Community Chat

[Sweetbay magnolia]

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@CalminHeart wrote:

I'm retired and working a part-time on-your-feet job.  I can spend 8 or more hours on my feet in a day.   I've noticed that it isn't as easy as it was when I first retired.  I also noticed it this year when doing yard work....mowing, weeding, etc.  

At the same time, i am thrilled I can still do these things.  I was nearly crippled with arthritis and a bone-on-bone knee a few years ago.  Insurance finally approved knee replacement.  I can straighten my leg, walk, stand, and do things that I hadn't been able to for a loooong time. 

Getting old isn't for sissies.

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Did I mention that I have a hip implant?  Yes, that has solved many problems, but part of the need for that surgery was work like this.  Not sure I want to go through revision before I should!

[Nataliesgramma]

I hope it works out for you....

At my old job, when I asked to cut my hours....it only worked for a month....then I was being asked to come in on my days off and work an extra hour or two on days I was there...

Pretty soon I went back from 20 hours a week to 35...

I just retired...

[Sweetbay magnolia]

Yes, @Nataliesgramma, they do that.

I'm "retiring".  For good!

[shopperqvc]

@Sweetbay magnoliaMy Grandmother always said what you use the most, is where you end up with the most pain. If your job involves the use of your hands, you can count on arthritis in your hands. If you were kneeling for your job, your knees will hurt you when you are up in age. When Grandma came to this country, her sponser got her the job of scrubbing other people's floors. She was on her knees all day, every day for quite some time before getting another type of job. If they had been able when she was alive, they would have had to replace both knees. It's whatever takes a beating the most. We are better off to change what we do from time to time. The same repetition is bad for our bodies.

[vermint]

@Sweetbay magnolia I'm sorry you're having to go through this. My brother had to retire at 57 because of severe arthritis (no kidding, it's in every bone in his body, including his sternum--which his dr. said he'd never seen before), and some back issues for which nothing much can be done. Anyway, it's been an enormous change for him, and he's had some difficulty adjusting. He can't take part much in any activites so that's made it even harder. He has taken over the housekeeping, but must do it very slowly.

Because of this, I know a bit of what you are feeling. I'm looking at retirement in a couple of years myself, and am already planning some different things I will get involved with.

Good luck to you!

[SeaMaiden]

@Sweetbay magnolia    My last job I was at before I retired, I  worked for 25 years.  The last 5 or 6 years my Osteoarthritis became so bad I had to use a crutch to walk about.  My job was retail sales.  Fortunately, I was able to sit and do some of the work like pricing incoming goods.... and working the front checkout counter where I could sit on a stool   occasionally to get off my legs.  I had two bad knees and two bad hips.  

I cut my hours down to three days a week( 24 hours)  from a full 40 hour week.  I lost my insurance.... but,    it was worth it to me to not have to suffer so. And fortunately my Husband's insurance kicked in when my insurance stopped. 

When I went in for my double knee replacement June of 2013, I had planned on returning in about 12 weeks..... but came to the conclusion that I had just had enough with the job/ and just working my entire life since I was 17 out of high school.... and it was time to retire for good at age 58 in 2013. 

I went on to have two more surgeries to replace each hip  after that.... my husband continued to work the next 5 years and He just retired  A year ago this past June from his job of 30  plus years.  

I would hope your boss would accommodate your request for less hours.  I was fortunate that my bosses wanted me there enough to work with me and hire others to fill in on the extra days I would not be working.   I worked for a family business,  so they were like family to me, and very kind. 

[Sweetbay magnolia]

All who have responded, I thank you.

I have arthritis (osteo). I also have the home of my dreams, and a dreamy husband. 

This is what I want.  I gave notice at my job this morning. 

[hckynut]

@Sweetbay magnolia

I guess I don't understand your problem, maybe because I have never had a job that meant more than income to me. My jobs were hot/dirty/very physical, and some dangerous at times.

I returned to 1 of my jobs with the same big company, which required heavy lifting, and in awkward positions, after back surgery that removed my ruptured L-3/ S-1 Lumbar discs. Did I want to? Not really, but to keep my paycheck at 35 years old, I needed an income. I also had worked for this company for 16 years at that time.

Sounds like you have an easier decision than I did because at that time I could not afford the monetary loss. Were it me? My body means more to me, if I had the monetary means, than any job I would ever consider. Which means more to you?

hckynut(john)

[Sweetbay magnolia]

Thank you, @hckynut.  Yes, I need me more than they do!

[shopperqvc]

@Sweetbay magnoliaEnjoy your retirement, you've earned it. Find something you like doing to occupy your mind. The arthritis hurts, but stay as active as possible. It actually hurts less as long as you don't over do.  Learn your limits, but keep active. This is the next part of your journey. Make it the best part.