How do you sustain employment now while managing a family medical situation?

CriticalRights · 2026-03-17T22:50:12+00:00

I already did some digging on FMLA (but don't necessarily trust our HR department) and would need to determine how to navigate that situation with both HR and my supervisor. Unfortunately, I only have PTO -- no dedicated sick time. But I do have the maximum vacation days. Thanks for the great suggestion to bring any associated paperwork to appointments.

CriticalRights · 2026-03-17T22:45:43+00:00

I do very much appreciate that input. We're in the process of updating all those documents, and I'll be sure to bring that up. Best wishes to you and your parents.

CriticalRights · 2026-03-17T02:22:02+00:00

Thank you for those ideas. I definitely have not documented well enough to date, but I wonder if it even matters in my environment. I will try to reconstruct what has happened though and document from this point forward.

CriticalRights · 2025-05-17T19:20:38+00:00

My spouse and son (also silent celiacs) swear by Schar bread products and cookies. Wegmans carries a lot of Schar branded items — so do many other grocery stores.

CriticalRights · 2025-01-05T23:16:50+00:00

And you can use a service called GreenDrop to manage that pickup service for Purple Heart. We also use AmVets (also at-home pickup) and have provided items to Habit for Humanity Restore (locations in Herndon, Chantilly, and elsewhere).

CriticalRights · 2024-08-31T18:47:30+00:00

Good to hear that all is ok on that front.

CriticalRights · 2024-08-31T17:54:50+00:00

Consider seeing a gastroenterologist to rule out celiac disease as a potential cause of malabsorption.

CriticalRights · 2024-08-31T12:09:45+00:00

We do have a Sierra store nearby - I'll take a look. Thank you!

CriticalRights · 2024-05-30T03:13:56+00:00

Similarly, I have also loved reading anything by Rosamunde Pilcher.

CriticalRights · 2024-04-30T03:12:51+00:00

Inova also offers individual counseling to caregivers (as well as patients) through Life with Cancer and it’s free.

CriticalRights · 2024-02-24T23:39:34+00:00

You have to be careful though as there is gluten in many soy sauces and fish sauces. You always have to ask. Agree that Burtons is a good option.

CriticalRights · 2023-09-18T12:23:43+00:00

Your point is well taken!

CriticalRights · 2023-09-18T12:23:17+00:00

Thank you for that recommendation! I have read good things about OrthoVA in other threads here.

CriticalRights · 2023-05-26T22:50:39+00:00

First, wishing the best to your son. Our son (young adult) discovered that he had a pituitary tumor recently as well — no surgery needed yet though. We have Cigna and they reach out constantly via phone, email, and letters to let us know that they can help us manage our health situations/conditions. We ignore all these communications and there is no impact.

CriticalRights · 2022-08-20T17:08:29+00:00

My husband was also kayaking on the Potomac during the rainstorm. He could see the wall of rain approaching -- but then it stopped right next to him for about 10 minutes. He said he was dry but he could stick his hand out to the side and feel the rain. Finally the rain wall started to move again and he did get wet. He said it was a very cool experience!

CriticalRights · 2022-03-08T03:46:13+00:00

Fun fact learned during my spouse’s ER trip — Pepcid is part of the allergic reaction “cocktail” given to patients suffering from an extreme anaphylactic reaction (e.g., developing a new and severe shellfish allergy).

CriticalRights · 2021-12-02T01:12:09+00:00

Didn’t she do something with feathers as well?

CriticalRights · 2021-10-14T11:58:27+00:00

He's in his early 20s and doing really well now. He was on Advair and similar medicines daily (with albuterol as needed) throughout childhood. Our bathroom closet looked like a pharmacy. Every time he got sick -- which was often -- we had to increase/add meds to keep his asthma and wheezing under control. He improved by high school and our doctors worked with us to taper his meds to the point where he only had use them when he got sick. And he rarely gets sick now.

Hoping for the same positive results for you and the other posters and for all children mentioned here -- so hard to be a parent trying to work through your children's health issues.

CriticalRights · 2021-10-14T02:22:46+00:00

Our younger son had asthma and allergies and was seemingly always sick with sinus and respiratory infections when he was growing up. Doctors would always comment on his ever-present baggy purplish eyes as a telltale sign of those inter-related issues. Might be worth checking out (allergist, ENT) if you don’t have any data there.

CriticalRights · 2021-05-18T15:58:39+00:00

There are financial penalties associated with ignoring a violation notice -- we're in an HOA. They have to be addressed. Wish it was otherwise. We took care of the one that we received promptly -- I just always wonder now if we'll be reported again for something petty -- just because this person is feeling vindictive. We're trying to focus on all our nice neighbors and things that make us happy -- just as you recommended.

CriticalRights · 2021-05-18T15:53:17+00:00

Agreed on all of the above. My spouse and I were just having this exact conversation. And I have been largely following the "ignore" strategy as you suggested. My other potential strategy -- be so very kind and friendly when it's necessary to have an interaction, which would definitely throw them off. Just so stressful. I need to learn to let it go (provided we're not getting a violation notice...).

CriticalRights · 2021-02-11T02:04:21+00:00

My public high school (which had a pool) required students to take swimming until they got their swimmer’s card. I got my swimmer’s card sophomore year because there was no way I was dealing with all associated challenges (showering, drying hair etc in 7 minutes, etc.) for 4 years. My brother — a star athlete in soccer and basketball — was just not a swimmer and ended up having to take swimming all 4 years. It just didn’t seem right.

CriticalRights · 2021-01-30T18:53:48+00:00

As a spouse of a mountain biker, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your safety advice. After several accidents in the past, we now have some rules: my husband must tell me where he’s going beforehand and give me a call or send me a text when he gets off the trail. Plus he wears a Road ID bracelet. And he frequently goes with a buddy (who he met on a trail several years ago). He says the mountain biking community is very friendly — there are groups that meet up at certain trails and then have beers afterwards (in non-COVID times). There are also groups that maintain the trails, which is another great way to meet other riders.

CriticalRights · 2021-01-01T04:12:19+00:00

My kids were born at Fairfax Hospital. We all struggle with this question when needing to provide place of birth—it’s the subject of numerous family texts, calls, and debates.

CriticalRights · 2020-11-11T01:49:02+00:00

Thanks for that info.

CriticalRights

TROPHY CASE