Co-Workers and Work.

Regarding the most recent thread about going back to work......do many of your co-workers know about your surgeries?  Do they know the severity of your disease and that you wear a bag?

I have a unique situation.  I work in the same hospital that I've spent much of my time as a patient.  Everyone, including the therapists, radiologists, techs, etc. etc. know of my disease because they have taken care of me through the past six years.  It's been challenging to keep the focus off my GI system after returning to work. Everyone is curious, but no one asks the questions they are thinking. 

 

Yes all my co-workers know about my condition and that I wear a bag. It doesn't bother me in the slightest that they know and I dont mind talking about it if they want to know anything.

I currently work at an office with about 25 people and about 23 of them know (the other two are only new, I'll get to talk about it with them soon lol). It turns out that one of the other girls has UC and might need a bag in the future and yet another girl has a hubby with crohns. You never know who you might be able to help if you let people know :)

At my previous workplace, there was about 75 people and I'd say half of them knew because I told them. I have no qualms about telling anyone, it might just educate a few :)

I've never had any negative reactions from any of them (in fact, in more than a few cases, just the opposite - they tend to admire me and tell me how they'd never have known if I hadn't told them).

I have been sick for so long and every year for the past three years I have gone into the hospital for some type of surgery. My co-workers are always worried about me. So, after this last surgery they wanted to know what the doctors did this time. I have no problem sharing with people that I have a bag. I have found that many people feel inspired when they learn of my health problems. I feel more confident around people when I tell them so if I have to excuse myself, itch or if my stoma makes a little noise I can just blame it on my recent surgery. Usually I get a laugh out of my co-workers and I do not feel embarrassed.

I went back to work last week after being off 3 months, I work in a hospital. My first day back I had a woman come up to me in the cafeteria telling me that she had heard that I had surgery and how her mom had the same surgery, but had the J-pouch soon after and her exact words "my mom would rather die than wear a bag forever, is yours permanent?" I told her "I don't know but thankfully I'm not as stupid as your mother" I have no idea who this woman is and how she knew me! Before I even came back to work I had been told that everyone knew about my surgery like it was no big deal. I was very angry because it should have been my decision to tell who I wanted and I told my boss that my right to privacy was just as important as a patient's. I'm over it all now, those who were sincerely concerned will see that I'm getting stronger and will be happy for me and those who just wanted to gossip can go to He$%.

Bacially, if they ask and want to know, i tell them. Anyone who doesn't ask and seems like they don't really want or care to know, i could care less.
I've had friends and co workers ask me questions about the whole deal, and i've answered all of them with no problems. At the same time i've had people look at me, knowing the deal, like i'm crazy or something. To which i reply...............bite me.

You learn who your friends are. The others aren't worth the time.