[volada]

it was my first day back after devastating dx--my boss knows but is an accountant type and kinda avoided me...but also said we would have to have a talk tomorrow about my request for parking, etc. etc. it is the etc. etc. that gives me pause--luckily i am an attorney and i work in a us gov agency but i am kinda **$%d that he is going down that path....oh well...can any of you all weigh in on how you have handled workplace issues? i said i would need a revised schedule but then ended up pretty much working regular hours...

and now i am at home at my second job--my children...
but very tired--will write another time about relationships!

i did manage to sneak away and take a walk today which is a good thing....
also discovered "sponge bob squarepants" with my 5 year old--which is helping with the laugh quotient

and i can still run in heels--but now my knees are thinking about buckling!
much thanks! volada aka mary aka tired chicanamama

[sugarboo]

Glad you found us Volada!
I know others here will have a ton of experience to share and you can get some advice at the NMSS website about working, who to tell, etc....Discrimination is rampant in the work place.

I don't like the sound of etc, etc either! Maybe you can negotiate some tele-commuting and get your home PC on the network? If you need some parking arraingments, maybe a handicapped placard for the rear view mirror so you can have front and center parking? Anyway...good luck with all that!

I'd dump the pumps and go with sneakers (LOL)....or here, I just wear snow boots everywhere....they are so big and I clod around town in them and even at the stores

The kids of course, give us every reason to have joy!!

[volada]

Originally Posted by greenjeans

Glad you found us Volada!
I know others here will have a ton of experience to share and you can get some advice at the NMSS website about working, who to tell, etc....Discrimination is rampant in the work place.

I don't like the sound of etc, etc either! Maybe you can negotiate some tele-commuting and get your home PC on the network? If you need some parking arraingments, maybe a handicapped placard for the rear view mirror so you can have front and center parking? Anyway...good luck with all that!

I'd dump the pumps and go with sneakers (LOL)....or here, I just wear snow boots everywhere....they are so big and I clod around town in them and even at the stores

The kids of course, give us every reason to have joy!!

thanks for your msg...due to global warming i have not bought snow boots in years but my daughter paloma is going out to look at the full moon in her pink and orange boots...i hope the moon looks as beautiful tonight in alaska as it does here in maryland--tomorrow is a lunar eclipse...yes my kids will keep me grounded! take care, volada aka mary

[snoodles]

Wow Volada,
Slightly over 2 weeks from your first symptoms to your dx - that is amazing !!! I'm sure it was a huge shock but also at least you aren't stuck in limbo for years of hearing yes - I think you have MS.... no - don't think so... not sure - need more info...

As for me - I cannot tolerate bright lights and we have flourescents at work - arrangements have been made for me to have no direct lighting above me.

I telecommute often.

I have flexibility in my schedule -

I work for a very large company however and I think that makes some difference. But what I honestly think it all comes down to, is the person or persons that you directly report to. They can be great and bend over backward to assist you, or they can be hard core and make it very difficult. Even in our company - I have been treated wonderfully well, not because of "me" but because of who I have had the good fortune to work for. I have seen others, in our same company who needed assistance and didn't seem to have it go as well.

Having said all that - I hope it all goes well for you tomorrow and most of all, I hope you have someone who will go to bat for you and value you.

Best of luck !!!

[volada]

Originally Posted by snoodles

Wow Volada,
Slightly over 2 weeks from your first symptoms to your dx - that is amazing !!! I'm sure it was a huge shock but also at least you aren't stuck in limbo for years of hearing yes - I think you have MS.... no - don't think so... not sure - need more info...

As for me - I cannot tolerate bright lights and we have flourescents at work - arrangements have been made for me to have no direct lighting above me.

I telecommute often.

I have flexibility in my schedule -

I work for a very large company however and I think that makes some difference. But what I honestly think it all comes down to, is the person or persons that you directly report to. They can be great and bend over backward to assist you, or they can be hard core and make it very difficult. Even in our company - I have been treated wonderfully well, not because of "me" but because of who I have had the good fortune to work for. I have seen others, in our same company who needed assistance and didn't seem to have it go as well.

Having said all that - I hope it all goes well for you tomorrow and most of all, I hope you have someone who will go to bat for you and value you.

Best of luck !!!

thanks for your insight..it is good to hear about positive results...i may have to invoke the chain of command for this one--i have been in the federal gov for 10 years now but only at my current place for just over a year so it is weird to have this dx happen at a place where i am so new!

as you point out the last two weeks have been a real shock and i am so glad i found this space....you all are very helpful and i am glad you are here even if it is a "virtual" thing! take care, mary

[lady_express_44]

I went 12 yrs after I recovered from first paralysis attack before I required any sort of accommodation by my employer's. I also raised two kids throughout that time, virtually by myself. HOPEFULLY this will be the same for you (well, except the solo parent part ).

Over the years to come, there may very well be times that you just can't attend work at all, or that you need to work less hours. Please don't assume that having MS means that you are instantly and/or permanently handicapped though.

If I were you, I would try to cause as little disruption to the workforce as possible. What I ultimately had to do was downgrade my career aspirations so that I could accomodate working, being a mom, and the MS.

In the end, my employer was EXTREMELY accommodating . . . at least up until the MS literally became a full-time job.

Cherie

[the Bird]

Volanda,

I think being a lawyer is on your side here! Treat him the way you would advise a client.

Document everything!!! (I don't have to remind you, do I?)

Everything will work out.

Good Luck.

[volada]

Originally Posted by the Bird

Volanda,

I think being a lawyer is on your side here! Treat him the way you would advise a client.

Document everything!!! (I don't have to remind you, do I?)

Everything will work out.

Good Luck.

thank you--i think it will be okay--it is just odd to have this discussion when there are close friends and family i still have not told...
i am still a little shocked by the whole diagnosis-have had to put on my lawyer hat just to get accommodations for my other stuff--TMJ--chronic tendonitis--and dequevarians' (sp?) syndrome--they usually are agreeable but deadlines and priorities intervene! for example--i got the dragontalk software but have yet to get/find the time to get the training...it is a law enforcement agency so it is a different culture...

[Kitty]

My employer has been very good about accomodations. I'm now working full time from home - they allowed me to move my "office" to my home (computer, etc. included) and it's working out perfectly for me. But, in my favor was the fact that I have been there 15 years and know how to do most every job function in the place!

If you have a good relationship with your boss use it to your advantage. I worked full time inside the office until a flare put me out for two full months - it was at that time I asked for the accomodation. I needed to work and they needed the help. It was a win-win situation for all concerned.

I wish you luck with your situation. I have nothing but respect for parents with MS who can work full time (or even part time) and raise children while running a household, too. It's hard enough without MS in the mix.

[volada]

thanks to all of you for your input. the "talk" went for about 7 minutes and he didn't really want to hear too much--(eww yucky details) apparently all of my managers know but i reminded him that i would like to keep this confidential until I am ready to tell people--or not. it is already a hard enough-tough guy-law enforcement culture here and i don't want to be treated any differently than i already am (as a non cop female hispanic attorney)...
but he was fine with a reduced schedule if i need it. however, i am trying to save up my leave for when i go on the meds (still have to choose between the wonderful alternatives!) so i am draggin in and trying to work as close to 8 hours daily as possible...made it to brownie's with my daughter (might have to give that one up b/c she is not even really liking it)

also realize may need to job search anyway b/c the people here are not really very nice and life is too short to work with a bunch of **$$ mean people!
...crashed last night and missed the darned lunar eclipse

thanks again! volada (aka mary)