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Chest Pains on my Day Off - Scared Straight

Posted: Nov 08, 2010

Its my day off and all I do is think about what awful thing they will do to me next. I literally have chest pain. I am scared all the time. I am scared when I am typing that I am making a mistake. I am scared when I am not typing that I won't make enough money to support my family. I am scared every time I spend a penny. There is no rest for the weary.

I know what you mean.. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I got off to such a late start after I was originally hired here that it put me and my family in some serious hardship. I tried to find some other work anywhere to fill in the time gap, but to no avail. It's funny (but not funny at all), I've been working in my specialty, worktype going on 17 years, and yet when I type now, I feel like a scared rabbit. It's ridculous. I keep giving myself pep talks as to how silly that is, and that this place isn't worth all that stress, etc. Usually it works. You're not alone in how you feel. Try to distract yourself as much as possible on your day off. Do something nice for yourself that doesn't cost much or anything at all. I try to watch a funny movie or something after my shift. Usually it helps. It doesn't help me either that my daughter's birthday falls a month before Christmas either, LOL. Just wanted to write and let you know I feel for you and I understand. Hopefully, we'll all find something better very soon.

I feel your pain - Adios

[ In Reply To ..]
I too have been doing this for over 15 years and feel less confident than I ever have. Already working a second job, trying desparately to find a replacement job, no longer a career. And to add to my stress my daughter is getting married next month and I have never been so broke in my life.

Life is too short for this craziness.

Suggestions? - Scared Straight

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for writing -- it helps. I was wondering if people on this board could offer suggestions as to how to start over when you are a mere 10 years away from retirement. What is out there and where do you look to find it? I'd be afraid to go to any other MT company as its all pretty much the same between ASR and India. Or, do you just keep distracting yourself until they close the doors or you get the ax -- that makes the most sense really because it is more than minimum wage. Just pondering out loud.....

They don't like for you to give suggestions - Albeit appropriate

[ In Reply To ..]
I once suggested to the host of this board that they include a section on Life after MTing. That was a few years ago and they thought it was a bad idea as they were trying to keep this a positive board for the MT. I'm in your boat, though, with chest pain. Last month and on one of my days off, I had to go to the emergency room for sudden chest pain in the middle of the night. It came out of nowhere and I actually had a restful weekend. It woke me up and wouldn't go away. I live an hour from the hospital, am not married, no kids and had to drive myself there. By the time I got there it was almost gone. They did an EKG which showed nothing. My mother was only a few years older than I am now when she died from a massive MI. She smoked and drank (I do neither) and never exercised. Think about this job, folks. Unless you go out and get active, a full-time desk job is the worst thing for your heart. My grandmother also died of a heart attack when she was 60. Years ago I had all that treadmill stuff, an echo, and other than finding slight mitral regurg, they say I'm fine. I can't sell my house and also have a second job (in my home) so moving isn't an option. I would LOVE to find a blog that discusses where to go from here for someone in their 50s, second career, etc.

to Scared Straight - a suggestion

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't know your situation, but have you thought about Health Unit Coordinator? They sometimes get to transcribe, but also help nurses, keep the unit in order, help patients, and having the terminology background is a "foot in the door." I heard that the pay is on the low side, $11 an hour, but if you get good insurance and actual paychecks and PTO, etc., it might pay off. Additionally, from there you could go into Medical Secretary or Medical Receptionist.

I am sure you want to stay in the house, as I do, but at this point, your health is more important! If you are 10 years from retirement... that is 10 years of solid work history to give to a future employer. That is a good thing, and I would sell that!

Suggestions - Scared Straight

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks! All good suggestions and I definitely wrote down the Health Unit Coordinator -- see that is the problem I have no idea what is out there because I thought I had finally found my dream job 15+ years ago.

Used to be an RN - Albeit appropriate

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, an RN. Have a Bachelor of Science as well. I used to do back office, front office, transcription, all rolled up in a single job, but ended up in the hospital with encephalitis having worked too hard. Don't ask me where That came from. Uh, stress maybe? I flourish at home, with more or less some control over the stress. I'm not great around hectic situations and can't deal well with the stress people throw at me. I internalize it until it manifests itself somatically. Don't suggest going back into the trenches of nursing. I thought it odd that people expected me to feel what they felt, or they wouldn't get better. My sympathy wasn't good enough. Had to walk away from that. I love the technical part of medicine, but not sick people per se. Thought of going into research but these days, they expect you to have at least a Master's. I wish I could just half-retire and just keep doing my other job at home, which by the way is raising/maintaining/showing poodles. That is my TRUE LOVE in life, but I don't want to depend on them for my survival. I'm afraid of getting desparate for money and needing to sell a puppy to just anyone. I really need to work at home.

Forgot to add - Albeit appropriate

[ In Reply To ..]
I just heard on public radio this weekend that the risk of heart attacks is twice that from ages 51-61 when one is unemployed. Which is worse? Being unemployed or working for MQ?

Chest pain, etc. - Scared Straight

[ In Reply To ..]
I know this sounds positively evil, but it really helps to hear other peoples' stories -- you just don't feel as alone and scared somehow. Positive thoughts, positive thoughts, positive thoughts...

chest pain - nan

[ In Reply To ..]
That is really scarey. My mother's side of the family all died at young ages, 40s, 57 and my mother at 62, most with heart problems and strokes. I am hoping I have more of my father's genes, they all live into their mid 80s. LOL Anyway, I am 52 now, so I think about stuff like that.

I have been doing this job a long time and feel that I know my stuff. I used to let these people get to me, but I have learned to do my job, let them know when they are wrong and take it a day at a time. I have been in a lot of bad situations in my life, abusive marriage, raising son on my own, moving to another state to escape abuse, etc. I have always made it through just fine and I'll be darn if I am going to let a nit-picker get me down. Learn to stand up for what you believe is right on your job and put the rest in God's (or whoever you believe as the higher power) hands. There is nothing in this world that is worth dying early over, whether it be a life situation or job situation. Life is too short. Learn to enjoy what you have and don't worry about the rest. Take life a day as it comes and follow your heart. Good luck to you.

Good advice - Thank you.

[ In Reply To ..]
I needed that. (the ex-RN-er)

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