I was a high school English and drama teacher having retired after 35 years. I
was substituting in my second year of retirement when TM struck in 2001,
eventually leaving my hands and arms paralyzed. Like you, Janice, I loved my
job, and I miss the kids. I can walk short distances, but my balance is
getting worse so I don't get out much. I have a walker and a cane, but I can't
grasp the handles. I do have 2 scooters that I can use around the house and
outside when weather permits. I haven't worked since, although I wish I
could. I feel great, but just can't do much without the use of my hands.
Have a wonderful day!
Priscilla
--- On Fri, 6/5/09, CANDIS KALLEY <cakal...@embarqmail.com> wrote:
From: CANDIS KALLEY <cakal...@embarqmail.com>
Subject: Re: [TMIC] Occupations
To: "Janice" <jan...@centurytel.net>, "tmic-list" <tmic-list@eskimo.com>
Date: Friday, June 5, 2009, 12:23 PM
#yiv1627767762 p {margin:0;}
I was a programmer analyst at the county. The job would require several times
a year to work 12+ hours 7 days a week with all kinds of stress because of
deadlines required by state laws. There is NO way I can go back to that
occupation not only because of the hours and stress but because I have problems
with my moving (required at times to crowl under desks and machines to check if
that's where the problem occurred, plus my hands, especially my left hand can't
stand to touch the keys, also my thinking and memory has been greatly
compromised along with the terrible fatique that I have.
I've thought and thought about what I could do - is there a job for mattress or
recliner testers? That's about all I can think of. I do crochet off and on
all day while I sit for a group in our complex that donates to hospitals, women
& children shelters and others. However, once again, after about 15 minutes or
so, my hands/fingers become so sensitive to touch, that I have to quit for
several minutes to hours, during which time I usually fall asleep.
I hate TM because of the fatique! The other stuff I could probably "buck up"
and continue but I've found by doing so, the fatique hits harder than ever!
Prayers and thoughts for you and yours,
Candy K.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Janice" <jan...@centurytel.net>
To: "transverse myelitis" <tmic-list@eskimo.com>
Sent: Friday, June 5, 2009 12:22:59 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: [TMIC] Occupations
Hi Guys!
I have been curious about something for a while and since things have kind of
slowed down, want to ask you all what you did
before TM hit and if you were able to go back to it or if you are doing
something new.
I am including even those who just read these emails and don't usually
respond. I would like to hear from everybody and would think all of us would
be interested. I will start:
I was a school nurse's secretary/assistant in a large high school for 19
years. I absolutely loved it - everyday was different, as
you can imagine working with high schoolers! Our school nurse was gone a lot
to other schools we were responsible for, so
I was left alone quite a bit and handled many different situations. I was well
trained for this and it was great.
Janice
