering making a job change for well over a year, so I understand how being undecided can be stressful. I am certain I want to leave the job I am at now, but haven't found what appeals to me yet. I agree with Brandy... I need to find something that will allow for movement during the day. Sitting at a desk 8 hours a day is not healthy at all IMO. Best of luck to you. Hope your transition goes smooth for you.

Paula

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 5:58 pm

Deb,
the change in routine may take a bit to get used too, albeit, the reduction in stress for the 8 hours or so each day will provide way way more benefit....

Your body will thank you for it....
Lots of hugs and energy for the transition

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 6:05 pm

Good for you, Deb. Follow your heart and keep stress at bay. Tex is right and I agree that less is more.

Wishing you a smooth transition and much happiness in your new job. Also wishing you Norman on a regular basis.

Sheila W

CathyMe. · Post by **CathyMe.** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:00 am

Congratulations and good luck Deb!

twirlitgirl · Post by **twirlitgirl** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:31 am

best of luck with your new job and for making that courageous move, happy for you. Go Deb Go !!!!!!

Lora

lisaw · Post by **lisaw** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 7:53 pm

Best of luck, Deb, it sounds like it will be a great environment and change!

Lisa

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 7:35 pm

Good luck on your life change, Deb. I hope all goes well for you. I'm at that point in my life, too. What is life if every day is filled with stress? I am ready for less!

Marcia

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 4:49 am

Thank you all for the encouragement.

It was a difficult choice to make but I saw myself only going downhill if I stayed. The job is a perfect fit now- I get to play with the forklift and organize to my heart's desire. My OCD has proven to be an advantage for once, haha. I love the work and can't stop smiling- I have left all the politics and drama behind. My only problem is I have been on my rear for 11 1/2 years and my 20 year old mind is way ahead of my mid 40 year old body. I am on my feet all day and dong more physical lifting than I have done in a very long time. I hurt from head to toe. I know there will be an adjustment period but I feel ancient! I lost a lot of muscle mass after getting sick and will need to work on that now. I am about 15 pounds lighter and am focusing on my protein. I know it will come in time. Packing my lunch has become less stressful and I am no longer petrified to eat at work because I'm wondering how my stomach will handle it. Training is always difficult because there aren't as many opportunities to break away if needed but things have been fine. The suggestion of bringing a set of spare clothes just in case was a great one. I think I am beyond that now but better safe than sorry. I am excited what the next few months will bring as far as my entocort use. I am back to a pill every third or forth day. I hope to report back that the biggest missing piece of my puzzle was stress.