Chronic illness, unlike acute illness, isn’t static. It continues to reverberate.
I’ve been writing about Maestro James Levine’s (my post on grieving) cancer and the back injury/surgeries that have kept him from performing.
As it turns out, the man he replaced at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa, will not be at the podium at Tanglewood this summer due to ongoing issues in recovering from esophageal cancer.
(OMG, Are we the only who see that working with a chronic illness presents serious problems?)
Both men rank among the very top in the world in a highly competitive field. But I find one lesson us mere mortals can take from this:
When you live with chronic illness, one strategic move is to be as good as you can at what you do so you’re not easily replaceable.
These guys were the best before illness. They had already filled the piggy bank with goodwill. Their employers can’t wait for them to return to work forever. But they’ve built up a strong investment in sticking by while they try to get better.
Maybe you’re wondering: But what can I do to be that person an employer does not want to let go — or see leave — when my performance suffers because of debilitating symptoms?
Have you considered how you can be as good as you can at what you do? Few of us are world class performers or even “great” at what we do. But sometimes our value is not only in what we deliver.
When you’re angry about difficult symptoms, does it show? Do you resent that your job is so difficult or what others aren’t doing to make it easier? How’s that going for you?
On the other hand, have you considered how can you support others, be an even better team player and display your strong work ethic? It’s one way to get the support you need from others when you’re struggling. Can you be sure that support will be there when you need it? No. But you’ve at least got a better shot at it.
Toni Bernhard says
Hi Rosalind,
I’ve been following the stories about James Levine because I’m an opera buff (the NY Times yesterday just about called for him to step down from one of his posts and the suggestion was considered a sacrilege on my opera listserve!). Until I read this, I didn’t appreciate just why it is that The Met and the Boston Symphony have been willing to work around his injuries and his other medical problems. It’s because he’s just, well, irreplaceable.
So, yes “keep filling the bank” if you’re fortunate enough to be able to keep on working despite chronic illness or other disabling conditions.
Maria says
You make an excellent point, Rosalind, and a lesson I learned a few years ago. Since we live with illness, we have a tendency to adapt (with surprising skill!) to events, situations, challenges and physical limitations without realizing the amount of personal strength that actually takes. As my enthusiasm began to wane in continuing my virtual administrative business, I discovered that my services were replaceable, but the clients actually valued other things about me that I didn’t realize. They now hire me as a “muse” and it felt odd at first to be paid for brainstorming and organizing their business plans. I’ve since I discovered, though, that coordination and facilitation are skills I excel at and have branched into my current business emphasizing them. Knowing what we’re really valued for, or can be valued for, is essential in creating our own niche. I doubt most employers really know how much we offer and figuring it out for them will help make sure things get noticed!
Rosalind says
Maria – You’ve taken what I said even a step further and that is find out what others value and work on strengthening those things! Great point! I didn’t realize you’re a “muse”/va. Good to know someone with your perspective is doing this. Maybe we can “barter” at some point!
Rosalind says
I think in the end that none of us are exactly ‘replaceable’ since everyone brings different talents. But we do have to hope others think that way 🙂
Mary says
I also benefited from “goodwill in the bank”. When I was feeling better I “stepped in” to perform annoying management and coordination tasks, to keep a few projects going. I turned out to be good at it, and ended up in a position where I am vital to an ongoing project. So when I got significantly worse, my department was more than happy to show tolerance, and I tried my best to keep the project running even when I was not so well.
I don’t know where this will end, because I was significantly negatively affected and my employer cannot wait forever, too, but I know I have at least a year’s time still to get things sorted.
Another side of it, though, is that it would be difficult to start over. At the moment I am lucky to have some guaranteed funding. If I were to lose my job, I think it would be much, much harder to start in a new place, because I no longer have the extra energy and strength to build this reserve of good will.
Jenn says
I believe the only reason I am still employed is the six years of excellent work I gave my employer before I got sick. They remember how good I was and I think for the past two years all of us keep waiting for me to get better and return to my former self.
Like Mary I also worry about what would happen if I lost my job. My current best isnt even very good right now.
Christina Gombar says
In a similar vein — baseball star Rocco Baldelli hass been struggling with a mitochondrial illness that requires scheduling accommodations for several years. After a year in which he performed sporadically well with the Red Sox, he was disabled out again, but then welcomed back to his longtime Florida team in a special training advising role.
Rosalind says
Christina – I know- I wrote about him twice – First about job fit http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2009/09/job-fit-is-key/
And then about what we’re made of http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2009/01/rocco-or-the-ram-which-are-you/
Rosalind says
Jenn – You’re probably right that you’re still there because of the value you showed. I learned that lesson the hard way! I hope you do return to your “former” self. I’m sure you’ve thought of this but what can you do or change that would make what you can give even better?
Ashley says
This is such a wonderful blog. Your work is so important. Thank you! I often wonder how I can be the employee I want to be when I’m sick. I do well in school and I have accommodations to help me, but it doesn’t feel like enough. I’m going to take some time off school to rest and I feel so guilty about that. It’s interesting, what you asked about my anger about my situation showing. It doesn’t help.
Rosalind says
I’m glad you like reading this. You might ask yourself what would be “enough” accomodations? Are your expectations for yourself aligned? And yes, anger. There are times for it but they’re rare.