any people who have careers or in school?

jaideni · Ferret Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 111

I want to hear from people are in school or have attempted to go to school, and from those who have or have had a career and how having lupus affected their lives. I am in school now and having a hard time imagining being able to complete atleast five more years and going into my chosen field which is pharmacy. I am wondering if I should quit and try something else that wont require so much time and studying Question

Jennyfoo · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:42 pm Post subject:

I'm a stay-at-home mom with 4 kids, ages 10, 5, 4, and 8 months. That's my chosen career. I'd certainly not have chosen such a full plate if I knew 10 years ago that I was going to get sick. School or a career and no children would be much easier. I can't call in sick- EVER. I don't get to take 2 weeks vacation in the summer. No matter how sick I am, someone else needs me and I have a hard time finding time to take care of myself. That said, the rewards are more than worth the stress and hard work that having a large family brings. We may even add one more baby next winter if social workers call us for placement of the baby's sibling(birth-mom is pregnant right now). It all depends on how I'm doing at that point in time.

NoodleMom · Labrador Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 305

Hi jaidani,
I was in school last fall and working part-time when my lupus it me hard and I had to both quit school and my job. I was in bed for about 4-5 months before I was stabilized and my symptoms abated. Now I am at home managing my lupus and raising my children. I may in the future return to classes but rigt now I have no concrete plans to do so. Learning how to manage my lupus and listening to the signals my body sends me is my full-time job. I try not to look at all that "IT" has cost me because that just causes stress and stress affects my lupus. So I just merrily plod along with my walking stick, my wide brimmed hat, tons of SPF50 sunscreen and my jacket that has sunscreen in it.

Hi Jennyfoo, I am an adoptive mother also. We have 10 children total with only six at home now. I have three birth and seven adopted. Welcome to our Lupie Family. Very Happy

K

DrinkofWtr · Kitten Joined: 12 Apr 2008 Posts: 149

Hi:

I have lupus and fybromyalgia. When I was younger, I didn't have it too bad. I completed by four year degree. Never went the fifth year to become a full time teacher though. I probably could have worked
as a full time teacher for a while if I had pursued it. I accommodate my lupus by working as a substitute teacher. The pay isn't anywhere that of a full time teacher, but I can work the days I feel like it. Good luck!

itcbitc · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:24 pm Post subject:

I am an attorney with a very busy employment litigation practice. Prior to being diagnosed, I was always getting sick--since childhood--so career has been tough, but I have been doing it for nearly 21 years. In 2003, prior to being diagnosed or even suspecting that I had any major medical problem, I just noticed I couldn't keep pace anymore--also my mom had passed away and my dad fell ill with Leukemia--

I went into semi retirement. Moved my practice to my home and took only attorney referrals. My health continued to decline and I was diagnosed after my doctor ran an ANA and various other tests. Since then, it has been a constant struggle to maintain my flares and try to go into some form of remission.

I am finally throwing in the towel. I am convinced that my schedule and stress of litigation against Fortune 100 and 500 companies is doing me in. So, I am winding down my case load and will be done practicing by next Spring.

dede96 · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:08 pm Post subject:

Hi there. I am currently working. I am a nurse. Unfortunately I have lupus, crohn's and intracranial hypertension. Everyday that I can wake up and go to work I am grateful. I have been working for 2 months now, after being off for nearly 2 and a half years, and my body is starting to get worn down, but I am trying very hard to hold on. I am only 44 and I am just not ready for disability yet.

jaideni · Ferret Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 111

I kinda figured after my last semester that I might not make it I have a three year old and not much family around. I have noticed that I feel better if I go to sleep as soon as I get the urge only that is rarely possible.I think I will try to finish my first degree with the help of a few online classes but wanted to know what i could realistically expect thanks for the posts

Morpheus · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject:

Hi I was at university couple years back and got a degree.
I am currently employed full time, and busy completing my honours degree.

I never had to stop doin any of these due to my illness, thank god
Exclamation

_________________
I intend to live forever, so far so good Smile

SwirlyGirly · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:44 am Post subject:

Hi there,

I've had lupus since I was 13, that is a total of 22 years now. I also have fibromyalgia. I completed my BA and my MS. Honestly, my BA took a long time. I had some semesters I could only handle one or two classes. For my MS, I did the majority of it online. I'm actually enrolling for another graduate degree this fall. Again, online classes. Those work best for me, I can take my laptop right into bed with me, and I can do my work whenever I can, even if it is 2 in the morning. One tip for you, register your disability with the school. That really assisted me! Most teachers gave me extra time on tests, extra time to turn in assignments, and would ask if I needed any other accommodations.

I'm working full time as a behavior analyst for children with autism. Been doing this for 14 years now. I have been very honest with the company and for the days I can't seem to get out of bed, I save up tasks that I can do from home. They have been very flexible.
_________________
~SwirlyGirly~
California
})i({

Razzleberry · Puppy Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 201

I do not work, do not go to school, do not do much of anything now ...but I am old Smile

...was a stay at home mom, then as the kids left I was a stay at home wife. I thank my lucky stars every day for my hubby and the life I am able to lead thanks to him.

I don't know how anyone with lupus can hold down a full time job or go to university. All of you who do simply amaze me. I am on my feet now at my computer and giving you all a standing ovation!

laurid8967 · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:07 pm Post subject:

I recieved my degree before I got sick. However, I first left my VERY lucrative bartending job due to the physical stress on my body when I got sick. They had no idea what was wrong with me, but I still couldnt feel well enough to work.
I felt better for a bit (was on a TON of pain meds, though), and went to work as a social worker advocating for parents of children with special needs. My degreee is in social work. After a year, I was hired for a more lucrative position, but had to leave both positions jsut after I was hired (was there a year total only) due to meningitis/shingles, etc.
Was out of work for a couple of years until last summer when I was feeling GREAT, thought all of this boloney was behind me, and applied and was hired to be a home inspector (I had done this job when I was first out of high school - no hubby no kids). I was thrilled because I could really make my own schedule, and that would be great IF I started to feel sick again, etc. I was hired in January, and - as I was beginning to flare again - I REALLY pushed myself, hoping my flare would go away - but, as I was still un Dxd, I was still UNTREATED. I ended up resigning after 5 months, and I was really, really upset about it. I felt like I had joined the land of the living again, and it was such a LET DOWN!!
Now, Im being treated, and I think if I continue to improve as the Plaquenil settles everything down, I may be able to work part time. But its really a wait-and-see game. I LOVE to work, but as you all know - there are days when I can barely make it to the bathroom!! Hard to commit to anything with this disease, you know? I think alot depends on your being treated or not, and how well your meds are affecting your flares - everyone is different.
I hope things start to get better for you - they will in time - jsut have faith and hang in there. Keep posting!!
Lauri
_________________
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference...

emilrooo · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject:

This post ended up being kinda long-- sorry!

I am a PhD student. I took 5 years to get my B.A. and 3 years to get my M.A. I'm one year into the PhD and I have at least another 3-4 years before I'm finished. I became seriously sick during the summer before my 3rd year in undergraduate and was diagnosed within about 6-8 months (I'm one of the lucky ones to get a quick diagnoses). School can be really tough with lupus but as another member said, take full advantage of disabled student services. I've found that in addition to extra time for tests and things like that, these programs can also help you get exceptions to "normative time," i.e., how long it takes to get your degree. Many schools, especially grad programs put a limit on how long you can take. I was surprised by how much disabled students could help me. Depending on your school, you may be able to get priority status for things like campus daycare, which could make life a little easier.

I also TA at the univ., so my "teacher" advice is to make sure your profs and TAs know what is going on with you from the beginning of the course-- and don't assume disabled student services will inform them. I often have students approach me once the world has crashed down around them, for whatever reason, and they would have had a much easier time if they approached me earlier. I should take my own advice though, since I tend to do this too. It can be hard (and exhausting) to tell people about having lupus and what that means.

Another area of study may also help. The sciences (like pharmacology) require a lot of lab time/time away from home. Social sciences and humanities (my area) is much easier to study when you have a chronic illness-- lots of sitting at home reading or writing. But then again, it usually doesn't pay the bills. You've got a lot on your shoulders, having lupus, a baby, and little support network-- you should be proud of yourself for getting any schoolwork done at all! I've been very lucky and privileged to not have to worry about all those extra things.

Best of luck with your studies.

peace,

em

hatlady · Tiger Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 864 Location: Illinois

What an interesting post this is to read! We are so varied in our lives, yet so linked. It is wonderful to have each other to learn from and lean on.

I was diagnosed at 50, after I'd completed a BA, MS (Human Resources) and was almost through a second MA in Ethics. I work very full time - 40-50 hours a week in a management position. Forutnately I have a fabulous staff who recognize that there are days I do NOT feel good and they steer problems away from my office those days. (They are SUCH a godsend!)

Jaideni, I think you're learning from this post that each of us is very differnt in what we can do and what we can accomplish. I did switch from a busy healthcare environment to a somewhat slower paced college environment shortly before I was diagnosed, I think I'd have more problems if I'd still been in healthcare - it is so fast paced and stressful.

If the coursework for pharmacology is too heavy a workload, look at other degree programs - talk to your Advisor at school - AND talk to your ADA coordinator at school as well. You may find that pharmacology could still be a fit because it is an area you love. Maybe it will take a year or two longer to get there. Or you may decide that another field would be a better choice.

Whatever your decision, be sure it is the one that your heart leads you to. You may have less energy and stamina due to lupus, but I've learned there's little I cannot do if my heart says I MUST do it.

"Believe in yourself. You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you look fear in the face. You must do that which you think you cannot do." (Eleanor Roosevelt)
_________________
~"I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe." (Dalai Lama)

Oluwa · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:42 am Post subject:

Hi ya...hey, Jaideni,

Whatever your decision, be sure it is the one that your heart leads you to. You may have less energy and stamina due to lupus, but I've learned there's little I cannot do if my heart says I MUST do it.

Wonderful words from Hatlady, wonderful advice...

Live life...Jaideni, worry about the ifs, and buts when and if they every come to be. No IT story is the same..yours will be different. Go for it...

Keep well,
Hugs,
Oluwa

luvwine2007 · Big Goldfish Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 72

Very well said! Lupus may slow us down, but we can still do things at our own pace!

I finished my Masters last year, but it was mostly online, which made things easy. My BS would have been harder if I had been suffering from lupus at the time.

I've just found I need to pace myself. I think that is key. I can't work full time and go to school full time. But I can work and go to school part time! I may not have a perfect house, but we survive. I take advantage of good days, and rest when I feel crappy (like today!). It is frustrating since I used to be a go go go girl and never had problems getting things done, but I just changed my perspective. So if you really want to go to pharmaceuticals (sp?) you probably can but just need some help and extra time!

Good luck!