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Need Advice... Big Decision, Sort of OT

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/16/2008 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
So I got offered a job about 4 hours away from my house. Which will require me to stay there during the week and come home on the weekend if I wish to. This wil be for approximately 8 months. I live in Toronto and the job opportunity is in Windsor. The money, benefits and opportunity is much better than the job i'm currently at. I will most likely be staying in a hotel, which means I will have no kitchen to cook my own food which means I will probably be doing alot of eating out. I didn't tell the new employer about my condition. To give you a little background on my condition, I generally flare every 8-10 months. I've never really had to miss work for a flare. I guess i'm just thinking the worst will happen. I'm thinking that I will go away and I will fall into a huge flare and have to miss work then get fired, but at the same time I'm always telling myself to not let this disease rule my life. I don't really know what I'm trying to say I guess I just need some help making this decision  lol.. Thanks in advance for your input or advice.
Posted 10/17/2008 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Go with your first gut instinct, if you don't take chances you'll never know the answers to your questions...BTW, lots of motels have kitchenettes so that's always an option too.

:)
Posted 10/17/2008 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply PB4, I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Great advice too.
Posted 10/17/2008 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
Anytime an employer is putting you up long term they usually get a suite which includes a kitchen. Lots of people eat healthy and it is expensive to eat out all the time. You can tell them you need a kitchen without telling them you have UC.
Posted 10/17/2008 12:40 PM (GMT 0)
Go for it!!!
Posted 10/17/2008 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
There should be some "apartment hotels" that have a well equipped kitchen for you to rent on a montly basis. Much cheaper than staying in a hotel.

Good luck and I say go for it.
Posted 10/17/2008 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
I really appreciate your responses. This forum is great, not even just in terms of dealing with issues relating to our condition.. In today's "every man for himself" world it's refreshing to know there are people who are generally concerned about the well-being of people they don't even know personally.
Posted 10/17/2008 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
I say go for it Kickboxer, you won't know until you've tried and I bet things work out very well for you. The company I work for puts people up in a Residence Inn; it's like a one bedroom apartment and some of these places even do the grocery shopping for you and take care of other amentities too such as laundry. Let us know how things go for you!

Posted 10/17/2008 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
So I found out more details today. They are gonna put me up in either a condo or an embassy suites type hotel with a living room, bedroom and kitchenette.. Food expense is paid so I will be able to get my own groceries.. They are gonna send me the official offer today.. I'm gonna go for it for sure, like you all have said there's no way to find out how it will work out until I actually go for it. Thanks again everybody who has responded!!! I'll keep you posted and let you know how it goes for those who are interested
Posted 10/17/2008 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Awesome Kickboxer! Sounds like a great deal to me! Hey, when I first took on this job, I was so nervous that my UC would kick up or whatever....well, it was the best choice I made. So, you just never know until you take the chance. And who better to take the chance on than yourself! Obviously they think you are just perfect for that job!

Posted 10/17/2008 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, that's great news re kitchenette being available! I'm wondering from the practical standpoint if you're on any remission meds. Be sure to relocate with a supply of whatever your colon needs to stay happy; pack that 1st!

Then you are sure to adjust well to your new situation. Best wishes & definitely keep us posted as time permits. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 (generic) Colazal daily for maintenance of remission)

Posted 10/17/2008 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Kickboxer, God opens doors for us for a reason - seems that He needs you at this new job for a reason - I say go for it!

 

Gigi1227

Posted 10/17/2008 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
How exciting!!!! Sounds like an awesome company and opportunity... be sure to keep us updated on everything.

:)
Posted 10/17/2008 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
I set up an appointment with my doc to get a referral for a g.i for the time that I'm out there, if I need to see one. I'm also going to be loading up on prednisone(just in case) and mezavant which should keep me armed for the 8 months while i'm there.. My only issue now is that I haven't told them about my UC. I don't know if I should or not. Like I mentioned before my case is pretty easily controlled with my mezavant or prednisone ,when needed, so I don't know if it's really necessary to tell them. But a the same time I think its better that they know so that in case something does every arise they at least know the story
Posted 10/17/2008 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
If you currently are not in a flare and your flares don't affect your work I would not say anything about it. It may not be a factor during your tenure there. You are under no legal obligation to tell them. I have been in my job for 2 years and have not told my boss yet.
Posted 10/17/2008 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Very exciting! I stayed in an Embassy Suites for eight weeks once for a trial, and it was the greatest adventure. I could write a book about all the interesting people I met at the nightly happy hour. It still makes me smile to think about it. And I had a microwave and fridge, and ate a good breakfast every morning. It was easy. I even moved my excercise bike there (it was near NYC, and lived near DC, five hour drive). And my room was cleaned every day!!
I have never found it necessary to tell an employer about my UC, except the one I had when I was first diagnosed/flared and missed two weeks of work. I believe there are too many downsides to an employer thinking you are sickly.
Trust your instincts! I'm a little jealous!!
Posted 10/19/2008 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Kickboxer-- we did a thread on the Q of telling the boss/not telling that one has UC several months back. There were many responses, including some from UCers writing here who have legal backgrounds. The majority recommended not telling when one is a new staffer, especially if the UCer generally has good control of flares. It sounds like you fit this category. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 10/19/2008 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
In my personal experience I don't keep it a secret but don't disclose before I need to either. I just don't make it a big deal. Usually during a training or something I might say to the person training "If I step out a lot this morning I'm not being rude but have crohns and need to use the bathroom." If I find I am being put in situations where I would be more comfortable with people knowing, I tell. If I have constant bathroom access and no one monitoring my trips then I don't bring it up.
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