Hi Rave... I can relate to your frustration. I am a certified massage therapist, I had a 10 year career in private practice doing quite well and loving my work. I am also a potter and did that on the side, made some money with it, but not a living. Before all that I was a social worker for 17 years. Then 6 months ago I was hit with this disease and had to stop all work for 3 months. I am back part time with massage but I realized I could not do that full time again, too physical. So I thought I'd go back to social work but I really don't want to work for a big agency again. So I came up with this idea to call myself a Recovery Consultant and I am working with people who are newly diagnosed with a serious medical illness and need help re-designing their life and re-inventing themselves. I am using some planning skills I've learned over the years helping people connect to their community resources, manage their medical records, design new nutrition and exercise plans. It is just in the planning stages but I am working with a business consultant and plan on making it happen. I may make it more broad and do some form of life coaching in the future. Maybe you can look at this time to do something you've always wanted to do. Possibly get re-educated using Office of Vocational Rehabilitation resources? We can figure out a way you can use your medical transcript training... there has to be a way!!! If you want to talk about it with me send me an email and we can brainstorm some ideas together.
Maruska

Not being able to work has been my biggest frustration with all this. I had a good factory job and was the main bread winner of the house. There is no way I could go back to that kind of work. It's 48 hours a week with only 2 10min breaks and a 20 min lunch. And its on a moving line which forces me to step on and off a moving floor. Not gunna happen, even on good days. So I had an enlightening moment today...I actually journaled about it earlier. Even though its sucks being broke...I don't want to work in a factory...that is not my life purpose. I LOVE your idea MaruskaPogo :) I think it will go over very well...me I have counselling backgroup, personal training and 2 Nutrition diplomas....I was offered a job today with a spa as a Nutrition Counsellor...not going to take it as I am in the middle of applying for disablitiy...but it did make me realize that I can use this as an oppurtunity to do something that I love....I would most likely go out on my own so that if I do have a bad day I'd be in control of my schedule...my health is the most important... so Rave...take this as a chance to do something you will feel good about, and lets you take care of your health too. Good luck
PS I hope you are feeling better soon

A friend told me about a travel agency that was hiring at home agents and had me to send my resume to her new manager. Once she told me their requirements, I decided that I really wouldn't be any better off, other than I would have my travel discount benefits again. I then went onto Careerbuilder and saw that the same company was hiring here in their Tampa office and figured I could give it a try and at least earn a better salary than the at home position was paying. I had a phone interview with the HR person today and was informed that the position had been filled by someone who transferred from the other side of the state and after the call was really somewhat relieved as I know that I do not want to go back into an office and that it would really be difficult for me with the amount of pain that I am in.

I decided to stay put for now with the company that I work for at home and continue to work on my business plans. I will start my businesses after the first of the year and I don't want anything to interfere in my getting started. I will just have to put on more of the armor of God and deal with the everyday stress of a company that is ran by lousy management until I can step out on my own. I am a great corporate travel agent and I use to love what I do. In the meantime I and my grand daughter will practice new cake flavors and design some inspirational t-shirts. My legs are my only limitations.

I have remained working through the whole thing but I have adjusted my job. I do communications marketing for a large mutual fund company. My job required 50-60 hours a week and 25-30% travel. At first I really tried to do it but it got to be too much. So I talked to my boss and worked out that I could work 2 days a week at home. I did that for 2 years. Then she moved to San Francisco and told me I could work from home full time. At first I struggled with the idea but it has changed my world. I no longer spend the energy getting up and to the office. Most my work is on the computer and over the phone. I can put my feet up when they get puffy. If I need a nap over lunch, I can do that too.

The hard part is after almost a year working at home, it is very clear I am not part of "the team" anymore. I am also not considered a "career mover" at work. I don't get the hot projects anymore or given challenging work. I am pretty status quo. With my boss moving to CA, it was easier to justify me not traveling so much. Now I make 6-8 business trips a year instead of 20-25. It helps for sure. I am learning to adjust to my new "job". I am now protected by ADA so they can't fire me but they can sure make it miserable. It is tough to realize you are no longer growing in a career. But I get insurance and disability. I also make a decent income which is important to me as a single mother.

I heard Jet Blue has work at home people. I also like the idea on finding something you love that you are good at. I think it is important to stay active and involved...even when it is tough physically.

Hang in there. Something will come up.

Oh and I was going to add, working takes all the energy. There is nothing left in the evening after work and the weekends are spent trying to catch up on laundry and such before I have to do my Metho shot and waste a day laying on the couch Sunday.

My BPM (before PM) years were spent in education or office administration, so I have built on these skills. I now work from home as a part-time virtual bookkeeper and administrative assistant, as well as a tutor for home-schooled students. While there are times when I miss the constant interraction with my peers, I really feel blessed to still be doing things that I enjoy. I trust that you will find what works for you and your family.

Hi there - I feel your pain! There was a another post recently on "What do you do for a living" that you might want to search - or you may have answered it, but anyway !, with the medical transcribing, I would call your current doctor offices and see if they need this service or if they know of anyone. I seem to recall a post where someone was doing this from home for their doctor. A friend of mine who wants to get into medical assisting called her doctors office to see if she could "shadow" their medical asst. to see if she would be up to it. I would also ask the school where you received the certificate if they have placement.
Hope that helps!
Love Hugs and Prayers :-)

I own my own business, and like what has already been said. Work takes everything out of me, and I don't have much to offer at the end of the work day. I do a lot of corporate event planning, and on the days of the events, it takes everything I have to make it until the end. Some days are 5 am to midnight. Luckily that is not every day.
I have a friend that has Lupus really bad, and her doctor finally told her working was causing more flares, and she applied for disability pay. She was declined the first time, appealed, and it was finally granted.
I'm not to that point yet, but will be contacting her for help should it ever come to that.

Hi rave713, I teach school. Here are some ideas you might try for a career: Bill collecting - you can sit at a phone and if you feel bad then it may help convince the consumer to pay! Real Estate - the market now is not good but if you are good at sales this is a great career that you can do on your own time. Also, talk to your states employment commission. Many states will have jobs listed that are available and they will give you training to fit into the work. I am sure you could be placed somewhere. You simply need an adjusted schedule and the opportunity to work sitting down. Prayer works well in a situation like this one. Ask the Lord to lead you into a career that will fit with your situation and then go look for work when you feel well enough to interview. Good Luck

I've managed to hold on to my jobso far, but that will soon change. I will get some disability from them so that will help. I think I will return to teaching, but not full time. I think I will substitute teach, at least until I get this DM thing settled down. Also, my wife has been wanting to open her own shop, and if that happens, I will be working for her there, at least some of the time. It is very frustrating to have to give up a job that I love, and that pays well, but I think maybe my life might be better if I take the huge burden of trying to do a strenuous job. Some of the days are tough, and I sometimes dread going in to a job that I love. Kind of weird, and maybe a sign that I need to move on.

@dannycall - I hear you about it being frustrating for you since you love your job, but I think you are very wise to take a break and get your DM under control. It sounds like you have options and are getting some disability, so I applaud you for taking care of yourself. I've taken a pay cut and it is worth it. I listed expenses and am seeing how I can cut down on each one.
Your health is your wealth!
Love Hugs and Prayers:-)