Quit..rest ..restart . Diary no.3

another_casualty

Thanks gigervamp

I just sent a reply to my previous email to the managing agents apologising for the paranoia . Something like that
I forgot one thing ..I have suspended ceilings , which should minimise any noise . There is an upstairs flat for sale opposite ,and that has wooden floors also .

As mentioned earlier , I was very dramatic and over paranoid and sensitive . It's a combination of 2 things ..the obvious realisation of me getting my finger out and of course..the prednisolone .
I still haven't been sleeping right ,and of course I'm getting the side effects because I am more or less at the final furlong , if I can continue my quest to be rid of it by Easter time or thereabouts .

I was on such a high dosage for about 4 years, and now that I am on 1 mg ( 1 tiny tablet ), it's obvious that my natural cortisone is trying to fight its way back into my system . This is my 5th year with this condition and I'm used to everything ,and should be by now .

Anyway , feeling better albeit still tired . Roll on Easter.

Have a good weekend

Gigervamp

You too! Go and have some fun, doing something you enjoy.

GeorgianaCavendish

Hi AC, it sounds like you've got a lot on your plate at the moment - I hope you are have got something nice planned for this weekend.

I also keep being bombarded by my electricity provider to install a smart meter, I've ignored everything so far as I'm completely happy with the current set up (I give meter readings every 3 months and the DD seems to be spot on with regards to our actual usage).

Re: Job Centre. It sucks. I can imagine exactly what you are going through as a few family members have been through the same thing. They are very focused on making sure that you are ticking all the boxes to claim JSA and not much in the way of useful advice or guidance with actual job hunting.
I agree with others that going into employment agencies would be more useful than both JC and sending emails, but again, I think it can be hit and miss depending who you speak to and if they really understand your situation. I've had mixed experiences but on the whole it has been positive. Not saying this to put you off visiting them, but be prepared that it likely won't be a one-and-done situation.

Have you thought about (very) part-time volunteering while you are also job-hunting? One of my friends started doing a couple of half days every week while he was stuck in a rut with job-hunting, the difference it made to his self esteem and outlook was amazing. Obviously not at the expense of paid work, but it may be worth considering.

Another thing, it may be worth researching, is if there are any schemes associated with your local NHS to help get people back into work. My local borough is part of "Trailblazer" / Employment Support Service which helps people with mental health needs such as anxiety or depression to find stable work as part of their recovery. I helped my friend research it last year, and I think there were referrals through GP and JC available, and it seemed that it was much more useful and personalised than the JC advice. Maybe that could be something to investigate ?

moo121

Hi AC another long time lurker here cheering you on your journey. Just wanted to suggest you consider going to a job club to help with your job search.

Don't think I can post links yet but a quick google of, for example, poole job club pulls up some sessions that are held at poole library.

I volunteered at a job club in the midlands for several years and can highly recommend them. They'll be on your side and they are not usually connected to the job centre so no fears of being sanctioned by them. In mine we did job applications, cv writing, interview practice and all the clients used to support each other and tell each other about jobs they'd heard about. Plus a good cuppa and biscuits to boot!

Can also highly recommend volunteering for meeting new friends and reminding yourself of what you are capable of in the world of work - something we all forget when we step out of work for a bit.

We're all still cheering you on!

another_casualty

moo121 wrote: »

Hi AC another long time lurker here cheering you on your journey. Just wanted to suggest you consider going to a job club to help with your job search.

Don't think I can post links yet but a quick google of, for example, poole job club pulls up some sessions that are held at poole library.

I volunteered at a job club in the midlands for several years and can highly recommend them. They'll be on your side and they are not usually connected to the job centre so no fears of being sanctioned by them. In mine we did job applications, cv writing, interview practice and all the clients used to support each other and tell each other about jobs they'd heard about. Plus a good cuppa and biscuits to boot!

Can also highly recommend volunteering for meeting new friends and reminding yourself of what you are capable of in the world of work - something we all forget when we step out of work for a bit.

We're all still cheering you on!

Wow! Another long time lurker ! Thank you so much moo
I may well look into that . Sounds just what I need .
Thanks a lot for the great post
I will keep you all informed as I get along . Keep lurking

moo121

Hope it helps. In the meantime, even (especially) jobseekers are allowed weekends so as Gingervamp said, go and do something you enjoy!

Verbatim

Great post by moo. Good luck wirh the job search. Volunteeing can be a great way of gaining experience you currently lack and of securing a relevant reference in that field. How about for example in a charity shop for dealing with the public, handling money, admin, stock control, display, accounts/banking etc?

another_casualty

Just thought I'd give a brief update .
Only went to the gym once . That was on Monday , when I saw mr trainer.
I've had the sniffles on and off during the week . My sleep patterns have improved over the last few days .
There have been people looking upstairs at the flat .no. news as yet

So this week , I haven't done the dss thing .
However , today was like a nice day at work . Why? Well because I retrieved every piece of paperwork regarding my condition etc which have to be scanned & printed for the dss. Plus I have to email mr trainer his copy . This took a few hours . It felt therapeutic tbh
Plus it made me go through those crates which are in the bedroom

I finally managed to sort out the music room once and for all . I know I've said that a while back . However, I was going to get a cabinet fr the room to tidy it up . No need and money saving , I was more ferocious I tackling the mess. No cabinet needed.
I have my synth on my computer desk . If I leave it on there , then everything fits and nothing else needed.
I may tackle those crates tomorrow / sun as I have a positive feeling that I could reduce from 4 -1 or none at all if I am very lucky.
I'm hoping to tidy kitchen also . Nothing major , just puttting things in a different place maybe .

While I was going through all the hospital stuff today , I feel mainly positive . Sometimes it doesn't seem real what's been going on in less than 5 years : 22/05/14 went to moorfields a&e in the morning while I was working in the office . Then had to go to Kingston on the same day . Diagnosed with partial 3 palsy.
7/10/14 not partial palsy , but ocular myasthenia gravis
4/02/15 admitted to st Thomas's hsp to give me lots of prednisolone and other stuff for a week. From 10mg to 60 mg !
Now down to 1 mg as I keep mentioning

I found letters from my last employers . The acknowledgement of my resignation was ok . " Thank you for your hard work and commitment over the past 8 years and best wishes for the future." Not bad considering the final written warning suspended for 2 years:) The reference may not be an issue hopefully .
Next week I will get the job things sorted out . No excuses
Enjoy the weekend

Gigervamp

I thought you'd been advised that you wouldn't be able to claim disability benefits? If so, I'm not sure why you're copying all your medical documents.


I take it you still haven't visited any agencies to sign up to? Have you heard back from the ones you emailed?


Sounds like you've been productive on the flat front though. It's always good to get things organised to clear the clutter, and know where everything is (and everything having a place).


Good that your sleep has been better, that's probably why you had the energy to do the room. Hope your sniffles don't hang around too long.

another_casualty

Thanks gigervamp.
Apparently , there is LCW ( ltd capability for work) . It's something I can try for . It should mean that at the Very least I can justify not having to travel all over the place looking for work . Plus it proves that I can only do part time & early hours because of my confusing condition . Nothing to lose by applying . We'll see.
I'll be emailing agencies etc over weekend .

It has taken a while to get everything in place . Still a way to go ..