Giess

        On Feb. 15, my life changed. It wasn't expected, at least on my part. My husband, John, however, saw the “writing on the wall” and tried to prepare me for it.

        “They won't do that,” I told him as I collected my lunch and briefcase. “They need me. I'm the only one who can do what I do.”

        I was feeling pretty cocky considering I'd just missed eight days of work due to a bout with pneumonia. A few months before, I'd missed four days with strep throat.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle Giess, 36, is working toward her massage therapy license at S.H.I. Integrative Medical Massage School, Lebanon and taking Psychology classes at Raymond Walters College. She and her husband John live in Springfield Township.

        “You know how they are,” John cautioned. “They” meant employers. And yes, I know how they are. I've worked in employee benefits for nearly 13 years. With the exception of one job right out of college as an office manager for a chiropractor, employee benefits has been my career. I took all the right classes, went to all the right seminars, belonged to all the right professional associations, and received excellent performance reviews for my work.

        Despite all this, I did not enjoy my work. I never stayed with an employer for more than three years. I had the excuses — management was bad, it was too far to drive, too many hours for not enough pay. Each time I took a new position, I thought I'd found the job. But I'd stay long enough to get additional experience and then I'd start looking again.

        Soon after I arrived at work on this day, I began plowing through the stacks on my desk and attacking the e-mail. Then the phone rang with a request that I come to the Human Resources'manager's office. Once I entered the office, I knew John was right. I sat in a stunned silence as my boss fired me because I had missed too much work.I felt as if I'd been slammed into a wall and my brain refused to register anything.

        The Human Resources director, to her credit, was incredibly professional, kind and discreet. She carefully went through all of the paperwork and the reasons for my dismissal. While she acknowledged that I'd always done excellent work, I had missed a great deal of work due to illness in the last year.

        Then she said something that resonates with me to this day.

        “Think of this as a second chance. Maybe this job was just too stressful and not good for your health. You have a chance to do something new.”

        I spent that Thursday morning in my sweats on the living room floor alternating between sobbing and raging.

        Once I calmed down in the afternoon, I reflected not only on what happened, but also on what had brought me to this place. For the last six years, I have battled an immune system disorder that has left me extremely susceptible to strep infections and bronchitis. I have severe allergic reactions to nearly every antibiotic.

        I do not sleep well and tire easily. The more stressed I become, the more susceptible I am to disease, so I miss work, which creates stress, so I get sicker. It's a cycle.

        My problem was I'd never accepted my illness. I worked at it piecemeal trying to continue my life as if I wasn't sick. I'd never made life style changes my doctors and therapist recommended.

        In the months since then, I've tried to make those changes. I now exercise regularly to help boost my immune system. I am more consistent with my massage therapy, which also helps the immune system and decreases stress. My doctor has also found a drug that seems to help alleviate some of my symptoms.

        After the traumas of losing my job and facing my illness, I've come to realize that both are blessings. After many discussions with my doctor, physical therapist and husband, I decided to stay home for a while.

        When I do return to work, I want to help other people with chronic illnesses learn to come to terms with them and manage their lives. I've decided to return to study massage therapy and I'm taking a few college classes this summer to round out my education.

        John is behind me 100 percent.

        As I look back I am so thankful for this second chance. I've learned to embrace the unexpected. Sometimes, it brings the best blessings.

        Share recent moments in your life by mail: In My Life, c/o The Cincinnati Enquirer; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: nberlier@enquirer.com.

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