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rprice38

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Everything posted by rprice38

  1. There is so much we can all relate to in this thread. Our work plays such a big part in our lives and sometimes we forget what work is - a way to earn money to enjoy our lives. During my 6 months off, I learned to appreciate the simple things, spent more time with my kids and stopped rushing round like a mad person trying to do to much! I admit, seeing my job advertised hurt at first but I'm getting over it and moving on to a new chapter in my life book. It's not what I had planned but it will be as rewarding because I am still living my life and I am determined to live it to the full. So Macca, I think you are bang on with your last post. Sandi - don't be down. If this hadn't happened to you, you wouldn't have been such as inspiration to so many people on this forum. You have to grieve for the life you had planned but just think of all the new adventures you have got ahead of you. Keep fighting everyone Rhiannon xx
  2. Hi David. Just wanted to say that the fact you have managed to go back to work is an indication of your strength. I'm not sure what job you do, but is there a chance of altering your duties or hours in some way? I went back too soon and got sent home so now I just do 3 half days. We miss my salary but health comes first. Is there an occupational health specialist you could talk to - the doctor I saw was very good at judging what I could manage. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, it is sometimes harder to see! Please post again tomorrow to let us know how you are feeling. Take care Rhiannon xx
  3. I have just re-negotiated my phased return after a review with occupational health. Like so many other posts about work, is heart- breaking to read your stories. I am desperate to carry on my job as a teacher. I have been doing it for 20 years and is a huge part of my life. I am finding the cognitive challenge very tough but am determined to keep trying. Seeing my job advertised this week was devastating. My Head tells me that I am entitled to my Head of Department job when the doctor says I am fit, but deep down I know he doesn't think I'll be back to a full time role. Now I going to have to back to work in September with someone else in charge. I can't imagine what that will be like. Don't know if I'm better off just leaving and finding something else to do. Have been toying with the idea of setting a business but I'm not much of a risk taker and worry it wouldn't work out? Has anyone else done anything similar? Rhiannon
  4. Hi everyone Have negotiated my return to work and an starting back 3 half days next week. Only problem is that I am now on half pay for 6 monthes with a review in November to see if I am fit to resume normal duties. Does anyone know anything about any additional benefits I am entitled to. I've still got a mortgage and family to support! This is just another blow to my already low self esteem. I didn't ask to have a stroke - I would much rather be healthy and working full time. I have never claimed for benefits - wouldn't know where to start so any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks I have got a pamper and pizza party tomorrrow for my daughter's 7th birthday so that is something to look forward to. Rhiannon x
  5. Thanks to everyone who replied to my first post on BTG. It is good know that there are people out there who know what it's like. I have got an appointment to see my Head tomorrow morning so fingers crossed I will be able to sort out my return to work. Another question - my most recent blood test was a lupus screen. Has anyone else has this or know anything about lupus? I'll let you know how things go at work. Rhiannon x
  6. I also have a lack of drive and purpose post stroke. I am on the waiting list to speak to a counsellor to help with my depression and anxiety. What keeps me positive are my husband and kids. A hug from them makes me want to keep going. My children are 5 & 6 - they don't know what a stroke is - we just say that Mummy has a poorly arm. They still need me to be there for them so that keeps me focussed. I have taken medication for depression in the past but find that you can't pinpoint whether you are feeing better because of the drugs or that you are learning to deal with things better on your own.
  7. Felt I had to write something here - I feel like this all the time. On the outside, I look like the old me and most of the time I do the things I used to do. Since my stroke, it is as if my thoughts have been taken over by some weird force that I can't control. It is so frustrating when you can't explain to anyone what this is like. Even my lovely husband can't understand why I am struggling with certain things when he looks at me and thinks I am "back to normal". Only 6 monthes since my stroke - hope these feelings will go as I continue to recover - we have to hope!
  8. Hi I had a stroke in November 2011. I am a teacher and I went to work like any other day. I was in the middle of my lesson when I suddenly felt my arm go floppy and heavy. I tried to get up but couldn't walk. I didn't really want to let the students know what had happened so I emailed the school nurse with a HELP! Please come quickly. Luckily she was in her room and she came within 5 minutes. When I explained what had happened, she knew it was a stroke and phoned for the ambulance. She arranged for my students to go on a break and waited with me until the ambulance arrived. I have never felt so undignified being carried out of my workplace on a stretcher. I could see students in all the windows looking to see what was going on. At the hospital I had a CT scan and was taken to a stroke unit where they took me into a special room called the thromolysis room. They gave me a piece of paper to read which was something to do with having an injection to clear the clot. I couldn't take it all in and didn't really understand what I was giving consent to. Luckily, my neurologist arrived and made the decision not to thrombolyse. (I have a neurologist because I suffered a previous stroke in 2003 which just affected my peripheral vision but I didn't go to hospital or take time off work) Anyway back to the recent stroke - I spent 4 days in a stroke unit and worked with a physio to work on my arm. It was when went home that I started to realise that the arm was the least of my worries. I was tired all the time and found that my memory and concentration were poor. I saw an occupational health advisor and she helped me to develop strategies to cope with the mental difficulties. I have found lists very useful and in the beginning had a notepad which I carried everywhere to write down what task I was doing otherwise, I would forget and start something else! My GP was excellent and very supportive throughout. The cause of my strokes are still unexplained - I have had numerous tests but nothing - this is very frustrating as I sometimes feel like a ticking bomb and it is only a matter of time before stroke number 3 comes along. I have two children aged 5 & 6 and want to enjoy them growing up. I went back to work on a phased return just before Easter. It is a hard slog as everything takes longer than before. I am still hoping to be back full time within 12 months of the stroke. I was hoping to be back full-time in September but I'm not sure whether that will happen. I have just had an occupational health review and he wants to see me again in August to decide on the plan for September. In the mean time I have seen my job advertised in the paper which has really upset me. I know that the Head has to make sure he has enough staff for September to cover all the classes, and I think I would have been ok with it if he had just advertised for a teacher. But the advert is for a Head of Department which is my role. I don't know what is going to happen if he appoints someone because I am not giving up a job I have worked hard for. I will be there in September, even if part-time. Is there anyone else who have faced similar issues in return to work. I have only just found this website - I wish had known about it before as I'm sure that seeing other people's stories would have helped me. Anyway, it's after 2am and I should be in bed. Would love to hear from someone.
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