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        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> Employer
        
(Message started by: David Shea on Nov 16^th, 2002, 5:11pm)

Title: Employer
Post by David Shea on Nov 16^th, 2002, 5:11pm

Does anyone have anything they can offer in this area?

Before this cycle I had not been in A cluster cycle for six years. I finally saw my nurologist on the 6 of Nov. I have another visit
on the 25th of nov. At that visit I'll be able to tell the nuro., Either the Verpamil work very well for me or the cycle has ended. I will need A report for the company
doctors.

Haveing had to explain my absents, For A company chairmans Dinner, I sent an E-mail with A brief explination of the cluster headache. And the clinical
findings of what is happening with the nurotransmitter levels' Hypothalamus etc.

Some here may remember me saying I work on vessels that do offshore towing and supply in the oil fields.
Haveing received my e-mails the company has put all
the wheels in motion for my short term disability.

To make this post shorter, I now am racking my brain, As to how to present this to the company docs. and the
company as A hole. There mind set will be, "What will
happen if you are makeing up A tow to A drilling Rig
at sea and have an attack"??
Nurologicaly disorder will be there way of seeing this..
And wearing blinders to any other reasoning.

Anybody that has any dealings employers or comments
I would love to hear them.
PFDAN--David

Title: Re: Employer
Post by marty on Nov 16^th, 2002, 5:26pm

OUCH, David...

I can only relate to my own situation, as you may know I'm in law enforcement and I had some problems explaining CH when I had my first "real" attack at work - and I do get them from time to time when in cycle. For some reason, I have never (during the last 5 years) experienced an attack while "involved" in a situation - it tends to come when I relax. What I did, was that I applied for and got FMLA.

My main problem is not the attack itself (even though it gives me problems enough) but the lack of sleep. So I use the FMLA when I have had really bad nights and could not get any sleep at all.

I am not sure that any of what I rambled here can help you in any way, but I had to say something since your employer is starting to "piss" me off.

The only thing that I can think of, directly relating to your situation is: are you the only one on the boat? Being the Captain, does that not mean that you have others that also are assigned to your boat (sorry, ship)? and can they not perform their duties if you have to deal with the CH for an hour or so?

Marty

Title: Re: Employer
Post by David Shea on Nov 16^th, 2002, 5:39pm

Hey Marty- Thanks for your reply, There are two mates
onboard if something was to happen. And I have been doing this job for twenty yrs. And never A real problem
However I did sign off the vessel A time or too because
of the cycle hitting me.

Can you tell me or direct me were to go for info. on
FMLA, They are sending me paper work for that as well.
Thanks again,Marty
David

Title: Re: Employer
Post by marty on Nov 16^th, 2002, 5:44pm

Start with this one

http://www.unlv.edu/Human_Resources/Benefits/fmguide.html

Marty

Title: Re: Employer
Post by Charlie on Nov 16^th, 2002, 6:07pm

Here is the best thing we have for employers as well as families. I recommend you print out Simon's letter. He did a great job. This link is well worth a look:

http://www.ouch-uk.org/ch/note_colleagues.cfm

Charlie

Title: Re: Employer
Post by Elaine on Nov 16^th, 2002, 7:41pm

I am not surprised. I figure the more well known clusters become, the less freedom we will have as clusterheads. They might even take away our drivers licence.

Title: Re: Employer
Post by kim on Nov 16^th, 2002, 7:54pm

Oh. Here is what appenedtame! I gave bifth -oops - i ment BIRTH......................So...............had maturnity lelave ( ;D) for six weeks. Alas, poor kimmy got slammed with general cluster the ENTIRE time i was supposed to be enjoying the newly arrived babyy...........

So. Go back to work. My boss resembles (kid ya NOT) Brutus (Popeye)..... :D I feel like Olive Oil (squeeky voiced anall ;D)

We worked together on Trump Taj mahal Bankruptcy..........and one nite Kimmy spills beans bout eddaches.............well, here goes big NY corporate atty: "did ya try POT?" LOLOL, yeah, i says it didnaawork, did ya try Cocaine? Yep says me, worked but jes fore a bit and then back to the ole headache drawin board so gave it up.................LOL Here I am talking to a high-powered NY City Corporate Lawyer afta we just met with Donald Trump --- and we are chatting bout POT! LOL!!

Forgot the point..............LOL. Nope so smokey :D

Title: Re: Employer
Post by David Shea on Nov 16^th, 2002, 7:56pm

HI Elaine- I agree with you, And some though we should all give to this line of thinking. This has been the
shortes cycle I have ever had, the duration of the HA,
And the intensity of the HA, Kip 7 beinging the worst.
But, It may prove to be the most deverstateing cycle I have had.

We may be wise to caution others to just what and who we speak to about this twisted chain of events in our lives.
PFDAN, David

Title: Re: Employer
Post by suzy617 on Nov 16^th, 2002, 8:01pm

Charlie, thats an excellent letter. It really tells it the way it is. I'm gonna email that to all my friends next cycle instead of trying to explain why I can't come out and play.
Thanks,
suzy

Title: Re: Employer
Post by David Shea on Nov 17^th, 2002, 12:32pm

Hey Charlie, Thanks for posting that here, I think it is
A great letter to give A co-worker. But, I belive it is A
little over Kill for the employer and the neuro. should
provide A letter to the employer. Hope mine is will
to do that for me.
Thanks Again
David

Title: Re: Employer
Post by Charlie on Nov 17^th, 2002, 4:15pm

It is an explicit letter but if I were to use it, I do some editing. It also is very British. Not too hard to fix that or aim it to whatever group you want.

Charlie