I retired when my DH retired in 2000. I was an Accountant and took care of the books et al. It wasn't a tough job, so I didn't suffer from exhaustion, just burn out, mostly.

I don't see how you keep up the pace of your difficult Job, Chris. I can barely keep my house in order, much less work all day and deliver Babies all night. How do you do it? You must find a way to cut back, for sure.

Momma Says..

My position was eliminated in 1996. I went back to school and got an additional degree and then started my own business which I have since tapered to a slow crawl. When fatigue hits, my cognition slips....badly. I can't remember or articulate what I need to and I sound and look inebriated. Not good when you're in a position that requires professionalism.

Chris,
I don't know how you do it. It's been close to 25 years now since I could handle night shifts or do a double. Really messes with my sleep cycle and can set up weeks or months of insomnia with just a couple of nights of bad or no sleep.

I was a critical care RN when I had to quit. I had noticed that I was having a more difficult time remembering names of meds, doctors, etc. I remember looking at someones old chart and reading the depth of the charting I had done on the old chart and knowing what the lack of depth in my present charting. Then I had an exacerbation and the decision was taken out of my hands. After the exacerbation, I had such fatigue that I knew I couldn't go back to work.

It is a very difficult decision, one that you know affects your whole life. Your job is so emotional, I'm sure it puts more of a tole on you than a lot of our jobs. I wish you luck in making your decision. Cherie is a good one to read her job history. She found a niche in her life in nursing after her dx.