Sunday, December 13, 2015

The Fixer's Dilemma

I switched to the day shift about ten weeks ago because I am having terrible trouble with my hands and arms.  After fourteen years working as a histotechnician, the repetitive nature of the job is taking it's toll.  I am having great difficulty with carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel and radial tunnel syndrome, as well as tendinitis and cervical issues.  It got so bad this Fall that I couldn't sleep at all and my arms were numb from the shoulders down.  It is not a new problem, but it went from a minor annoyance to nearly incapacitating after my workload increased dramatically.  I moved to the day shift so I could do "light duty" and go to physical therapy.   

I am better than I was, but by no means cured and, I am not doing anything.  What I am doing at work is still enough to be exacerbating the problem.  I have not been doing much around the farm, trying to give everything a chance to heal.  However, it is unlikely at this point that the doctor is going to clear me to return to my normal job.  My boss does not want to lose me and is willing to make some accommodations, but there is no changing the nature of the job, which is extremely repetitive and requires very fine motor skills.  


Physical therapy, large amounts of Ibuprofen and getting a break from the job has helped a lot.  However, the occupational medicine doctor that I am seeing is telling me that I need to find a new job. 

I always naively thought that Worker's Comp. existed to protect employees.  I am learning the hard way that it is really more the other way around.  An employee can't be fired for getting hurt.  However, if the employee can't, "perform the normal tasks and duties of the job, then the employer can terminate that employee".  It's hard for me to see where the difference lies within that tidy bit of semantics.   

And therein lies my dilemma.  

It is easy to tell someone to go out and find a new job, but I live in one of the most economically depressed areas in the country.  I have spent the last fourteen years working in one of the most highly specialized jobs in existence.  Even the doctors that I work with don't understand what I do.  Years ago, I tried to convince the hospital to let me train in other parts of the lab, but got turned down flat because other people were afraid they would have to reciprocate.  

I could go back to school (again) and study something else, but how do I pay for it and still support myself (and my animals)?  

I've already caused permanent damage to my hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, tendons....What job is there that isn't going to cause more?

If I lose my job, how am I going to support all of us?

I can't find anyone who can tell me what happens next.  I can't even get anyone to tell me if I will at least be eligible for unemployment.   

I keep asking what happens from here and they keep telling me that, "it's up to you, Kris", but it doesn't feel like it is up to me.  I don't work because I want to, I work because I have to.  Where is the choice in that?



I feel very much like I am about to be thrown to the wolves in thanks for my 14 years of labor and expertise.  

I've avoided writing about all of this, but I'm no longer sure why.  Who am I protecting and why? I am having trouble writing about anything else as this little problem has been occupying all my thoughts and creating a great deal of anxiety.  

I haven't come up with a fix for this yet, but the stress is getting to me.  So, I did the only thing there is to do at the moment.  I took a couple of days off, took Connor for a walk...

Went for a ride with RB...


...and took my donkeys for a walk.



 






23 comments:

  1. Kris, maybe you could get into teaching histotechnology? You obviously have enough expertise and professionalism. Or, maybe become a supervisor for others working in the lab?

    I'm sorry for your work woes and hope everything will sort itself out. I always look forward to reading your blog and hope you continue to share your stories! Good luck.

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    1. I actually have done some teaching. I wrote a course for the local community college and taught it for a semester, but they only wanted to hire me as an adjunct. The pay was about $1500 per YEAR. It really wasn't worth doing, especially considering the time it took.

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  2. options that might be an option:
    Working remotely in your field,
    Also there is voice recognition software that has come a long way if the keyboard is an issue.

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    1. Unfortunately, working remotely is not an option as everything I do is very hands-on. I wish I could!

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  3. Dear Universe,

    Please hear my energy and good intention for my blogger friend, Kris, and the collective good intention and energy from her friends. Give Kris strength and patience as she navigates her health and job concerns. Let her physical therapy continue to be healing. Let her work environment be supportive. The work she does must be so imporant to the patients in her hospital as they wait for the results from their tests. Let an opportunity show itself so she may continue this work or find another working path so she may continue to support herself, her farm and her beautiful animals. May Peace be with you.

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  4. I looked up your profession....good heavens you do something amazing and certainly not publicized enough. Have you considered legal advice? Our prayers to you and we sure hope you can resolve the issues. Thank heavens you have your animals and their wonderful personalities!

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  5. Wow - so sorry! Perhaps consider carpal tunnel surgery, maybe it would give you a bit more mobility. Would they let you train in other parts of the lab now? Try to be patient- it WILL work out! Take care, Suzanne in Ohio

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  6. Oh dear Lord! That does suck but I like Victoria's idea a lot! Now I need to go see what you do actually do! There is so much of this life change stuff going on with our generation....makes me really wonder if it is a sign of the times or a natural part of life or what.... You are right a change is in the air and I too know that stress of "what will I do if I don't have this job". That "fixer" part of me and frankly, being a single Mom makes it way more tough for sure! Will add you to my intentions tomorrow night at Nia for sure!

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  7. I am sorry to hear about your woes. RSIs really suck.

    What about Social Security Disability Insurance? It sounds like (with 14 years of work) you would have enough to be eligible. I understand that it takes months to get approved, but if it kicks in, that would help. There seems to be lots of information available on the Social Security website.

    Good luck!

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    Replies
    1. I will have to look into that, I never thought about SSDI. Thanks.

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  8. oh that must be very scary. would they not have to try to find you another job that you can do?

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    1. Apparently not and if they do, it does not have to be at the same wage. I am learning a lot about worker's comp.

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  9. Consider a work comp claim, I don't know what your state laws are but if your injuries are from repetitive motions and can be directly linked to work, then you have a good case. You can be paid a percentage of your salary while you are recuperating. If you are found unable to preform your duties because of said injury ... work comp related [it can be a long drawn out process]... you can be compensated.
    Work comp also is supposed to pay for surgery and rehab.
    If as Cathy R says you are unable to work at your job you can look as SSDI. I know you are an independent person, so just take what I say at face value.

    It has been a few years since I worked for a doctor and with patients and Workers Compensation.
    Not my business but have you seen a doctor?
    I hope I am not being too forward.

    You are in a very tough situation please look at all of your options.
    :(

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    Replies
    1. It is a worker's comp case and I have filed all the paperwork. I am not sure where that will get me, I need more information.

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    2. Perhaps...I hate to suggest it, but see a Work Comp attorney?

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  10. I am very sorry you are having a tough time right now. Please know you are in my thoughts out here in CA. I have no idea how to offer advice or assistance, but it appears there are some good ideas in the comments. But taking a few days off and surrounding yourself with those who love and care for you is a great idea. Enjoy and refresh your self.

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  11. Crap...I am so sorry to hear of your physical problems. Workmans Comp is the way to go most likely. Your Doctor should be able to put that in motion for you. I know it takes a long time. You should probably have the carpal tunnel surgery and then address one problem at a time. Thinking good thoughts that a solution will be found.

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  12. That's awful. I don't know what to suggest apart from maybe if you have to move to an area of higher employment, it might turn out to be a good thing, especially if there is less snow! As the Taoists say, how do you know it is bad? I know you love your place but it drives you nuts at times too and is very hard work. Pretty sure the donkeys would like a warmer winter as well! The system is totally messed up. We have come a long way from the times where a work injury would leave you dumped in the poor house or begging on the streets, but we haven't come far enough yet. Seems to me that a bloody hospital, of all things, should have foreseen the issues you were going to have and made sure this was avoided long ago, especially considering that you raised the problem yourself earlier and tried to find solutions. Big Hugs!

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  13. loving you and praying for you

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  14. Jonny come lately here. So sorry you are at a hard place. So much you have to come to terms with! Isn't it always with us animal lovers that we know we can handle the change but refuse to accept that they may have to also? You will get the help that is out there, and there is help. But I feel for you having to battle this and make unwanted changes. Please remember, it's a door. There are still many, many good things on the other side.

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