Hi all, this is my first post here. I was diagnosed with MS 14 months ago. I was 20weeks pregnant with my son when diagnosed. I guess I was able to live in a bit of denial about the diagnosis while pregnant because I just wanted a healthy baby and that was more important than symptoms I had.
Since my first sign I have had 4 attacks, the most recent one I've had while on Copaxone so it's not looking like its effective for me but my neurologist wants to give it 12months. I'm not yet better from that attack even have a hit of methyl pred to try and sort it out.
I am an RN and a week ago I felt I had to tell my work mates because I needed to go on light duties due to my attack. I didn't necessarily want to tell anyone but felt I had to so I got my boss to announce it on my behalf while I was there. The problem with a ward/shift work is not everyone can be there at one time to find out. So I knew gossip would spread the word to everyone else... I just wasn't prepared for just how quickly and insensitively it would get around
I wanted to tell a close friend from work in person but she is on maternity leave and lives about 45mins away from me so it is tricky arranging time to catch up face-to-face. Also I have found there is never a right time or place to deliver that kinda news, as I'm sure most of you will be familiar with.
Anyway, after letting the info out at work on a Friday afternoon I arranged to meet my friend for a coffee/chat the following Thursday. I thought at least a week was enough time to get to her before the gossip did - but boy was I wrong! As soon as I saw her face I knew she had already been told and I was gutted almost as much as she was gutted to learn about my MS.
I was even more upset to learn that someone from work told her the very day I was meeting her and this person knew we were catching up later. So rather than stop talking about me when it was clear my friend didn't know about the MS she just blurted it out like an idle piece of gossip!
It has left me feeling hurt, angry, vulnerable and regretting saying anything at work. Now I have to go back to work this weekend and I'm dreading it because I'll probably see this particular workmate and I won't know what to say to her. I also dread all the others coming up to me to say they've heard etc.
I didn't want to tell anyone for so long because I don't want people to look at me and assume the worst, label me 'sick' or 'disabled' yet because although I'm not 100% normal I'm not dying and I'm not in a wheelchair yet (hopefully not ever).
I'm considering talking to a counsellor who specialises in long term health disorders. I tried one a while back when life was getting too much but he was useless...
So is there anyone that might have some advice or wisdom about how to face the gossips at work without coming accords like I'm a victim and not coping with this diagnosis?
Thanks, Jen
Since my first sign I have had 4 attacks, the most recent one I've had while on Copaxone so it's not looking like its effective for me but my neurologist wants to give it 12months. I'm not yet better from that attack even have a hit of methyl pred to try and sort it out.
I am an RN and a week ago I felt I had to tell my work mates because I needed to go on light duties due to my attack. I didn't necessarily want to tell anyone but felt I had to so I got my boss to announce it on my behalf while I was there. The problem with a ward/shift work is not everyone can be there at one time to find out. So I knew gossip would spread the word to everyone else... I just wasn't prepared for just how quickly and insensitively it would get around
I wanted to tell a close friend from work in person but she is on maternity leave and lives about 45mins away from me so it is tricky arranging time to catch up face-to-face. Also I have found there is never a right time or place to deliver that kinda news, as I'm sure most of you will be familiar with.
Anyway, after letting the info out at work on a Friday afternoon I arranged to meet my friend for a coffee/chat the following Thursday. I thought at least a week was enough time to get to her before the gossip did - but boy was I wrong! As soon as I saw her face I knew she had already been told and I was gutted almost as much as she was gutted to learn about my MS.
I was even more upset to learn that someone from work told her the very day I was meeting her and this person knew we were catching up later. So rather than stop talking about me when it was clear my friend didn't know about the MS she just blurted it out like an idle piece of gossip!
It has left me feeling hurt, angry, vulnerable and regretting saying anything at work. Now I have to go back to work this weekend and I'm dreading it because I'll probably see this particular workmate and I won't know what to say to her. I also dread all the others coming up to me to say they've heard etc.
I didn't want to tell anyone for so long because I don't want people to look at me and assume the worst, label me 'sick' or 'disabled' yet because although I'm not 100% normal I'm not dying and I'm not in a wheelchair yet (hopefully not ever).
I'm considering talking to a counsellor who specialises in long term health disorders. I tried one a while back when life was getting too much but he was useless...
So is there anyone that might have some advice or wisdom about how to face the gossips at work without coming accords like I'm a victim and not coping with this diagnosis?
Thanks, Jen
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