Hi
Just curious to hear what people do for work post-BI (what type of work and in what capacity), and particularly how it fits in with your fatigue management. Do you work part-time or have flexible hours to help manage your fatigue effectively? Does your job still fatigue you despite trying to manage it? What was your return to work “journey” like (e.g. did you try going back full-time and scale this back, or have a change of role)?
I’m interested to hear anyone’s stories 😊
Hi.
I’m a cleaner, self employed, sole trader,
Have been doing this for 19 years,
I have not yet returned to work, plan to go back mid March, part time, for 2 weeks then full time in April.
Was advised by my Neuro Team to cut down on jobs, so I cancelled 5 leaving me with 23 jobs of which on paper seems more manageable!
Can I keep you updated during my return to work!?!
I did work for husband so no problem but I found that it was too much, plus I was retiring (ie on a go slow) but even that was too much. So I had to pack it in as I was out of it for over a year. I couldn't walk at first now I can walk 400 to 600 yards on a good day then back goes so me and work have decided to part company. Good luck slowly does it at first with breaks in between xxxx
I’m a self-employed Insurance Broker, I have my own Ltd Co. Did this before I bashed my head in 2014, but I acknowledge the fact I’m not as good as I used to be. My knowledge is ok but my pace and stamina isn’t, and never will be. I’m comfortable with the flexibility I have, a specific employee balances the business. No big deal as health is wealth👍🏻
After my BI I thought I would go back full time, I work in a library. But of course I was wrong. They have been so supportive. I am now working up to an 18 hours a week. The things I do now are quite basic, repeatative to help me remember what I am doing! I suffer a lot from fatigue but in time you get used to it I suppose. My BI was in Sept 2017 so I am still feel that I have to get used to all the changes still. It scares me to think that I can't go to work as it gives me purpose to my life. I hope you do get back to work but don't try to do to much too soon. xx
I’m a self employed accountant and still manage to work albeit slowly with naps!
Hi,, I use to work as a senior night health carer in a home for the elderly ,,, but since this bleed in August 18,, my employer has just suspended my contract as I'm unable to do the job and being the type of home their was not able to offer me alternative arrangements, ,, I would have been risk to residents and myself until I'm fully recovered, ,
Hi used to be a Staff Nurse on a stroke ward . Tbi put me off for seven months , when I returned job had been given away so was moved to another clinic . They had a worry I had memory loss , which I didn’t , So I had to fulfill fifty Nursing objectives which I did .
Had to retake my drug and iv medication tests 3 times before I was allowed to dispense , which I did and passed every time .
But there was still the stigma of memory loss , again which I had never been diagnosed with .
In the end I prolapsed several discs catching a falling patient was off fifteen months then retired through ill health.
Now I have Degenerative disc disease , and some arthritis, which probably comes from the back injury .
But I wouldn’t of been in that position if I hadn’t of been stigmatised with memory loss , and had been returned to the environment from which I originated , as per headway recommended recovery procedures.
Now due to the Degenerative disc disease I’m un employable .
Hi I read your story and know how you are feeling ‘old me’ was a staff nurse! I have a progressive brain condition that I lived normally with and built a successful life an career until my 30’s when my mobility and memory deteriorated. I had a lovely neurosurgeon who thought he could fix me but after 2 surgeries and several adjustments the reality was I was not fixable!
l can empathise with your feelings about being constantly watched it was horrible as ‘old me’ was a bloody good staff nurse and working in a small hospital every one was aware of my health problems. At least I really did have the issues not ones the management invented and now you have a back problems to deal with poor you!
Hope life gets better mine has worked out for the best as nursing has changed so much I was unable to keep up with the demands of the job!
Keep smiling Kate 😀
I’m a nurse too. I had taken an admin job prior to my SAH.its very stressful and detail orientated. I’ve gone part time after being off sick for a year. I have developed intercranial hypertension, depression, mild memory loss and I’m feeling tired to the bone and I have no appetite/nausea most of the time. I’m just not coping. I was pretty good at my job pre-SAH.....now I’m barely scraping by.
Self-care and the things that you do
What words do you use when talking about brain injury with children?
