klc23mom
06-03-2007, 09:39 AM
I have not been diagnosed but the possibility of it is in the air.... I had planned to start school in August to be a nurse..... is that an unrealistic goal??? I'm frightened that things may get worse.... right now I'm miserable but I think I could push myself because I do this everyday just to take care of the kids and the house.... I work harder now being a stay at home mom than I ever did at my desk job and I'm making it but it has gotten tough, especially right now because I'm in the throws of a flare right now.... but do you all think it's possible... when I am finished with school, I will be working 3 12 hour shifts.... it seems like it would be good but I have to admit that I am worried about the memory problems sometimes but I'm hoping by going to school I will retrain my memory (maybe)
anyway, let me know what you think....
Kristen
anyway, let me know what you think....
Kristen
Sponsor
Bearygood
06-03-2007, 10:52 AM
klc, if what is keeping you from doing this is fear, throw it out the window! NONE of us know, with or without drug therapy or with or without MS knows what tomorrow may bring. This is not to suggest that you shouldn't be realistic but wouldn't having the degree open other work doors for you as well, not necessarily limited to 3 twelve hour shifts? I absolutely think there is something to retraining your mind -- in general, keeping it active has positive effects. Fear is just as big a potential immobilizer as MS. Please don't let either consume you.
shellymay
06-03-2007, 12:54 PM
Bearygood, very well said. :blob_fire klc, I am currently going to school to be a funeral director and our funeral home is almost finished being built and will open in July of this year. I too, will be working long hours. I have not been diagnosed with MS either but practically have all the symptoms pointing to it. I have been experiencing these symptoms for over 3 years now and I just ignore it and go on. I am not going to let this get me down. I will survive and make this funeral business thrive. Nothing can stop me. Pursue your dreams to be a nurse, don't let these symptoms get you down.
Michelle
Michelle
MSNik
06-03-2007, 02:04 PM
I want to put my 2 cents in , too. I was doing my Masters Degree at an Ivy League school when I first started having symtoms. With a 4.0 GPA, a full time job, step mother to 3 kids, and a marriage which was only 3 years old- I had my hands full. I was also 38 years old.
I was going to school physically on some days, taking other courses online on other days, and overall losing my mind. I had 2 semesters left when I was dx and started on MS THerapy drugs (rebif). I was told by EVERYONE to drop some classes, I was taking 18 credits along with working full time. I didnt listen. I almost lost my mind, I did wind up with a horrible relapse which put me in the hosptial; but I GRADUATED TOP OF MY CLASS IN MARCH. To celebrate I spent 2 weeks in Mexico.
It wasnt worth it. Now, I only work 3 days a week, Im trying to find a fulltime job because I know that Im worth the money I can be making; however, my energy level is soo drained, its all I can do to come home and make dinners now. I do know that having an education was worth it, but I shouldnt have done something as strenuous as what I did. I shouldnt have tried to work fulltime while going to school full time. I think if I could do it all over again, I would have worked parttime, gone to school parttime, and managed to do just fine. Looking back- what I did was nothing short of amazing. And, now, it really means very little to me. It opens doors, but those doors are doors I cannot walk thru at this time. My health HAS to come first...not the money, not the idea that I graduated Summa *** Laude- nothing is as important as taking care of us, first.
Good luck with this.
Nikki
I was going to school physically on some days, taking other courses online on other days, and overall losing my mind. I had 2 semesters left when I was dx and started on MS THerapy drugs (rebif). I was told by EVERYONE to drop some classes, I was taking 18 credits along with working full time. I didnt listen. I almost lost my mind, I did wind up with a horrible relapse which put me in the hosptial; but I GRADUATED TOP OF MY CLASS IN MARCH. To celebrate I spent 2 weeks in Mexico.
It wasnt worth it. Now, I only work 3 days a week, Im trying to find a fulltime job because I know that Im worth the money I can be making; however, my energy level is soo drained, its all I can do to come home and make dinners now. I do know that having an education was worth it, but I shouldnt have done something as strenuous as what I did. I shouldnt have tried to work fulltime while going to school full time. I think if I could do it all over again, I would have worked parttime, gone to school parttime, and managed to do just fine. Looking back- what I did was nothing short of amazing. And, now, it really means very little to me. It opens doors, but those doors are doors I cannot walk thru at this time. My health HAS to come first...not the money, not the idea that I graduated Summa *** Laude- nothing is as important as taking care of us, first.
Good luck with this.
Nikki
ewizabeth
06-03-2007, 02:46 PM
Hi Kristen,
If you pace yourself, then it is feasible, at least for me it has been.
I work fulltime and I'm a business owner (which has its own pros and cons). :dizzy:
If your legs are not affected and your energy is ok then why not finish your nursing degree? And not all nursing jobs have you constantly on your feet, do they? You would get a chance to sit part of the time? And you're in a temperature controlled environment? And you get to wear comfy shoes?
I go to online school (which also has some pros and cons!) The work is very demanding, and I have to deal with back pain which is worse the more I sit! And, I need to rest a lot, or the fatigue will do me in.
My school has quarter classes that go for six weeks, but highly accelerated. I just started TWO of them... :eek: (Hope I'm not being foolish!)
I currently have a 4.0 GPA, but you don't NEED a 4.0 to get the degree. All you need is the degree. All I want is to absorb the material, get "good enough" grades and get the degree at this point.
In my human resources class, they even noted that a 4.0 might even hurt you when job hunting, believe it or not. :confused:
I'm 49 years old, and I'm not letting MS stop me from getting my degree.
Keep in mind that there are lots of effective treatments on the horizon that will hopefully keep us going for a long time in spite of MS.
Good luck and I hope you get your nursing degree! :)
If you pace yourself, then it is feasible, at least for me it has been.
I work fulltime and I'm a business owner (which has its own pros and cons). :dizzy:
If your legs are not affected and your energy is ok then why not finish your nursing degree? And not all nursing jobs have you constantly on your feet, do they? You would get a chance to sit part of the time? And you're in a temperature controlled environment? And you get to wear comfy shoes?
I go to online school (which also has some pros and cons!) The work is very demanding, and I have to deal with back pain which is worse the more I sit! And, I need to rest a lot, or the fatigue will do me in.
My school has quarter classes that go for six weeks, but highly accelerated. I just started TWO of them... :eek: (Hope I'm not being foolish!)
I currently have a 4.0 GPA, but you don't NEED a 4.0 to get the degree. All you need is the degree. All I want is to absorb the material, get "good enough" grades and get the degree at this point.
In my human resources class, they even noted that a 4.0 might even hurt you when job hunting, believe it or not. :confused:
I'm 49 years old, and I'm not letting MS stop me from getting my degree.
Keep in mind that there are lots of effective treatments on the horizon that will hopefully keep us going for a long time in spite of MS.
Good luck and I hope you get your nursing degree! :)
klc23mom
06-03-2007, 03:02 PM
Thank you so much everybody.... knowing that I'm not alone (whether this is MS or not) feels good... I was definately going to be passing myself and to be honest, I could let my husband continue to work and I could possible find something that was one or two days a week if it came to that.... it's not the money for me, it's a dream... I have always wanted to be a nurse but just couldn't see myself going to school and working at the same time.... I know my limits and I knew that would be too much for me so now that I'm home I'm able to do it.... I just don't want my memory problems to get in the way.... but I honestly think that when I focus myself, I don't have the lapses of memory, I just have to work hard at it.... thanks again for all of the kind and encouraging words....
Kristen
Kristen
hotflash
06-03-2007, 04:17 PM
klc
What do you want to do as far as nursing goes? You can go to school and get a 2 year degree in nursing or you can go for 4 years and get a B.A. if you plan on furthering your nursing such as management or specialist in a certain field. As for the 3-12 hour shifts thats generally for floor nurses I would go for the 2 year degree as you can always go back to school for your bachelors later if you feel up to it. As a nirse you have other options open to you such as a school nurse which is only school hours and no weekends or holidays. you can also work in outpatient surgery which is the same thing no holidays or weekends and more importantly no call. Sooo please go to school and get that degree nursing has so many options and you will find you don't have to work that shift
hotflash
What do you want to do as far as nursing goes? You can go to school and get a 2 year degree in nursing or you can go for 4 years and get a B.A. if you plan on furthering your nursing such as management or specialist in a certain field. As for the 3-12 hour shifts thats generally for floor nurses I would go for the 2 year degree as you can always go back to school for your bachelors later if you feel up to it. As a nirse you have other options open to you such as a school nurse which is only school hours and no weekends or holidays. you can also work in outpatient surgery which is the same thing no holidays or weekends and more importantly no call. Sooo please go to school and get that degree nursing has so many options and you will find you don't have to work that shift
hotflash
klc23mom
06-03-2007, 04:34 PM
klc
What do you want to do as far as nursing goes? You can go to school and get a 2 year degree in nursing or you can go for 4 years and get a B.A. if you plan on furthering your nursing such as management or specialist in a certain field. As for the 3-12 hour shifts thats generally for floor nurses I would go for the 2 year degree as you can always go back to school for your bachelors later if you feel up to it. As a nirse you have other options open to you such as a school nurse which is only school hours and no weekends or holidays. you can also work in outpatient surgery which is the same thing no holidays or weekends and more importantly no call. Sooo please go to school and get that degree nursing has so many options and you will find you don't have to work that shift
hotflash
Thanks hotflash... I am actually going to a 2 yr tech school and I am eventually wanting to be in labor and delivery.... they prefer a BA but will take an associate degree nurse with the experience.... I figure I will have to start in the E.R. or something and work my way up.... I am actually wanting the 3 12 shift because I honestly feel like even though I'm working 12 hours, I will only be working 3 days so I'll have 4 days to recupperate instead of working 5 8 hour shifts.... that just seems too hard.... days like today, it would be hard to work 12 hours but I would be doing something I love and I could make it work.... I work 16-18 hour days now (lol) my oldest daughter (2 1/2 years) wakes up at 7:00 am and doesn't go to bed until 12:00 am.... I can't get her in bed any earlier.... I need super nanny to rescue me .. lol
Kristen
What do you want to do as far as nursing goes? You can go to school and get a 2 year degree in nursing or you can go for 4 years and get a B.A. if you plan on furthering your nursing such as management or specialist in a certain field. As for the 3-12 hour shifts thats generally for floor nurses I would go for the 2 year degree as you can always go back to school for your bachelors later if you feel up to it. As a nirse you have other options open to you such as a school nurse which is only school hours and no weekends or holidays. you can also work in outpatient surgery which is the same thing no holidays or weekends and more importantly no call. Sooo please go to school and get that degree nursing has so many options and you will find you don't have to work that shift
hotflash
Thanks hotflash... I am actually going to a 2 yr tech school and I am eventually wanting to be in labor and delivery.... they prefer a BA but will take an associate degree nurse with the experience.... I figure I will have to start in the E.R. or something and work my way up.... I am actually wanting the 3 12 shift because I honestly feel like even though I'm working 12 hours, I will only be working 3 days so I'll have 4 days to recupperate instead of working 5 8 hour shifts.... that just seems too hard.... days like today, it would be hard to work 12 hours but I would be doing something I love and I could make it work.... I work 16-18 hour days now (lol) my oldest daughter (2 1/2 years) wakes up at 7:00 am and doesn't go to bed until 12:00 am.... I can't get her in bed any earlier.... I need super nanny to rescue me .. lol
Kristen
willo1980
06-04-2007, 12:10 PM
Hi,
I haven't been dx yet with anything other than migraines but I know the stress of making everything fit and not loosing your mind doing so. I'm a stay-at-home mom to two kids (4 and almost 2!), I teach preschool 3 hours a day, try hard to keep my house clean, and somehow I'm maintaining a 4.0 at a private college. There are days I get a migraine, my legs hurt, my toes or hand are numb, and I just push through it. No matter what don't let it own you. YOU have the illness IT doesn't have you. Yeah, some days are going to harder than others. You may need to take it easy sometimes. For one, teachers tend to me sympathetic if they can tell you're working your hardest and not using a disability as a cop-out. And, like someone else said, you don't need a 4.0. I'm maintaining mine because I want to prove to myself that I can do it. I don't want to look back on these years and say "I know I could've done better." And if at some point my best is a 3.5 or a 3.0, then I'll know I still did my best. Going back to school can be a great thing. You'll better yourself and, in the end, you'll be stronger for pushing yourself through it. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.
I haven't been dx yet with anything other than migraines but I know the stress of making everything fit and not loosing your mind doing so. I'm a stay-at-home mom to two kids (4 and almost 2!), I teach preschool 3 hours a day, try hard to keep my house clean, and somehow I'm maintaining a 4.0 at a private college. There are days I get a migraine, my legs hurt, my toes or hand are numb, and I just push through it. No matter what don't let it own you. YOU have the illness IT doesn't have you. Yeah, some days are going to harder than others. You may need to take it easy sometimes. For one, teachers tend to me sympathetic if they can tell you're working your hardest and not using a disability as a cop-out. And, like someone else said, you don't need a 4.0. I'm maintaining mine because I want to prove to myself that I can do it. I don't want to look back on these years and say "I know I could've done better." And if at some point my best is a 3.5 or a 3.0, then I'll know I still did my best. Going back to school can be a great thing. You'll better yourself and, in the end, you'll be stronger for pushing yourself through it. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.
klc23mom
06-04-2007, 12:24 PM
Hi,
I haven't been dx yet with anything other than migraines but I know the stress of making everything fit and not loosing your mind doing so. I'm a stay-at-home mom to two kids (4 and almost 2!), I teach preschool 3 hours a day, try hard to keep my house clean, and somehow I'm maintaining a 4.0 at a private college. There are days I get a migraine, my legs hurt, my toes or hand are numb, and I just push through it. No matter what don't let it own you. YOU have the illness IT doesn't have you. Yeah, some days are going to harder than others. You may need to take it easy sometimes. For one, teachers tend to me sympathetic if they can tell you're working your hardest and not using a disability as a cop-out. And, like someone else said, you don't need a 4.0. I'm maintaining mine because I want to prove to myself that I can do it. I don't want to look back on these years and say "I know I could've done better." And if at some point my best is a 3.5 or a 3.0, then I'll know I still did my best. Going back to school can be a great thing. You'll better yourself and, in the end, you'll be stronger for pushing yourself through it. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.
Thank you so much, I am going to be homeschooling my kids as well but I hope I will be done with school and working by then.... okay, I can handle this!!!! thanks, again...
klc
I haven't been dx yet with anything other than migraines but I know the stress of making everything fit and not loosing your mind doing so. I'm a stay-at-home mom to two kids (4 and almost 2!), I teach preschool 3 hours a day, try hard to keep my house clean, and somehow I'm maintaining a 4.0 at a private college. There are days I get a migraine, my legs hurt, my toes or hand are numb, and I just push through it. No matter what don't let it own you. YOU have the illness IT doesn't have you. Yeah, some days are going to harder than others. You may need to take it easy sometimes. For one, teachers tend to me sympathetic if they can tell you're working your hardest and not using a disability as a cop-out. And, like someone else said, you don't need a 4.0. I'm maintaining mine because I want to prove to myself that I can do it. I don't want to look back on these years and say "I know I could've done better." And if at some point my best is a 3.5 or a 3.0, then I'll know I still did my best. Going back to school can be a great thing. You'll better yourself and, in the end, you'll be stronger for pushing yourself through it. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.
Thank you so much, I am going to be homeschooling my kids as well but I hope I will be done with school and working by then.... okay, I can handle this!!!! thanks, again...
klc