Anyone else feel like IC is interfering with their work?

[Jocotter]

I have worked in management in a nonprofit for 28 years. I've been having several flares this year with considerable pain. Sometimes it's really hard to concentrate on what people are saying, etc. I keep dreaming for the day I can retire (maybe 4-5 years?). Also, there is quite a bit of stress in my job, which doesn't help with IC at all. Anyone else working through these type of problems?

[Mothergoose]

Yes but I got the job because we own our own business and I work from home but can't quite, I fine at times very stressful to still for fill all my obligations and keep dates when things are due straight, etc.

I frequently loose whole days of work due to IC and then I am over whelmed when i am well enough to work again.

Sometimes i find it a very hard juggling act.

I feel for you. MG

[Jocotter]

I feel for you, too. It's hard to work with IC.

[kadi]

Yes, dealing with my IC at work has been challenging lately.
I started a new job and while most of my coworkers are very nice & helpful, several are very difficult. The two aides who cover my two extra bathroom breaks per day have "concerns" that I'm taking too long to give my students instructions before I leave (I think it's taking about 3-4 minutes plus 5 minutes to walk to and use the restroom). So, I agreed to set a timer and make sure that the kids are silently working before the aide arrives. But then their supervisor told me that it was only a problem once out of the 24 times they've covered for me and that she didn't think it should have been an issue at all. (And that one of the aides routinely leaves class for her own 15 minute breaks, which is double what she does for me and that often she comes to work 10 minutes late).

It's taken 3 weeks and multiple discussions to get my prep periods scheduled for the end of the day (for which I also have a medical necessity letter - under Americans With Disabilities Act). Yard duty became a problem because I'm using part of the 10 minute recess time to use the restroom and after multiple discussions on that, it was finally negotiated by my union rep that I won't have to do it. We'll see if/when(?) someone has a fit about that.

Yesterday, one of my coworkers began pressuring me to take my class on a 13-14 hour field trip (including driving to a train station then taking a two hour ride each way). She became extremely nasty when I said I didn't think I was going to do it. Said the parents would complain to the school board and try to get me fired. And then told me that she went on the trip herself with "ankles the size of basketballs, 9 months pregnant, just two days from due date." At that point, I just told her as politely as I could that that was, frankly, an insane thing to do, but thanked her for cautioning me about the parents' reaction. Her colleague (who's just as rude as she is) then came in and told me I looked "dour". I came very close to flipping her off, but just said as lightly as I could, "Dour? No, but a bit tired and overwhelmed at starting a new job." Most people would back off at that point, but she became even more aggressive, so I excused myself, left, and am considering eating lunch in my room alone. Which is a drag because I really like some of my coworkers, but the nonsense this week took about three hours to smooth everyone's ruffled feathers. Since I'm working long hours already and have flared from it, this is time I don't have.

I don't think this is me, I get along with most people pretty well. I'm going to have to learn to shrug it off, I guess. I'm really resenting having to disclose the IC and ask people to please give me the restroom break that was asked of them by the principal. I've not had this problem before in the 8 years I've had IC. Hopefully people will get over it and in the meantime, I'm working on developing thicker skin and remembering that I like my class and am happy to spend my days with the children.

[Jocotter]

Kadi, I don't see how you do it - being a teacher with IC! I have a job where lots of time is spent sitting at my desk, going to meetings, and sometimes going around to check on our various sites. Luckily, all the ladies I work with at our administrative office have worked with me for over 20 years, and as we all age, we all have our own physical limitations. So they don't treat me badly for going to the bathroom all the time, or to the doctor once a week for rescue instillations.

Teaching can be so physically demanding. I hate that other teachers are treating you like that. That really stinks! Hang in there.

[Mothergoose]

Kadi

I truly hope this is just growing pains with a new job and not signs of whats to come.

As for other's complaining, people don't like change especially when someone new comes into the picture and disrupts their routines. I am sure they don't understand your needs and you should not have to explain if your principle and union has backed your needs, basically it is none of their businesses.

Basically the other people telling you this or that just want things not to change and are being a bit of busy bodies at your expense.

If this other teacher is so intent on the kids doing this Field trip ask her to take them and trade her classes for the day, when my kids went to school teachers did this.

Also at the school my kids went too parents were encouraged to volunteer to help in the class, so although I am sure you need a teacher or aid present when you leave to us the restroom, the parent can offer continuity to the classroom.

I admire your being able to teach with this, I used to go into my kids class for 1 1/2 hours a day (only one of my kids at a time) and help, but ended up having to give it up I just wasn't dependable enough to do it everyday. I ended up opting to just go help on all Field trips as a parent helper.

Good luck stand your ground and don't give into peer pressure.

[kadi]

This is my 20th year teaching, my eighth year teaching with IC. This is the first place I've had significant trouble, so I won't be changing my career. I'm just going to have to get a little thicker skin and choose my battles. Oh, and avoid the two whack-a-doodles (field trippers), like it seems most people on staff do. I think God looked after me because my room is next to two of the nicest teachers on staff and the ninnies are on the far side of campus out in a portable. I wonder if the principal put them there to minimize harassment of the rest of the staff by them.

[kadi]

I think they may feel threatened by me, yesterday one of them came up to me in the staff room and said, "So what fabulous, exciting activities do you have on teaching about _____________ that you can give me? I said, "None yet. I'm just getting started." So she then repeated the question with every standard we have to teach this year. Each time, I said, "none yet." And finally reminded her that I've been spending the last 8 years teaching high school and that it will take time to build up my curriculum again and her response was, "So you're just teaching the textbook?" I didn't even answer that, just said "I'm kind of a first year teacher again and am working on each standard as they come up this year." and then left before it can get any nastier.

I know I'm kind of going on here, but I'm frankly, shocked. I've never met anyone as rude as her in the 6 schools I've worked at in my 20+ year career!

[Mothergoose]

Good luck Hugs MG

[Jocotter]

She sounds like a bully! Imagine what her students must experience.

[mary124]

It is hard to work with IC or any health issue that the person is gone besides IC I have a heart condition that my cardio is monitoring closely. So I am out a lot. I have a current supervisor that is now understanding (I was out on sick leave in April for the whole month) anyway before that she was a real bully, now that she knows exactly what I do and my co-worker don't do we get along just fine. Good luck.

[Jocotter]

So sorry about your heart. It's true what you say. I also have to be out for kidney doctor appts since I have kidney disease. It's not bad enough for dialysis, but they have to see me frequently. Fortunately, that is not painful.