MEDICALLY CLEARED!!!

Well wow, Chris’ phone call last week made more of an impression than we thought. We woke up this morning to an email status update for the PC. I was sure there was absolutely no way they could have finished looking at our packets since Chris just called on Friday. It had to be an update just saying that our medical packet is under review but to my complete surprise, we saw that fantastic checkmark that says “Medical complete. A decision has been made regarding your medical information.” And it goes on to say you have to wait for a letter in the mail to find out the decision but we felt pretty confident that we had been cleared since there should not be any major red flags in our medical files. Then, to seal to deal, we both got an email from a Placement Assistant asking for an updated resume, information on our language self study progress and for Chris to give details on the “grassroots environmental” experience he’s gained. So, we know the placement office would not be contacting us unless we were medically cleared. WOOOO HOOOO, YAAAAAYY! It only took 12 weeks for them to clear us (and that “only” is pure sarcasm ☺) ! We were like giddy little kids this morning since we finally got the information we have been waiting for, and it was the perfect day to happen since we both had the day off to spend time with my family in Cleveland for Passover. Now that we are back home, we have the afternoon to get the updates together and send out this evening. This is it people!!!! We are finally rounding the corner. An invitation is so close, I can taste that big blue packet!

Should I tell My Work?

So, still no medical clearance yet although we certainly had hoped that would be the case by now. However, Chris did call our medical assistant today to try and get some clues as to where we are in the process. Turns out, our old assistant is now in another position, but the new gal was actually quite helpful! Chris told her we were worried because we had to let our landlord know if we would be moving by the end of May. She told him our review nurse has several more packets ahead of ours with closer departure dates but would let her know. Then, he got an email a few minutes later saying that she explained our situation to the review nurse and she’ll try to start looking at our packet next week!!! I gotta give Chris props for this one!! So, now we can stop checking our emails incessantly for medical clearance updates now that we know it’s still at least a few weeks out. Also, in other big news today, I told my employer about my plans. I definitely was not planning on doing so until I had the final invitation in hand, but there were factors that kind of forced me to let them know. Basically, the managers in my department (myself being one of them) were moving into different roles in the company and without realizing my imminent departure, they were relying on me to help carry the department through the transition and take on added responsibility. And, they planned to start this transition June 1st, pretty much exactly around the time of my possible last day. So, I found this out yesterday and thought a lot about if I should say something now rather than pretending I’m not leaving soon, go along with the plan then just give 2 weeks right before everyone else’s transition. And, I decided (after some advice and weighing the risks of all scenarios) that it was the right thing to do for my company and myself to tell them now. So, I was nervous, but my manager was COMPLETLEY supportive! She was glad I told her now and thinks it is a great thing I am doing. So now I feel a humongous weight has been lifted off my chest and my conscience is clear!