I have worked 26 years with a J Pouch and what has been diagnosed as Crohn’s Disease, as a trial attorney and litigator. I never missed work for an extended period except right after the colectomy. There have been times when I was nervous about being in Court and worried I would have to take awkward, unforeseen bathroom breaks during a trial or other all day Court event. It has never actually happened. I did warn a Judge one time there could be a problem when I was feeling a little more urgent than usual, but as soon as the event started adrenaline would kick in and it would not be noticed. It’s always been that way and I have no explanation for it, except being lucky.
26 years in private practice is a long time and with my parents aging and fragile and living in another State, I am looking to transition, at age 55, to working in house or for local, state or federal government. I love my current job but I have one eye on the future, now more than ever. As with all of you, having health insurance benefits is imperative for me. Remicade is $10,000 an infusion retail with no insurance. But with insurance and Remistart it’s very affordable.
i am the kind of person who needs to be productive. If I am not productive and active at work that’s when negative thoughts, mainly about the future, start creeping into my head. Being disabled and/or out of work is something that would be exceptionally difficult for me. I actually am planning on working in some capacity until I drop. I would be bored with an unproductive retirement.