two things turned my day into hell! Mom was having health issues. had a doctors appt today, did all the tests, and basically, she told me the bad news. she has MS so with this revelation I head back to work proceed to completely screw up, and have my head not in the game and a wheel falls off on a customer, because I didn't pay attention and didn't tighten down the lugs. Boss said I wasn't going to lose my job, but it still shouldn't have happened. I honestly hate it at beaverton toyota, after my first week I can say that I don't like it here, so I am actively seeking new employment.
that is what my mom is saying as well. As she puts it "sh** happens" gotta move forward. On a side note, I put together a little letter basically attempting to save my job or preventing an inevitable demotion Here it is. Jeff, Steve, and mark I have had some time to think about what caused me to not get some of those lug nuts tighened all the way down. Firstly I am very glad that the customer was not injured, that was my first concern when jeff told me that happened and I understand at whatever happens is warranted and I hold no hard feelings Even though mistakes happen, this is one that even myself as a fairly new tech should have never let happened, and in all my times working with tires, this has never happened. This got me thinking as to the reasons why this happened. #1 I have never worked as a flat rate mechanic, and I feel when I work with other groups I have a tendency to slow them down, so for that reason I try to speed up instead of doing the job correctly. Which I know how to do. Solution to that is to slow down and just take my time, and remember that things will come over time. #2 I am not even sure what the correct procedure for how Toyota wants things done. Beyond an oil change, and 5k service increments, I am lost. Not that I don't know how to drain a differential. Cooling system flush etc. But I don't know how Toyota wants it done, and when in different groups everyone does it differently. My lack of confidence in the way that Toyota wants things done, along with the fact that I have never worked flat rate before and worry that I may be slowing down other groups when I work with them. Caused me to forget to tighten down the lug nuts. Along with my head not being there after lunch due to a phone call from my mother indicating that she has just been diagnosed with M.S. Once again I do not blame anyone but myself for this occurring and knowing that my triple checking myself would have prevented this from occurring. And remain very glad that the customer was safe and unharmed.
I have been turning wrenches since 1986...If it were me I would not mention anything about my lack of confidence or being "lost"....if you apologize for your mistake, just be short upfront and honest....Example: Jeff, Steve and Mark... Please accept my apology for my mistake on not tightening lug nuts completely..My head was not in my work at that moment due to the distressing news of my mothers health....I am glad the customer was not injured and damage to the car was minimum... I know I am a new tech and have lot's to learn but I am willing able and eager to move forward and make myself a better tech each and every day. thanks for your time... You see, showing lack of confidence (even if it is there and you are terrified) is like showing someone you are scared or hurt in a fight...They might take your lack of confidence as your acceptance of defeat and wonder "why should we keep this guy on, he already admits he doesnt feel worthy" On a side note....Never ever start a nut or a bolt if you cannot tighten it fully at that moment...I am a mechanic for Fedex. I have 35 trucks in my fleet and I am the lone guy here...I have to deal with everything from parts, to osha to EPA to invoices, bodyshop stuff, etc.... As I am the only one (my boss is 180 miles away) here, I get interrupted a lot. If I start a nut or bolt and the phone rings, I pull the bolt back out or the nut back off untill I can get to it....You would not believe what a phone call could lead into and I totally forget what I was doing before hand... Keep your head up. Stay confident (even if you feel intimidated)...If you don't know something.....ASK.....Your bosses will be glad you asked and did it right rather than assume and have a comeback or an angry customer or major damage to a vehicle...trust me... I am sorry to hear about your moms health situation... hang in there... Willy
I don't know what stage your mom is in but my mom has been crippled for about 12 years and has progressively gotten worse to the point now she can only barely use her left hand. There is a drug out there that has proven to be successsful in treating MS, but its not FDA approved for MS treatment, its given to recovering heroin addicts. Its called LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone), my mom has been on it for a little over a month and is showing signs of improvement. Also a local lady had been taking it and has began walking, somethign she was unable to do for many many years. You'll have to find a doctor who is willing to prescribe it but it really is worth it. If you want more information just PM me. Also, sorry to hear about what happened at your job, but Willy is right, just say you made a rookie mistake (caused by your mom's situation) and it won't happen again instead of a long drawn out thing.
my mom has already opted for the No drug approach. Mostly because of the research that her neurologist has done, and from what he says with the people he treats for M.S. he started perscribing drugs, however, the went downhill a lot quicker, and then he took them off of them and they made diet changes and improved greatly. And thanks willy, I appreciate the help with this. I will remember that advice about the lugs, that is something I never even thought of.
First off, great advice from Willy!! this is just my 2 cents, just don't trust with what one doctor is telling you. Do some research on the drug that datdude suggested, do not rule out any drugs to help with M.S. You and your mother should keep your options open. My father was dianosed with a melanoma and he was told that there really isn't any treatment for it (chemo doesn't work). He was making multiple trips to the U.S. for check ups and was just injecting a drug (forgot the name now) that should just keep it at bay. On a plane ride home he found out from another passenger who has cancer and is a doctor about a new drug that's being given in the Philippines that is not FDA approved yet but has shown remarkable results for pancreatic cancer and also melanoma. He started the treatment and he is now clean but still taking the meds. My point here is that if you do a little research then you'll find a lot of stuff out there and really great feedback from people who have used them. by the way, the doctor that told my father about the drug was stage 4 cancer and only had 3 months to live (that was 7 months ago). His cancer has gotten a lot better now and is dissappaiting. Most insurance companies will approve these drugs if you push for it.
