Well, I knew I wouldn't nurse forever, but I didn't think I'd be quitting after less than 20 years. I have talked here before about some health problems and problems with my 16 year old stepson who never really accepted the fact that his dad and I got married, even though we will celebrate 5 years happily married in August.
I was diagnosed with HTN 2 1/2 to 3 years ago and started on meds for it. It didn't improve much and the doc played with meds, doses, that kind of thing. I finally started seeing a new doc that was very close to our house, and was one that a friend of my dh's - one of our local ER docs - suggested I see. She is just wonderful, really worked with me to get better results and some relief. She referred me to a cardiologist who I have been seeing for 2 years or so, and he started new meds, tests, that kind of thing.
He referred me to another cardiologist that performed the EP studies that he thought I needed. Did that, and was glad to get it done, but it the results we got did not help any. The EP studies were negative, but he did find the root of my problem. Turns out, I have the asd - atrial septal defect, and of course was sent to yet another doc. This one resides and works about 5 hours from us. He does travel up here to our city to see some patients every 2 weeks. Of course, he can't do what I need done here because the hospitals don't have and won't purchase the equipment to do so.
I am now in a holding pattern, waiting for the new doc from south Louisiana to get my films and all that and decide if he can fix my problem in his cath lab.
If he can't, then it looks like I will be having it taken care of here in our city. The thing is, it will probably require the open sternotomy incision (I think I'm calling it the right thing) and with it, all the yucky post op cardiac stuff, being on the vent post op, chest tubes, art line, and on and on and on.
That is enough to terrify me, but I have already gotten pulmonary HTN and some of the complications that the asd cause. I can't even walk to the mailbox some days to check the mail. I had been going to the gym and getting on the treadmill, but I can't do that now.
I did quit my nursing job when we started having trouble with my stepson. I kept up my license and CEUs to go back later if I wanted to when he got straightened out. I will be 39 in August, and I can't clean my house. Heck, I can't even take a shower at times without getting short and have to get out and sit and catch my bearth.
Hate to sound negative, but this is just getting me down by now. I've done some research online and I know some places do the minimally invasive surgery - robotic assisted surgery. They don't do that here either, I don't think.
Specializes in rehab; med/surg; l&d; peds/home care.
I'm so sorry to hear about your health and about problems w/ your stepson.
I know how it is to be young and have to quit nursing. Unfortunately, a few years ago at the age of 28, I developed cancer. Uterine cancer. Weird, rare, the whole shebang. Luckily for me, I had my children already...in my early 20's. At the time I developed cancer, my kids were very young...preschool age. I was a single mom, recently separated. I had just bought a new home. Oh so much happened, and it was so hard. I had to quit my job, of course, and that put me in a financial bind. I have never gotten help from my ex, no child support, no nothing. Luckily I had savings as well as food storage to survive financially, for a while.
Although I am now cancer-free, the side effects of treatment on my already in-poor-health body have rendered me disabled. I can't clean my home (well, I live with family now, but still). I can't ride a bike with my kids. I can't walk more than a few feet without needing a w/c. I suffer from severe pain. Applying for SS Disability has been a wreck...denials galore. I am still fighting. I do want to return to work one day, but I doubt it will be at the bedside. I have auto-immune disease that is constantly flaring, I have endocrine issues, all kinds of health problems. I know what it's like to be in your situation, and its very hard. If you ever want to talk, feel free to PM me.
:banghead:
rehab nurse
464 Posts
I'm so sorry to hear about your health and about problems w/ your stepson.
I know how it is to be young and have to quit nursing. Unfortunately, a few years ago at the age of 28, I developed cancer. Uterine cancer. Weird, rare, the whole shebang. Luckily for me, I had my children already...in my early 20's. At the time I developed cancer, my kids were very young...preschool age. I was a single mom, recently separated. I had just bought a new home. Oh so much happened, and it was so hard. I had to quit my job, of course, and that put me in a financial bind. I have never gotten help from my ex, no child support, no nothing. Luckily I had savings as well as food storage to survive financially, for a while.
Although I am now cancer-free, the side effects of treatment on my already in-poor-health body have rendered me disabled. I can't clean my home (well, I live with family now, but still). I can't ride a bike with my kids. I can't walk more than a few feet without needing a w/c. I suffer from severe pain. Applying for SS Disability has been a wreck...denials galore. I am still fighting. I do want to return to work one day, but I doubt it will be at the bedside. I have auto-immune disease that is constantly flaring, I have endocrine issues, all kinds of health problems. I know what it's like to be in your situation, and its very hard. If you ever want to talk, feel free to PM me.
You'll be in my prayers.