What Changes Have You Made Regarding Your Employment?
What changes have you had to make regarding work?
Are you self-employed, half-time, unemployed, on disability, or getting accommodations at work?
How has that affected you?
I went from being a full-time teacher to working remotely as a consultant. I am fortunate that I have a partner with a steady income to supplement the slow times but overall, it is the best thing I have done for my health. When I'm working a contract I set my own hours which means as long as I get the work done I am free to take a nap if I need it or work only mornings which works best for me.
My mental health has been a struggle though. After so many years of pushing through pain and being praised for productivity and professional accomplishment, so much of my self-worth is tied up in my career. It's been over a year and I still get stuck in the pattern of needing to accomplish to earn rest. I'm having to revisit my identity and find worth in my life as it is.Thank you for sharing this! It is such a relief to set your own hours. And oh my, do I understand the cycle of needing to accomplish to earn rest. So hard to unwind after decades of living it! I'm still working through all of the things you mention: not tying my self worth to my job and how much I can accomplish, even outside of work. And I don't have a second income to rely on, so there is also the tricky line of surviving under capitalism and doing the best self-care possible. There with you in these struggles! ~Katrina, Endometriosis.net Advocate 
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I can relate to all of this SO much. I was a behavior therapist for a few years right before my endometriosis started to show. And before I knew it, I could not physically do that job anymore. So, I left and started working from home creating my own businesses here and there. Like you, thankful for a partner who had a steady income and was so supportive. I get that mental health aspect too. But I want you to know you are a rockstar. I know it is easier to say than hear it and believe it. But you are. YOU do not have to prove anything, to earn rest. Never ever forget that. Sending you so many hugs. Know, we are here for you. please reach out and message anytime you need because I am absolutely in the same boat and can relate <3 -Kimberli (advocate)
I’m working with an attorney to file for disability
I recently just had a hysterectomy to hopefully help my endometriosis but my ovaries are still in. It’s still a long battle but I’ve been without work due to my endo for over a year now and I’ve worked my whole life. Endo has changed my life completely but I’m taking my life back one step at a time❤️I'm sorry to hear you've had to take it to the level of getting an attorney to file for disability. It should never be that challenging for folks to file for something we have a right to! I love how you said you're taking your life back one step at a time. It can be such a process. I wish you luck! ~Katrina, Endometriosis.net Advocate sending you so many hugs and good thoughts. So sorry you are going through and dealing with, all of this. I hate how challenging it is for anyone suffering. Bravo for that attitude of taking your life back. I am SO proud of you. I want you to know, we are here for you. So certainly, message anytime you need <3 XO -Kimberli (advocate)
I have had to drop a day at work due to being physically unable to get through a 5 day week, work has been supportive but sometimes I feel they don't support me with my hospital appointments as it means more time off and we are already short staffed.
I have to attend the women's hospital every 4 weeks and I have to travel by train as I don't drive and the hospital is away from my home town.
I am on the waiting list and have been since October last year for a full hysterectomy and bowel surgery to as the endo has spread to my bowel.
My consultant told me last October I was at stage 4 and was told I should have the op within 1 year its now November and they are now saying the op won't be this year.
Recently I have been having really bad back ache to a point where the pain engulfs me and makes me sick, after scans they have now found endo on my spine I can barely walk n yesterday at work I tried to continue my job as best I could but broke down due to the pain. My colleagues were so supportive but management less so.
The hospital say I'm on the waiting list and being given medication but I just feel so low now I feel drained I feel like life will never be better for me, my mental health is at all time low the worst its ever been to a point where I've thought of giving in.😢
Endometriosis is a cruel painful debilitating disease more help abd support is needed its not just bad heavy periods like some people think its ruins peoples quality of life its not fair 😢This sounds truly awful and I'm sorry you're going through that. I have Stage 4 endo and went through sacral nerve involvement and bowel involvement, so I sympathize so much with where you are right now. I am so sorry that you're being made to wait for surgery. My last surgery turned things around in a huge way for me and I was able to be mobile again...before surgery I couldn't walk very far and stairs were agony. I'm glad to hear you have supportive colleagues at work, at least. My DMs are open, so please feel free to reach out if you need a place to vent. I hope you will get your surgery date soon so you can get relief. ~Katrina, Endometriosis.net Advocate
