[Anonymous]

#1020230

I have been reading old bulletins and saw one from 2004 that said that Graves qualifies under the American Disabilities Act. Is this true? I actually had a meeting with my HR today and during that time I asked them if there was a way that I could work extra time as needed depending on if my brain was “functioning” that day. I am in a different type of category as an employee. I am a salaried non-exempt employee. I can not work free time as an exempt employee would, but there are some days that I feel like the company didn’t get their money’s worth. They did say there was a way to do it – that they would send me the policy. But, I thought I mentioned the American Disabilities Act and they said no, it wasn’t that. I don’t want to be treated special – I just want to be able to get my job done, and on some days that takes longer than 8 hours.

I have also been dealing with a lot of stress at work lately; dealing with 2006 year end and 2007 new data entries. I also just do not deal with stress well anymore and have been quite flushed lately. I am actually looking forward to being off next week. I am scheduled for RAI on the 17th.

Are there any pertinent questions I need to “remember” to ask at the session before the RAI treatment. I have the class this week.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

#1076437

Hi Mammaw-
I hope that your RAI goes well and I am sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time a work. Praying for a fast and easy recovery for you! Let me know how you are doing I think of you often!

[Anonymous]

#1076438

I am not completely sure — so you need to talk with your own doctor (and perhaps, lawyer) about this issue — but there is often confusion between having Graves hyperthyroidism, and having Graves Eye Disease (now generally known as THYROID eye disease). The eye disease, at its worst, is a disability. Since this disease is often called ‘Graves’ that might be the disability qualifier most often talked about. The hyperthyroid problem, being treatable, is not necessarily one. It might be, if the debilitating effects are extreme, and permanent, which is why you need to discuss things with your own advisors.

Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1076439

Bobbi,

Well, I had a discussion with our Occupational Health today and they checked with Legal, of course that was after they stopped laughing. No one can understand that I just want to be able to work a little extra time, at no pay, if I feel like I’m a little slow that day. Sometimes I can be going along strong, and then get distracted by someone, and just not be able to refocus right away. My boss says that I am doing all he expects of me, except for forgetting to run some reports for him on occasion. He is new, just starting when I went back to work in the spring and I was also out for 7 weeks this fall for a hysterectomy. He just doesn’t know what I used to be able to do and I don’t feel as good as I was. He may not expect more out of me, but I do. I had my previous boss for 2 years and I knew what he wanted and needed. My new boss doesn’t need the same work done, matter of fact he just told me to stop doing some of it. I know this will come back to haunt me, but okay. As I said, I haven’t worked with him long enough to get his scheduled reports/etc. into a routine, and I tend to forget them. This is a very hectic time at work and it’s very easy to forget his new stuff.

He suggested that I fill out a Family Leave Request form just to make sure that if I should have any more health issues and need to go out on short-term or long-term disability that I would be guaranteed my old job back (is this a hint). Well, this isn’t a Family Leave issue. My problems with my focus is a medical issue and I still perform adequately to keep working, just not as good as I was before. I was known as being able to multi-task better than most, and my memory was exceptional. I could even make it down the hall in the direction of the bathroom and remember why I was there.(HaHa) I don’t expect to have such serious problems with the RAI and possibly going hypo that I can’t work. I am trying really hard to be optimistic.

I don’t mean to go on and on, but it really bothers me to still be having trouble with my memory and focusing. It is so much better than it was when I was diagnosed ( I had an experience with not knowing who I was or where and this was in my living room), but I want it back to normal. I have read that there is the possibility of memory issues after RAI and hypo so the fear factor is still there.

[Anonymous]

#1076440

Standingfirm,

Thank you for your support and concern. I am having issues at work with my memory and unnecessary distractions, but I have put it in motion to stop some of the distractions. Actually, today was better as far as the distractions, but I was given the lead on a project that will need to continue while I am out next week doing the RAI and I had to roll out info to a couple of my coworkers who will continue with it. You know how it is, extra work can cause extra stress which definitely causes less ability to focus.

How are you doing? Did you have good holidays? Mine were quiet and very different from past years, but everything seems to be changing.

Mammaw

[Anonymous]

#1076441

Mammaw

Do a search for ADA on this bullen board. You may find the answer to your questions or some of them this way.

Diane B On-Line Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1076442

You might also want to check out your insurance at work. Large companies usually provide short-term and long-term disabiity insurance, but that would involve your taking off work with a percentage paid by the insurance, if you chose to pay for this when you were hired.

I am one of the few with Graves that also has thyroid eye disease (TED) and Fibromyalgia. By the time I was diagnosed, my Graves had done a job on me. I was able to get Social Security Disability because I was unable to work at any job. Only you can decide this one. Doesn’t sound like you are that disabled at this point in time.

And, you might ask if your company would be willing to let you do a

[Anonymous]

#1076443

Joy,

I have short and long term. I used 12 weeks of short when I was diagnosed in January 2006. I get 13 weeks short at full pay, 13 weeks of 50% pay, then I would go in to long at 70% pay. I don’t want to be off any more – I was off for a total of 5 months last year as I also had to have a surgery.

I talked to HR again yesterday and my boss today. My doctor told me on Thursday that I should expect to be back to “normal” within 6 months. She was talking about my ability to focus. My RAI is on the 17th so I am optimistic and I’ll just do my best at work. As I said in earlier postings, he is happy with my work, it’s me that isn’t. He is actively thinking of how he can help me to be less distracted. He offered to put up higher walls around my cubicle to help with distractions.

I have a sign at my desk that says “One Day at a Time”. I plan on using that when I start getting overly stressed out.

Please keep me in your prayers next Wednesday.

Mammaw

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