Diagnosis after years of chest infections. Employee doesn’t appear to be very understanding.

[Thumpertwink]

I’m now 51 years old, I’ve had many chest infections throughout my life including pleurisy and pneumonia several times. In my early 20’s my gp diagnosed me as being asthmatic. A few years ago I started seeing the asthma nurse who decided I had copd but then last year after another bout of pneumonia a trainee doctor suggested I had bronciestasis and did a referral.

In September I saw my respiratory consultant who sent me for a ct scan, it was found that the lower lobe of my right lung is collapsed and there is fluid in the plural cavity. She is really looking after me well, I’m now on carbosystine to thin the mucus build up, have a ct scan every 6 weeks with a follow up appointment. I’ve had a bronchoscopy and have an appointment with the physio team in two weeks.

I’ve been doing well until this Sunday when I started off with flu. I was so ill on Monday I couldn’t take my son to school. Just been to the doctors and I’m on a weeks steroids and antibiotics, the doctor advices me to stay off work for the rest of the week.

I’m a single mum to a 10 year old. I have been working for the local council for over 20 years supporting sensory impaired children in various schools. We got a new head of service and line manager recently and I don’t feel they’re being very supportive. I’m currently taking time off for hospital appointments which I have been told I can have but need to make up the time. Also my mum passed away last month which meant I had to take time off, and now I’m off again! I’m concerned about my job as I took out a mortgage four years ago. Do employers have any duty of care for employees with Bronchiectasis ? Is there something I can get to give my employer information so they are more understanding?

Sorry for the long message.

[Patsy164]

Hi Thumperwink I worked for the council before I retired. The council should have a service they offer employees to give advice on a wide range of problems from health to advice on absolutely anything. Failing that if you are in a union ask them or HR. Knowing your rights helps.

There is a pdf on this site or the British lung foundation for bronchiectasis give them a copy of that if you feel you need to.

It’s very hard to juggle hospital commitments and make the time up but hopefully once your line-manager understands she should be a little lienient.

Sorry to hear all you have been through lately and good luck and let us know how you get on. Xxx😊

[Thumpertwink in reply to Patsy164]

Thank you Patsy. I’ll look into those. 😊 xxx