I'm going back to work: I never thought this day... - ICUsteps

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I'm going back to work

isurvived profile image
4 Replies

I never thought this day would come. However my employer kept my job and everyone including myself is happy with my progress. So I'm on a phased return. Does anyone that's gone though the same thing have any tips or advice? It's been 4 months since I've been at work.

Thanks in advance :)

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isurvived profile image
isurvived
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4 Replies
Sepsur profile image
Sepsur

Easy does it, keep away from ill people & take plenty of breaks - you will be amazed at how tired you are at the end of day

Stayloose profile image
Stayloose

I trust it goes really well for you. A big step back into normality. A general comment not illness specific; if you've been off sick for quite a while lots of people ask 'How are You?'. For some people you might want to give a full response but this can be quite wareing. Think of a basic short sentence as a response for the masses. ( If you work in a small place it won't apply.)

Catdancer01 profile image
Catdancer01

When people ask how are you, some want to hear the real answer and some people don’t. I agree it gets tiring answering, so be aware. Otherwise you end up managing how they are feeling about your experience, and not looking after yourself mentally and emotionally!On a more positive note, I got a lot of positive energy being around people, enjoying the small things, feeling useful again etc.

Felixthecat1 profile image
Felixthecat1

To isurvived, and I did too. Most people thought I was done being able to work. But I am a therapist not a waitress or construction worker, so the manual labor and standing on my feet all day isn't a problem. The job that I had last March let me go because I had only been employed for 10 days when I got sick. I was just hired by a really great company, making more money than I've. ever made before. and start working again Jan. 6th. If I hadn't been let go, I'd still be working at a lower-paying, less exciting place. It's hard to believe that March of this year, 2019, I was in a coma fighting sepsis pneumonia, couldn't talk for 4 months, (due to a paralyzed left vocal cord), had about 2 thirds of my hair fall out or break off, and had to relearn how to walk using prosthetic legs (i lost both legs below the knee in a house fire in 1984) so 8 months after almost dying in icu, losing my job, losing my voice, and losing my hair, my husband and I are more in love than ever, i appreciate life in general, more than ever. I am about to start work at the best job that I've ever had. Who knew? What I do know is that neither when I lost my legs in 1984' or my life in 2019 did I accept defeat and give up. I simply fought hard to regain my natural balance, which is being humble, grateful, etc. With tons of humor mixing it all up.

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