Just whining

I was working two part time jobs just before I had a bowel obstruction and needed re-section surgery. I had only been working at my second job for a few months, and out of fairness to them, and because I didn't know how long I would take to recover, I resigned my position. It was a hard decision, but probably better for my health and for my employer, so they could be free to hire someone and not hold the job for me.

So I needed to turn in my keys and ID yesterday. I saw my old supervisor who proceeded to give me a stress management lecture and to talk about her dad who has a "nervous stomach." The implication was that the job was stressful and I somehow, through my lack of coping skills, got myself sick. This lady is retiring soon, and I'll probably never see her again, and I just didn't have the energy to engage in the conversation. I listened politely and then said I was in a rush and got out of there as soon as I could.

I do realize that stress has an impact on everyone's physical health, but no one would dare say what this supervisor said to me to a cancer patient. It just really irritated me!!!

I'm sorry, that's horrible. It seems like people think Crohn's is no big deal. Given how many medication commercials and awareness campaigns seem to focus on framing the disease as "embarrassing" and "uncomfortable" rather than "dangerous and potentially life-threatening," I guess I understand, but I still hate feeling like I need to educate everyone I encounter.

Thanks everyone...this supervisor is an RN too! Stress doesn't cause Crohn's and bowel obstructions...she should know better. Ah Well, I'm preaching to the choir. thanks for letting me vent;-)

I'm with NCOT. It would flash my stomach and ostomy and tell her how "my nervous stomach" just about killed me and how life saving surgery saved me.

Some people need to think before they speak. As my grandmother used to tell me all the time, "if what is going to come out of your mouth is going to hurt someone else, rethink your words."

Sorry you had to experience this. There are a lot of inconsiderate people out there. I too had to quit a second job. It was an extra part-time job my boss recommended me to do. My last flare up forced me to quit. I could hardly speak and I simply sent her a message to inform her but she didn't answer.
We meet a lot of people who think that this dd is caused by stress.
Don't upset yourself and forget about these people.

Well....now I am glad you don't work with this person any more...even though they are retiring.  I get that you were just too tired to fight it...and I think you are right that it would not have been worth it.

I do tend to save my gory details for these folks.  I once heard "aww honey you just are tired and that's why you have a tummy ache"....my response...a "tummy ache" does not come with your guts tearing themselves apart and being less than 12 hours from a septic coma....but thanks for being so caring."  But, I am usually much more passive and say "Crohn's is not as simple as TV makes it out to be...I could tell you more if you want."

Ok, now after my griping about "The Doctors", today they have a Crohn's patient with an ostomy as a guest who was articulate and gave a more accurate picture of it. I presume this was a rerun. They've redeemed themselves a little.

NCOT, It probably is available online; I'm sure they have a website. It was better than the prior coverage, but I did miss a few seconds of it (signal played out) which for TV, can make a big difference.

The show is called "The Doctors". The host doctor is Travis Stork.