Tx question, in case I have to miss work?

[fretboard]

I work for a reportable agency, I want to keep my HepC tx a secret b/c I work in a healthcare unit, I work in an agency that obviously has my HepC status in their database, but it's not the section I work in.  I don't want to report the truth about my health status to my immediate supervisor or co-workers.  I was wondering if anyone else has been in a similar position and what did you do about it?  My new boss was giving me a hell of a time whenever I would ask for time off.  One time he even asked me what my medical condition was that would require me to take such time off, I told him that it's nobody's business but my own, and he's not even supposed to ask that kind of question.  He has backed off a bit, but personally I think he went to infectious diseases and ran a check on me, since that's the unit he came from less than 2 months ago.  Maybe if you work as a nurse you are treated differently by co-workers b/c you could have gotten infected at work, but where I work ppl are ignorant and cold and there is no doubt that I will be moved from my desk if they find out I have HepC and going thru tx.  I start tx in 10 days.  See these ppl I work with would look at me like I'm a drug addict, I'm a recovering addict, but I've never told anyone.  Any advice on how I should handle this would be appreciated?  I talked to my clinical trial ppl already and basically I will be able to get time off work if I need it, and I can get an excuse that takes my best interest into consideration.  It's hard to believe that regular ppl will whip out that attitude of blacklisting me, but there is no doubt in my mind.  I've had to work a couple of liver/HepC complaints, so I know how uppermgmt. and the whole work force feels about HepC, it's still looked at as a loser's or druggies disease.  It's a civil service position, gossip central and some ppl will stab you in the back while smiling to your face.  Any ideas?  God Bless
This isn't the agency, but it gives you an idea.

http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/bds/Govstream/BDSvData/non_legacy/Minutes/2005/20050125/PDF/041.pdf

[Isobella]

LOL!  

So I guess instead of just carrying bandaids, we should get some crime scene tape too.  

Sorry you had to go thru that, but it sure makes for a funny story =)

Izzy

[nygirl7]

"........incident"  What did you do --- can't remember but you were spurting blood and yelling "don't touch my blood.  dont touch my blood"  

hahahh I had forgotten I almost cut my thumb off with a box cutter....and my boss came out (he knew) with a roll of that yellow police tape (he has used it in a promotion) and just stood there winding it around my cube...........if he hadn't done that I probably would have passed out right then and there.

I do remember telling the girl looking at me like I was crazy that I didn want my chemo to get on her - ha, how could she have believed me after all that screaming I still don't know!

[fretboard]

Yes I agree, you really do have to keep the secret stance.  At least until you can "monitor the reactions of others".  Which I've been able to do at my current position, that's why I had to come up with the policy to keep my mouth shut about my HepC and that's with everyone.  I have a couple of very special lady friends and they are so nice, but I don't care how bad I look on tx, they will get lied to as well.lol  My men friends, some are worse, I'll tell you it's gossip central. lol  One thing that's good is that I was an addict for quite a few years prior to this, so keeping secrets is fairly easy. lol  I'll be glad when the day comes that HepC will be viewed as cancer or something similar like that, but until then my lips are sealed...
fret

[frijole]

There are certainly a lot of good points made on this thread.  I admire those of you who were up front with the disease.  I wondered if, after I cleared, I might be more vocal about it.  Not clearing, I have kept in the closet.  I do keep my ears open whenever the topic comes up (which is rarely) and monitor the reactions of others.  It has been 2 years since I completed my treatment and I am very glad I took the secretive stance I did.  
frijole

[fretboard]

No it couldn't happen where I work now, I will keep my health status completely secret.  In 2002 when my liver became toxic and I was missing alot of work, I had to let a couple of supervisors know, but that was for a completely different agency where I was working in accounting and I was being documented so my back was against the wall.  At that time I was still into my addiction. Also, I explained to them that HepC has a serious stigma attached to it and basically swore them to secrecy.  I don't know if they told anyone or not, but I made sure to let them know that it was highly illegal for them to tell anyone.  At that time when I needed an excuse written from my doctor, he just asked me point blank what I wanted him to write.  Doctor's are very careful about writing excuses when it comes to HepC, at least that was my experience.  Even at this clinic I'm starting at, I was already told that, as I ran a hypethetical question by them about possible disability.  I'm very comfortable now, since I told that major pain in my butt at work something medical.  Oh well, just giving him something, took alot of weight off of my shoulders.  After I told him he was still talking about how much work I've missed, so I told him again to look at my history and he will see that my absences all started within the last 2 months.  Meaning it's just coincidental, but since he started working there I've been missing work.  Actually going thru the krap with my ex-'GI and everything that followed that is why I missed all the work and the clinical trial stuff.  I'm prepared now as I allowed him to run the show after I told him what I was gonna need.  I feel like I'm starting from day one.  Glad I put that blood disorder out there, whether he believed me or not, I don't really care, I mean I hope he bought it but like I said before, he came from the infectious unit side so he could have already found out what my real deal is.  Whatever is the case I seem to have his attention now, so I'll just take it one day at a time and leave it at that...        

[koala68]

I've never mentioned HCV to anyone at work. There is nothing you can do to stop it once the information is released. Most people I know would understand and be helpful but there is always someone out there who would freak out and put you in trouble for it. Sad to say but that's a reality.

[Rockerforlife]

Tell them you just found out you aes part vampire and your blood needs monitoring...and if you ask me anymore medical quetions i will sink my fangs in your throath..so back of jack...now that just me....i hate nosy people

[fretboard]

"No one can really understand what it is like to be on TX. That is why this forum is so wonderful".

Yeah you got that right!  I told my immediate sup. today that I'm gonna be taking some days off, like one day every 2wks. for giving blood tests.  I haven't missed days in a row, just a day here and a day there.  Anyways, I told him that I'm suffering from a blood disorder, so I'll be taking a number of tests.  It's not a big deal but for some reason he always likes to flex his muscles so to speak when I tell him something.  It's like saying to me that he is the boss.  What a punk, he reminds me of one of those kids that used to get their butt kicked in school all the time just for GP.lol  I'll be alright, this forum is a big help.  I talk to my wife about it and she wants me to be honest, I guess ppl who don't have it don't know about the stigma.  This forum is great when you need a sound board of like minded ppl.  "NONE OF THEIR BEES WAX", yeah I can live by that...
fret  

[CMcH]

I also work in the Medical field and I told only my Sup and 3 closest co-workers.
They were understanding but my boss has not kept it confidential. Once told nothing is a secret. I thought I should let them know because I have missed some work and have many MD apts. The way I look, act and feel is totally different from before. I used to be very athletic and full of energy. Other dept. have asked what is going on with me and I just blow it off and say I have issues.
No one can really understand what it is like to be on TX. That is why this forum is so wonderful.

[Rockerforlife]

Not only do some people love to tell secrets,they also love to hear  you are sick..makes them feel better....like i say...NONE OF THEIR BEES WAX

[proud48]

I would not tell them...My boss tried to have me fired and as it turned out I got really sick and my doc put me on disability. If I had to do over she would have never known about the HCV. Some people get power from others with the odds against them. She came to me after the first injection and told me if I did not perform 100% that I was out of there. If you have a good physician he should be able to advise you. mine stood by me. Best of Luck!!!!
Many Blessings,
proud48  

[susan400]

Unless they corner you and force you into telling them the truth; i.e. with a lab slip in front of you in their hand..., which actually, I think would be a violation of confidentiality??,    I would not say a word!  Just tell them that you wish to keep your health information confidential and that it's a personal matter.  For all they know, it's an STD!   Not that Hep C is an STD or anything, but what I'm saying is, how would they even be able to know that; unless they had snooped around in your personal file, violating your confidentiality?   In a medical setting, there are HIPA laws, after all; which they should be perfectly well aware of, right?  If I am wrong, I'm sorry, but it just seems logical to me.

Susan400

[PegM]

This is a minority opinion and each case if different.  Your strategy sounds well thought out.  I'm not suggesting that anyone else take this approach, but it has worked for me.  I told, sort of to the degree I would have if it had been cancer or diabetes problems, that I had Hep C and was getting "chemo."  I worked in a medical patient care setting, too, and almost dared anyone to discriminate against me.  Hep C is a disease and how any of us got it is no one else's business.  I took the days off I needed.  For myself, I couldn't always keep it together well enough at work to fake it (in my own eyes), particularly my decision making ability began to make me nervous, although no one else ever commented on it.  People may have been ashamed for me for having it, but I think working around HIV for so long has made me more "out" about HCV.  Legally, of course, they can't get rid of you.  It has to be performance based.  That doesn't mean they wouldn't dig up some other grounds.  Ultimately, I left that position in good graces, and not because of employment pressure.

[frijole]

trinity
Just read your profile.  When you wrote it you were on week 32.  That's when it started to get really grueling for me.  Truly, the white and red blood drops were my worst sx, and by week 32 I had forgotten what normal was.  Treatment was normal.  I had quit walking and the couch was my friend.  I still picked up the grandchildren from school after work 4 days a week.  I remember once, laying on the couch when my then 5 year old granddaughter came over to read to "nana."  In their way, they were very perceptive.  Watch out now, with the coming of cold and flu weather.  Treat yourself well.

nygirl
How you made it through without the office knowing the particulars, I will never know.  I still chuckle at the "incident"  What did you do --- can't remember but you were spurting blood and yelling "don't touch my blood.  dont touch my blood"   Hope pyou are well
Kath

[nygirl7]

I mistakenly told the man I was working for at the time and swore him to secrecy. Of course he ran to HR and they started sending out "confidential" letters to the upper management "is she contagious" "can we get this" "how did she get it" (which of course I opened when I saw because they started flooding in right after and I knew what they were, duh and so I copied them all).

Anyway the point i was trying to make is people LOVE to tell a secret. Love love love to.

I too stuck to the chemo - blood disorder story with the rest of the company.  Nobody doubted it for a minute (especially when my hair was falling out and I turned grey and lost 20 pounds).

HepC treatment is VERY isolating and I just went to work and came home and went to bed immediately.  

There WERE really nosey people who would say "oh chemo for what' "what do you have" "what akind of cancer you got" (I learned them if someone else says they are on chemo DONT ask for what........it's SO intrusive!) and I just said "Oh I really don't like to talk about it but thanks for your concern".

End of story.  I wish I hadn't told the truth in the beginning. My next boss knew and he's happy for me I just had my two year test - but I wish he never knew about it too.

[Trinity4]

Great post frijole.  Exactly how I feel too.  

"I kept to myself more than usual for that year.  I think everyone knew something was wrong, but they didn't push me for an explanation.  They even marveled in "how I was able to keep my wieght off so well."  I was about 60% productive, but I still did my work and missed only a couple of days. Fortunately I didn't have the dreaded brain fog.  I left every Monday afternoon for bloodwork but didn't justify my absence."

PERFECT!!!

[frijole]

That's the attitude.  I know you can do it.  One thing I think we all know who have been thru tx -- the anxiety before starting is much worse than the actual event.  That anxiety will be over for you soon, my friend.
frijole

[fretboard]

"I was about 60% productive, but I still did my work and missed only a couple of days. Fortunately I didn't have the dreaded brain fog".

Alright!!  That uptop is what I'm shooting for, I'll take care of Mr. Nosey today.  I'll be fine, I just lost one of my programs so I'm sure he'll be in a tizzy over that, it wasn't my doing, so I'll be fine.  He doesn't know much about what I do, that always helps.  Anyways.  gotta run, have a good one and God Bless

[frijole]

Your concerns and desire for privacy are valid and well thought out.  You can keep your privacy, but you must stick to your guns.  I think an anonymous "blood disorder" (which it, in fact, is) is even better than anemia, and you have to be firm with the doctor and pharmacist that it is private and being taken care of and not up for discussion.

Your situation with your supervisor reminds me of what nygirl had do deal with.  She was able to keep her privacy but did eventually get transferred out of the department with the jerk.

I had a totally different situation but wanted my hep C treatment kept  private too.  I am a CPA partner in a local public accounting firm.  Our clients are high end, and ultra conservative.  I did not want the issues or the stigma of hepatitis C attached to me as it could realistically have resulted in the loss of my practice.  I told my business partner because I felt she may have to "cover " for me.  We told none of our employees (we are small - only 6 in total, 8 during our busy season) because I didn't want them (1)  explaining my illness  to clients or (2) having to feel sorry for me (tx is so long, that I didn't want to deal with a year of how are you feeling).

I kept to myself more than usual for that year.  I think everyone knew something was wrong, but they didn't push me for an explanation.  They even marveled in "how I was able to keep my wieght off so well."  I was about 60% productive, but I still did my work and missed only a couple of days. Fortunately I didn't have the dreaded brain fog.  I left every Monday afternoon for bloodwork but didn't justify my absence.

Fretboard, you just have to do what you have to do.  It will be a little more difficult for you because there will be - at least at first - more time that you will have to take off for the trial than if you were treating with a regular doctor.  You can do it.

I will watch for your posts.  Good luck
frijole

[kickboxingmom]

Hi start with me new friend.We have something else in common.I also work in a setting with Drs.PA's,people who will know when I'm not me and will ask... I am st tx this Friday and am going to ask my Dr. what I can say and be able to keep my personal life personal.It's not I'm ashamed.I told the people who are near and dear and even though I love most of my customers they are not my family and need not know ALL. Ya know?So if you can wait till Friday evening after my shot at 3:30 I'll be sure and tell you what he recommends.I think he will tell me something good enough to GET By.Whatcha think ? How about a T-Shirt?I'm Having a BAD DAY- DON'T ASK .I'll let you know cause I have to return to work on Monday.
Tammy
P.S.If you find out b4 me send me a note.

[Rockerforlife]

Keep you mouth shut..you have more to lose than yo will gain by letting the cat out of the bag...sorry to say this...but the cat maybe already meowing...you said :

I work in an agency that obviously has my HepC status in their database, but it's not the section I work in

the cat maybe scratching already...SAY NO MORE

[Isobella]

Oh, great...just your luck.  A doc and a pharmacist all in one. LOL!

I can only tell you this:  I have told very few people.  I work in a really small family type setting.  Everyone knows I am going thru "something", but only because I told them and they love me enuf not to press.  Looking back, I wish I would have kept my mouth shut.  Honestly, no one would know.  I'll pray the same happens for you!

Just take it one day at a time.  

BTW, your job sounds interesting.  

Good luck to ya,

Izzy

[fretboard]

Yes, I've thought about anemia, however I do work closely with a couple of doctors one is also a pharmacist, he currently works at a pharmacy  later in the day.  I have no idea what I will do if I get terribly ill and need to take disability.  I don't plan on it just like everybody else.  Nobody plans on what they will feel like until it hits them.  I was just wondering if anyone else has been in a similiar situation/position.  I know of one girl and she's told all her co-workers that she's being tx'ed for HepC, however she isn't in a healtcare setting.  She gets alot of support from her fellow workers as she's been working there for over 25yrs., but it's a different agency working with corporate status etc.  I've only been working at my current position for two years.  Hopefully I can keep it to myself and continue working my desk, which is the important factor here.  I really enjoy what I do and I am trusted to make decisions and be on top of drugs, clinical trials, and all kinds of interesting stuff.  If I was found out, I'd probably be moved to working with the quality of powdered milk or something similar.  Any job is a good job, please nobody mis-understand me.  It just so happens that I've always been focused on drugs in one area or another.  lol  I like working with drugs, even if it's only on paper, it's still very interesting to me.  God Bless

[Isobella]

One excuse that has worked for me has been very simple=anemia.  Guys can have it too-my dad does.  It makes sense to others because I look the same as before tx, only tired.  

If they want to get nosey---I tell them it is from some meds I am taking and generally they let it go.

As far as the other points you bring up--I agree with you about ppls reactions.  I find it much easier to accept the ignorance of people outside the medical field for HCV, but I am continually surprised and disappointed about the amount of ignorance I have encountered in the medical field.  

Fret-I do wish you the best for your tx--thoughts and prayers, bro!!!!

Isobella