Time to stop working - how do you handle the change?

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MeasureInLove

Guest
I've been very fortunate to be relatively healthy through almost 30 years of life with CF. But the past three years I have had a drastic drop in my FEV1 and with my most recent hospitalization, the decision has finally come to end working to better take care of myself.

I know it's the right thing to do and I need to do this for myself, but the decision has been more difficult than I could have imagined it to be. Don't get me wrong, I have a great care team and amazing family who are helping me through the process, but there's an emotional part of it that I have to deal with.

I'm just worried of becoming depressed. I really worked hard and still felt I had other things I wanted to accomplish professionally. I also have great friends at work who I fear I'll lose touch with.

For those of you that have had to leave a career you were building and loved, how did you deal with the emotional aspects?
 
M

MeasureInLove

Guest
I've been very fortunate to be relatively healthy through almost 30 years of life with CF. But the past three years I have had a drastic drop in my FEV1 and with my most recent hospitalization, the decision has finally come to end working to better take care of myself.

I know it's the right thing to do and I need to do this for myself, but the decision has been more difficult than I could have imagined it to be. Don't get me wrong, I have a great care team and amazing family who are helping me through the process, but there's an emotional part of it that I have to deal with.

I'm just worried of becoming depressed. I really worked hard and still felt I had other things I wanted to accomplish professionally. I also have great friends at work who I fear I'll lose touch with.

For those of you that have had to leave a career you were building and loved, how did you deal with the emotional aspects?
 
M

MeasureInLove

Guest
I've been very fortunate to be relatively healthy through almost 30 years of life with CF. But the past three years I have had a drastic drop in my FEV1 and with my most recent hospitalization, the decision has finally come to end working to better take care of myself.
<br />
<br />I know it's the right thing to do and I need to do this for myself, but the decision has been more difficult than I could have imagined it to be. Don't get me wrong, I have a great care team and amazing family who are helping me through the process, but there's an emotional part of it that I have to deal with.
<br />
<br />I'm just worried of becoming depressed. I really worked hard and still felt I had other things I wanted to accomplish professionally. I also have great friends at work who I fear I'll lose touch with.
<br />
<br />For those of you that have had to leave a career you were building and loved, how did you deal with the emotional aspects?
 
A

AleksandraKaczynska

New member
I'm not cf - but I gave uop my work due to Joanna - almost....
I work from time to time at home - when I have time. Daughters health comes first.
I practise my work at home through computer mostly and have some peaople whop know what's going on so they don't make a fuss when I can't do something on time. Maybe that's a way - to find something to do you can always drop... writting, pictures, drawing, art work or anything... anything you always wanted to do (and can) but couldn't find time for.
I'm lucky cause I'm an architect and can design at home. Maybe find something like that.
I also try to stay acctive in our cf fund - so to help other. I'can't go vistsing but I ther;s always something..
Good luck
 
A

AleksandraKaczynska

New member
I'm not cf - but I gave uop my work due to Joanna - almost....
I work from time to time at home - when I have time. Daughters health comes first.
I practise my work at home through computer mostly and have some peaople whop know what's going on so they don't make a fuss when I can't do something on time. Maybe that's a way - to find something to do you can always drop... writting, pictures, drawing, art work or anything... anything you always wanted to do (and can) but couldn't find time for.
I'm lucky cause I'm an architect and can design at home. Maybe find something like that.
I also try to stay acctive in our cf fund - so to help other. I'can't go vistsing but I ther;s always something..
Good luck
 
A

AleksandraKaczynska

New member
I'm not cf - but I gave uop my work due to Joanna - almost....
<br />I work from time to time at home - when I have time. Daughters health comes first.
<br />I practise my work at home through computer mostly and have some peaople whop know what's going on so they don't make a fuss when I can't do something on time. Maybe that's a way - to find something to do you can always drop... writting, pictures, drawing, art work or anything... anything you always wanted to do (and can) but couldn't find time for.
<br />I'm lucky cause I'm an architect and can design at home. Maybe find something like that.
<br />I also try to stay acctive in our cf fund - so to help other. I'can't go vistsing but I ther;s always something..
<br />Good luck
 
M

musclemania70

New member
I stopped working about 2 years ago. It was a change for me but I LOVE being home and taking care of my house/husband. Even if you aren't married, you will have time to do the things you love to do.

Find a hobby if you don't have one and pursue it. I started volunteering 6 months after I stopped working and I only do it twice a month but its VERY rewarding. The lives that can be touched through a simple gesture is incomparable. Especially when its someone you don't even know.

Don't be afraid of the change. I have a feeling you will love it when you give it a chance.
 
M

musclemania70

New member
I stopped working about 2 years ago. It was a change for me but I LOVE being home and taking care of my house/husband. Even if you aren't married, you will have time to do the things you love to do.

Find a hobby if you don't have one and pursue it. I started volunteering 6 months after I stopped working and I only do it twice a month but its VERY rewarding. The lives that can be touched through a simple gesture is incomparable. Especially when its someone you don't even know.

Don't be afraid of the change. I have a feeling you will love it when you give it a chance.
 
M

musclemania70

New member
I stopped working about 2 years ago. It was a change for me but I LOVE being home and taking care of my house/husband. Even if you aren't married, you will have time to do the things you love to do.
<br />
<br />Find a hobby if you don't have one and pursue it. I started volunteering 6 months after I stopped working and I only do it twice a month but its VERY rewarding. The lives that can be touched through a simple gesture is incomparable. Especially when its someone you don't even know.
<br />
<br />Don't be afraid of the change. I have a feeling you will love it when you give it a chance.
 
S

scanboyd

Member
Hello MeasureInLove,

I like you enjoyed what I was doing. Worked for same employer 35 yrs. but because of drop in FEV1 (presently at 31) my Dr. and my bride of 40+ yrs. decided that it was in my best interest to stop working and take better care of my CF. This was in 2004. It was a adjustment for me, often dreamed about work. It took about yr. to stop thinking about it. I take more and better neb. treatments, usually about 4+ hrs. a day. Alternating Tobi and Cayston every other month takes time to do it correctly. Work out at gym 3 times a wk. I do 16 min. mile on a grade of 4 on treadmill for 2 miles as well as machines. This takes 2-3 hr. per visit. Able to spend more time with the grand children, have time to do things that I usually had to rush to do at the end of the work day or on the wk end.

Looking back it was the best thing I could have done for myself. I work, just different work (neb rx, gym).

I know that the exercise program and the increased better neb. rx are the primary reason that I am still kicking. Along with the fact that the Good Lord help me make the correct decision to quit working!!

Good luck to you enjoy life, every day is a gift!!
 
S

scanboyd

Member
Hello MeasureInLove,

I like you enjoyed what I was doing. Worked for same employer 35 yrs. but because of drop in FEV1 (presently at 31) my Dr. and my bride of 40+ yrs. decided that it was in my best interest to stop working and take better care of my CF. This was in 2004. It was a adjustment for me, often dreamed about work. It took about yr. to stop thinking about it. I take more and better neb. treatments, usually about 4+ hrs. a day. Alternating Tobi and Cayston every other month takes time to do it correctly. Work out at gym 3 times a wk. I do 16 min. mile on a grade of 4 on treadmill for 2 miles as well as machines. This takes 2-3 hr. per visit. Able to spend more time with the grand children, have time to do things that I usually had to rush to do at the end of the work day or on the wk end.

Looking back it was the best thing I could have done for myself. I work, just different work (neb rx, gym).

I know that the exercise program and the increased better neb. rx are the primary reason that I am still kicking. Along with the fact that the Good Lord help me make the correct decision to quit working!!

Good luck to you enjoy life, every day is a gift!!
 
S

scanboyd

Member
Hello MeasureInLove,
<br />
<br />I like you enjoyed what I was doing. Worked for same employer 35 yrs. but because of drop in FEV1 (presently at 31) my Dr. and my bride of 40+ yrs. decided that it was in my best interest to stop working and take better care of my CF. This was in 2004. It was a adjustment for me, often dreamed about work. It took about yr. to stop thinking about it. I take more and better neb. treatments, usually about 4+ hrs. a day. Alternating Tobi and Cayston every other month takes time to do it correctly. Work out at gym 3 times a wk. I do 16 min. mile on a grade of 4 on treadmill for 2 miles as well as machines. This takes 2-3 hr. per visit. Able to spend more time with the grand children, have time to do things that I usually had to rush to do at the end of the work day or on the wk end.
<br />
<br />Looking back it was the best thing I could have done for myself. I work, just different work (neb rx, gym).
<br />
<br />I know that the exercise program and the increased better neb. rx are the primary reason that I am still kicking. Along with the fact that the Good Lord help me make the correct decision to quit working!!
<br />
<br />Good luck to you enjoy life, every day is a gift!!
 
M

mah

Guest
For what it is worth, it takes about 2 years to emotionally recover/adjust to drastic changes such as this one.

Find 1 thing that is a large goal (i.e., writing a novel) and pursue that.

Treat your health like it is a part time job. Plan to put 20 hrs in for insurance, maintaining the level of the health you do have, researching new treatments, etc.

Hope these things help you.
 
M

mah

Guest
For what it is worth, it takes about 2 years to emotionally recover/adjust to drastic changes such as this one.

Find 1 thing that is a large goal (i.e., writing a novel) and pursue that.

Treat your health like it is a part time job. Plan to put 20 hrs in for insurance, maintaining the level of the health you do have, researching new treatments, etc.

Hope these things help you.
 
M

mah

Guest
For what it is worth, it takes about 2 years to emotionally recover/adjust to drastic changes such as this one.
<br />
<br />Find 1 thing that is a large goal (i.e., writing a novel) and pursue that.
<br />
<br />Treat your health like it is a part time job. Plan to put 20 hrs in for insurance, maintaining the level of the health you do have, researching new treatments, etc.
<br />
<br />Hope these things help you.
 
S

sue35

New member
I admire you that you are being proactive and quitting. I need to quit my job and am not. In fact, I was all set to go part-time and didn't even do that. I just can't walk away from my students even though I know it is killing me. May I ask how much your FEV1 dropped by?
 
S

sue35

New member
I admire you that you are being proactive and quitting. I need to quit my job and am not. In fact, I was all set to go part-time and didn't even do that. I just can't walk away from my students even though I know it is killing me. May I ask how much your FEV1 dropped by?
 
S

sue35

New member
I admire you that you are being proactive and quitting. I need to quit my job and am not. In fact, I was all set to go part-time and didn't even do that. I just can't walk away from my students even though I know it is killing me. May I ask how much your FEV1 dropped by?
 
M

MiddleAgedLady

Guest
I went on disability in 2007. It's been a bigger adjustment for because I also moved to a different city. I do not regret stopping work. The difference in my stress level is palpable. I have always had a desire to paint & am pursuing that. It takes effort to keep up with people but facebook really helps. I, too, treat my health like a part-time job and even REALLY sterilize things. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
M

MiddleAgedLady

Guest
I went on disability in 2007. It's been a bigger adjustment for because I also moved to a different city. I do not regret stopping work. The difference in my stress level is palpable. I have always had a desire to paint & am pursuing that. It takes effort to keep up with people but facebook really helps. I, too, treat my health like a part-time job and even REALLY sterilize things. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
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