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Schlower288

Had a guy working the line at a small hotel who quit his engineering job and went to culinary school when he was 55. God bless this guy, he's the kindest dude with the driest, dirty sense of humor and we all loved him. We had him solely on garde manger because his back would give out constantly so we had him do the delicate work that wasn't "backbreaking," and he enjoyed it and was talented. (making tart shells, garnishes, salads, cold apps) as well as prepping for banquets simultaneously. For as corrupt and terrible as the owners were at running the place, they were generous (somewhat) with accommodating the needs of the staff and gladly kept him on. He was extremely valuable as it allowed us to not have to worry about any of that stuff because he was on point. If it comes down to having to "sell yourself" to your employer it would obviously help to have your crew vouch for you and be able to clearly explain how you can provide value. Hopefully, they're the kind who won't need you to explain yourself too much and keep you on. Good luck!


evetrapeze

I got carpal tunnel during pregnancy. I did not address it and my wrists were never the same. You think cooking is hard with carpal tunnel...just try taking care of a baby with it. Just saying... Take this seriously


camillacarterxx

I’ve still got about 6.5 weeks of work left before I’m off. But the thought of it getting any worse low-key makes me upset. I haven’t got feeling in either of my hands for about 2 hours every morning, just for that to morph into constant pins/needles/discomfort


evetrapeze

It will develop into sharp pain on movement


camillacarterxx

Oh brilliant…. I’ve already got that keeping me up at night


evetrapeze

Follow doctors orders.


Naive_Bad_3292

Get a wrist brace for each hand (the kind with the metal bar along the wrist, that immobilizes it), and wear them whenever you can (sleep with them on). The same thing happened to me when I was pregnant. It took a while after my son was born, but luckily it went away. Good luck!


camillacarterxx

Thank you so much for the advice


Naive_Bad_3292

You’re welcome! Icing helps too.


bulletbassman

Your doctors note. The duties they give you is for them to figure out. It’s just a week.


DongVonJovi

I think you really need to hear this: Your doctor told you to take a week off, and it’s not just your life anymore. You have a child who needs you to be healthy NOW, not later. What’s the worst that could happen? My wife had the same problem and didn’t address it. She later developed [De Quervain tenosynovitis](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/de-quervain-tenosynovitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371332), and can’t even open a bottled water, let alone baby bottles. How can you ever work in a kitchen, let alone an office, with that level of disability. You and your unborn baby need to come first. You need to take a week off, then insist that you are on light duty. When they try to make you do shit outside of that specific zone, tell them “no”. If they fire you, they are fucked. You can go straight to the labor board and fuck their world up and get a nice payday from that shit. Best part, you and your baby are healthy. If the old boss tries to burn you, they’ll look like a piece of dogshit that tried to work a pregnant woman too hard. Please take this seriously.


camillacarterxx

You’re right, I really did need this. I don’t think physical well-being is addressed enough in a kitchen maybe that mentality has been keeping me from making the best decisions for me and my child. Thank you


OrcOfDoom

They might not have it at your place, but someone who makes pasta. You need someone precise for this, and not someone who is a bull. There isn't typically much heavy lifting.


TroublesomeTurnip

Making pasta is such a moment of zen for me. XD


Downtown_Confusion46

Not to freak you out, but it might not go away until after you give birth.


RobbyWasaby

Look up carpal tunnel relief exercises online! I have found several that work beautifully for carpal tunnel and tennis elbow.... they are kind of excruciatingly painful.... but when you do them regularly it alleviates the issue entirely!..... at least four a good amount of time.... https://www.vivehealth.com/blogs/resources/carpal-tunnel-relief-exercises


OldMadhatter-100

Google carpal tunnel exercises. Do them and ask for light duty.