Caterina57 - Is going back to work!

caterina57

Hi Tony, Tracey, DD, ironic and Spacey
Thanks for your comments following my first day back at work ( well half day). I said that I was glad to leave after the 4 hours and on getting home needed some dullers as my back was not good.
I am now very tired and achey, just goes to show that doing such a little can make a big difference. I hope that I am ok for tomorrow. I am so glad that it has been agreed for me to have a phased return, I shudder to what would have happened if I had just gone back to how things were before.
Cath

skezier

Hi Cath,

4 hours a day is enough for now i think and its good they have agreed to the phased return.

fingers crossed you wake less tired and it soon gets easier for you again. Cris xx

dreamdaisy

Morning caterina57, I wish you the very best for today. Pace yourself my girl, four hours is a long time after weeks of not doing anything for four hours at a stretch! Take care. DD

julie47

Hi cath
glad yesterday went reasonably well. Hope you slept well and that today is ok for you too.
Take care
Juliepf x

tillytop

Morning Cath

I am so very pleased that your employers did agree to the phased return to work and that you are working so hard to make sure that you do what is right for you, despite "sniping" from your co-worker. Well done for getting through yesterday. I really hope you manage today. Will be thinking of you.

Love Tilly xxx

frogmorton

Well done you Cath!!!!!!!

You did really well.

It will not be easy will it at first, but let us hope it all goes well and you CAN manage.

Was it nice to be 'out in the community' again?!

Love

Toni xx

dreamdaisy

I hope today went well and that you are not too tired. DD

dreamdaisy

Morning caterina57, I guess you are about to launch yourself into 'Day 3 of the Big Brother Office' - I hope it goes well. DD

caterina57

Hi everyone
Once again I must thank you all for your thoughts following my return to work
Yes today has been day 3 - spent the morning typing up assessments that I went out to do yesterday. My colleague - the bleater appears to think that I am going to be able to do 70 hours work in 20! I have ignored her silly comments this morning again!!!! The good news is that she has found another job and is leaving on 28th March.
However that leaves the company with a major problem -- I am not going to let it influence my transition back into work neither am I going to agree additional hours beyond my contract for the future.
There does appear to be a bit of anymosity in the office, but I can live with it.
Hope that you are all well today
Cath

dreamdaisy

Stick to your guns, girl, and dose the moaner's tea with senna: that will give her summat to contend with. DD

barbara12

Hi Cath
I am so glad that things went better then expected, you keep your head held high....they are lucky to have you, and dont overdo things.
Love
Barbara x

julie47

Hi cath
glad today went ok... bet you will be glad when that woman has gone.
In the meantime have you an ipod you could stick in your ears?
Typing to music would be fun
Take care and go at your own pace.
Juliepf x

frogmorton

well done you Cath!!

You are made of strong stuff I can see.

DO NOT let the the pressure they will undoubtedly apply work on you.

Love

toni xx

caterina57

Hi Everyone
No, I dont have an I pod - and it wouldnt work - I have no hearing in my left hear and reduced hearing in my right -- I need the little I have to answer the phone! LOL

No I am not made of strong stuff - I am a softie and have an innate inability to say NO! I am saying all the right things at the moment and surprisingly they are being accepted but.... If push comes to shove and a sob story is told how long will I last? ( I worry about myself sometimes - I hope you dont think I am mad-- but I am practising in a mirror giving myself advice as though I was another person!!!!!) In essence I am a doer i.e if it needs doing I do it!)
You will all have to make sure I take my own advice!
Cath

traluvie

Hi cath. I know i've not been around much lately. . . I have been thinking about you. From what I have read you are doing a great job of keeping it all together and sticking to your guns. Hope you are resting when you get home. Take care luvie will speak soon. Should be back on the house internet by friday so be able to catch up with you and everyone else then. X

skezier

Hi Cath,

You must take your own advice on this one cus you can't go back to the hours you were doing just like that.

I did it once, long ago when still young and no where near as bad. it didn't work.... i had had 4 months out and went back to a 60 hour week just like that.... 5 months later I changed jobs as I just couldn't keep it up.....

that for me was a good move till i got injured and i been a self employed failure ever since

You don't want that!

Don't let them take advantage of you flower.... they will if you let them but practice the word no... like you i am at best only on nodding terms with that word! (((( )))) and we will remind you.... Cris xx

tjt6768

Hi Cath, never mind senna in her cup, try a dose of liquid arthur, lol..

I could set Ra on her obnoxious **** if you want.. She is nowt but a bloody bully...

You stick to your planned phasing, anything else that goes on in the office isn't your concern but your health is..

Take it easy

caterina57

Hello DD, Barbara,Julie,Toni,Tracy, Cris & Tony
What would I do without you and all the others on this forum. I can honestly say that finding this is one of the best ever things I have ever done, I cannot explain how reassuring and helpful it is to have such kind and considerate friends and the massive bonus is that you all actually understand what arthur is all about. I find it really difficult to explain to family and freinds - simply cos they just dont walk our path.

I will try to keep my own advice ( and yours) I cannot believe how tired I am but still can't sleep well. cant up the Amitryptyline cos I might not get the alarm - I am guessing that this fatigue is just part of the condition?

Well thanks again to you all
Cath

tjt6768

Hi Cath
With me I get hit by the fatigue when the pain is at it's worst, which in turn stops me from getting the blooming sleep I need... Also the pain decreases my appetite so I don't eat and then I have no fuel in me, etc etc..
Eeeee, int life just a big bag o'fun??


I agree about the forum, it has helped me a great deal, especially this past week, even though I am still quite down I can take my mind off things and just post some crap/none crap/advice etc etc.. All helps

dreamdaisy

Tiredeness and arthritis do go hand in hand. For the auto-immune people it's worse when the arthritis is active, OAers are also affected but I don't know if that is in a different way. I also think the fact that basically, whatever movement one makes hurts, somewhere, also causes the tiredness - I cannot turn over in my sleep due to pain, I have to wake up to move hence disturbed slumbers.

You are doing OK caterina57 - you keep spurring yourself on and we will always be here for a reassuring prop or two - or a boot up the backside. DD

caterina57

Hi everyone
Well my first week back at work is over and done with (20hrs) I have felt very tired though and I think that 4 hours is just enough. My manager has had a word this morning she is also thinking that it will be a while before I can up the hours - she is concerned about the way I walk, I have explained that this is unlikely to change and that I am never going to be totally pain free. I have a feeling that come my review they are going to say that there is no part time work available long term and as I can't do the longer hours or the personal care there is no role for me - but we will see - I was amazed that they agreed my return on a phased basis anyway!
Hope you are all well
Cath

traluvie

Hi Cath,

Bet your glad the week is over.. you deserve a well earned rest..
I think you have done a very brave step of going back to work and done well this week..I hope work support you so you can continue to work..
I am really hoping i can go back soon, have had a few gd days and it has been nice.. been busy with the kids, seen friends and am off out tom to an anne summers lol.. first time in ages.. have told my friend to drag me out even if i say i not well lol.. so yes i am feeling positive.. am waiting for it to hit me again soon.. just enjoying it while i can lol..
Have a nice relaxing weekend..

caterina57

Thanks Tracy
I have got an appointment on Monday for Hydrotherapy! It has come through a lot quicker than I thought it would!
I have another week to work and then I have another meeting with my manager and HR (on 7th March) I think it will be then that something may be said about my future at work.
Glad to hear that you are feeling much better - enjoy it whilst you can!
Cath

traluvie

Glad to hear your Hydrotherapy appointment has come through.. hopefully that may help,,Will have to let me know how you get on.. when is it??
Have a look at that link i sent you before your meeting so you lnow where you stand then.. i hope they don't try and get rid of you as you are still able to do admin work, you could be of assistance to those that go out by doing some of there paper work that way you are important in your job still... if that makes sense lol..
Yes i am enjoying it while it lasts good days have been rare recently.. my ankle is playing up and throbbing.. but the rest is not too bad so i not moaning lol..
Keep up with the strong positive attitude luvie.. just make sure you rest...xx

skezier

Hi Cath,

Are they meant to give you so many weeks on phased returns? I don't know and it might be its different from job to job. Maybe they will surprise you again flower?

Good luck with the hydro, its good stuff and warm Cris xx