Being a Chef and Dealing with Medical Issues

I hate to be a downer.....but....you might want to find a like, but, different
type of work.....eventually this kind of work is going to really drag you down.
I can empathize with you...have some similar problems.....if you do stick with
it.....more power to you....good luck....

I've worked in kitchens for 30 years and am a celiac.I can't eat most of the things I cook and must get the other staff to help me taste for seasonings in soups and sauces etc.It can be a little hairy putting out food I can not taste.
For years people have complained that I do not put enough salt in my food.
However salt is on the table so all is not lost.

stay in good spirits

First off, I'm sorry to hear about your dillema, my grandmother has crohns disease and she had to stop working at the age of 35 or so. It's something that she definately doesnt enjoy but a lot of good things have come out of her not working. The beauty of our profession is that you can cook at home and there are so many different types of establishments that serve food. You could volunteer at places, work part time, cook at home a lot or work at a lower stress place like a retirement home or something of the like. Im sure that you are very passionate about this profession, but your health is faaaaar more important. Good luck with everything.

I have epilepsy. Although I don't have a lot of full-blown seizures, I do have minor-seizures with more frequency. As I am preparing to be a chef, thinking about the stresses and the long hours that come with being a chef...it gives me pause, because stress and exhaustion can really cause me issues. However...one has to be happy in life. If you have a passion in life, do not let anything get in your way. God forbid, if you were ever to die from your ailment (Which I pray you don't)...at least do it on your own terms...happy and content in the fact that you were having fun. I don't know if what I say helps...but I know for me, I am not going to concern myself if I seriously hurt myself cooking, because I may have a seizure episode. ****...we have more chance dying and killing someone else, driving to our jobs day to day. I'll keep you in prayer.

I don't have anything as serious. I have sleep apnea, a condition that causes me to stop breathing at nights. I'm not as bad as the majority but it does take its toll as you wake up every morning after 8 hours of sleep but feeling like its only been 2 or less because your brain is deprived of oxygen and has to basically wake up to get your breathing again. I had to buy a CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Presure) machine that forces me to keep breathing while I sleep that set me back a few biggies.

There is usually a way to deal with your disease and/or condition that won't force you to give up what you love to do the most. Keep a bright perspective on things and you may find a solution.

It may not be related to this topic per se', but I definitely think this article that outlines the trials that Grant Achatz of Alinea had to overcome once he was diagnosed with tongue cancer is worth sharing.

As a Chicagoain, the diagnosis really hit home, it hit hard, and it hurt.

FOXNews.com - Chef Battles to Regain Taste After Rare Tongue Cancer - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News

I have a question for you-  Are you happy in your present situation?  The reason I am asking...I work for a wealthy family who have a 16 year old child diagnosed with Crohns.  He is really having a  hard time accepting this.  His family can not get him to eat at all sometimes...other times he just eats junk food and gets sick. They are presently looking for a Chef in the DC area.  You would be perfect because you would understand what  their son is going through.  If he doesn't start eating things will not be good.

Let me know???

Thanks

JB

JB,

 

Sorry to hear about that, he is so young. What the family must realize and the son too, that this is not going to get "fixed" necessarily by a good or great chef. This is a life style change that the family must accept and try to deal with. Maybe they don't know all that is involved with this. Maybe they should get a dietitian  involved for the food aspect of it all ? Or have the child talk with other people who are dealing with the same circumstances. Maybe having some insight into how other people deal with it may help.

 

Knowing your body and its limitations is key.

 

You say you work for the family.....my guess is that you probably know more about the child and his diet than anyone else. Good on you for trying to seek help for him.  I hope things work out for him. All the best to you.

 

Petals.

To Quinn01. I feel your pain.I am a severe diabetic and have stage 3 kidney disease and after 10 years of cooking part time and being a long haul trucker I am now pursuing my Red Seal and I am starting my formal apprenticeship..I have faith in ya..you can do whatever you put your mind to!!

I have irritable bowel syndrome which is a lot of times seen as kind of joke thing, but when it gets to the more severe end of the spectrum, it can make life very hard. About 3 years ago I was having a lot of stomach problems. I would vomit, severe constipation, weight loss that I couldn’t afford, and it felt like I was getting jabbed in various spots on my chest. After I was diagnosed, it was all about managing symptoms which was very challenging because everyone will have a different set of symptoms and triggers. A lot of trial and error. That management stage took about 6 months, because it was all about finding out what I could and couldn’t eat, as well as A LOT of doctors’ visits. Thank god for health insurance. During this time, about the only thing I ate was grilled chicken breast, steamed broccoli, and mashed potatoes; imagine that for 6 months. It was one of the only things that didn’t cause me to go totally haywire. It took everything I had to get through the work day and then would collapse exhausted every night. I managed to go without having to take time off, say for one medical procedure. For me personally, I thought if I missed work, I'd be giving in. I eventually was able to trace most of the trigger food and beverages, as well as a few changes in lifestyle. It still flares up every once in a while but have some special pills that help with that.

I also have Crohn's, and it's definitely not easy. There are a lot of factors to consider, specifically in this industry:

Time
Long hours can be especially challenging when you're anemic (a common complication of Crohn's) or if you just flat out feel like crap.
Pain

Even if you find yourself with sudden abdominal pain, or urgency during service, odds are you aren't going anywhere anytime soon...
Nutrition
Are you prepared to bring your own lunch/dinner every day in case you can't eat what's provided?
Stress
Goes without saying.
Pressure
Everybody going out drinking after work tonight, and you have to sit it out? Nobody else ever takes sick days, but you don't have a choice? Things to consider.
Bills
Who is paying for your medication? Are you expecting medical benefits from work...?
Passion
If this is really, REALLY what you want? Then take your time and ease your way in. Check things out before you just decide "THIS IS MY PASSION"
and dive headlong into something that you can't commit to.
 

I'm allergic to eggs so I need to be careful what I eat, and I have endometriosis and moderate (so far) fibromyalgia.  I pretty much suck it up and deal with it every day and it hasn't really affected mywork.  Ido have to be careful what I taste test and everyone who works with me knows I can't eat eggs so they are ok to help me with that if I need it...

I'm not going to say what my conditions are (because I'm new here and don't know anyone yet) but if I can embark on this new career amidst my menagerie of health problems and excel like I have been doing thus far, anyone with any of the medical issues listed in the posts before mine can do it. Don't sell yourself short.