To Laurie

[Guest guest]

Dear Laurie,

All I can say is that I was stunned to hear your sad news about your

impending lay off. This has not been a good week in the employment

world for some, and it's hard to know what to say when a friend has

a threat like that which we can't control hovering over their head.

I do hope that somehow things work out for you. The loss of insurance

is something that we all fear, since our medical condition is so

expensive and having proper insurance coverage is so essential for

all of us. I know that when my husband's company went through their

second bankruptcy and then the situation became even more dismal, day

after day, I was beside myself with worry about what we were going to do.

Then, when things looked the worst, and morale was at it's lowest at

the projected closing of the doors, negotiations were made and

suddenly a merger loomed that would save us, him, them.....whatever!

So for the time being, things are again looking better and it appears

that fate decided to give us a break and we'll continue to be insured

for a while longer, maybe long enough for my husband to make it to

his mandatory retirement in 6 years. Then, with retirement, we get to

worry about it all over again. But, I start on Medicare in October

and that should help with some.

All I can say is that I hope the same type of things happen for you.

When things look the worst, fate steps in and saves you....

Meanwhile, you'll be in my prayers and I'll be hoping for a miracle.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

SC State & SE Regional Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and should

not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

[Guest guest]

Laurie

-I worked for the univeristy, medical school, hospital here in

upstate NY so I know what you mean. Everything is money. I am

trying to get another job within the system...fortunately for me my

lay off was department generated not univeristy, so other

departments are hiring. Had an interview today for one I really

would like to get, but won't make the decision for a couple

weeks..so left with the scary situation for awhile.

As far as the screening, your right it is a catch 22. You don't

need to tell your interviewer (or direct employer due to

confidentiality) but it's in your best interest to tell the

independent doctor for screening that you take a prescription

medication, that should not show up on a report to the employer.

What should show up on a screening report is illegal substances.

Unfortuately you are at the mercy of whoever does the screening what

they put in the report so the employer could find out. I take

vicodin and I never tell my employer that I am on vicodin but I tell

the screener that it will show up and that it is a prescription

medication. I;ve never had any problems.

Your not being childish..I know the feeling that you want to just

scream at the world that it isn't fair and you deserve a chance

because you have been given a raw deal. I have been in that place

for a week or more (my issues are CP, bad back, neck, shoulders plus

a husband with Bipolar and ADD who's medication is out of whack) and

then I get laid off my 20 hour a week job. Sometimes I want to

scream at God ...the joke isn't funny anymore. So don't feel bad

for being angry about your situation, all we can do is start each

day trying to make things different. I am right where you are and I

agree with all your feelings.

If you need to vent feel free to e-mail me at pobox305@... or

instant message me on AIM mfpaxh51. I am usually online.

Theresa

-- In pancreatitis , " goutbuster " <goutbuster@y...>

wrote:

> Thanks Theresa,

>

> I