should I go to work

[transf2856]

Hi Me again!!

I wondered if any one had any advice on what I should do.

I am a nurse in the operating theatre at the hospital. I am due to start radiotherapy in two weeks for an inguinal lymph node. I had no worries about going to work as i am fit and well. But with all the information on the TV I am beginning to wonder if going to work is a good idea.

If nurses dont go then who is going to look after the patients but should I be putting my health first. xxx

[Lyndy]

I suspect that if you stay away from work without their agreement you may land up in trouble! Best to discuss with your line manager and take a decision from there. xx

[Katmal-UK]

Hi, I do think you should seek advice. Sometimes you have to put yourself first in order to make sure you are well enough to help others. I hope you are able to make the decision that is right for you and you are happy with xx

[Madmolly]

Put yourself first for a change there will be other nurses who are not undergoing what you are going through this is not selfish its common sense look after yourself and best of luck with your treatment

[Neona]

Can you demand full protection suit ?

[thomas62]

I agree withKatmal and Madmolly. You have to put yourself first - you fall into the very vulnerable category. Talk with your HR dept. but you need to be totally sure you're safe if you do decide to continue working! Don't be talked into it! Gwen xx

[bamboo89]

I remember your post the other day about radiotherapy - quite honestly, given the existence of COVID 19, I'd have thought surgical removal to be a much safer option, since that won't affect your immune system. Radiotherapy on a lymph node only should not affect your immune system, but if its directed at the bones in the pelvis too, it WILL affect your immune system, which means you probably shouldn't circulate in society generally, never mind return to work afterwards.

Talk to your oncologist about surgery/radiotherapy, and whether its safe to assume your immune system won't be affected if you have radiotherapy. If its not safe, then likely you won't be able to work, so at that stage, you should speak to HR.

Miriam

[transf2856]

Thanks for all you comments I have decided that I will not go to work until I have had my radiotherapy. x

[Mptelesca]

First of all, thank you for what you do. I had this very conversation with my friend in CT who is a nurse. She is 66 and very healthy. She has been dealing with both normal flu and the corona. Naturally, she takes every precaution there is. I asked her if she had ovarian or any other cancer would she be reporting to work? She said absolutely not. What good would she be anyway if she got it and then laid up in a hospital?

Nursing is such a selfless vocation. But, in this case, please take every precaution. Get a letter from your onc and present it to your supervisor.

Yesterday, they passed the bill in the US that anyone affected or directly exposed to Corona will receive 14 days paid time off. Then 3 months paid leave for recovery. That's just for proven infection or exposure to the virus. For the rest of us who don't have it, but, remain in the high risk group....it seems that the paid time off becomes vague. Like every other bill passed. lol.

I am in HR at a company that requires me to be there. However, on Friday, I decided to work from home. The only reason that my boss agreed to this is because his teen daughter has been going through chemo and now he understands what I've been dealing with for 5 years.

Maybe your hospital can give you a laptop you can use to maybe do some administrative work from home? Just a thought. I know you are a front line person, though.

Do what's best for you. Good luck.

XOX

Marisa

[transf2856]

Thank you so much Marisa for your kind comments I am now going to self isolate until I get my treatment. Love to you xx

[Lizchips]

While your in treatment I would not go in