How many of you work full time and are raising a family yet?

• By martzj
• Posted February 3, 2009 at 11:50 pm
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Hi Too young,

I remember how much it meant you to be recovered enough to attend your daughters wedding and you still look so pretty in that red gown in your photo!

I was cleared by my cardio to go back to super mentally demanding job at a high energy physics research facility 8 weeks past acute MI at 41 and 5 days after the 2nd stent put into mostly blocked LAD. I wasn't remotely ready to return to anything full time...still shell shocked. But within 6 months I had 5 stepkids (2-15) in my life, long rough daily commutes. I tried to stop off at the gym several times a week and would feel pretty good for a few hours....then crash!!!
Yogo classes right after a long work day was marvelously deeply calming and relaxing...Something I desparately needed at that time....a whole hour just for me in a soothing totally different kind of energy than the rest of my life required. It helped tremendously with keeping flexibility too.

It took me a while to understand I was never going to have sustained restorative results from workouts but it did feel great for a few hours and helped me gain confidence I could push my body more and more without so much fear over time. Since I had never been sent to rehab of any sort (although I had massive HA that showed damage from previous undiagnosed heart attacks), because I was a young female, I created my own self-styled workout: 20 minutes on treadmill, 5 minutes cool down walks around the track, 20 minutes on the Lifecycle machines...then 10 cooldown minutes on the yoga mats stetching before heading home to shower. Woke up feeling sickly and flu-like every morning..... I finally got it that I was never going to feel 'good' again so I just made myself work out anyway to see how far I could push it.

My job was high pressure, very creative, fast turnarounds on very short notice, dealing with international clientelle. Even getting through the day in a profession I loved was too much for my heart post HA. But I pushed for 10 more years and glad I did.

We hosted quite a few impromptu physics parties with 30 or more international colleagues and that was REALLY tough to get through on top of a full work day, commute home, getting the kids organized and busy before guests arrived. Whew! Always quite challenging physically and emotionally no matter how much I enjoyed having a house full of great people. If I waited to feel good though, I would never have ever gotten anything accomplished. It was push persistently or nothing. At the 10 year mark, I had to go with 'nothing'. There wasn't a shred of energy left and I was heading swiftly into another serious heart attack. I walked away from my job to stay alive and see if rest would improve recovery. It DID! I don't think there was much chance I would be alive today if I hadn't walked away back then.

Hope this helps in some way. I know how hard it is to try to keep up with your former life pace and smile at parent-teacher meetings, PTA meets, soccer mom time, etc. Sounds like you are staying productive!

take good care,
Jaynie

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• By heart39
• Posted February 4, 2009 at 12:50 am
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Hello Too Young,
I don't know how Jaynie did it! I know I couldn't. I tried. It was more frustrating than not working.

I am a mother of 3. I am still active in their schools (1 in high school, 1 in middle & 1 in elementary) but have given up my full time job, I just couldn't do it anymore. I still volunteer, but do not work full time.

It's sad, but some consider me a "freeloader" or "lazy" or how about "unmotivated". I ignore this as I am giving of myself more than I ever have as a working mom. I play with them, I take part in assignments, I goof off more than I ever did before my HA.

I am certainly not suggesting you quit your job, I'm just sharing with you how I've dealt with my life. I know my circumstance doesn't fit everyone, but if the quilt fits, cover yourself in it!

We couldn't afford for me to quit my job, but health reasons interfered. We did what we had to do.

I do realize that you were looking for responses from women who continue to work full time & how do they do it, I do not fit that picture. I'm sure you will get some responses that do, so I'll slide into the background now.

- Peg

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• By Marietta
• Posted February 4, 2009 at 8:40 am
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I had my first HA at the age of 32 - went back to work full time 6 short weeks later. My kids were 6 and 8 at the time. I'm now almost 38 and they are 11 and 13 and I still work full-time and drive a decent commute to and from work everyday. A little over a year ago I had triple bypass and got just 6 weeks off for that too. I can't believe all that I have been thru in the last 5 years. I often wonder if I will ever see my kids grow up or if I will even see 40. I get up and get ready for work every day and all I can say is that I do it simply by just putting one foot on the floor and then the other. Some days I go into work and am completely exhausted before it is even starting time...only to work a full 8 hours, drive home, and then start supper, clean up, help with homework and then collapse on the couch. Yeah, my husband helps out and everyone understands my need for rest, but it's just not in my nature to sit and watch life go on around me while I sit on the couch. Our budget demands that I work but also for my mental well-being I demand of myself to keep going in. There are many a time that I wish I could stay home....enjoy my kids and hubby and rest all day. This is our plight Too Young....these are the cards we have been dealt. But there must be a reason why we have all this to deal with as well as be a vital important part of our families lives. Hang in there and just know that we are all here in this together.

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• By mariealli
• Posted February 4, 2009 at 8:51 am
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Hello not only did I have two heart attacks within 5 months of each other and 8 stents. I went back to work full time two weeks after my first heart attack. My boss sent me home and thought it was a bit early for me to come back and he was right. I work at a middle school with 7th and 8th graders full time and I love my job! I also have a family with a teenage boy who I taught how to drive and now he has his license. I love cooking for my family.

I also have 9 parrots, 20 finches (little birds which I raise to sell) and 3 dogs. Every night I have to groom my two large newfoundlands and I have a baby bulldog. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I go to cardio rehab for an hour right after work so I am up from 6am and don't get home until 6pm. On Thursday nights my bulldog and I go for a 45 minute ride to handling class and do not get home until 10 pm. Starting next month my bulldog and I will be entering dog shows all over the US. So yes I am busy but I am so lucky to be alive and to be able to do all the above. I don't regret anything in my life and if I was to go tomorrow then I am happy to say I have had a wonderful life and enjoyed it to the fullest!

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• By Dgrant
• Posted February 4, 2009 at 9:09 am
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I had a heart attack and bypass surgery in December 2007. I'm also diabetic, which is probably the reason I ended up with a heart attack. At the time of the heart attack, I worked about 6 hours per day at my business and then 3 nights a week I worked at the hospital for 8 hours each night. I have two kids, but only one at home right now, but she is homeschooled, so that was another responsibility on my plate. She's a senior this year, and I have to say that both of us are looking forward to her graduation!!! She has worked so hard!

Anyway, I had my heart attack at 1 a.m., and by 10 a.m. the next morning while I was still in the hospital, I had my family bring my lap top to the hospital so I could WORK!! HA HA I worked all of that day until the evening, and I had them take the laptop home, because I was having surgery the next day!! Crazy person!! I got home from the hospital on Christmas eve and went back to work the day after Christmas.

Now, I must clarify, my clients did NOT expect that. They have been more than accommodating to me. I became very much behind during those first few months, but they were patient with me because they knew I'd get the work done. I have been very blessed. I started out working about 2-3 hours per day and have gradually become productive again. I can't complain at all.

So, now, it has been almost 14 months since my HA and surgery, and I'm looking to add one more small-volume client to my business. I never did go back to work at the hospital. I've been focusing on my business only. It has been helpful not to have to work the night shift. And my daughter will be graduating in May, and that will start a whole new set of stresses -- COLLEGE! But I'm looking forward to it.

I feel great most of the time. I do tire out easier than I used to, but when I do, I just go to bed earlier and sleep a little while longer than usual. Once in a while, I lie down in the afternoon for a little nap, but not very often.

Oh, my business is a medical transcription service, and January marked 20 years of being in that business. I LOVE my job and wouldn't trade it for anything -- it has allowed me to homeschool two kids, be there for them at all of their activities, and have the flexibility that I needed during their growing up years. I am so thankful that I've been able to make a good living to supplement my husband's salary, but still be a stay-at-home mom, as well. I call it the best of both worlds. And when my world came crashing down on me that day in December 2007, no one was more shocked than I was!! But I think one thing in my favor was that I am a very positive person in general, and I was determined that I would get through this -- although at one point the fear was overwhelming.

I think a common thread has been woven throughout this particular thread -- we have to take time for ourselves. That was something I really never did before -- it was always all about them, and I loved it, really. But now, I have to take some time for DANA. And that's nice, too. I love taking long walks and listening to music; that is ME time. So, sure, we have to make some changes, but there's no reason that we can't keep on plugging away if we also take the time to rest. I think each individual has to do what their body allows for them. Too much pushing and we'll end up back in the hospital with another dreaded heart attack, I fear. So, there has to be a balance. We have to let our families help us, and they have to be willing. We have to let them know that things won't be the same now. There has to be some concession somewhere. For me, it was giving up that extra job. That was the smartest thing I've ever done.

Oh, and my commute? Well, it's difficult. You'll feel so sorry for me that I have to travel this far.......I have to GET UP out of bed, put on my slippers and........

........walk across the hall to my office. It's murder, but, hey, what can I say -- someone has to do it!!! HA HA

Keep hanging in there!! We're all here for venting when anyone needs to do it!!!!

Dana in AZ

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• By martzj
• Posted February 4, 2009 at 10:59 am
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me again,

" I want to be some sort of a grandmother when the baby gets here. I am making a quilt for the baby now. My husband says working on the quilt is my "Prozac". I wish I did not have to work full time, but our family budget pretty much dictates that I do. I just graduated with my MBA in December 08. Getting this job was a dream for me. Now I am torn if I can "live" up to its expectations"

Cross-stitching saved my sanity many an evening and weekend....It was all I had that was 'mine'!!! All my other energies went to supporting family, job expectations, household maintenance....feeling very very ill at all times. It never stopped, never has in 15 years. Over time I had to keep paring things away more and more....until I couldn't even summon the will to apply mascara for work. 'Showered' was ths best I could do...and that was exhausting. Before I got into the car for rough 45 minute commute. Then 8-9 hours on job, back in car 45 minute commute home, kids, etc. I pushed, bullied and willed myself through for the next 10 years and then understood I had to STOP!

There just is no recovery time built into American life. One has to make incredibly difficult choices sometimes.

What is becoming clearer to me on this board, is that there are many levels of heart damage among us....no two women are precisely the same. There is a distinct difference between the quality of life of women who have had a preventative scheduled surgery (bypass/stents/valve replacements/ICDS) and the women who have endured prolonged heart attacks in which heart muscle tissue died, and the brain/body was deprived of oxygen rich blood molecules for sustained or intermittent periods of time. Women who have had surgeries and procedures but NO heart attack/O2 deprivation, seem to be faring far better than those who survived heart attacks without timely or any intervention at all.

I represent the low quality of life end of post HA (41) younger women. I hope you will feel better over time...but you had both HA + bypass, so give yourself several years before expecting to feel sustainable energy. There are women who post here a week after a heart attack....something I cannot even comprehend as I couldn't even remember phone numbers, how to spell many words, much physical damage to body from fall down wood stairs during worst of final HA. No 2 heart attacks are the same, even though the treatments are still pretty much one-size-fits-all for women at this time.

There are women having heart attacks without help, or help coming too late.........and there are women having preventative surgeries BEFORE damage can occur....(no heart attack at all if they are lucky). These are very different things. I made certain I always had my sights set on several goals that were extremely important to me (never put all your eggs in one basket : )...otherwise, I would have given up in the first year after HA.

Congrats on your MBA and your dream job! That will be a huge incentive, payback for how hard it may become at times to keep yourself going forward.

take care,
Jaynie

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• By maggie471961
• Posted February 4, 2009 at 11:53 am
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Hi, I am new to this site, but I find it a great way to connect with other woman who know how I feel. I worked full time at a very stressful job as a manager of a large telecommunications company. I have had 3 heart attacks, two of them on the job, and one on my way into work on the expressway. These all happened between 40 and 45 yrs of age. I went through 12 stents before my doctors told me it was not good for me to be working anymore. That was two years ago, and believe it or not I miss working, I really do. Thank God I had a private disability policy through my employer, which gives me 60% of my pay until I am 65. Three weeks ago I had quadruple bypass, and I am doing well. Now I had to make major changes in my life because I lost 40% of my income, but personally I knew the work I was doing was not helping my health. I know alot of woman don't have a insurance policy to fall back on, and are in a sistuation where they must continue to work. My girls were in HS when all my issues started, so I had a pretty crazy life at home as a single mom as well. Like I said I had to change alot of things in my life, like selling my home, going from driving a new car to a 88 tempo, to cutting coupons and watching every penny I spend. I thank God everyday that I had that policy, I may not be rich, but I am enjoying everyday, with my girls and grandson. I wish you all the best, and the only advise I can give you is to always take time for yourself and your needs.

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• By martzj
• Posted February 4, 2009 at 1:02 pm
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hi maggie74,

I had full disability insurance through my employer...but it was my doctors who misdiagnosed HAs, then new doctors continued to dismiss my growing disabilities.....By year 3, I collapsed at work, had a cath that showed both stents more than 70 percent blocked w scar tissue...but the doc chose to pull out and do nothing beyond continuing drug therapy. At no time have any of my new doctors chosen to help me, even when knowing my long complicated history. 12 years is a very long time to live like this....I worked 10 of them. Had never ever not worked since age 15-50.

Doctors were not documenting well the symptoms I was telling them, dismissed most of it. So I had to walk away from my job.....and my 16 years of paying into short and long term disability insurance (would have paid 60% of my salary till 65). At every turn, it has been doctors shredding my life apart. It is good to see you got real support.

I never have. My 2nd SSD disability appeal was denied.....because of the doctors dismissing my chronic symptom clusters as debilitating (while billing me to high heaven for treatments), (haven't the slighest idea what my life is really like....how can they when they spend 10 minutes with me a year. Without a doctor's support I am hearing it is impossible to get SSD. A good friend got SSD within several months of her first application because of long term depression alone. I was floored. She is far more mobile than I will ever be. The chronic depression that came post HA for me was greeted by my cardio with, "oh, you don't have anything to be depressed about'. (1996) Then subsequent doctors and I found I have a severe and swift adverse reaction to all anti-depressants. So can take no medication AT ALL. This was further interpreted by SSD/doctors somehow as 'shows no evidence of history of depression.' If I can't take their meds, that means I am nonsymptomatic?

We have got to find ways to get HA women out of this awful swirling surreal doctor-SSD-insurance company whirlpool filled with people who don't even know what we look like, except on paper filled with words by other people who barely know what we look like. This is crazy making behavior at the system level and very much stacked against the female heart patient with no advocates or daily life witnesses to what is being endured over time.

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• By chill
• Posted February 4, 2009 at 2:16 pm
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This is a tough issue we are discussing! I had a massive heart attack with muscle damage and 2 stents on May 16th. On June 22nd they put in a pacemaker cause heartrate kept dropping to 30. The Dr. made me stay off work for three months. He told me he did not feel I would ever be able to work full time again! Well, I always want to challenge statements like that and prove them wrong! I went back to a very stressful job on a part-time basis...for maybe two weeks. Then it was back in over my head and very much full time! But, there was the bright side that for the first time in 3 1/2 months I had some feeling of normal in my life...I was back in control! I felt much better working cause I wasn't focusing all of my time on me or my heart issues. Has this been the right decision, I honestly don't know. I get tired easily and "hit the wall" and can go no further frequently. I am fortunate to be old enough (yes, fortunate...and to have enough years in to retire when I want to.) But with the economy the way it is and my husband having been in the building industry, not sure this is the right time to retire. So, I guess I really don't have an answer to if it is best to still be working full time...I am doing it, but still not sure it is the best thing for me. Now I am fighting a heartrate that keeps hitting 160+ (the pacemaker interrogation shows everything!). So, that has got to come down! Meanwhile, I am trying to ease up, not get stressed as much, yet keep working. I am still on this journey of trying to figure out what to do!

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• By maggie471961
• Posted February 4, 2009 at 3:42 pm
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Me again, well I understand the issue with doctors supporting woman with heart issues, but I guess my "good luck" was that I also had a couple other health issues which were causing me more problems. Due to an very serious accident when I was 15, I have also gone through 4 major spine surgeries, 5 years in braces, which has now left me with servere arthritis in my spine. I am also insulin dependent and have problems with very high blood pressure. Were it not for these other problems, I'm sure I would not have been able to go out on disability. My heart issues should have been enough, but it is crazy what you have to go through to get help. I to was turned down at first for SSD, but finally was approved. What I now get from SSD is deducted from the money I receive from the private disability policy, so my money stayed the same, but at least I now have medicare. The cost of the cobra was insane. I know people who get SSD because they are dependent on drugs or alcohol. I understand that that is a real problem, but at the same time we have woman out here who have thier health going downhill because they have no choice but to continue working. The whole thing is crazy. We need more doctors who will say enough already, help these woman.

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• By martzj
• Posted February 4, 2009 at 5:26 pm
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Maggie,

You very much deserve every penny of disability you are receiving. I wish it could be more!!!

That spine, bone surgery is not for the faint hearted is it.

Take good care,
Jaynie

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• By TooYoung
• Posted February 4, 2009 at 5:45 pm
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Thanks for all of your replys. You are all very sincere. There is no easy answer. I ended up going home early from work today. Fatique and lite headed. I am worried about suffering another HA. Yet, I am worried about the stress it would put on our family if I did not work. I make twice the income of my husband. He is very supportive and is doing as much as he possibly can at home to relieve me of household chores so I can rest up for work the next day. I am not a year out from my surgery yet and I did have another hospital stay in December for a heart cath and low potassium. Does the energy level get better down the road? I feel so bad emotionally when I am lying in bed resting or sleeping and my 16 year old daughter comes home from school to see me this way. I feel like I am not much of a mother to her. It appears from your posts that most of you do not work since your heart episodes. Is this normal? or only for those of us who have gathered here? My doctor and his nurse both, seem to think that I should be able to work no problem. They make me feel like I am a whiner or something when I call with questions or concerns. They have admitted that most of their patients are 30+ years my age. I just don't think cardiologists know how to handle young women with heart disease.

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• By maggie471961
• Posted February 4, 2009 at 9:34 pm
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Thanks for the kind words Jaynie, the back surgeries were terrible, but I was younger then and I handled it. As I get older, (NOT THAT 47 IS OLD) the spine does not bounce back as well as it did when I was in my 20's. And then all this heart sh**!!! I am blessed that I can stay home and focus on my health. I feel bad for "To young" and other woman like her who must keep working. When you think about it....we really are all amazing woman. Most of the time, when a man has a heart issue as we do, they may have to work, but when they are done at 5...they are done. Woman come home and start the second job of cleaning, cooking, homework, shopping, kids, pets and much more. We are amazing woman, to come through what we have, and carry on with the day to day operations of being an employee, mom and wife. I pray we are all blessed in 09 with good health!!!

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• By Ecksunbeam
• Posted February 4, 2009 at 10:00 pm
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Yes, Jaynie,

As usual, you are absolutely right. There is a BIG difference between a woman who has endured a massive heart attack, respiratory arrest, brain damage, heart muscle damage, etc., and someone who has had an angioplasty or stent--even by-pass--before a heart attack. If I remember correctly, Mystic coded 13 times! That's alot! In addition, the age that it occured can make a big difference in our restorative powers, whether we are still raising dependent children, or have husbands to help us out (or drive us crazy with their demands). Stress is a huge factor, along with money problems, and aging parents to take care of.

Although we are able to share information, I find it's very important to know our own bodies, symptoms, and limitations very intimately. We share a common bond in that we all have heart disease, but heart disease has many faces, many stages, different levels of damage, and we are all unique individuals. What's right for one sister might not be right for another. We just offer support in the best way we know how, but in the end, it's up to each of us to decide the road we will travel.

May the Blessings Be!

Sherrie

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• By MMaslek
• Posted February 5, 2009 at 10:38 am
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I was in my final semester of my masters in education when I got sick. I have never been able to go back to work full time. I've tried part time a couple of times but I can only go so long & then I end up hospitalized. My husband has kept his same job since because his prescription coverage is awesome. I'm on 14 meds, my son is on 4, (asthma) my daughter 2 (female problems) & my husband is on 5 (everything else). His salary is just okay & prescription copays are $400 a month on this great plan. I get the whole budget being stretched as far as it can go. I feel bad because I know hubby feels trapped into his job & would love to look elsewhere but we just can't risk losing the benefits. I get disability but it's minimal because I was in school for years so no income during that time to figure in.

I don't know how you ladies do it. I consider it a successful day if I shower, get the dishwasher loaded, dinner cooked & everyone where they need to be on time. My house is messy as all get out. Dusty which doesn't help the asthma. I can't vacuum so I'm dependant on everyone else's schedule to get even that accomplished. I got up @ 6:20, made lunches, got the kids off to school & I'm ready for my nap. This after going to bed @ 7 yesterday. I've worked part time over the years but that was all I could do... work & sleep. You all have my awe.

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• By Queen_E
• Posted February 5, 2009 at 12:02 pm
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My kids are 3.5 and 6.5 yr old, both in full time school/child care programs (public and private). I am 43 and the first mom in my family to work full time for someone else. Also the first to have a HA! I return to work on Monday. I am pursuing a professional certification. I also have weekly rehearsals and concerts quarterly as a volunteer musician.
My job is full of Type A people and lots of high expectations. I have high expectations of myself, too.
Stopping work is not an option - I like making money, I can make a contribution and we checked our expenses... So, I am looking at how to de-stress. Get away from the toxic boss? Look for another position within the firm? Work from home as many days as possible?
I wish I had better advice for you, but do look at what things can be done by others (outside of job) - house cleaning, shopping or cooking, support to your parents. Reach out to your friends in your local area to find out what options might exist for hiring a "parent's helper". Your folks will be much worse off if you don't take care of your health - you may have to be frank with them, if your relationship allows.

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• By martzj
• Posted February 5, 2009 at 4:06 pm
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Dear tooyoung & queen_E,

Stopping work was not an option for me at 41. I never really know how much to say in this public forum because I don't want to discourage young women who come here for encouragement, hope. Everyone in this discussion sounds like they are doing as much as they can while under great duress. I felt like I was not going to make it through the day, every day, until age 50 1/2, freezing winter weather angina and barely keeping from blacking out many times a day....I had to STOP. Just STOP.

There was no man or children at home anymore by then, I had pushed through 10 years under extreme physical and psychological duress from early heart attacks. For me (not saying this is anyone else) there was no coming back from that much dead heart muscle. But I lived. It will never be easy or even pleasant to be living in this body, so I put all my finest energy into spirit and mind pursuits. I call it 'surrendering up'. When there was a houseful of children, daily life was grueling but it counted so much to live another day and focus on 'building' family, meaningful personal projects. It isn't possible to count the moments I had swirling thriving people around me while I stood there not believing I could feel that horrible and still be alive. There was no help coming from anywhere at any time. I looked so normal to outside world. Still do.

I had far more hope of recovery in my 30s and early 40s. I hit the WALL at 50. Now the things I keep trying must be done from lying around with feet up, most of every day. And still I am alive. I worked through 3 heart attacks that I know of. That was no longer possible beyond 50.

Other women will have very different experiences I hope. I haven't met any of them but I like to believe they are out there.

"My doctor and his nurse both, seem to think that I should be able to work no problem. They make me feel like I am a whiner or something when I call with questions".......

This has always been my experience too and I came to understand they may have meant well but were clueless about the realities. That remains the case, nationwide if the research coming out is an accurate indicator.

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• By LauraMom
• Posted February 24, 2009 at 8:38 pm
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Wow! You do sound pretty amazing! I had an MI 4 years ago at 38. I am divorced, so of course I work full time - as a clinical social worker for Hospice. I have a difficult 14 year old girl and another daughter who is 10. I think one of the hardest things for me day to day is that I have no family within 700 miles to give support, babysit, etc. I can get very fatigued after a long day -- I let things go.... my house is not the cleanest, I'm not always the most creative cook, etc. But I consider it my responsibility to exercise 3-4 times per week - strength training, cardio, and some yoga also. Exercise helps me be healthy and reduces stress. I also do things for myself because I deserve it -- I get a massage every month, I go out with my friends on occasion, and I don't skip my lunch break during work! Life is very stressful, hectic, and can be exhausting. That's why it's important to make time to celebrate that you are indeed alive, with lots of living left to do. Don't hope that you will have time to take care of yourself, make sure that you give that time to you!

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• By TooYoung
• Posted February 24, 2009 at 8:50 pm
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Thanks for your inspiration. It sounds like you have your priorities straight. I too often forget about me and worry about everyone and everything else. Keep up the good work and the best of luck with your health.

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• By frogcollector
• Posted March 12, 2009 at 6:03 pm
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TooYoung,

I have not read all the replies yet...I have read what you wrote.

I was VP Finance..you could call it Controller, many names we go by in the industry...This is so great for you...and I can really relate. Today, I am not doing this, but I have other reasons that were wonderful.

During the time I first passed out and things changed...I was in my second year at the financial institution I worked for.

I would love to help you for the 'Controller' side of the equation. I developed many 'coping skills' related to the expectations of the job. Don't let them see you as frail. Exude your confidence, you worked your tail off to get this dream job! Keep details of your health issues out of the workplace, no confidants at work, you are too new. AND do not fret if you have already, there are ways out ! :)

I worked with an all male BOD. I took a lot of time learning the dynamics of the staff before venturing out too far with any of my 'new' ideas, almost a year.

Did you replace a man (no one get riled here...it does factor in sometimes!)???

Your first year is so important. Listening to the 'workplace politics' and staying out of them will help you tremendously. Still listen and learn the pecking order and 'tone'.

Eventually I found my assistant to have a good closed mouth attitude. She assisted the CEO, and three other VP's, I was second to the CEO...which you probably are too, or are you CEO/Controller? I had a place to take my Naps and lock myself in, she woke me up, and no one knew, but her...later another good friend did too.

Just a start on the subject....

Oxygen Annie

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