Tag Archives: Health

Taking A Sick Day From Work

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I am taking a sick day from work today. I am taking it off today because one of my disabilities is sadly acting up. I did let my supervisor know via text to her cell phone as well as an email to her work email and a voicemail to her office phone. I just wanted to make sure I covered my ass even though my supervisor is beyond awesome. I admire my supervisor and how well she works with clients. I also did let Human Resources (HR) know that I am out due to my disability. I let HR know it was disability related to also cover my ass. I do plan on letting my supervisor know tomorrow when I am in the office that I was out due to my disability. I do not fear getting fired for calling out sick especially when it comes to my disability. I don’t tell my supervisor the full story about being out due to disability because I don’t want to put her in an awkward situation if people ask her why. My direct supervisor and the HR director are both amazing people.

Since I am taking care of my health today by taking care of my disability, I still plan on doing some reading for work. Both of the books that I am reading help me both professionally and personally. I am really enjoying the books and have started another blog post about these books and how they intersect with my professional and personal life.

The one thing I did do was go to the pharmacy to pick up my medication. Picking up my meds was extremely important because they help with my health issues as well as with my disabilities. So, I am happy that I got my meds.

Since I am hope sick from work I not only will be spending it reading the books I mentioned earlier in this blog post, I am spending the day with my cat, Billie Dean without any interruption. I love my cat so very much. The weather here in Seattle today makes it easy to spend it reading as I hang out with my cat, Billie.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader do read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Mixed Emotions Regarding Covid-19 Vaccine

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I am going to be writing about a topic that is considered controversial or at least it is here in the United States. I’ll be discussing the Covid-19 vaccine and my many emotions around it.

First and fore most, I chose to get the Covid-19 vaccine long before it was “required” of me to get it due to working in the “health” field. I say “health” field because I work in mental health care. On that note the governor of Washington (State) made a mandate the people working in any type of health care setting (including mental health, EMT’s, Paramedics and Firefighters) to be fully vaccinated by a certain date in October which I know has already passed. I understand why the governor put this into effect but I feel like it’s putting people in an ethical and moral bind.

Even though I have the Covid-19 vaccine, I feel like if I was forced to have it for my job, I would hesitate working where I work. But then again, at two previous employers, I was required to show proof of a TB test as well as vaccines for Hepatitis A and B. I started asking myself what the difference is and there really isn’t a difference except for the fact that I was required to have the Hepatitis A and B vaccines to attend public school so it wasn’t a choice as my guardians had me get it.

On that note, I am also a believer in my body, my choice. What I mean by that is that, I should be the one making decisions for my own health. For me, if I am pro-choice regarding abortions then I need to practice what I preach by having people have a choice in getting the Covid-19 vaccine without worrying about loosing their job.

So, I have mixed emotions about the Covid-19 vaccine as I personally want other people to get it to protect those who cannot get it but I also want people to have a choice in what they do for their own health care. I hope that makes sense.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

A Sleepless in Seattle Type of Night

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I am having a bad spell of insomnia. I think part of it is because I am in pain due to having kidney stones. Kidney stones is not something I would call as fun or enjoyable.

Since I am not able to sleep, I decided to do something that I find fun and enjoyable. That is listening to a podcast with my cat, Billie Dean, laying next to me in my bed. I am listening to a podcast about philosophy. Specifically, I am listening to Philosophize This. I really like this podcast and am almost caught up to the most recent one of it.

I do not have much more to say as I want to get back to listening to Philosophize This as I lay next to my cat, Billie as he purrs. I want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you do read my blog. If it wasn’t for you my reader, I would not be writing my blog. Again, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great rest of your weekend. Peace Out, World!!!

Weekly Check-In

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! I am tired as hell, so I will keep this brief. This week has been a long week or at least that was the case regarding work. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, it was just a long week.

Despite a long week at work, I ended up in the emergency room yesterday (Friday) evening due to having pain in my right kidney. I thought I had another kidney infection but I do not. I have kidney stones and they hurt like fucking hell but at least it is not another kidney infection.

Even though I didn’t get to bed till midnight last night, I still went for a walk with a friend this morning. It was a good way to get some exercise and catch up with a friend. My friend and I hadn’t hung out since last year before the pandemic so it was to catch up with each other in person.

Not only did I hang out with my friend, I volunteered mid afternoon at PAWS Cat City today. It was nice to be able to volunteer and help cats get new furrever homes. I love volunteering.

I don’t have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. If it wasn’t for you my reader, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Olympics 2020 + A Global Pandemic = A Year Late

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! The Olympics have finally started despite concerns of Covid-19 and it’s many variants. As much as I am grateful that the summer Olympics are going on even a year late, I worry about the health of the athletes. The last think I want is any of them getting sick especially from Covid-19. I love watching the Olympics and have been watching them since I was a child.

One of my favorite sports to watch in the Olympics is the track and field events. I don’t know why it’s been one of my favorite sports to following even when it hasn’t been an Olympic year but it is. Another one of my favorite Olympic sports is new this year and it is skateboarding. I skateboarded a lot when I was a kid and teenager. I was never any good at it but I am happy to see it is finally in the Olympics.

I don’t have much more to say except I am looking forward to watching the Olympics on the television. The Olympics seem to bring the world together in a way other things do not. There is a sense of peace when the Olympics are going on even during a pandemic.

I do not have much more to say in this post. I just hope the best team wins. Thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Therapy + Infected Toe + Urgent Care +Migraine + Vomiting + A Loving Kitty = Moments of Gratitude & Good Self Care

Posted on by Gertie

Good afternoon, World. I will be showing you a picture of my infected left big tow. It hurts like hell but at least its not an ingrown toenail that is infected. The doctor at urgent care says I don’t have an ingrown toenail. The doctor says the infection is most likely caused due to a recent hang nail. As much as it hurts like hell, I took the day off yesterday. The picture below is the the picture of my left foot showing you the big toe infection. I did put a caption with it for those reader who are sight impaired.

Infected big toe on left foot.

I did go to urgent can and was able get a note for missing work yesterday. Sadly, I didn’t really that the medicine of antibiotics are making me nauseas and makes me vomit if I don’t eat something with it. Due to that reason, my employer won’t allow me to come into work today or tomorrow as a precautionary thing just in case it is Covid-19 when I know it is not. But better to make sure even if it is the medicine the doctor proscribed me. Not anyone’s fault the the med makes me sick if I don’t eat with it. That is why I am going to get a doctor’s note for today and tomorrow as a precaution.

I am grateful that my job is so cool with making sure we make sure we do good self care. In fact the med is giving me a migraine as well as the vomiting which sucks but I know what I need to do to take care of myself.

Speaking of taking care of myself I saw my therapist yesterday before I went to urgent care and she agreed going to urgent care is a form of self care. My therapist is amazing and supports my decision as how can I help others affectively if I am not taking care of myself. She has a really good point.

Since she has a good point I contacted my primary care doctor to write a note for me missing work for today and tomorrow. so I can get a note.

On that note I am doing some good self care by reading, coloring and of course spending time with my Cat Billie Dean. Billie, appears to be loving it as I am. I love my cat and the weather outside cant make up its mind at the mind. I will go and take a walk later even if it is only for 5 minutes.

I don’t have much more to say. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope you have a great day. Peace Out, World!!!

The Day That Changed My Life, Again

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! Today marks exactly three years since I adopted my last cat Lil Gertie. I miss her a great deal and wish I had more time with her. Sadly, I only had a year and a half with her before she crossed over the rainbow bridge.

The therapist I had three years ago suggested getting an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). We discussed why it would be good for my recovery and help reduce the symptoms of my mental health challenges. So, I decided to adopt a cat from PAWS Cat City here in Seattle. I connected with Lil Gertie at first site. She changed my life in so many ways.

One of the ways that she changed my life is that she gave me something to focus on other than myself and what I was struggling with. She gave me a purpose I was lacking when I adopted her. She helped me gain self confidence and self worth.

Due to the self confidence and self worth I gained, I was able to go back to work. Going back to work even though it was part time for just over two years helped me not just with my self worth and self confidence, it helped me realize what I wanted to do with my life which was to be a peer support specialist again. Now, I can happily say I am once again a peer support specialist and working fulltime.

Sadly, Lil Gertie couldn’t see me become a peer support specialist again because she crossed over the rainbow bridge on Thanksgiving Day of 2019. Lil Gertie received a cancer diagnosis in October of 2019 and she was given six months to live, maybe nine months. When I was given this news I started the volunteer process to become a volunteer at PAWS Cat City. It was in the middle of this process that Lil Gertie had a mini stroke on Thanksgiving Day and made the decision that it was best to end her suffering by having the vet help her cross the rainbow bridge. Yes, I was with Lil Gertie when she crossed over.

Despite loosing Lil Gertie in the middle of the process of becoming a volunteering PAWS Cat City, I continued the process. I continued as I knew it would not only help me with my grief of loosing Lil Gertie, I wanted to help cat find their furrever homes and to help people find their new best friend. I had my first shift at PAWS Cat City in January of 2020.

It was while on a volunteer shift at PAWS Cat City, that Billie Dean my current cat and I fell in love with each other. I put him on hold to get the what I needed for him and adopted him the next day. Billie has been apart of my life for just over a year now and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Yes, I miss Lil Gertie and love her with all my heart but I wouldn’t change anything for the world. Today, is the day she changed my life forever and for the better.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope everyone has a great evening. Peace Out, World!!!

A Not So Brief Blog About Current Life Lessons

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! I have many things going on in my life on why I temporally put a halt to doing some blogging courses through WordPress. Courses where I have left off. So I will get back to them once I works shit out in my personal life which is being affected by workplace bullying.

The workplace bullying is starting to affect my physical health primarily with with dealing with migraines. Three of the migraines I received ended up in the emergency room and was inform that it was most likely due to the bully I am receiving at work. Even thou I am being bullied at work, I am feeling supported by my supervisor, the clinical director and HR as well as a good portion of my colleagues. Despite the bullying I still love my job and know that I have people in my workplace that support place.

On somewhat of a work related thing is that I finally was able to get my first Covid-19 vaccine. I got it after much research on my part as well as gentle reminders as suggestions from my employer. Getting the vaccine is not requirement from my job but highly suggested. I decided to take my vaccine and my I took my first one yesterday. I had a slight allergic reaction of a burning throat with an itchy rash. I took Benadryl and went away after about forty-five minutes of taking the Benadryl. I am still planning on taking the second dose.

I took my first vaccine yesterday (Saturday) morning and feel like shit but It is well worth it. Well worth it for me because it means I can help others by getting the vaccines. Sadly, I had to miss my normal volunteer shift at PAWS Cat City today because of how shitty I feel after getting the vaccine. It makes me sad to miss time with all the cats but I am grateful that I have extra time with my own cat, Billie Dean. As much as I love spending time helping other cats find furrever homes, I am grateful to have more time with my cat, Billie. I love all the cats I help.

I would love to say more but I am getting really tired and needing to take another nap. I hope you have a great Sunday ahead of you. I want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things for reading my blog. Again thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope you all have an awesome rest of you Sunday world and have a great work week ahead of you when Monday makes an appearance. Peace Out, World!!!

Weekly Check-In

Posted on by Gertie

This past week has been quite a week. Overall, it has been a good one with a couple of not so good moments. Moments, I will get through with the help of friends, family and colleagues as well my cat Billie Dean.

The week started out with my birthday and being able to celebrate it with friend and family. I celebrated my birthday with both sides if my family. I first celebrated with my dad’s side of the family here in Seattle. I then traveled to Olympia to celebrate with my mom’s side of the family.

As I spent time in Olympia, my grandpa took care of my cat Billie Dean at his home in the Seattle area. I really missed be with Billie but I enjoyed my time with my mom and uncle as well as a couple of friends who live in the Olympia area.

The best part of my birthday was that I started the first step of the twelve step program I am in. I am slowly working on the first step. I wish it wasn’t taking as long as I had hope it was. I am grateful to be working on the twelve steps.

I am grateful to be home from Olympia and I think my cat Billie is glad to be home from my grandpa’s. Hell, we are both happy to be home together. I did end up having some health issues. I had a migraine and had to to take an expected day off of from work yesterday. All I can say is migraines suck shit.

My supervisor did check in with me yesterday as she thought I took yesterday off due to being bullied by a colleague. I assured my supervisor that I was not taking it off due to bullying that I was taking it off due to a migraine. My supervisor is just an amazing person. Even though someone at work is bullying me, I am grateful that my supervisor and colleagues are supportive of me.

I don’t have much more to say in this particular weekly check in. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you do read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Feeling Supported

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! Right now I am feeling supported. I am feeling supported in many different ways by many different people including my cat, Billie Dean. Yes, I realize Billie is a cat and not a human but I feel supported by him.

I feel supported by the various people in my life due to circumstances going on in my life. I was and am on the receiving end of being bullied by a colleague. When it became clear on Thursday that I was being bullied, my supervisor and many of my colleagues have been checking in on me even today, a Saturday. I am thrilled that my colleagues at my new job are backing me up and supporting me.

To add to being bullied, I ended up having to call out sick yesterday (Friday) due to a migraine. Again, my colleagues as well as friends and family checked in on me throughout yesterday and today. My grandpa even brought over groceries today and made me a meal. My grandpa didn’t have to make me lunch but he did. He, a neighbor and myself sat on the community patio of my apartment building and had lunch. It was nice to eat lunch with a friend and my grandpa.

Another way I felt supported today was going to a twelve step meeting. A twelve step meeting my sponsor regularly attends. Of course the meeting was not in person due to Covid-19 but at least I was able to attend one over Zoom. Zoom is a godsend during the pandemic and am grateful for it especially when it comes to attending twelve step meetings. My sponsor checked in with me after the meeting. We discussed how I was doing regarding my first step and how it is a slow process at the moment.

Of course as I mentioned earlier on in this post, I am feeling supported by my cat, Billie Dean. I love my cat, Billie so much. It is amazing how supportive pets can be in peoples lives. My cat has been a great support for me and am grateful for him.

I do not have much more to say in this particular job post. I just want to say thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you do read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!