JOB LOSS

[Lorraine Bromley]

Well, I have told you all about a month ago I woke up with a sore right hand. That turned into a fiasco of health care trips to my local hospital and my Dr then to the surgeon and in patient treatment for severe tenosynivitis and synovotis (sp?). It has left me with impaired use of my ring finger of my right hand, and pain in that hand, the swelling is slowly receding. I have therapy and they say I am ahead of the curve in ROM, I work two days a week. Wed evening and Fridays. I have went back to work in Friday afternoons for a couple of weeks, The Wed eve they hired a girl from our sister office to do two days while I am off Tuesdays and Wednesday evening. (We are usually done by 9 at the latest) Then when I return she will do Tuesdays and Thursdays. Apparently she has done three Wednesday evenings and doesn't like it. So my boss asked me to come in on Wed evening. I would love to do that as I prefer the evening, But we have had several staffing changes over the last year and the new girl that I am to be working with was hired just before I went off and is still not trained fully. So when it is only the two of us on Wednesday evenings I don't feel comfortable pushing my limits having to do things that aggravate my hand, The things that aggravate my hand are the things that she hasn't been trained or is comfortable doing. I know that it is busy and I will have to be put into a position that I have to choose to let patients wait and see me standing there not helping or push my self. I know myself.

I was going to try working four hours yesterday but had a really bad day with increased swelling and pain. That was going to be me as well as two other staff to see how I got along. Then if I could handle it I would continue doing the wed eve so the other girl didn't have to. Apparently my boss understood that I would work yesterday and that next wednesday I would be back for 4 hours and the "new" girl wouldn't  have to come in so she was told yesterday was her last Wednesday! I never said that I can do anything. I am trying to come back as much as I can. The NEW girl that was hired to replace me while I was off has decided she doesn't like those hours so she gets preference and my boss has now said that if I can't come back she has to hire someone and I won't have a job.

There you go bob's your uncle I am unemployed!

I have been back to work since having to be off completely since 2000 when my Ehlers took over and and I became totally disabled. This job has saved my sanity and I live working and am going through so many emotions right now. i AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO LIVING LIKE A SHUT IN WITH NO FRIENDS OR NOTHING TO DO! I am hoping that when I see the specialist in the 17th I get some news that came help understand the future of the hand ie surgery or not. Then if they have trouble hiring someone and I get better I can sneak back in by default. There are very little jobs that ask for two days a week that I can handle. It took me years to find this one.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Lorraine, I am so sorry for this sad turn of events. I hope that your hand improves and that you will be hired back soon. This has to be very frustrating and hurtful and distressing. May you soon be blessed with relief.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Oh boy, Lorraine, doesn't life take us places we don't want to go sometimes? I'm so sorry you are going through this rough spell. If you do end up home for a while you are not alone!! You have all your DK friends who are there for you anytime you need us! :) Thinking of you...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry for this trouble. It does seem wrong to give the new person their preferences over an established worker.  What exactly do you do in this job? What can and can't you do that it requires? Perhaps we can brainstorm some ideas for solutions.

[Susan and Sasha]

Oh Lorrainne...

I'm so sorry for all that you're going through!  I know how disappointing and stressful this must be for you.

I hope you get some good news when you see the specialist on the 17th.

Maybe you can set up an appointment to have a chat with your boss and work something out?

I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers...