Returning to work after BM

[Tinks2014]

I also wanted to find out if anyone did return to work, how long were they off sick with BM before going back to work.

[ignoreit]

I had meningococcal septicaemia & DIC. After being in the hospital for 6 months, I struggled for 7 months at home before returning to work. When I returned to work, my foot pain was still horrendous...so bad that I had to wear sandals with socks because enclosed toed shoes brought unbearable pain. (I wore slacks that hid those sandals.) I always kept a clean pair of LARGE socks hidden in my purse because frequently my mangled toes (what was left of them) would bleed and I didn't want anyone at work to know I was in CONSTANT pain.

The time was 1977 and before becoming ill, I was headed toward becoming the first female executive in my Fortune 100 company.

I NEVER talked about my BM at work or with my fellow workers. NEVER! When anyone asked, I always muttered something like, "Yeah, it was pretty bad...but I'm completely over it all now...and I feel great now!" That's all...NOTHING about being a survivor or the realities and after effects of our disease.

And within a year, I became the National Sales Mgr...and the first female executive on their Board! I am 100% convinced that if I had admitted how I REALLY felt physically and talked about what I had REALLY gone through, I'd still be getting coffee for that Board.

My advice is to NEVER talk about BM when you return to work. NEVER let 'em see you cry!

[Tinks2014 in reply to ignoreit]

Thank you for your advice, fingers crossed I will return to work one day.

Tinks

[sorba]

I went back to part time work about 2 months after having BM and eventually worked on this basis for another 19 years before retiring. It all depends how badly you are affected. It might be a good idea to seek advice from the employment office on a retraining scheme for less tiring work, Good luck Sorba

[Tinks2014]

Thank you for your reply Sorba. After eight months I'm still off work. I'm waiting to go into hospital for more rehab, so fingers crossed I'll be alot better than I am now.

Tinks

[martinspiller]

Hi

A few years ago I had BM in October, went back to work as a teacher in Jan, part-time, as I felt bad leaving the kids to approach exams without me. I probably helped the kids, but definitely did not help myself - I was emotionally unstable, subject to depressions and sudden physical weakness, especially climbing stairs, and I now recognise that I should have stayed home for another couple of months. Don't be a hero - you will feel strong again but it's a very slow process. You'll look ok on the outside and might think people are writing you off as a slacker, but you have Chronic Fatigue and will just need time to work it through. Keep positive, take gentle exercise and sleep a lot!

Martin

[Tinks2014]

Hi Martin. Thank you for youd reply and advise. Not sure when I will return to work. My job is really stressful with long hours and I know my body will not be able to cope with that at the moment. I'm learning that the key to getting better is lots of rest and listening to my body. There were times when I thought I was ok and did too much but ended up feeling ill and spending a week in bed; so work is on the back burner for the time being.

Tinks