It started with a diagnosis. Stroke. MULTIPLE strokes at only 52 years old. I had suffered with them for some time, although it took me about four years to recognize them. The pandemic brought with it challenges. The first one was a hit to my fledgling freelance business. I was laid off from my market research job of 19 years in 2019. I started freelancing in market research not soon after and saw moderate success.
Second, my son, who was finishing high school, was forced to attend school remotely. That did not go over well. He’s still trying to finish.
Third, I began to see symptoms from strokes. I lost my ability to speak without stuttering, making it very difficult to find new work. I thought it was due to stress from the pandemic. I was wrong. I suffered strokes years ago as well as more recent ones.
That started my adventure in navigating the healthcare industry and the perils that come with it.
Medications can be a lifesaver and a curse.
My first experience with the healthcare industry was with medications. I take six pills morning and night, which are supposed to control my blood pressure. The problem was that a particular medication, Metoprolol, made me tired all the time. A quick Google search and I learned that tiredness was a primary side effect. Not to mention muscle aches and other more severe side effects. I guess that the side effects were not as significant a deal as what it was treating.
I can’t work.
The problem is that this side effect did not allow me to WORK. That makes things difficult to pay for things and live a fulfilling life. My wife has been a champ, working three jobs to make ends meet. I’ve done my best to be a good “house husband” except for cooking (I’m not very good at it). She recently helped her mom move out of her house and in with her brother for a while. When that was done, she wanted to return to her “old” duties, which makes me feel less than fulfilled as a “house husband”.
Medium helps me find something to do.
I’ve started writing things down for Medium and my own website. Doing so helps me cope and also impart some wisdom to you, the reader. It helps me use my brain for good and not evil ?. It helps me use my communication skills. It does not make me speak out loud (fortunately). I hope I am able to make some money to ease the financial pain.
So where are we now?
I’ve tried to reach my doctor about switching out the metoprolol. Stay tuned for that. Either way, it will be necessary to make a change, because I can’t go on this way. There aren’t enough hours in the day to add work for my wife. Not working is contributing to a strained relationship with my parents, who are helping us out. It leaves me with the unenviable task of making my children pull their weight despite anxiety (more on that later).
Conclusion
That makes medication change a necessity. I HAVE to work and contribute to my family. There is no way around it or we’ll end up homeless on the street. And THAT is not an option.
Jeff Reynolds
Principal, Reynolds Consulting LLC