I am wondering if anyone has got a medical exemption from wearing a mask due to having an oesophagectomy? Eight and a half years on I still struggle to take a full intake of breath. I am not sure if this is due to the collapsed lung during the op or not but find wearing a mask very uncomfortable because of this.
Best Wishes, James.
What does your GP say about this?
Given almost all GP's having not considered the Oesophagectomy survivors in the clinically extremely vulnerable list, (i doubt*) your reason of being uncomfortable would qualify for the exemption.
* Edit forgot to add word "doubt"
Thanks, I will get on to them. James.
By uncomfortable I mean not being able to breathe properly. If that is not a reason to be exempt what is?
Sorry for the confusion.
The discomfort is a subjective term. If it was objective type demonstration by which your GP could be convinvced then great stuff. Please have a word with your GP.
Have you tried wearing a visor instead of a mask ? I have just had a bout of pneumonia and found wearing a mask very difficult, but I could cope with a visor xx
In Melbourne, my husband's GP would not grant him an exemption even for exercising outdoors. Her reason was that she would not put my husband at risk. She also said that if he needs to be out, then he needs to wear a mask otherwise minimise going out to public places as much as possible.
She even suggested that my husband can do his exercises indoors eg walk inside the home or around the house compound if possible to do so.
Were you given exercises for your lung after surgery? You should have been. I had a device with balls in 3 upright channels. The aim is to breath in through the tube to get 2 balls up and keep them there. I still use it occasionally when my breathing gets low. Also have to remember to breath deeply into abdomen. You can buy these things from health catalogues or no doubt on line. I am 3 1/2 years post I L. Being outdoors in cold wind affects me and I now have a ventalin inhaler. I try not to use that but it does help a bit.There are still alot of younger people to go with vaccinations so wearing a mask or visor is still sensible indoors.
I was never given exercises for my breathing but I will give it a try. As for masks, Covid is not dangerous to most young people and for us vaccinated you worst you will get is mild cold symptoms.
"Covid is not dangerous to most young people and for us vaccinated you worst you will get is mild cold symptoms."
Whether you like to follow the mask wearing or not is your personal call, having said that I can only humbly request you to do everything in your capacity to NOT contract the virus in first place. Prevention is best defense here.
Our bodies are progressing every single second towards its ageing cycle. Meaning there may be underlying condition/s, developing, would be developing later etc. So the physical capability in current state is subjective and does not guarantee future immunity.
Vaccine is only to boost your "chances of survival" in the event of catching the virus. Having had Vaccine does not mean you are completely protected from the virus or its variants.
Personally I was thinking towards the end of 2020 it would have been better if I had had contracted the virus and "got it done over with". Fast forward March 2021 I had my first dose of vaccine and the side effects were so bad for the next 48 hours, I was lucky i escaped hospitalisation. Moral of the story is, had I contracted the virus before vaccination it might have been difficult for me to survive without losing life or in worst case losing my independence. So I consider myself lucky to Not have contracted the virus before the vaccine. My wife had contracted before the vaccination and she is still struggling with long covid very badly.
Each individual is unique in its own, hence you see otherwise healthy looking people succmbing to the infection and other end frail looking person not having any issues.
There was a recent study in America that showed once vaccinated you were 100% protected from serious symptoms even if you contracted the virus. There is nothing more permanent than a temporary government measure. James.
You should have had exercises if your lung was collapsed for surgery. My surgery was sept 2017. I had the physios from day one. Sit up, cough, deep breath, use gadget. If you did not have this help at the time maybe the gp would refer you now. I have no problem breathing with a mask on. Still remember the hard work post op on mobility and breathing, not to speak of eating and drinking
Bad dumping incident?
GERD and nightly heartburn 
Swallowing difficulties 5 months post-op
Reactive hypoglycemia
