So far in 2023: ashma flare,pneumonia, and a pulmonary embolism in my left lung. 🤷‍♀️

[Willow7733]

So far this year has been a rough time. I was diagnosed with another pulmonary embolism two weeks ago. Yesterday was told my asthma is really bad (in a flare since Christmas), and have pneumonia in my right lower lung. 🤷‍♀️ To make things worse, I can’t believe Ben take time off work because I have no sick days left - all take up by the other pulmonary embolisms I have had in the past year and their complications. So tired. This weekend went by way too fast.

[fraid]

Oh, Willow, so sorry you’ve had such a bad start to the year. Can only hope things improve for you soon, your year gets better and so do you. 🤗

[Homely2 Administrator]

Maybe time to have a chat with your manager and see what they can do, re making reasonable accommodation for your condition.

I read somewhere that severe asthma can be regarded as a disability. People with a disability are protected by the equality act.

I would have a low key chat with whoever does hr at your work, maybe also ask citizens advice as to the position.

Look at the asthma UK website.

[Willow7733 in reply to Homely2]

I don’t know what the rule is here in Canada. I work in the hospital - and I don’t think there is a disabilities accommodation for what I do. I have never looked it up before, but am trying not to go that route. I love my job. I went back to university for four years to get my degree in my 30’s. I worked so hard to get here, and working full time. Not going down without a fight. Of course all of this has to happen now that I am happy where I am in life. 🤷‍♀️ Go figure.

[Homely2 Administrator]

Time to get really pedantic about what is causing your asthma, pneumonia, embolism etc then, correct diet, exercise, removal of asthma triggers. Pin your doctors for a proper review as to how to manage your condition.

[Willow7733 in reply to Homely2]

I agree 100%….”bad luck” is not an answer. I think I just found the reason for the asthma attack though! I was doing laundry today, and realized that a gift that given for Christmas may be the culprit. I got a diffuser with a lavender/eucalyptus/peppermint sent to diffuse. I have been run I g it every night since December 30th right next to me on my nightstand. 🤷‍♀️ My allergies are very strong against pollen and some flower scented thing.

[Homely2 Administrator]

Sounds like you have an answer.

I have a pollen and dust mite allergy, so love my air purifier.

Have they got you on montelukast, some people with allergy driven asthma, like it.

[Willow7733 in reply to Homely2]

I am on it. I didn’t think it was working until I stopped it. Never do that again. lol

[Oldandgray]

so sorry you had a touch time. I did my nurse training in my early 40’s so understand your determination.

Some weeks ago on this forum someone was discussing vitamin D, so I have read up a number of academic papers about vit D and lung function. It seems worth an experiment and vit D is really low cost. The papers say it take some time to notice a difference but I’m giving it a go.

[Poobah]

Canada does appear to have a system for accommodating disabilities in the workplace through reasonable adjustments. Talk with your union rep as they will know the legislation that protects your current position. If you're not in a union, you could talk to HR to ask about access to occupational health services. It's important that a qualified practitioner in occ health assesses your case in order to recommend the adjustment you're entitled to. Adjustments can include additional sick leave or recognition that treatments, hospital appointments etc connected to the disability are not counted as sick leave.

[Willow7733 in reply to Poobah]

that is what happened to me - all my appointments for lung function and testing for pulmonary embolisms in the past year took all of my sick days. So now, today for example, I am at work with a PE, asthma exacerbation, and pneumonia- training a student for 12 hours. I am so exhausted and out of breath it is making me nauseous. But I can’t call in because no more sick time . 🤷‍♀️

[Poobah in reply to Willow7733]

Willow, have you got reasonable adjustments for your specific disability(ies) agreed by an occupational health practitioner for your workplace, so that any related appointments aren't deducted from your allocated sick leave? Legislation and protection differs from country to country, but your union rep can support you through the process if you haven't got an up to date occ health review and adjustments.

[Willow7733 in reply to Poobah]

I will look into it tomorrow! I hope I can get some sick time back. But am not too hopeful.

[hilary39]

Oh I'm so sorry. Sounds utterly and totally miserable. How are you doing today? Sending a hug.

[Willow7733 in reply to hilary39]

I am at a week into all of this and still feel like there is a pressure in my chest. I have been given a few days off work, and am grateful for that….but here I am at day 2 of 9 days off and ai am so bored! lol I don’t know what to do with myself. I have a few novels I bought over Christmas so may just start in those and try to relax a bit.

[hilary39 in reply to Willow7733]

Yes resting is good! So sorry you're going through this.

[Whiteclouds]

hi Willow I sympathise with you I had similar issues and had used up all sick leave had to work with pneumonia and did not get treated has now scarred my lung I have chronic asthma and COPD and had to retire from work early as developed severe back ache and leg pain could not sleep brought me to my knees in pain was then diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Have you seen your welfare officer you need to tell your manager about your medical condition if he she is sympathetic and caring you should get work adjustments failing that speak to your union rep there are laws to protect you. Hope your health improves and your employer helps you .

[Willow7733 in reply to Whiteclouds]

Last Wednesday, I started to cough up blood at work. My manager came over and physically walked me to the ER department and had me get checked out. She then called the finance department, and there is a program that they give a number of sick time to you, and you slowly pay it back. The emergency doctor put me off work for 9 days. I am so grateful for the time off, but at the same time, I live alone and worry about how much these borrowed sick days is going to cost me. This day and age, you really have to watch your budget with everything being so expensive and the cost of living rising all the time. Maybe I will work a bunch of overtime to pay it off faster.

[Whiteclouds in reply to Willow7733]

sounds a lot like what I went through I retired early I understand you as I lived on my own for many years after losing my husband to cancer. Please look after yourself as once you have lost your health you will not get it back. It’s hard when you don’t have a partner to help you but sometimes you may be better off on your own not having to get up out of your sick bed to take care of your ailing partner. Do you have any good friends who can check up if you need anything or get you some shopping. I had a good neighbour who checked up on me when I was I’ll and helped me when I was on my own. I now have a partner and he helps as much as he can but he struggles with the cooking .

[Willow7733 in reply to Whiteclouds]

I am so lucky - my co workers have been amazing. A few of them text me to see if I need anything. But I am very independent - and always do things myself.

[Whiteclouds in reply to Willow7733]

I’m very independent too but when I was so ill that I could not get up because of high temperature doc came said I should be in hospital but better off at home due to virus in the hospital so will always be grateful to my neighbour who helped me at that time.