0.08 or 0.09 is eight cents and nine cents

• Formula for calculating lines? - Julie
  • No way you can guess how many - sm
  • 0.08 or 0.09 is eight cents and nine cents - Olive

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Well, I think speech recognition is definitely growing, but I think 3 to 5 years is exaggerated.  When I worked in house, quite a few rad MTs got laid off because of VR, but they still had to keep a few for the difficut ESLs.  I work for a hospital at home now.  This is a large teaching hospital and they still hand-write the majority of their reports (H&Ps, consults, etc.).  They are working on dictating these in the future, but I just can't at all see things turning totally to VR in 3 to 5 years.  I think there will always be hospitals who want to have MTs, plus there are a lot of private doctors out there and clinics who need MTs.   Yes, I think the demand for MTs in general may decrease, but in my opinion there will always be some demand.  I suggest to broaden your experiences and don't limit yourself to one work type or specialty.  The more experience and versatility you have, the more marketable you will be in the future.  

I am a hospital coder by day, home MT after hours.  I have my CCS (certified coding specialist) certificate and have been coding in house for 6 years.  I must be honest and say that I make more money transcribing part-time than I do coding full time.  MT pays by the line, you write your own check depending on how hard you work.  In house coding is not only hard to breat into but usually pays by the hour.

In one post you basically itemized partly what you would need to give a lawyer if you were to file for a divorce - division of debts.  The only other issues would be division of any assets and custody.

Next I noticed that you referred twice to _your_ son, not _our_ son (indicating to me you feel more invested in the child and not acknowledging his parentage).

Next you have this offer of a house that is trashed to help out your family and you take the stand that you will fight for your house.  Having been there and done that, if YOU move into that house, it will be held over your head until you die (not just if you were to ever move out even on good terms).  Also his family will become even more intertwined in your marriage than they already shouldn't be.

Others may disagree with what I'm about to say as being underhanded and mean, but I will tell you that if you want to be respected, you have to show you are willing to stand up for yourself.  In your case, you have many people to stand up to.

You are mentally prepared to be separated, well, as I have read your posts.  Go to that house and clean the bathroom, the kitchen and a bedroom.  Find calmness within yourself as you do this.  Then offer your husband the key to the house, a truck to move his belongings and invite him to live in it...alone.  Don't fight.  Load the truck yourself before he wakes up if you have to.  Tell him you love him (if that is a sincere emotion) and that in order for the two of you to work out your problems, sometimes being apart can bring a couple together.  File a notice in your local paper for 7 days that you are no longer responsible for any of his financial responsibilities.  If he won't leave, tell him you will need to call someone to help him.  When he is gone, change all the locks. 

This is an extreme measure and in my case, I got what I wanted - permanent elimination of the man from my life.  Think this over carefully before acting on it because you could lose your family; however, it seems to me - IMHO - that you are already in a place where you are thinking of yourself, your son, and your home  as your priority.  When my family (meaning his and mine) got overly involved in my marriage, it ended any hope of saving it.  Think about how long you can emotionally and financially carry the baggage you currently do.

As I said, just 2 cents...

My opinion on the issue of global commerce is that we, the MTs who are losing MT work to India and such places, could benefit from fully participating in the global commerce through other non-MT industries.  Obviously, we do not have to live in India, or even visit there, to benefit from those other industries that do business in India.  I have totally given up on fighting the issue of offshoring, but plan to continue with the MT business until the ship goes down, hoping that someone in power prevents this from happening.  But, at the same time, I am trying desperately to find ways to benefit from this new global economy thing, rather than let it be the reason for my financial demise.  I promise to not make any further postings on the mtstars forum regarding my findings.  But, the point of my message here is that we do not have to let this issue kill us, financially, emotionally, physically, etc.  Let us not be its victims, but let us be victors who turn a bad situation around to provide us with positive benefits.

I have just a few comments to add to those excellent tips that have already been shared.
1.  What are you eating?  At this point in time, you either need to find a food pantry or purchase the best nutrition with the few pennies that you have.  I highly recommend that you stay away from a lot of carbs, as they will make you feel more sluggish.  Sufficient protein intake is important.  If you like tuna fish, sardines, mackeral, etc., the canned varieties are relatively economical and good sources for protein.  A little fruit is good, vegetables are even better.  STay away from foods made with the predominant ingredients being flour, sugar and fat.
2.  You need sunshine.  Staying in darkness all the time will mess up your circadian rhythm and promote sluggishness, if not all-out depression.
3.  You need exercise, even if only a short walk.  It will do wonders.
4.  Make sure that you have plenty of sleep, an appropriate amount, but not too much.

You certainly sound like you have plenty of talent and abilities and a bright future ahead of you.  However, depression is a real and serious illness and often the result of chemical imbalances that require more than just willpower and natural means to eradicate.  If you don't feel better within 24 hours on your own, you certainly need to seek professional help.  Present yourself to an ER.  If you can't get there on your own, call 911.  If you don't have a phone, find a neighbor or someone that will loan you one.

I pray that God will help you to connect with whatever people or resources you need.

I have been doing medical transcription since 1979, both in the hospital setting and owning my own business.  I remember when I first started out -- luckily, at that time, MT was just taking off and the pay was good,  My first job was in the pediatric department of a hospital. I then moved to he MR department.  It took my a soid year and a half to feel comfortable about what I was doing.  My supervisor at the time proofread EVERY word I typed.  I felt like crap most of the time because I thought I was a failure.  I had lists everywhere.  There was no Internet at that time, so I couldn't have that as a reference. 

Now, with all of that said, in today's world where the MT industry has gone to the dogs, I wouldn't recommend ANYONE starting out in this unless they had a solid second income they could depend on.  Luckily, I do very well as a business owner, but it's come with many war wounds, tears, and frustration.  YOU have to decide whether you want to devote the time that it's going to take to learn this stuff.  Criticizm is part of the process.  To be corrected is not being mean, but a way for you to learn. 

Anybody who has the idea they're gonna strike it rich in this business when they just start out has a very, very rude awakening ahead of them. 

My advice to you, and by NO means is this meant to be cruel, mean, or hateful, but if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.  Believe me, you will find doctors along the way that will treat you like crap - no matter HOW good you are.  You have to take the good with the bad,  We are professional people who very rarely get noticed at such.

Good luck with what you decide.  Believe it or not, going through this and "paying your dues"  (and believe me, we ALL have done that - it stinks, but it makes character!), will make you a better MT.  Only YOU can decide.