For the past year, I have been sympathising with my coworker, who has been plagued by jaw pain, ear pain, head pain. She has been seeing a doctor but it hasn't gone anywhere.

She saw a new doctor who said it is all TMJ related, and all she needs is a mouthpiece. Great, right? The coworker now says it will cost $400, insurance won't pay for it, and she doesn't have $400 for it.

The kicker? She spends wildly on designer bags, clothes, and shoes, on hairweaves and nails, not to mention beauty products to keep "all that" a 10. She is married to a guy with a good job, and they take cruises a couple of times a year.

Am I heartless?

^^^^^^No you're not heartless. You're co-worker doesn't seem to know how to prioritize. I know if she vented to me about it, I'd call her on it.

I am sure not going to bring up the subject again. No more "how are you feeling?" "how is your ear?" from me.

I also wouldn't put it past her to be angling for someone to volunteer to "loan" her the money to get the mouthpiece. It isn't going to be me.

No, not heartless. It sounds like she has the means to better her situation, but would rather another entity do it for her. I would have trouble empathizing with her too.

tmontyb wrote:

^^^^^^No you're not heartless. You're co-worker doesn't seem to know how to prioritize. I know if she vented to me about it, I'd call her on it.

I would too. I'd mention how just about everyone is having to cut back to cover the things they need these days. But I wouldn't give her one red cent. Or sympathy.

Wow. It sure takes all kinds, doesn't it? Yeah, under those circumstances, she's used up any sympathy I would be willing to give her.

"Oh, oh, I'm in so much pain! But don't I look good!"