blindhearted
New member
This is kinda a long post but I needed to vent and get some advice. So, I was wonder what you guys thought...
I work on Mon, Wed, and Fri at my job. But I dont go in until the mid-afternoon. Most ppl that I work with are smokers (my boss who I've known since I was three yrs old is actually a former home health nurse of mine until I was 9, and also a smoker). On the days I am not there I know that they smoke inside the building and I also believe they smoke until a few hours before I get there. Anyway, when I get there I can smell smoke and often it makes me short of breathe, gives me a headache, and sometimes caused a drop in Sats (i have a pulse-ox). When I first started they were very considerate about it. They would go outside. Now...well, not so much. I see half full ashtrays around, butts in the toilet in my office bathroom (building use to be a house, my office is set up in the master bedroom), etc. The building is closed up over night so it doesnt air-out. It is a small, private company so I dont think I have anything covering my rights. I have gone to my boss about this many times, and things will get better for a while but then they "forget". In the past 8-10 months I have been getting increased number of infections in my lungs (PA, MRSA, the basic stuff and some new). I'm starting to wonder if it is from the second-hand smoke exposure causing inflamation in my lungs, which opens the door for infection. I also dont get my treatments like I should. I get so busy that I dont have time (even though I know I should make time) and I forget. I'm sure that doesnt help but I'm working on getting better at that.
Anyway, the basic point is things have really changed at my job and I guess you would say that it is not for the better as far as my health goes. Between stress (I'm pretty much the only person who knows how to do certain things...no one else is interested in learning), not getting treatments, not eating (unless I do it on the way) and most of all the second-hand smoke exposure. I hate to quit because it is really flexable and if I'm sick, there's no big deal about it. Plus I've known my boss for so long I guess I feel a sense of loyality (plus this is my first job ever). I know what my family and friends thing about the situation. I wanted to see what other ppl with CF think. Do you think the lingering smoke is effecting my health, causing an increase in infections? What would you do in this situation? Sorry this was so long. Thanks for listening.
I work on Mon, Wed, and Fri at my job. But I dont go in until the mid-afternoon. Most ppl that I work with are smokers (my boss who I've known since I was three yrs old is actually a former home health nurse of mine until I was 9, and also a smoker). On the days I am not there I know that they smoke inside the building and I also believe they smoke until a few hours before I get there. Anyway, when I get there I can smell smoke and often it makes me short of breathe, gives me a headache, and sometimes caused a drop in Sats (i have a pulse-ox). When I first started they were very considerate about it. They would go outside. Now...well, not so much. I see half full ashtrays around, butts in the toilet in my office bathroom (building use to be a house, my office is set up in the master bedroom), etc. The building is closed up over night so it doesnt air-out. It is a small, private company so I dont think I have anything covering my rights. I have gone to my boss about this many times, and things will get better for a while but then they "forget". In the past 8-10 months I have been getting increased number of infections in my lungs (PA, MRSA, the basic stuff and some new). I'm starting to wonder if it is from the second-hand smoke exposure causing inflamation in my lungs, which opens the door for infection. I also dont get my treatments like I should. I get so busy that I dont have time (even though I know I should make time) and I forget. I'm sure that doesnt help but I'm working on getting better at that.
Anyway, the basic point is things have really changed at my job and I guess you would say that it is not for the better as far as my health goes. Between stress (I'm pretty much the only person who knows how to do certain things...no one else is interested in learning), not getting treatments, not eating (unless I do it on the way) and most of all the second-hand smoke exposure. I hate to quit because it is really flexable and if I'm sick, there's no big deal about it. Plus I've known my boss for so long I guess I feel a sense of loyality (plus this is my first job ever). I know what my family and friends thing about the situation. I wanted to see what other ppl with CF think. Do you think the lingering smoke is effecting my health, causing an increase in infections? What would you do in this situation? Sorry this was so long. Thanks for listening.