I did it....

[Willow7733]

For the first time, ever, I called in sick today. I give up. This flare wins. I had 9 shifts in a row starting last weekend, and today, I just can’t. My boss sounded angry and putt off. I feel so guilty. But this burst of prednisone (second one this month) is making me so nauseous. I feel so bad, I called in. They are short staffed already. We are in another Covid wave. What was I thinking??!!! The more I push myself though, the worse my breathing and chest tightness feels. At the end of my shift last night, I could only say two words and then I was out of breath.

[Yracy]

You have No reason to feel guilty! You Must pay attention to Your health, especially now! If your boss is upset from you having to call off work how would he feel if you couldn't work for months? He will get over it, if not that's his problem! Your lack of being able to breathe is of the utmost importance...you can only do what you are able to do as you are able to... My prayers are with you...

Stay strong and blessed...

[Willow7733 in reply to Yracy]

You are right. I shouldn’t feel guilty at all. So many people abuse the system, that you feel bad to call in when you really need the time off. I shouldn’t even go in tonight, but I am. I feel guilty for yesterday, which I shouldn’t be. I cancelled my shifts that I picked up this coming weekend, so I am trying to tell myself only three more shifts to get through. Monday, I was having such a hard time to catch my breath, and you would think that working in an ER, staff would be sympathetic to your struggling, but they did everything to make it worse. One co worker came up to me, and handed me some money, asking if I would run to the other side of the hospital for them and get coffee. She stood next to me while I had a coughing fit and was gasping for air. Once I was done, she hand me the money. I was running around getting work done, and they were all sitting at the nurses desk chatting! Anyway, whatever. You do what you can. 😊

[Yracy in reply to Willow7733]

Wow can I relate to that! You need to learn the word NO!!! Or you may end up being one of their patients! Then what? You will really be up S_ _t creek without a paddle! And you would be neglected as you push the buzzer for help!

Drop those extra shifts and care for YOU.

Stay strong and blessed 🙏

[Willow7733]

And today I am paying for calling in yesterday...instead of coming in for my 8 hr shift tonight, they just called for me to come in early for a 14 hour shift.

[Yracy in reply to Willow7733]

This is no surprise to me,yet to hear things haven't changed is the surprise! You will get used up until your can no longer be used... Then you will end up in a hospital bed if you are not careful.

I'm praying for you...

Stay strong and blessed 🙏😇

Thank you for being on the front lines for all of us!

[Tree20862 in reply to Willow7733]

Not cool... Take care of yourself!

[Tree20862]

Take care of yourself first. Always. Do not feel guilty.

I have been there, too.

[Thebird]

You might meet the qualifications for BT Bronchial Thermoplasty.

[Willow7733 in reply to Thebird]

That sounds painful...

[Thebird]

Well that was my first reaction 🤣 then I became concerned about recovery. Ultimately my Pulmonologist decided that I wasn’t sick enough for the procedure.

[Willow7733 in reply to Thebird]

It does sound painful! I had my appointment today and am back on prednisone. With a prescription to keep on me should I need it. I have an appointment with a new pulmonologist, so that should be interesting. I work with her.