I was sort of in the same boat
Posted By: Not a speed typist on 2006-04-03
In Reply to: Just sad and needing to vent. - paulette
My mom's doc told her in 1996 that she had "a touch of emphysema, nothing to worry about." (He was a lousy doctor but I didn't realize it then).
She had lived in a trailer on our property rent free for 10 years independently before this happened, then she got the shingles, "most severe case I've ever seen," was hospitalized for 2 weeks and went downhill after that. I moved her in with us as she developed macular degeneration, plus she was almost deaf.
The last straw came when she was walking through the hallway and her legs went out from under her. She broke her hip and walked on it like that for 2 weeks. I quit my job to stay home with her after that. She spent 2 wks in a hospital and 6 wks rigorous PT in a nursing home, then came back home. I did everything for her. She even gained weight, went up to 96 pounds (4'11"). She also came on on oxygen because of her "touch of emphysema" which turned into full blown COPD.
She then got pneumonia, was hospitalized, and then started to develop memory loss. Her macular degeneration got worse and she couldn't tell day from night and sometimes, her biological clock would get mixed up and she'd be waking me up at 11 p.m. thinking it was 7 am. She loved to read but couldn't do it anymore. My son gave her his large screen TV so she could at least see that, but she couldn't hear without the sound being turned up LOUD.
After 3 years, she was almost bedridden. Her bedroom was next to my office and I had a bell that she would ring if she needed me.
I had a nurses' aide come in every day for 1 hour a day to bathe her and give her breathing treatments. That was all Senior Services could do for her because of her limited SS income.
In the meantime, I got a job through my former hospital working for them at home after she broke her hip. .I also worked full time 1 job, and had a couple small accounts, took care of her bills and checking account, our three accounts (both self-employed).
We had a lot of friends that would come over on the weekends but where was I? In the house working and taking care of her. I never left the house for those 4 years except to do grocery shopping...and it was never more than 1 hour so the nurses' aide would be with her while I was gone.
She broke her other hip in January 2000. I spent every day in the hospital with her, but there was nothing I could do. I couldn't stay the night because this hospital wasn't set up for that and I couldn't afford it anyway. I knew she wasn't going to make it this time and 2 weeks after celebrating her 79th birthday, she was gone.
Anyway, I feel for you and know what you are going through with the exception of 1 thing....I have no siblings. Hang in there and keep doing what you are doing. You'll never regret it. Three people know you're the right person. You, your mother, and God. Forgive your uncouth (sic) siblings...and if you get mad enough, tell the one that keeps winning the money to hand some over for a change. He might surprise you. Heck, he may not even know the problems you're having. You should tell him.
But in the meantime, just keep taking care of, and loving, your mother for as long as you can...and don't forget to tell her you love her all the time, too.
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Here in NC we had a very hot summer, followed by a comfy fall. It was cool and dry, and I was able to keep the heat off, and just occasionally use the AC when we'd get a warm/humid few days. But since the temp dropped 50 degrees IN A DAY, all my savings are being sucked away as my heat pump had to go into overdrive to warm my house up quick.
I sort of do
I have one full time job of about 50 hours a week for a national MT service. I also work for an imaging center and radiologist for about 25-30 hours per week doing transcription and coding. I am a single mom of a six year old and live with my BF and his teenage daughter. It is trying sometimes. I sometimes do not work as much on the second job, but overall I work about 70-80 hours per week most of the time.
most definitely have some sort
of day care, even if it's someone coming to your house for part of the day. you're not going to be able to make any money if you're stopping every couple of minutes to tend to your child-I know because I have to have my 3 yo home with me 2 days a week and unless he's sleeping, I have to stop every 2-3 rpts for some reason or another. in the summer it's easier because I can take my laptop outside while he plays. even it your child is older, it will still take a while before they know when it's ok to bother you and when it's not. it's the best thing being able to work from home but it will take a while for you to develop a routine. good luck!
Sort of like....
asking if Bush is a good president because he's shipping out our U.S. jobs faster than he can say "Sadam tried to kill my daddy so I invaded Iraq." My opinion? I wouldn't read that rag if I got it for free. AAMT orgnization is synomous with Judas, Bush, etc.
I did this..sort of
I still have a couple small accounts but they certainly aren't worth the aggravation and may be giving them up.
The downside is getting used to only having 1/2 the money as before since the taxes are being taken out from the get go and now having to meet production on a daily basis which is getting tougher to do, having to remember to ask ahead of time for time off and vacations and especially trying to remember to ask if I want a holiday off. Having someone tell me what to do.
The upside: Health insurance, pension plan, savings account, paid holidays, extra pay for overtime, having taxes taken out immediately and not having to pay quarterly taxes. .. No more headaches. No more scrambling to find more tax write-offs at the end of the year, getting refunds from the IRS instead of paying in.Incentives for going above and beyond the call of duty. Having weekends off (first time in 8 years), having part of a day for myself (first time in 8 years).
Need I say more?
I had one of those, sort of....lol
I had a doc who always dictated from his cell phone. Well something happened to where he didn't get it hung up or maybe he had another call and forgot he was on the other line, I don't know. Anyway, at the end of the dictation it sounded like he hung up and then the phone started to ring. He answered it and said hello a few times and then said "F-you" and hung up. I laughed my butt off because he was basically saying that to himself because he didn't hang up. Dumb butt! lol
I sort of did that
When I came home to type 13 years ago, I was expecting my third child. Prior to that I did have 5 years on-site experience, but it was all in one specialty. So, acute care was new to me. I did it. My line count at that time was 1000 lines a day. I admit that many days I did not get to the count, but I tried very hard to make every report perfect. I learn a lot from looking things up. I kept my babies close by with plenty of toys, play pens, VCR, Disney movies, etc., and there were many times that one fell asleep across my arms while I was transcribing.
I think it can be done if you want it bad enough. I love working from home!
I have sort of done this - sm
I can be paid via PayPal and had the PayPal MC, which if I have money in my PayPal account, I can use like a credit card. Just paid for some car repairs that way. I can also receive a check, which I have started doing lately as PP charges me about $40 for the privelige of getting my money this way. Has nothing to do the their credit card, just my account fees they charge for incoming funds. So to save that cash I just get checks now. In the future I will probably put some money in my account there though so I can use the MC as I am trying to not use any credit cards anymore. Just make sure there are not any fees for loading the card, or transaction fees, etc.
I said nothing of the sort. SM
It doesn't matter who is posting or on what topic. Discuss, talk about, debate, share topics, beliefs, subject matter. Do with respect and be civil.
What we don't want to see are specific attacks calling other posters out because think they should change how they post or should go away.
Again, the forums are not moderated for niceness or any out-of-norm opinions. ALL opinions are welcome.
It is not about standing for the good or the bad. It is about allowing all opinions the same opportunity to post, regardless of popularity.
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Is there any way to sort that out?
All the variables, I mean. I have been at the same company for my 2 years, so I don't have anything to compare to.
As far as platform, what is considered slow about it (and the time involved you are speaking of).
At this point, I can see a lot of difference between accounts. It really seems like companies should try to give each MT a mixture of slow and fast accounts to keep it fair.
If we are in the same boat so are all the other MTs so I think we should really do something about
this because us coming on here wont solve the problem although it is nice to know the game they are playing. What is the old saying, you name the game and I can play it too. Nice to know the game is being played on everyone so they dont said it is ONLY YOU. Please if anyone knows what to do let me know or come on here and let us know.
I'm in the same boat as you are.
I'm the same age, in the same field, and most likely looking forward to the same prospect. I guess the only difference is that I prefer to have a positive outlook. I'm not dead, not without education, and not without skills. Although I don't want to have to find another job before I retire, I will IF I have to, and I'm confident that I will be able to. I wasn't trying to blame anybody. I was just trying to insert a little humor in an otherwise depressing post about an issue over which we have little control. I understand the need to talk about it, but sometimes there is just as much need to just realize we can't do anything about it and then move on, laugh about the absurd, and notice the things we DO have. The joke just seemed to fit under the other post where someone else was kidding about Bush having it out for everyone. Maybe had I signed it "Kanye West" it wouldn't have gone over your head.
I'm in the same boat
Just curious is this person located in California?
in the same boat, except for
Around 15K in debt, gross 40k a year, rent going up in a couple months, all this buzz around me about houses, tired of being stuck in an apartment, living check to check. BUT...I have been payng off debt to a tune of 5k or so a year, or under, and am looking into the prospect of getting a roommate. To me, I must be absolutely out of debt and in a secure job (MT not too secure right now) before I take on a mortgage. You said you have a renter? Why dont you go for the house and have your bro sign something, for financial reasons, so he sticks around and pays you monthly, cut back anywhere if you can, and continue to pay off debt while you're in your new house?
same boat here
I have 25+ years experience, do mostly OPs and always get the ESL accounts. What are these companies going to do in a few years when the seasoned pros are out of the business and none of the newbies can transcribe these accounts because they never had to learn them? I get paid the same as the other people but get the crap account because I can produce and understand the worst, I have seriously thought of leaving the MT profession just for this reason.
I am in the same boat, but (sm)
I am still using Verizon. When I signed up, they told me it was okay to use for transcription, not a problem, but nonetheless, I am very worried right now. I think I need to look for a new job. As it is now, I hate to even dial in to get work. How long did you use it before you got nailed?
In the same boat.
I bought Medispell, but is not quite as good as the Stedman's. Guess I will make do for awhile. Could not find Stedman's on E-bay at the time. I would also love to be able to load it on two computers.
I am in the same boat...
Hello
I am currently in the process of getting my 2 local physicians up and running with digital. I bought them each an Olympus DSS 330 hand-held recorder (do an internet search for cheapest price, like with Nex-Tag). The software is very easy to use, and it's easy to transfer the files onto the computer. I then bought space on CryptoHeaven, which encrypts the files and enables me to transfer files to and from the physicians. I only need the smallest amount of space, which costs 2.49/month. This way the office can upload the files or email them to me through the email accounts that CryptoHeaven provides. This is the cheapest way I have found. The only down side for me is that I have dialup. If your physicians have dialup, then this will be a big draw back, as it took me about 30 minutes to email or upload one of the audio files. This is just one of many ways to go. I also looked into DocShuttle, but it is way more than I need and too expensive, as I do this just on the side. If you find a cheaper, easier way, please let me know. Good luck. Email me with any further questions. Lynn
I was in the same boat --
I worked on site at a hospital and new management was horrible. We were to "exhaust all avenues" before leaving a blank. That included calling the doctor's office which was absolutately ridiculous. You can be on hold for 10 minutes or more before they pick up the line to see what you want. When trying to explain why certain ESLs took so long to type ---- they didn't want to hear it. They were getting rid of MTs that had been doing this at the same location for 10+ years. I finally got fed up and told them .... "talk to the butt." The bennies aren't great at home and the pay isn't either, but I certainly feel better about my job and myself! Good Luck.
was in same boat sm
You can deduct health insurance premiums, equipment, depreciation of same, cell phone, internet, etc. I ended up having to pay over $3000 and am now an employee. I don't know how they do it either.
Same boat
But I tried doing MT on the side and at 10 cpl typing I am making less. You see, when you are QA, for me anyway, it often means you do the same with typing as you do with QA and try to make it perfect and you can't make any money that way. When someone consistently types 300 lph that's usually where you see all the mistakes. JMO.
same boat here
curious what posts you get.
I am in the same boat
as you. Feels good to hear an honest opinion about rates, I likewise have over 20 years experience and am still making per hour as I am per line as I did 10 years ago...but I stay with it as going back to school for a rewarding career at almost 50 does not exactly excite me.
in the same boat
I was always a shy person, and now have developed social anxiety disorder, which I think has a lot to do with working at home and not having anybody to socialize with. I think you lose your ability to socialize. It's hard to make friends when you hardly ever leave the house. When I do get a chance to socialize I feel like a total spaz. I guess that's one of the drawbacks of working at home.
In the same boat...
Both of my accounts have been extra busy the last 2 weeks and are asking us to work extra this week. I have so much work to do, I will be up all night tonight to try to get caught up. I am awaiting the week of New Years as I am taking Monday and Tuesday off and am going to enjoy a 4-day weekend. At this point, I really need it!
I'm in the same boat. here's what I'd do...
My MTSO is wanting to retire and me take over for her within a year or so. My ONLY reservation is that I have two young kids and enjoy weekends and a vacation every year. She hasn't taken any more than a long weekend in the 10 years I've worked for her. My plan is to have a reliable, quality backup IC that maybe we can trade vacation time. Even in the event of a family emergency, I don't think it's smart to not have someone dependable ready to go in a crunch, and it's just not smart business to think you can go forever and not take a break. Anyone is going to get burned out. Other IC's in different fields get to take vacations, why shouldn't we? I think the key is being prepared and realistic that emergencies are going to come up, computers are going to crash, parents/children/we are going to have medical issues, etc., and having someone ready and willing to step in is a good plan. Good luck!
we are in the same boat!
Wow---so you can definitely relate! My decision to be an MT was also related to his career because he moved us here to Florida, which is not where I want to be and I knew that with my flexibility as an MT I could travel to see my family and still work if my job required it. It is not as easy to ask for time off on a traditional job. I feel that for the sacrifices I have made due to his career, I deserve to have the career of my choice and not have it criticized! We do not have kids, but I still need the flexibility.
Your posts have lifted my spirits---Thanks!
Same boat
I am in the same boat you are in, with supervisory position history. I do not know what to do either. I will wait along with you and see what advise we get.
Same boat
I want to get a full time job which would pay more money than my MT job. Unfortunately, my 6-year-old hates camp (tried it last year and he refused to go). The other option is to get a full time baby sitter. You just have to be careful that you are not paying the baby sitter more than what you make! I've been lucky and pay mine $5.00 an hour, but I've known other moms who have to pay $10 an hour. By the time I pay for gas and clothes for a nice job and a babysitter, I might as well just stay at home and make less as an MT.
I'm in the same boat as you s/m
I lived in an area that did not offer DSL or cable. I had satellite through Dish, but they didn't offer satellite internet either. I had to move in town temporarily where I'm able to get DSL, but I'll be moving back out to my old place soon.
I worked for MQ on DocQScribe for years without any problems on dial-up. I did have to tell my internet provider not to boot me off if I appeared idle or was on the internet for hours because I was working.
I applied for several jobs since moving into town. During the interview process, I always explained that while I had DSL now, I would not have it available after moving back to my home. Most of them were unsure if dial-up would work. When I explained that I had no problems with DocQScribe on it, they were fine with dial-up. Some even went on to say that they thought they still had a couple of employees on dial-up (now that I mentioned it). They were, however, careful to mention that I may experience problems with getting dropped by my internet and that their program may run a little slower. I told them that was no problem for me.
I also looked into a few other options. There are some things like cards available to plug into your computer. I think they're a little pricy - but it may be worth it in the long run. There's also Hugo satellite, which I think is about $60 a month. I'm sure if you research a little more, you can find these and other options. I always felt like helpless in this situation, too, but we do have options. I wish I could tell you more about these, but I'm not that much of a techno girl. You should be able to find something in the archives - maybe just searching the word dialup. Good luck.
In the same boat
Maybe we have the same company. I have been with a new company for 6 weeks, and I have tech troubles, can't hear certain files, not having enough work to get good at any one account... its seriously frustrating. I have almost 10 years experience, and its frustrating when it happens, no matter how much experience you have. I do agree that you need to give it a little more time. And I think talking to your supervisor. There must be someone at your job that can help you sort this all out.
Same boat as you
I, too, am getitng back into the field after being out of it for 4.5 years (having transcribed for 7 years). I was just hired for PT with Medware and I'm hoping things will go well. I know it may take quite an adjustment for me to get back into the swing of things, but I'm hoping and praying for the best. I went to school to be a respiratory therapist and that's what I've been doing for the last 5.5 years, so I'll keep doing that one day a week. I hope things work out for you and things get a bit easier and more productive. Good luck!
in the same boat as you...
I am also in college right now for another profession altogether that I know will not pay me anywhere near what I make right now as a transcriptionist, but I am so burned out and want to do something new, I am not caring. I figure I can come home and work an hour or 2 a day or maybe even 1 weekend day and make up the pay difference until I can get some experience and time in my new field to get my pay up.
Do you mind my asking what you are studying?
Same boat here
wouldn't it be nice to at least get a message telling you to not bother trying to work?
same boat
my company has done this too. information is slowly starting to trickle in. still doesn't say anything about pay or if we are guaranteed a position with them though. have you heard anything else?
Same boat as you...sm
Over the last 6 weeks, my take-home pay has totalled about $650.00! I'm not a high line producer but do manage to make my required line count (when the work is available). That $650.00 for the 6 weeks is a couple hundred less than I used to routinely clear every 2 weeks.
The way I figure it, I'm in the red by nearly $2000.00 at this point and I'm not sure it's going to get better any time soon. Again, all you get is platitudes from management. I'll bet their paychecks haven't taken a hit.
I work on 16-20 different accounts and, still, there is little-to-no work. My supervisor gives the same excuses you mentioned in your post. My company doesn't outsource, so I can't blame that.
Either way, I'm down by
In the same boat...sm
I am experiencing the same thing you are. I have been with this company since August 07 and I love the account I work on. It is really all I have ever done. I started MTing in May 07. This company too has ups and downs but here lately it is just downs. I mean the work is slim pickings. I too wondered if it was due to overhiring but then some other MTs are having the same problem. I have been looking on the job board too but I also do not do acute care. I would but nobody will hire you without exp. I do clinic work. Specializing in general surgery clinic. I have applied some places just on their website and heard nothing. I don't know what to do either.
I am in the same boat.
You are not alone. I have been looking for a new position since December 10th and applied to several companies. I have 5 years of acute care experience at a local hospital near my home. I have certificates in medical transcription and an associates degree. I have not heard anything from anyone. I have taken test after test. It is frustrating. It is starting to get tight financially with my family as well due to this. I will be praying for you and your situation.
Jessica
In same boat and don't know what to do. sm
I applied for disability last year when I broke my wrist and was denied. Appealed it once and was denied. I have such excruciating pain in my shoulders, elbows and especially wrists and elbows, it takes me 7-8 hours to type 700 lines, if I make it that long. I also suffer from depression and EXTREME burnout (note my name LOL!). I would love to take a LOA but am my sole support. I just don't know what to do.  I've been an MT for 33 years and don't know how to do anything else.
Same boat
I receive feedback via email. There's one QA who is constantly sending me nit-picky feedback, which I place in a folder that I might read someday. It's usually nitpicky stuff which reflects her own style, not any format requirement by the client, and it just serves to irritate me. I have been told not to respond to her email feedback at the risk of wasting her time!!! So, I just ignore her emails until I feel ready to deal with them. In the meantime, I have provided my mighty jack telephone number to her, a phone that is only turned on during work hours, for her to use whenever she has something really important to share.
How about some little stickers of some sort...maybe that will help!
I know that sort of sucks, but that's what the gov
f
A sort of update...
I still have not started, but I did call my GYN and she said to wait for about a week and if I still have a negative preg test to call her and come in for blood work. Thanks everyone for your sweet replies, it means the world to me. I will let you guys know!!
Thanks! That's what I was sort of thinking
but I really hope more post overnight or in the morning. I have been leaning towards the feeling that it can't be this bad - that it might exactly be the quality of transcription. I work for a big national, and its been getting worse and worse. I actually get upset when I see the critical errors coming thru, and nobody, from the MT to management, care. And I just sort thru this day in and day out. By the end of the day, I am exhausted and depressed. I never dreamed QAing would be what it is, and I for sure have tons of respect for QAers. I think I would rather be inspecting dolls on an assembly line. Unfortunately, or fortunately, though, I do make decent $$ at it - more near $20 an hour, and have loads of time off, but I find its not doing me any good - I use it all for sick time rather than fun. Sorry for carrying on, but thanks so much for listening. And maybe hearing my story will help some QA phobic MTs realize that its not an easy job. No matter how kind we try to be, everyone hates us. I feel like a dentist! Yet sure don't make that kind of money! 
We do that sort of thing too. There is just something about
fall time in PA with the crisp air, beautiful colored falling leaves that just make it necessary to have a huge bonfire, hotdogs, apple cider, pumpkins. Bobbing for apples and corn stalk decorations. Its just a wonderful celebration before winter comes and we love it!
However, having some sort of certification does
not necessarily mean one is a good Transcriptionist any more than not having certification does not mean one is not a good transcriptionist. That would be saying that anyone who goes to medical school and has M.D. behind their name is a good doctor. While they have to have M.D. behind their name to practice medicine, it does not mean they are a good physician. Just my 2 cents worth.
I'm one of those MTs that can sort of get a zone and... SM
I don't hear anything around me. My husband literally has to come up and touch me to get my attention when I'm working and then I nearly jump out of my skin cause it's like he snuck up on me.
I've been working at home since my son was a baby. He's 14 now. He had asthma and respiratory difficulties from birth and so I needed a profession that allowed me to be at home with him. At first, my production was just gross, but you'll find that you adapt pretty easily. Now, with both kids at school (my daughter just started kindergarten), I've seen my production shoot way up to the 1800 to 2000 range just because there are no interruptions and no excuses!
Your production will get better and better. It just takes time.
may I ask what you mean? company - sort of ??
thanks.
Really?! Is there some sort of documentation...
we can access to confirm that? That's just far out. Ever been in the lunch line in the hospital cafeteria with doctors discussing cases while waiting for the fricassee to be dished out? What about these third-world countries where the work is being outsourced...they have 2 generations living in the same abode--think there's any privacy screening or dedicated office there?! Sounds like bureaucratic bull poopie to me. Kind of like asking "how old are you and do you have kids" without asking. I'd take a picture of me at a nice fancy-pants office set up at Staples just out of spite if I was asked such a thing. How the heck do you prove something like that unless you make a home visit?! Somethin' just don't jive there is all I'm sayin'.
I sort of use a laptop
but the screen is broken off so that I have to use a regular monitor. As far as the touch pad, I bought a USB mouse and just disabled it. There should be something somewhere in the settings that says pointing device. It may also be in the system tray, as it was on mine.
there has to be some sort of formula out there
to count the lines minus the headers and footers.
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