Hugs to Joelle! I know this is so hard but it really could be a blessing in disguise. Your body may get better and feel better with less stress from the job. You know I am here for you girl! Anytime you need to curse like a sailor you know my number! lmao

PS: Now, don't go calling me when the chickens wake up though, unless it's an emergency. I startle when the phone rings that early!

Kitty, you got the am, I'll take the afternoon/pm. LOL

I'm so sorry. Life is really throwing it at you right now! I'm so sorry.

I did not read all of the posts, so I apologize if I reapeat something that is already said.

Take this time to concentrate on your mom. You will be so glad that you have this extra time with her.

I'm thinking of you and sending you lots of positive vibes!

Oh, Joelle, that's too bad! You've got so much on your plate right now, don't you? Just doesn't seem fair.

I do hope that in retrospect you'll be able to see that a door was opened for you to be able to tend to your Mom's needs, as well as your own. Hugs to you both!

Joelle, I agree with what has already been posted here, hon. I truly believe this happened at this particular time so you could be where you will be needed most, with your Mom.

I moved my Dad home on Dec 10th 2004, as he could no longer live alone. He was diagnosed Feb 2003 with lung cancer. On Dec. 12th, shortly after I got to work, I slipped on a set of newly rebuilt stairs and broke my ankle.

My Dad died on April 3rd, 2005.

If I hadn't taken that particular little slip I wouldn't have been able to be with him.

My doctor cleared me to go back to work the week after he died.

I do not think this was a coincidence. Sometimes you just have to believe.

You have the wherewithal in place to help you and I truly believe this will be a good thing for both your physical and mental health!

Hi Jeannie!

You have know idea how much I will miss the Union. I'm the grievance coodinator for our local. I miss it so much. I know without them I wouldn't have the great benefits that I have now.

I grew up in "Steel Town", the Pittsburgh area. My whole family are or were Union workers. It's a tradition.

I hope you feel better soon!

Joelle I am sorry about your job. I went through a similar rough time last year when I had to leave a job I loved soooo much I mourned as if there was a death!

I loved the people I worked with and I actually looked forward to going to work every day.

My job consisted of having a very sharp mind with no room for mistakes. I just couldn't do it anymore. My fatigue was dibilitating and my mind felt like mush.

I still have the fatigue but now when I feel bad I can lay down.

It does get better with time and you will find your new normal

Good luck. I'm thinking about your

Joelle,
Nothing like haveing all the dirt and knowing whats going on! Of course, then there's the whiners! LOL!! So good to see you around the boards again....guess you'll be hanging here a bit more eventually...got to hang out somewhere and do damage control!

I love Unions!!! Has given us a good life!

I'm sorry Joelle! I know it had to be hard, but you are NEVER useless. Like someone said, could be a blessing, more time with your Mom. It's hard when someone tells us "You cant do that anymore"!

Hugs,

hey, Joelle...

it took me about two years to figure out that my life wasn't OVER after I stopped working.

my job was a big chunk of how I defined myself, and I really needed the gigantic boost that came with doing something well, and being well-paid for it too.

and the interactions with my staff, and my bosses... were very important to me.

an added bonus, my boss's sister is a scientist, who worked nearby at Chiron, during their development of BetaSeron (no, it didn't get me a higher LOTTERY number, but still, we joked about it a lot.

most especially, I missed the camaraderie, and the closeness we all had, and the long-term friendships... as I was there for a decade.

it was a GIANT ache in my heart to leave, truly (well, except for this one snarky woman who raised her nose, and acted like I was a faker, lol, I didn't miss HER)

anyway, all I can say is, it'll take time, but you'll adjust,, and find new things to fill your mind and time... and give you the stimulation you need to keep going strong.

and you'll get the rest you need, and not be so exhausted all the time, and have more time for your mom.

after I left the workforce, my mom had a massive stroke, and I was able to move in with her for a year, and help her through all her stuff... then, she got cancer, and we did home-care hospice for her, until she passed away in 1998.

I wouldn't've been able to BE there for the wonderful woman who gave me life, if not for the MS, and my forced retirement...

so, oddly enough, it all worked out, and I was able to do what I NEEDED to do, even if I could no longer do all I WANTED to do.

does that make sense, Joelle?

I know, you asked for responses from *recent* job-leavers, and it's been 15 years since I stopped working, but... well, I just wanted to let you know, I'm here, and thinkin' about you, and hoping you get through all this smoothly, and manage to adjust to your 'new normal' with grace and panache... and you are able to smile and feel accepting of all the changes you've had to endure.

hi joelle,

i had been nursing for 35 yrs when i had to resign my position in '05.
i remember it like it was yesterday.
my job was such a big part of my life, and my identity.
i really grieved it's loss.

but the advice shared with me was wonderful.
i came to realize that the stress of my work was making me ill.
i'm so calm now.
being retired is the best thing that ever happened to me.

please give it some time.
it will get better.