McDonald's - Worst Job EVER!

This is long. I recently got hired to work at McDonald's. I have over 15 yrs of retail experience, but the chunk of my employment history is working computer call centers. I don't HAVE to work. I chose to go back to work. I wasn't looking for anything serious and just something that was fun. I've never worked in fast food before.

I have a degree in criminal justice, and computer technology. I used to be an ADA for over 10 years, prior to quitting work. My husband is AD Army, so my career has suffered a lot. I am only working now for the enjoyment, as my children are currently old enough to go to school without my assistance. I'm not the type of person to sit on my laurels. I'd rather be outside of my home bringing in extra money just for kicks.

I am also taking college courses online to finish a degree in social work. I would like to eventually become a social worker. Unfortunately, since my college credits are too old...most of them don't carry over and I'd need to retake them.

But, so far it has been a lot of fun learning everything, but I've noticed issues. I've been working there a total of 3 weeks, and was set to counter. I did maybe two 4 hour shifts on the counter (8 hrs total).

They showed me videos that are outdated and don't go over a LOT of what I STILL need to learn. The manager (Lupe) that is usually in charge doesn't help me with anything. I have learned nothing from her, not even her name (GM told me yesterday). If I have a question, I flag someone else down. They just threw me onto counter one day. I have learned a lot on my own, but I'm sure I still make mistakes.

This manager does things like quietly stalk me around the restaurant when I'm cleaning and will sneak up behind me to scream in my ear. It's creepy. When I ask her for help she either says "No", or looks at me and ignores my question. You know, they look at you like you're stupid and then slowly turn away. I get that a lot.

She has also made comments to other people in english about how I'm not doing my job and/or are stupid (she will switch to spanish, which I don't speak, if she sees me listening). One day a regular customer stopped me from wiping a table to ask me a question, and her friend Norma freaked out on me. She called me back to the counter (mind you, I had been working there 3 weeks by then) and told me that this customer is long-winded so try to end the conversation quickly. I just figured I was being nice to the customer...but whatever, I'll end the conversation next time.

When Lupe overheard Norma lecturing the shit out of me, Norma turned to Lupe and was like "I'm just telling her to do her job!" This started in on how I'm supposedly stupid, and when they saw me listening they swapped to spanish. Bitch, I may not be fluent in spanish...but I KNOW when you are talking about me. You're fucking obvious. I haven't told anyone about this yet.

I even was told by the GM to ask the on call manager for help going over my schedule, so that I can show up to work on time next week. When I asked Lupe she said, "No, I'm not here to babysit you." I completely have been ignoring her since. I was also told by another manager that she treats EVERYONE like that. Peachy. I did report this to the general manager, and she did not look happy.

I handled my 3rd official day on the counter, and I was set with one of her friends to train me. He's maybe 18 yrs old, his name is Tony. Everything was a disaster from the get go. I was making tons of mistakes. When I got set with someone else, I only make 2 total mistakes in over 5 hours. But the two hours with him? Over 100 mistakes. It was terrible. He wouldn't let me do anything and was constantly yipping about how I did it wrong, then completely taking over the counter.

I had a sinus infection, which caused both of my ears to become infected. So, sometimes I missed parts of an order and ask to repeat or read it back to them. This can cause mistakes.

I tried to explain why I was making a lot of mistakes, that I really hadn't of been trained and that I was trying my best. He told me to stop leaning across the counter, which I explained I can't hear out of one of my ears. The customers are very patient and nice. I'm not horrible at listening, but when I have someone yipping in my ear...it's hard to hear the customer and the trainer. Right before the kid was done "training" me (which was basically just telling me I am doing everything wrong and not letting me correct the mistake) he turns to me and say: "When someone is training you, it's best not to make excuses." Eh? I wasn't even trying to make excuses, I was trying to explain that I was thrown on counter with zero experience, and now when the customer is trying order...he's all over me interrupting the customer so I can't hear.

So far, I have relied on most of my training via two people and on myself. I don't mind teaching myself, but they have protocols for everything. I tried to explain it, but he thinks I'm making excuses, when it's really true. I don't think that that's a good opinion to have of someone.

I asked the trainer after him if I was doing a good job and she said I was doing a lot better then what when she first started. Even the GM says I am doing a good job. I just seem to have an issue with that manager Lupe and Tony.

I have been trying my hardest to make sure that I don't get anything wrong and to listen to the instructions that people give me. I have noticed that the instructions Tony and Lupe have given me (if at all) have been 100% wrong, and I had to be corrected. I'm tired of getting "talked to" when I was TOLD to do it one way. I didn't say anything back, I just nodded like a moron.

Overall the customers and most of my coworkers are nice. I don't want to quit and ruin the team. They are already short staffed. It's still a lot of fun otherwise. If I quit it would cause all of the rest of the good employees to go back to working double shifts again. That is why everyone is so nice to me. We are currently short over 15 crew members, and I was desperately needed to help fill that gap. I feel quitting would set a bad example to my children and leave the rest of the good employees in a horrible lurch. So, I've decided to stay...but I need to figure out what to do about these two as to help minimize the drama. I can't just tell my children it's okay to quit when things get hard. I also don't want to hurt innocent bystanders with my decisions.

That was what I was told anyways, I found recently that it was all a lie just to keep me working there. I am also harassed off-duty. I brought my youngest to the same place to get a milkshake (Mommy-Daughter day), and Lupe took our order. She forgot to give me a spoon, so I retardedly reached behind and grabbed a spoon. As I was walking away and almost back to our table, I hear Lupe SCREAMING at me.

Apparently, I can't do that. I might of been told before. I was so embarrassed and pissed that she did that in front of my child. I even had the regulars and other customers apologizing to me for her. She doesn't think she did anything wrong. She could have just calmly walked over to me and informed me, but instead she made a huge fucking scene. I draw the line at verbal abuse in front of my child.

The new girl at McDonald's has received more training then I did in just one day. They stuck her with me to teach her, so I taught her a lot of what I knew. The managers didn't even know what videos to show her. So, I showed her the videos (which are outdated and worthless) and then walked her through a normal counter routine. Apparently I know enough to train the new girl, but not enough to do my job without Lupe screaming at me.


Her bullying extends to while off duty, as well. I have been stalked while getting my purse for my break. I was even yelled at once for standing still and digging thru my purse for my cellphone...while on break and in the break room. Apparently, if I'm on break I can't even look through my purse? Well, that's an interesting rule that the GM disagrees with. Whatever bitch.

Don't get me started on how each manager is different, and each one has different rules. One will tell you something and the others will disagree with it. For instance, if the GM is on shift I am golden and do my job well. If Lupe is on shift, it's nonstop her screaming at me. Other workers have even complained to me about how bad of a manager she is.

Did you know she has made 6 people quit within a week of starting to work there? I shit you not. She drove them away. The job is hard enough with people writing "fuck you" in ketchup on windows, for you to have to clean up. Let alone, adding her shit onto it? HA!

So, she has thus far poisoned Tony. I don't really know much about him..and it turns out that Tony spends time with Levi outside of McDonald's (he is another manager). So before my accident, Levi was also on my ass too. Peachy. Levi's main complaint? I shouldn't explain everything I am doing to him...ex: I am taking out the trash, I will be right back. I was TOLD to do that by the RM and GM. So fuck you.


Before you all say, that sounds like Lupe is just a manager...no...she is not. There is a difference between being a manager who helps people, and a manager who just stalks their prey to insult/fire/degrade. She is poison and a terrible manager. She has never heard of constructive criticism, only criticism and bullying. I just won't be putting up with it anymore, and I have a whole speech prepared about how her life's goal shouldn't be to work at McDonald's nor look down on WHITE people. (Yes, others have told me and I have witnesses her being racist) If you work for her or with her, she will ONLY talk nicely to you when you can speak fluent spanish.

She also likes to randomly scream my name across the restaurant for NO REASON. I mean it. NO REASON. If I ask her why she called me, she never tells me why nor responds to me. I am out on the floor cleaning table or the drink area...what's the issue? I think she does it just to be a bitch.

By the way, she seems to think that anyone who works at McDonald's for longer then 3 months is suddenly amazing. In her mind, if McDonald's is not your life's goal...you are a waste of space. Granted, I like working at McDonald's...but really? That's a fucked up logic to have. I wouldn't mind being here for a while, but if you only treat people who work at McDonald's for years...appropriately...you will NEVER treat anyone with respect. (She doesn't do this shit around the GM or RM...so she KNOWS it's wrong)



I tore several ligaments on April 15th, and finished my shift not knowing. I had been working there about 2 months. I was refilling the ice box for drive thru (I was currently learning how to do the hole, it's fun) and my left knee popped. I didn't know what workman's comp was really until my friend told me about it. On April 17th, I arrived to finish my shift and after taking out the trash - my entire knee buckled and I almost face planted.

My workman's comp was approved. I called my insurance company just in case, then called my HR department, then they sent me to insta-care. I have several torn ligaments and am not allowed to work for several weeks. I had a friend cover my shifts for me (I had to cover those shifts myself). Doctor there said I can maybe go back to work on 24th of April while on crutches. That didn't happen.

I later found out that I can't even sit down in the hole and work there. I am required to be able to stand a full 4 hour shift without a break. I won't be returning to work, as advised by the doctors and therapists until the 20th (at least). I have worked hard to get myself off of crutches. I have been completely taken off of the shift schedule until I have express permission to work again.

I also received a nasty call from Lupe (and saved the message), where she was attempting to fire me. She was informed that I am out of work, and last week she called me pretty much threatening me. I called her back and informed her nicely that I am on workman's compensation because of her request to make me fill the ice box...and if she had any questions ALL of the other managers AND HR know what is going on. She hung up on me.

I have so far only received $30.00 of my paycheck. I have spent about $350.00 on my leg. Workman's comp has paid me nothing so far. I am waiting until next week before I freak out. I was told it could be until May 10th before I am repaid for what I had to spend on medications, etc. We'll see.

I currently attend therapy every other day, handle all kinds of paperwork on my "days off", and really have not had a day to relax since the accident. I like to tell people that being on workman's comp is worse then actually working, because well...it is. I do way more now then when I was actually working.

If I go back to work, I will not be putting up with shit. I will need to re-learn things, but I plan to be as good at my job as I was before. If I have a problem with Lupe, I will just leave and call later to tell them I quit because Lupe is a bitch. They probably won't like that I quit right after having workman's comp, but fuck them.

If they see this post, I don't care. I was thinking of quitting anyways, just pay me for my shit. Fast food is great for the customers here, but it's terrible for the uppity bitch manager named Lupe. She is a racist who needs to be fired. (Btw, HR even admitted that Lupe gives them attitude too)

Update 6/2/13:

I am currently back to work. I have found out a few things of note in the past few weeks since my original post. This may be surprising to most of you. Mind you, this is what I have heard/seen. These are my personal experiences, thus I cannot be sued for slander. Thanks.

I did start getting my workman's compensation checks. Thank god. They take forever to come in the mail. I was NOT reimbursed for majority of my expenses for my knee. But, that's okay, I was getting paid. I just used my compensation to cover my costs of my knee. Yeah, it shouldn't be like that...but Utah is a "no fault state". Which means, they can hire/fire me for ANY reason. I have been going out of my way to make sure they DO NOT have a reason to fire me. Thus far, I have been staying within my guidlines. So, I am currently getting paid for the 5 hours a week I work...and getting compensated for the other 30 hours I am not working. Granted, it's not 100% covered pay..it's only 66 2/3rds%...plus $5 per dependent, and $5 for a spouse. But, it's still enough to make sure that I can pay a bill or two.

My doctor is the ONLY workman's compensation doctor in the entire town. So, if you hurt yourself at work - you will ALWAYS see MY doctor. His name is Doctor Houseley. He is being investigated for prescribing too many narcotics (this explains why I received only tramadol for nighttime from another doctor, and advil for the day). He is also has a horrible track record with knee injuries. My lawyer's husband had a knee injury, and the guy totally fucked up it all up for him.  I also found out via my lawyer, that he has absolutely no idea if people are really injured or not. She told me that he has been in Workman's compensation for so long that he can't tell if people are faking or not. He's pretty much burned out.

I was supposed to be referred to an orthopedic surgeon this past week, but he has since revoked that. I feel that I STILL should see one, but according to him, I don't. It's been close to two months since my original injury, and I still randomly get bruising around my knee cap when I do vigorous therapy. My knee is still randomly giving out. I'd really like to see someone who knows what the fuck they are doing. But, alas, I must wait until he gives the say-so.

I convinced him to sign off on my working for an hour per day, about two weeks ago. This past Friday I got him to sign off on that I wanted to work 2-3 hours. He reluctantly signed off on it, as a temporary thing. He doesn't agree with my working that long (uh huh...), but at least he signed off on it. So, hopefully, starting next week I can go back to a somewhat normal schedule AND take my counter back.

He still won't let me carry trays. Sigh. I guess that makes sense, because he doesn't want me to face plant anything again. But, it makes me seem like a damn princess who can't do all of the work...I really don't like relaxing like that at work. I feel bad whenever someone else has to grab them for me. UGH!

Last week I was unloading the dishwasher in my house, spun around to put a bowl on the island/counter...and my knee totally buckled. My face hit the edge of the counter. I took too long to contemplate if I should put the bowl down or not, and before I knew it - I had hit the counter. I usually can catch myself before I face-plant something, but this time I was holding something at the time.

It looked TERRIBLE. Like someone hit me in the face with a pan, that's how bad it was. Dr. Housely obviously saw what had happened (as I had to go into WorkMed because my knee once again buckled...it does it every two weeks like clockwork.), and he asked me if "everything was okay at home". Huh??? My husband is in TEXAS! ANOTHER STATE! What the fuck! He assumed that my husband had punched me in the face! WOW!

Another doctor there saw my knee and claims I re-injured it. Dr. Houseley sees it, and he's like "It's not even sprained". The fuck? So we've gone from the original diagnosis of one-several torn ligaments, to sprain, to he has no idea. GREAT!

So, I am back to working. They put me in drive through to take orders while someone else takes the cash. I enjoy it a lot. I've had some customers tell me that I have a radio voice. I thought that was funny. I have gotten the hang of it, and expect to be super amazing by June 15th. I set myself a goal date, so that I can work really hard to attain it. This job does actually mean a lot to me, regardless of what other people may think.

There is a new girl working at my counter named Ingrid. She's not a happy soul, nor does she really understand her job. She gets the basics as she has been here a month, but she still makes quite a bit of mistakes that I have witnessed. She also cops an attitude with customers, to their faces, when she gets their order wrong - like it's their fault or something. I've seen some interesting things when I show up for my shift early.

She also seems like she is generally unhappy. She is proud to have worked at McDonald's for a month. Good for her, but she attempted to throw her month experience in my face like I was some new person. I've been here about 4 months now. I made sure to mention that, and her face was priceless. I plan to eventually take back my counter from her, as she is making a lot of people unhappy.  I shouldn't judge though, since I am currently relearning the breakfast menu.

It took me a little while to relearn breakfast, total of 2 days, 2 hours total to get back into the swing of things. They changed the POS system again, so I had to relearn the menu again. I am constantly getting asked by customers if we serve "any steak" or "any bagels". Neither of those have been on the menu for 6 months, at least. When I express this to them, they usually give attitude. I get that the McRib was awesome, and yes, I'd like to see it back too...but don't give me your shitty attitude just because it's gone. I don't make those decisions. Plus, I have worked here long enough to KNOW when something is NOT on the menu. People bitching at me about the menu, is really insane. I have NO CONTROL over the menu. Bitching at me about it, won't CHANGE it. It will just piss me off, and I'll not even smile at you when you pull around. No, you're not getting a "Thanks for coming". You're lucky if you get a receipt. (I usually give everyone their receipt, and I say Thank you...but I still don't WANT to...to people like that)

The main reason I like the drive thru, is because when a customer gives me attitude - I can mute them and say what I want to say. Like: "What a bitch!" I can also roll my eyes at them when they are being completely retarded. No one hears or sees it, so that's always good. I've only had one customer where I have had to mute them. She was a ROYAL bitch.

Unfortunately, sometimes the headset cuts out people's orders when there is a lot of background noise. This bitch was honking her horn nonstop (I could hear it), and she was getting pissed because I could only understand two of three items on her list. Naturally, I had to clarify with her what she wanted...and she was NOT happy. She starts screaming into my headset her order...and of course, if you are screaming - I REALLY can't understand you then. I get that you don't like repeating yourself, but I'm not your fucking slave to treat like garbage. If I'm asking to clarify something, it's because I don't want to fuck up your order. I prefer to get it right the FIRST time.

I also found that I am about 3 months pregnant now. My hubby is telling me to quit working, but I really do enjoy it. It's a nice break from the kids and another like $60.00 that we didn't have. I like having some FUN money. I might have to give it up around 7 months in though. I'm unsure how long I will continue to work there for. I enjoy it so much that I'd rather not give it up, if I don't have to. But, working at McDonald's while pregnant? I'm not sure how well that will go.  My patience is pretty much fried lately. I already HATE stupid people, so when I deal with asshole-ish stupid people at work - I generally don't take it too well. Thank god for the headset. The pay sucks, but it's nice to feel like I'm contributing to the family....even if it's only pocket change.

I am also high risk pregnancy. I am getting older, and I am always low blood pressure. Stress or people screaming at me, immediately raises my blood pressure through the roof. This causes a lot of issues with the baby. I am O Rh-, and have NOT had the shot yet (my OB is currently out of town). So, I have a cold...same sinus infection as before, and I can't take antibiotics for it. I am also trying to monitor my stress. If anything happens to the baby, or me, because of this job...I will put in my two weeks.

Trust me, I'm still sticking to the: if anyone just flips a shit on me for no reason, I'm going to lose it. I have decided that I am not here to be treated like garbage and I won't let anyone do it to me anymore. After Julie (which I'll tell you about later) flipped out on me, I took a stance with her. I will NOT be treated like that in public. I will attempt to keep it in a professional manner while off the clock, and tell them so...but I will NOT be screamed at again. So far, this new attitude has given me a lot less stress.

I'm pretty sure people have noticed a change in me. I joke around like I always did, and I am always nice to people - even if they are being dicks. But, I have made a mental stance in my head, that if anything untoward happens to either piss me off or endanger my baby...I will NOT take it.

I have noticed that most of the time Lupe is NOT on my shift. I am SO relieved by that. I had fun conversations with Levi and Norma. Both of them are seeming to be normal lately. Only time will tell on that one. Neither of them have gotten to know any of the 5 new hires. They expect them to either quit or stick it out. I have noticed that no one really cares about you, or who you are, until you have worked there a decent amount of time...say 2 months or so. They also don't attempt to converse with you at all, until said time has expired. There is such a high turn over rate that the core workers don't have the energy to get into who/how/what you are. I don't blame them, but I attempt to get to know them because...well....it's nice and makes them feel like they are part of a team.

The only downside was that one customer and that Julie (the GM) reamed me while off-duty. I was trying to inform her that last week was super bad for me to work mid-afternoons. She didn't understand that with school finishing for my kids, my mom's nursing home constantly setting appointments, and my own doctor's appointments - it was pretty much impossible for me. According to her, I never told anyone and she had confirmed my schedule through HR. HR does NOT have permission to verify my schedule, at all. So, she was lying about that. Julie also made a comment about how I couldn't bring my kid to work, as McDonald's is not a daycare. Well, no shit. Eventually my schedule was changed, with lots of yelling and freaking out on Julie's part...  We have been cool since then. It was another one of her OCD trigger things, and I guess I should have realized that before the conversation even started.  (Side note: When did it become my responsibility to have to remember EVERYTHING that sets off every different person that works there? No way I can remember it ALL, for EVERYONE.)

I still enjoy the customers, don't get me wrong. 99% of them are just fucking amazing, and REALLY funny. I get to joke with them while they are ordering, and even when I'm upselling - I make the upsell into a little song for entertainment. They generally enjoy that. I also get to joke with them when I am handing them their money. I work here for the customers and the general enjoyment. I am doing something that I never really thought I could EVER manage before. Having zero experience in the food industry, to having some...is ALWAYS a plus.

Otherwise, I am enjoying being back to work. Love drive through and am looking forwards to either completely taking over my original counter again, or taking over drive through - by myself. I will attempt to convince Julie or another manager to let me do it without a babysitter. Naturally, I am better at a lunch menu (as I know all of the lunch menu by heart) so being on breakfast has been a challenge to relearn for me. I am hoping that SOON I can master it as well as I had done before. Here's to hoping that I can become super amazing at my job, like I was before I got injured.


Update 6/13/13

For three weeks, I was consistently scheduled for 1 hr per day everyday. This is not even worth the gas it takes to drive there. But, I sucked it up. I kept reminding myself that eventually I will be put on the schedule for longer. This didn't happen until this week (week 4). I was scheduled every day this week for a 2 hour shift.

Before you ask, my knee is almost completely healed and my doctor cleared me for working at least 4 hours per shift. But, they never scheduled me for it. The doctor nicely decided that he was going to put in a work note that said: "hard work therapy". Which basically means, if I can handle 4 hours in a shift - they can schedule me for 5 the next day, etc. This NEVER happened. I handed in both of these notes 3 weeks ago, and not once did I ever get scheduled for longer then an hour (two hours this week). I was also scheduled to work on my birthday, but knew I couldn't take off - as that would be wrong to do.

In reality, this really meant that they were going to stick me in drive through with someone to babysit me and god forbid if someone ELSE messed up. I was the one to blame all the time, naturally.  Drinks being refunded? Oh yeah, caught me. Totally me. Even though the person standing next to me was dumbfounded over it as well. They *think* I'm not saying "is your order correct", even though I've obviously been saying it nonstop since I started working there. It's not hard to remember to ask. It's also not hard to figure out who the real issue is, when you are constantly listening to me. If you are refunding drinks, why aren't you saying something WHEN it's happening instead of AFTER my shift? Looks like you are looking for someone to blame to me! Sad when you need to do that, to cover your friends' asses. Sad when your friends take my side.

I had some terrible morning sickness this morning (mine tends to last ALL day long), and I finally had to just call out of work. I called in about an hour and 50 min before my 2 hour (total) shift started. In reality, I knew they were going to stick me either cleaning something or being babysat in the drive through like they have been doing. So, my being there was not really required - at all. I also knew that calling in that *late* towards my schedule was a big no-no, but I was hoping that I would eventually be well enough to go into work. This never happened (I was sick in bed or in the bathroom until 8 pm).

When I called in to inform them that I just couldn't physically peel myself off of the bathroom floor, I was once again told that I was going to be fired or suspended. Wow. This is the FIRST time in over 4 months that I have EVER called in sick. What a load of bullshit! I've NEVER called out before. The only time off I had was because of a work injury THEY caused! (I think they were just looking for a reason to fire me)

So, I took a few hours to contemplate my situation and I decided this was the deal breaker for me. In 4 months time, I CAN call out at least once for being a pukey mess. I was TOLD if I am vomitting, to always call in. Granted, I didn't have the flu. But, I'm sure the customers wouldn't be happy with them if they saw me running to the bathroom throughout my shift.

I called them about 30min ago, I expect the word that I quit NOT to reach people by my shift tomorrow. I *might* answer their call, but I wouldn't expect it if I were them. After the way I was treated (less then human most of the time), I am pretty much done with EVER working at fast food again.

Thank god I only have two more classes to finish my MSW, and thank god we don't need my paycheck.

My final notes: When I found out I was pregnant, I asked them what to do if I had to vomit all of a sudden (this actually happens quite a bit at home, and no chugging ginger ale or chewing on crackers helps it). The GM and two manager's responses were: Ask for permission. You heard it here folks. If you have to vomit while taking orders, you must stop what you are doing (even if you have vomit in your mouth) and ask for permission to throw up! WOW! I don't know why I didn't quit when they told me that. I should have.


Update 6/6/14:

I actually should have updated this a lot sooner, but I have a new baby and tons of new things I have to do during the day. 

I dealt with workman's compensation for MONTHS.  I literally JUST got all of that stuff figured out and completed last month.  They finally stopped calling me.  Thank you, Jesus!  They claimed that I got paid an additional $5.00 that I shouldn't of been paid, so I sent them a money order...but they claimed to have never gotten it (uh huh).  Then it was a lot of updates, etc etc.  There was a LOT of calls between HR, workman's compensation, doctors, and myself.  I am just happy to be rid of the headache.  Phew.  Can you believe that I had to deal with it for 4x longer then I actually worked there?  Oh, and I lasted about 6 months of working there before I finally quit.

Yes, I wrote a little bit about what happened when I did quit...but I actually had to call in FIVE additional times AFTER that and tell EVERY manager that I had quit.  When I told the managers, it was a lot of brush offs and fuck you's.  So, all in all, they didn't really care to have me anyways.  Not a one of them even considered that I had a RIGHT to call out.

I also found out AFTER I quit (from a friend there) that the reason they had me filling the ice, was NOT because it was a counter duty.  It was actually a drive through duty, and I was NOT assigned to do it.  This was Lupe's job.  She just didn't want to do it.  They also didn't even have a step stool to use for me.  Lupe thought it would be funny to watch the "little white girl" try to fill the ice bucket.  Cute.  So, for a joke, I hurt myself maybe irreparably.

My knee actually did NOT heal, as I was previously informed by Dr. Houseley.  My knee had actually caused my hips to dislocate by a good 3 inches.  So, after I posted this - I was in a wheelchair for the final 3-4 months of my pregnancy.  It has all been tied back to my original knee injury.

Supposedly, because I had injured my knee, I was leaning too far on my right side.  My hips actually shifted and realigned 3 inches.  My hips were out of place for 3-4 months during my pregnancy (it's called SPD - Severe Pubic Displasia) and I couldn't physically walk or do much of anything without massive amounts of pain killers.  It got really bad during trick or treating on Halloween.  It was so bad that the baby actually almost fell out of me (no kidding) and I couldn't walk more then 2 inches.  I'm assuming because I had been walking and doing so much, while on an injured knee, that this is the reason I had to be wheelchair bound.  I had NEVER had a problem walking or with a pregnancy before.

My ob actually had me on hydrocodone (a strong dose) for those months, and I'm still taking it.  My husband hated watching me be in that much pain.  I couldn't even roll out of bed without assistance and crying, that's how bad it was.  We both attended therapy classes, did the stretches, and he even realigned my spine a few times.  That was all we could do.

My husband wisely convinced my mother-in-law (wonderful woman) to fly out from GA to UT, to help take care of me and the kids.  It was fantastic!  She did everything for everyone for two months.  Bless her awesome soul!

The only solution to SPD is either to have the baby, surgery, or life-long issues.  Well, after I had my son (Jan 13th) within hours, my hip knocked back into place.  It was so loud the nurses thought I broke my back.  I was fit and happy for two weeks.

However, I did get meningitis and severe post-partum eclampsia.  Because of those two diagnoses, I am still having some issues walking...and when I get sick, my knee/back pain comes back.  So, only time will tell now at this point.  As it stands, I am just happy to be walking again.  It also seems that if I don't sleep a good 14 hours a day (not lying..), that I start to hobble like I've broken a leg or something.  Sigh.  They tell me over time it should get better.  We shall see.

I have been contemplating suing McDonald's for this, but I am unsure if the connection could be made between my knee and my pregnancy walking issues in a court.  So, for now, I've washed my hands of the situation.

My husband has declared - NO MORE KIDS.  This last one almost killed me. I am very lucky. He's an angel baby, though.  He's worth it and then some.

Side notes:  I actually saw two workers AFTER I quit working.  Both of them are named Jose, and I am friends with both of them.  Neither are the ones that told me about the "joke".  I call one of the Joses "Fluffy Jose" and the other "Jose".  Obviously, because one is a bigger guy.  The Fluffy Jose works Grill and can sometimes cover counter.  The other is the maintenance guy.  Both are funny and nice.  Both are friends with Lupe.

Fluffy Jose warned me not to give him a nickname, which I did anyways, because "Lupe would be upset".  I am assuming because she pissed all over the Joses, like a cat does to mark territory, that she won't allow anyone to be friendly with them - without being a super bitch.  That might of been the reason why she was so angry.  I was making friends with people she deemed "hers".  But, I do know for a fact that she was definitely racist.  She hated EVERYONE who wasn't Spanish.

This behavior is actually very common in the fast food industry.  It does not help that I look like a teenager.  I remember everyone there being surprised at my age, let alone my degrees.  That might also be another reason.  When people see me, without knowing me, they assume either I'm a teenage mom or a teenager.  I am neither of those, and it drives me nuts.

My husband is just happy I am no longer having panic attacks.  I actually used to get them for months AFTER working there.  I would have to pull over the car or stop what I am doing, just to calm down.  I didn't eat at McDonald's for over a year.  I couldn't step foot near the place without bursting into tears.

I also ended ALL of my shifts in tears. My husband has NEVER seen me cry before this.  He was pissed and torn at what to do.  I kept telling him not to get involved, but I could tell he REALLY wanted to do something.  He wanted me to quit working because I was falling apart.

I also did some more research later, and after reading blog posts with people's experiences about working at a fast food place...this is normal.  So is the coworker bullying.  Bullying can happen ANYWHERE.  (Even at my daughter's school...)  It is NEVER okay to treat someone like this.

Once again: Before you ask why I didn't quit sooner, I didn't quit because of my girls.  I wanted them to KNOW Mommy knows how to work.  Mommy has a job. It was a good experience for them.  Not so much for me.  No, they never knew what was happening to me at work.  It helped with my daughter's RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) immensely.  She didn't freak out when I walked out of her line of sight, anymore.  It was great for her.  It also set a good example.