A few weeks ago, I was in WA, DC and while it was not the hottest degrees I have ever been in, it was the highest temps and humidity I have ever experienced. I seemed to do OK, but by the end of the week, I started to have some stomach symptoms that could have been one of three things:
1. Heat getting to me
2. Effects of upping my medication in certain areas
3. I caught some sort of illness
I got home and I rested for a couple days, and I seemed to get better. But of course, with treatment, comes changes in medication again and Seattle weather got hot (for Seattle weather), and my stomach got upset again. So the three things were all options again.
The other thing I have been discovering with the hotter temps is that I have absolute zero appetite to eat. And that is a really really bad thing. Even trying to force food down is awful. I actually start to feel gag reflexes. For all this medicine to work, I need to be eating.
Luckily, I had an appointment scheduled with my nutritionist and we brained stormed some ideas. Smoothies are actually an OK option with a protein pack. But I have nothing at home to make smoothies, and I have no desire to spend money buying something. Especially when I might be having to downsize soon. But other things like yogurt and cottage cheese and even more snackie things have seemed to help some. Meeting people for lunch has helped quite a bit as long as I can eat slowly.
The other good news is another 6 weeks is almost up and I have my blood draw bright and early Monday morning. I won't get the results until I get back from a vacation, but I am hoping we have some progress, and even if we don't, I know my doctor has some plans for a different route. I don't have to do any changes in what my current med setup is until then. So I have plenty of time to get my body used to this current med setup, So there should be no issues for my vacation! That is a relief!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
When Eating Becomes the Obession
It has been awhile, but with travel and work, things can get crazy. But I read an interesting article I will link in a little while. My quick thoughts for the day deal with food and how athletes think about eating.
When we think of fat people, we think about how all they do is eat, eat, eat. We never think about the people who obsess over what they are not eating or what they will eat in front of people and what they will not eat later or how long they will go before they will eat again and so on.
This is where I will present a Gymnastics eating disorder article and show how it comes into play:
http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/girls-gymnastics-when-a-bright-spotlight-casts-a-dark-shadow
Notice how figure skating is mentioned.
What probably helped throw my metabolism way out of whack was the horrible nutrition and exercise training that happened during my figure skating years. 5+ hours of training a day, eating as little as possible (broccoli and ice diet was a major fad in my day), and embarrassing weigh ins in front of everyone.
In the area where I trained, there were not too many male coaches, but mostly female coaches and they seemed to be the worst. These women preyed on young girls and their fears. They knew how to get into the heads of all of us.
So while there is a huge focus on Bulimia and Anorexia (and there should be), there also needs to be a focus on people who don't have these life threatening illnesses/diseases, but also have eating disorders/metabolic problems that have happened because of poor coaching and nutritional training. Funny how ice skating coaches demanded parents buy high priced sports physiologists for the skaters to be at the top of their games, but not sports medicine folks/nutritionists. Maybe it is because those folks would have called their bluffs!
When we think of fat people, we think about how all they do is eat, eat, eat. We never think about the people who obsess over what they are not eating or what they will eat in front of people and what they will not eat later or how long they will go before they will eat again and so on.
This is where I will present a Gymnastics eating disorder article and show how it comes into play:
http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/girls-gymnastics-when-a-bright-spotlight-casts-a-dark-shadow
Notice how figure skating is mentioned.
What probably helped throw my metabolism way out of whack was the horrible nutrition and exercise training that happened during my figure skating years. 5+ hours of training a day, eating as little as possible (broccoli and ice diet was a major fad in my day), and embarrassing weigh ins in front of everyone.
In the area where I trained, there were not too many male coaches, but mostly female coaches and they seemed to be the worst. These women preyed on young girls and their fears. They knew how to get into the heads of all of us.
So while there is a huge focus on Bulimia and Anorexia (and there should be), there also needs to be a focus on people who don't have these life threatening illnesses/diseases, but also have eating disorders/metabolic problems that have happened because of poor coaching and nutritional training. Funny how ice skating coaches demanded parents buy high priced sports physiologists for the skaters to be at the top of their games, but not sports medicine folks/nutritionists. Maybe it is because those folks would have called their bluffs!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Lack of Common Sense: Travel Prob #1
I leave soon for a trip. I have two problems with airplane travel. The first one is having to keep my medication cool. I will deal with that soon. But I tried to tackle the second one a week ago. I have to inject said medicine with pen needles.
I am supposed to dispose of these needles in a proper manner. That means having my very own Sharps container. What is that? Well it is that hazardous waste container you usually only see at the docs office. I have my very own right now. It is a 3 quart version. It was the smallest my QFC had available for purchase.
So I went to another store that I frequent sometimes to and from work. I never get prescriptions from their pharmacy and thought I would ask their advice on how to get a smaller Sharp's container. They said they could only order a 1 quart container. My pen needles are only about 3 centimeters by 3 centimeters. I don't need to travel with such a large container. And that takes up a ton of space for a carry on. And you are supposed to travel with all your meds and supplies with carry on.
I got home and checked online. Sure enough. There is nothing smaller than a Quart that is hazardous waste appropriate. At the pharmacy, I asked what they suggested. The guy said, If I was your friend and not your pharmacist, I would tell you to take an old prescription bottle and store them in there until you get home and then put them in your Sharps container.
I am going to pretend he was my friend and do this. But if I had money, I would create my own Sharps travel product. There are enough travelers in the world that would benefit from something like this that is cheap. I am just flabbergast there is not a container already out there. Sheesh!
I am supposed to dispose of these needles in a proper manner. That means having my very own Sharps container. What is that? Well it is that hazardous waste container you usually only see at the docs office. I have my very own right now. It is a 3 quart version. It was the smallest my QFC had available for purchase.
So I went to another store that I frequent sometimes to and from work. I never get prescriptions from their pharmacy and thought I would ask their advice on how to get a smaller Sharp's container. They said they could only order a 1 quart container. My pen needles are only about 3 centimeters by 3 centimeters. I don't need to travel with such a large container. And that takes up a ton of space for a carry on. And you are supposed to travel with all your meds and supplies with carry on.
I got home and checked online. Sure enough. There is nothing smaller than a Quart that is hazardous waste appropriate. At the pharmacy, I asked what they suggested. The guy said, If I was your friend and not your pharmacist, I would tell you to take an old prescription bottle and store them in there until you get home and then put them in your Sharps container.
I am going to pretend he was my friend and do this. But if I had money, I would create my own Sharps travel product. There are enough travelers in the world that would benefit from something like this that is cheap. I am just flabbergast there is not a container already out there. Sheesh!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
And I Thought I had it Bad
One of the most demoralizing things that happened in the last year was after I completed my first half marathon and was starting training for my second half marathon. It was actually the tipping point for my general medicine doc to send me to specialists (so I guess it had a silver lining). It was the fact that I had gained 30 pounds.
A little back story. I do not weigh myself anymore. Only once since I stopped figure skating have I attempted to do so and it was as bad as when I was figure skating. I become obsessed. How low can I get the number to go? When I figure skated, we had weekly weigh ins. They were horrible events where you stepped on a scale in front of a whole group of people in a little leotard. I have numerous little tales about abuses that went on during these weigh ins that I think I will keep to myself.
But back to my 30 pounds gained story. I was completely shocked when she gave me this news. I knew I had not lost as much weight as I thought I would with all the training and cutting of food, but never had I thought I had gained weight. I was eating so little at that moment, I did not think I could cut anymore food without getting a completely light-headed feeling that makes you almost feel like you could pass out. That gives you an idea of how much I could cut food out of my life.
Fast forward to meeting with my Metabolic Doctor and relaying these events to her. Once I got through the whole story with a few more details, she started chuckling. Not the reaction I would expect from someone who is an expert in this type of field. And she had been so sensitive before. And then she said, "You think you have it bad? I have another patient who was sent to me because she was training for an Iron Man competition and gained 80 pounds."
Well that pulled all the wind out of my self pity sails. I can only imagine how frustrating that would feel. It is easy to be down in the dumps when you see no one around you having the same troubles you have. Leave it to the doc to give you some perspective!
Capt Mel
A little back story. I do not weigh myself anymore. Only once since I stopped figure skating have I attempted to do so and it was as bad as when I was figure skating. I become obsessed. How low can I get the number to go? When I figure skated, we had weekly weigh ins. They were horrible events where you stepped on a scale in front of a whole group of people in a little leotard. I have numerous little tales about abuses that went on during these weigh ins that I think I will keep to myself.
But back to my 30 pounds gained story. I was completely shocked when she gave me this news. I knew I had not lost as much weight as I thought I would with all the training and cutting of food, but never had I thought I had gained weight. I was eating so little at that moment, I did not think I could cut anymore food without getting a completely light-headed feeling that makes you almost feel like you could pass out. That gives you an idea of how much I could cut food out of my life.
Fast forward to meeting with my Metabolic Doctor and relaying these events to her. Once I got through the whole story with a few more details, she started chuckling. Not the reaction I would expect from someone who is an expert in this type of field. And she had been so sensitive before. And then she said, "You think you have it bad? I have another patient who was sent to me because she was training for an Iron Man competition and gained 80 pounds."
Well that pulled all the wind out of my self pity sails. I can only imagine how frustrating that would feel. It is easy to be down in the dumps when you see no one around you having the same troubles you have. Leave it to the doc to give you some perspective!
Capt Mel
Friday, June 15, 2012
12 Week Check up! Insulin Resistance Factor
Tuesday was my 12 week checkup, but 'all things work' has consumed my time. First piece of news is that nothing is bad. And that is really good news. So here is the updated list of info after 12 weeks of treatment:
- My Cortisol is much lower (this is good)- This improves metabolism a tiny bit, but also helps reduce excess fluid retention.
-Reproductive hormones look OK, but still need to monitor in next few months and watch for PCOS.
-Fasting Glucose best yet and average glucose in normal range (no where near pre-diabetes). This is very very good!
-Vitamin D is getting much better
-B12 and K are very good
-iron levels are much better
-Thyroid is good
- Blood Pressure is a little better
-Insulin resistance is very strong. Test results are showing a need for aggressive medication to untangle the kinks in metabolic machinery. (This is the not so good part of the results).
First, let's go back and investigate Insulin Resistance because people have no clue what it is all about (and don't worry, I will attach my resource links as endnotes because I don't plagiarize). Wikipedia gives us a nice overview. It is a physiological illness where insulin (a hormone) is less effective at lower blood sugar levels. Seems simple on the surface, but how is it different than diabetes? Well Type 2 deals with insulin deficiency (which if insulin resistance is left untreated over time can turn into Type 2 Diabetes, and Type 1 deals with the body not being about to produce insulin.
Marcelle Pick (OB/GYN NP) also has a nice explanation of Insulin Resistance. She talks about if insulin spikes too often by high carbs than your cells and brain will prevent and decrease the amount of insulin receptors. And then "eventually, this prevents glucose from getting into your cells, leading to high blood sugar and depriving your cells of the energy they need to function. This is why many women with insulin resistance experience carbohydrate cravings, fatigue and weight-gain — their cells are literally starving for energy, even when plenty of glucose is available in the blood" (Women to Women). Unfortunately, what she fails to address is other factors that can cause insulin resistance besides just having a lifestyle of unhealthy food and no exercise. Doctors have known for over 20 years there are also genetic factors, environmental factors, and even lack of food, and extreme exercise factors that can cause insulin resistance. Maybe I will save the stuff I have been told about starvation and your mind choosing not to burn energy, but to store fat for a later blog. I hope that helps with insulin resistance.
So what is on the docket for my next 6 weeks (18 weeks of treatment)?
1). Step up treatment approach for insulin resistance
-Add Topiramate (have an interesting story on this drug and Pharmaceuticals and diet pills from the 1970s for a later time).
-This helps lower a NPY neurotransmitter that signals starvation and directly slows the metabolism.
2). Keep increase Victoza to maximum dosage in next 2 weeks. This is the hardest to do because every increase causes nausea for me until my body is used to it.
3). Keep my Metformin the same until Victoza to maximum level then 1 week later start adding in a morning dose.
4). Reduce B12 from 3,000 IU to 2,000 IU daily
5). Reduce Vitamin K from 4,000 IU to 3,000 IU daily
6). Don't change anything else. So keep taking a multi-vitamin, 10,000 IU of Vitamin D, 1,200 IU Omega 3, prescription Iron supplement, Blood Pressure med, and Thyroid Med daily.
Phew.
And modifications will probably happen again. Most of the 6 week checkups are to find out what is working and what needs modification. While the Victoza is definitely helping with my digestion of food, if we can't get it to start helping the insulin resistance, we have another med I will have to try. Breaking the insulin resistance is what is going to be the trickiest, but is what will start having me loose weight (which I know some people are waiting for with bated breath).
It is funny. When someone has a broken arm and is in a cast, no one ever states, "well, it doesn't look like it is being fixed," or right after it is taken out of the cast someone usually does not bellow out, "Oh my, your arm does not look that healthy!" But something my doctor and I talked about is how to deal with naysayers who don't believe I am sick. It is hard when my only improvement has been internally and not externally. Even though I have said from day one that this will take 3-4 years to work out, they think they will see some kind of miracle weight loss over night. This is not the first time my doc has had this conversation. It is one she has had to have time and time again with her metabolic syndrome patients that have obesity as a symptom. Believe it or not, she has metabolic syndrome patients that are not obese, but have a symptoms I thankfully do not have: high cholesterol and clogged arteries. And that is something to be thankful for!
Until next time... when I will have lots of funny tales and anecdotes,
Capt Mel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin_resistance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus
http://www.womentowomen.com/insulinresistance/default.aspx
- My Cortisol is much lower (this is good)- This improves metabolism a tiny bit, but also helps reduce excess fluid retention.
-Reproductive hormones look OK, but still need to monitor in next few months and watch for PCOS.
-Fasting Glucose best yet and average glucose in normal range (no where near pre-diabetes). This is very very good!
-Vitamin D is getting much better
-B12 and K are very good
-iron levels are much better
-Thyroid is good
- Blood Pressure is a little better
-Insulin resistance is very strong. Test results are showing a need for aggressive medication to untangle the kinks in metabolic machinery. (This is the not so good part of the results).
First, let's go back and investigate Insulin Resistance because people have no clue what it is all about (and don't worry, I will attach my resource links as endnotes because I don't plagiarize). Wikipedia gives us a nice overview. It is a physiological illness where insulin (a hormone) is less effective at lower blood sugar levels. Seems simple on the surface, but how is it different than diabetes? Well Type 2 deals with insulin deficiency (which if insulin resistance is left untreated over time can turn into Type 2 Diabetes, and Type 1 deals with the body not being about to produce insulin.
Marcelle Pick (OB/GYN NP) also has a nice explanation of Insulin Resistance. She talks about if insulin spikes too often by high carbs than your cells and brain will prevent and decrease the amount of insulin receptors. And then "eventually, this prevents glucose from getting into your cells, leading to high blood sugar and depriving your cells of the energy they need to function. This is why many women with insulin resistance experience carbohydrate cravings, fatigue and weight-gain — their cells are literally starving for energy, even when plenty of glucose is available in the blood" (Women to Women). Unfortunately, what she fails to address is other factors that can cause insulin resistance besides just having a lifestyle of unhealthy food and no exercise. Doctors have known for over 20 years there are also genetic factors, environmental factors, and even lack of food, and extreme exercise factors that can cause insulin resistance. Maybe I will save the stuff I have been told about starvation and your mind choosing not to burn energy, but to store fat for a later blog. I hope that helps with insulin resistance.
So what is on the docket for my next 6 weeks (18 weeks of treatment)?
1). Step up treatment approach for insulin resistance
-Add Topiramate (have an interesting story on this drug and Pharmaceuticals and diet pills from the 1970s for a later time).
-This helps lower a NPY neurotransmitter that signals starvation and directly slows the metabolism.
2). Keep increase Victoza to maximum dosage in next 2 weeks. This is the hardest to do because every increase causes nausea for me until my body is used to it.
3). Keep my Metformin the same until Victoza to maximum level then 1 week later start adding in a morning dose.
4). Reduce B12 from 3,000 IU to 2,000 IU daily
5). Reduce Vitamin K from 4,000 IU to 3,000 IU daily
6). Don't change anything else. So keep taking a multi-vitamin, 10,000 IU of Vitamin D, 1,200 IU Omega 3, prescription Iron supplement, Blood Pressure med, and Thyroid Med daily.
Phew.
And modifications will probably happen again. Most of the 6 week checkups are to find out what is working and what needs modification. While the Victoza is definitely helping with my digestion of food, if we can't get it to start helping the insulin resistance, we have another med I will have to try. Breaking the insulin resistance is what is going to be the trickiest, but is what will start having me loose weight (which I know some people are waiting for with bated breath).
It is funny. When someone has a broken arm and is in a cast, no one ever states, "well, it doesn't look like it is being fixed," or right after it is taken out of the cast someone usually does not bellow out, "Oh my, your arm does not look that healthy!" But something my doctor and I talked about is how to deal with naysayers who don't believe I am sick. It is hard when my only improvement has been internally and not externally. Even though I have said from day one that this will take 3-4 years to work out, they think they will see some kind of miracle weight loss over night. This is not the first time my doc has had this conversation. It is one she has had to have time and time again with her metabolic syndrome patients that have obesity as a symptom. Believe it or not, she has metabolic syndrome patients that are not obese, but have a symptoms I thankfully do not have: high cholesterol and clogged arteries. And that is something to be thankful for!
Until next time... when I will have lots of funny tales and anecdotes,
Capt Mel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin_resistance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus
http://www.womentowomen.com/insulinresistance/default.aspx
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Anticipation
Next Tuesday, I have my 6 week check in with my doctor. I had my blood draw this last Monday and in total, I will have had 12 weeks of treatment. I must say, many of the things that I was told would happen have come to fruition. I first I had a burst of energy, but now, while I am not exhausted, but definitely tired at the end of the day.
I am still having trouble in the morning with my medicine. I wonder if this will stay the same or get better. I am within .2ml of where I am supposed to be with my injection medicine, but I rarely find relief with the nausea in the morning. I am also supposed to add metformin back into my morning dosage once I am at 1.2ml of victoza.
But, this statement is not one of wanting to call uncle. There are too many positive signs with my treatment. If you ever read the literature you get with your prescriptions, many times it has a statement that is similar to this: Remember your doctor believes this treatment will have more positives outcomes than the negative side effects.
But it is not easy. I am looking at 208 weeks of treatment. I will only have 12 under my belt. And some of my anticipation has to do with my visual appearance. I can't help but be a tad self consciousness. While I don't think I have gained any weight (unlike the first 6 weeks), I don't feel like I have had any significant weight loss. It feels weird to tell people I have to eat a meal. It could be just my own guilt, but I think people are more comfortable (or less judgmental) when they are around fat people who do not eat. I will persevere.
So cross your fingers, hope for the best, and maybe there will be some positive results!
Capt Mel
I am still having trouble in the morning with my medicine. I wonder if this will stay the same or get better. I am within .2ml of where I am supposed to be with my injection medicine, but I rarely find relief with the nausea in the morning. I am also supposed to add metformin back into my morning dosage once I am at 1.2ml of victoza.
But, this statement is not one of wanting to call uncle. There are too many positive signs with my treatment. If you ever read the literature you get with your prescriptions, many times it has a statement that is similar to this: Remember your doctor believes this treatment will have more positives outcomes than the negative side effects.
But it is not easy. I am looking at 208 weeks of treatment. I will only have 12 under my belt. And some of my anticipation has to do with my visual appearance. I can't help but be a tad self consciousness. While I don't think I have gained any weight (unlike the first 6 weeks), I don't feel like I have had any significant weight loss. It feels weird to tell people I have to eat a meal. It could be just my own guilt, but I think people are more comfortable (or less judgmental) when they are around fat people who do not eat. I will persevere.
So cross your fingers, hope for the best, and maybe there will be some positive results!
Capt Mel
Thursday, May 31, 2012
What Are Your Rights: What Should They Be!?
Being a teacher who is involved with the political side of things, it is amazing how many people scoff at the idea of getting involved with their membership to the union, helping out with their profession, or anything else that is outside of their own classrooms. That is, until they actually need the help, and boy, they want the best help from their representation that they can get!
So why start a post on my health adventures this way? Well... when many people encounter health issues that need more than a doc once or twice a year, their health insurance and medical leave becomes very very important. As it has for me.
My doctor's office is only open Monday through Thursday 7:30am to 5pm. To put things into perspective, I have to be at work by 7am and while my contracted day is done at 2:30pm, many times I have mandatory meetings until at least 3:30pm. I am lucky to leave at 3pm on an average day. I have an hour afternoon commute. It is taxing to get to a 4pm appointment (usually the last one they will schedule). Every six weeks, I have to have a fasting blood test. The earliest I can get in is 7:30am. I have to take a 1/2 sick leave day.
You might wonder why this is a big deal if I have the sick leave. It shouldn't be a big deal. As long as I have all my ducks in a row, it should not matter. But funny thing is, many employers might give you the sick leave, but I don't think they actually expect you to use it... ever.
But it gets even worse. I think employers will talk about the value of having that leave and not coming to work sick, yada yada yada, but when it is actually used, have a totally different attitude. There is a disconnect. I have also had the expereince of working at a science museum where if you had a job with sick leave entitlement, you could never take it because to call in sick meant there was no one to cover for you. We ran our schedules that thin. I remember many a night being so sick, I would sneak naps in some of the exhibits until I was needed to cash out a cashier because there was no one who could fill my position. It would mean overtime for someone else or the person doing the day shift staying all night. It was virtually impossible to use. And of course, you could never cash it out when you left. Use it or loose it. And at least at my science museum job, there were pretty strict rules about how you could use it. I had something like 4 weeks of sick leave accumulated by the time I had put in my notice. I thought about saying this is the last day I will work, I will take sick leave for four weeks and then my resignation would be the next day. Alas, against the rules.
So what do you do if you have an employer/boss who starts grumbling about the attendance of employees and you know some who have been legitimately out because of health and using sick leave? Do you confront the person and remind him/her of the rules? Or do you keep quiet and avoid the potential wrath of the person? What do you do if you are the person who needs to use the sick leave for medical purposes?
I get 12 full sick days a year. I can accumulate up to 180 total sick days. I am no where near close. I got paid today, and I have 40 days of sick leave. To be fair, I have used 7.5 sick days this year. But several of those were for sinus/ear/throat infections. Since my treatments, I have not been physically sick once! If I had taken zero sick days in my career, I could have 96 days accumulated.
But that brings up an interesting point. I feel people should use sick leave if they have it. Not willy nilly or against the rules, but for a mental health day here and there as they so chose. I have always felt stress is bad on the body and I am learning even more about stress related health effects. Right now, get me really stressed and the next day, I will show you hives on my arms. Yup.
I have been pretty straight forward with the big boss at my work. I have been upfront with my diagnosis and told her it was a 3-4 year treatment. I thought she understood I would be gone for a 1/2 day here and there every six weeks. Now I am not sure if the bosses really understood what that meant. Do I say something else? I am going to choose not to say anything. Well, only if I am asked because our summer shut down is coming close and maybe I will wait till we start back. Why stir the pot if it is not at the boiling point?
From my general experience, it seems that Human Resource departments are not really Human and not really a Resource for the employee, but only for the employer. So if you don't have a union to watch out for our rights as an employee, who will protect you!? I don't really have to worry about my medical rights being taken away because I know I have help. But when I worked at other jobs, I felt very vulnerable and taken advantage of by my employers at different times.
Let's take it back another step. Forget about individual employers, but what should be universal human rights!?
Capt Mel
So why start a post on my health adventures this way? Well... when many people encounter health issues that need more than a doc once or twice a year, their health insurance and medical leave becomes very very important. As it has for me.
My doctor's office is only open Monday through Thursday 7:30am to 5pm. To put things into perspective, I have to be at work by 7am and while my contracted day is done at 2:30pm, many times I have mandatory meetings until at least 3:30pm. I am lucky to leave at 3pm on an average day. I have an hour afternoon commute. It is taxing to get to a 4pm appointment (usually the last one they will schedule). Every six weeks, I have to have a fasting blood test. The earliest I can get in is 7:30am. I have to take a 1/2 sick leave day.
You might wonder why this is a big deal if I have the sick leave. It shouldn't be a big deal. As long as I have all my ducks in a row, it should not matter. But funny thing is, many employers might give you the sick leave, but I don't think they actually expect you to use it... ever.
But it gets even worse. I think employers will talk about the value of having that leave and not coming to work sick, yada yada yada, but when it is actually used, have a totally different attitude. There is a disconnect. I have also had the expereince of working at a science museum where if you had a job with sick leave entitlement, you could never take it because to call in sick meant there was no one to cover for you. We ran our schedules that thin. I remember many a night being so sick, I would sneak naps in some of the exhibits until I was needed to cash out a cashier because there was no one who could fill my position. It would mean overtime for someone else or the person doing the day shift staying all night. It was virtually impossible to use. And of course, you could never cash it out when you left. Use it or loose it. And at least at my science museum job, there were pretty strict rules about how you could use it. I had something like 4 weeks of sick leave accumulated by the time I had put in my notice. I thought about saying this is the last day I will work, I will take sick leave for four weeks and then my resignation would be the next day. Alas, against the rules.
So what do you do if you have an employer/boss who starts grumbling about the attendance of employees and you know some who have been legitimately out because of health and using sick leave? Do you confront the person and remind him/her of the rules? Or do you keep quiet and avoid the potential wrath of the person? What do you do if you are the person who needs to use the sick leave for medical purposes?
I get 12 full sick days a year. I can accumulate up to 180 total sick days. I am no where near close. I got paid today, and I have 40 days of sick leave. To be fair, I have used 7.5 sick days this year. But several of those were for sinus/ear/throat infections. Since my treatments, I have not been physically sick once! If I had taken zero sick days in my career, I could have 96 days accumulated.
But that brings up an interesting point. I feel people should use sick leave if they have it. Not willy nilly or against the rules, but for a mental health day here and there as they so chose. I have always felt stress is bad on the body and I am learning even more about stress related health effects. Right now, get me really stressed and the next day, I will show you hives on my arms. Yup.
I have been pretty straight forward with the big boss at my work. I have been upfront with my diagnosis and told her it was a 3-4 year treatment. I thought she understood I would be gone for a 1/2 day here and there every six weeks. Now I am not sure if the bosses really understood what that meant. Do I say something else? I am going to choose not to say anything. Well, only if I am asked because our summer shut down is coming close and maybe I will wait till we start back. Why stir the pot if it is not at the boiling point?
From my general experience, it seems that Human Resource departments are not really Human and not really a Resource for the employee, but only for the employer. So if you don't have a union to watch out for our rights as an employee, who will protect you!? I don't really have to worry about my medical rights being taken away because I know I have help. But when I worked at other jobs, I felt very vulnerable and taken advantage of by my employers at different times.
Let's take it back another step. Forget about individual employers, but what should be universal human rights!?
Capt Mel
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