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How much time off work or did you work through?

Posted , 3 users are following.

KS2017
KS2017

Hi everyone

I was curious to know what everyone's experience with working during their illness was? Did you stop working due to glandular fever or did you work through? If you stopped, when did you go back and how gradual was your return? Do you think it impacted on your recovery?

I took ten whole months off and have been back at work 8 hours a week for the past two months. I'm just about to increase my hours to 15 hrs a week for the next month (month 13 of my journey) and am a bit nervous, hoping it won't negatively affect my recovery.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • craig07920
    craig07920 KS2017

    Posted

    Hi KS,

    It is lovely to see a post from you, and well done on making that step of going back to work. I know for me it took a lot of courage to do and it took me some time to get back to a full and normal working routine. 

    I was initially off work completely for 6 months at the start of the virus, over the next 3 months I worked for just 10 hours per week, but then had a bad setback and had to be off completely for another month. I picked up working for 10 hours per week again until about the 15 month stage, after which I moved up to 3 days, it still took me another year or so to get back to 5 days but eventually got there. 

    Just take things slow KS and listen to your body, and you will get there - it takes time for your body to adjust again and your confidence to rebuild in a work setting, I know that for sure - thinking about you and remember just get plenty of rest in between work, etc, all the stuff I know you already know to do!! It is understandable to be nervous and apprehensive, you have given yourself time to recover which is important, I believe you have been wise and are doing it the right way and that you will get there because of that and because of God!!

    Craig

  • Sweebee
    Sweebee KS2017

    Posted

    Hi Ks. Unfortunately upon falling ill the docts said it was only a flue, despite being admitted to ER not knowing who I was, where I was and being unable to see well. They gave me 1 week off and then had to return to working a full 40hr week, which was terrible (assistant service manager at a car dealership) I had a week here and there based upon secondary infections etc. other than that Ive had to struggle and push through it all, had to pay the bills as living alone theres no one else to do so. Im very lucky that my mother is amazing and only lives 10mins away from me, so she moved in for about 3 months to help me push on. I wouldnt wish this experience on anyone, but some people at work still dont get it even 11 months into my recovery *sigh. Both my managers are very understanding and have had friends go through the same thing before, so they have been a blessing. Sorry my post is not a very positive one, but I do believe these things happen for a reason. Its forced me to prioritise what is really important in life, and who really deserves to be in your life. Wishing you well and sending positive vibes your way. 
    • craig07920
      craig07920 Sweebee

      Posted

      Hey Sweebee,

      I totally agree that things happen for a reason, it's hard when we can't see or don't understand the reason but God knows why and we can trust Him that it's a good reason and that He's working for our good. A wise person told me once that this life is kind of like looking at the underside of a rug, where you see all the threads and lose ends coming through, but it doesn't seem to fit together or make sense, but that one day God will turn the rug over so we can see the picture making sense. 

      It's so hard when people at work and in your life don't understand how badly this virus affects you. I'm glad to hear that your managers have been understanding, that is something at least. You're so right this thing helps put things into perspective, I laugh at some of the things I used to worry about and get stressed over. 

      I'm still believing you are going to get fully better Sweebee, hang in there still and remember God is on your side and is working for your recovery - I continue to hope and believe in your recovery and I don't think your message was negative at all, I see such words of wisdom in your messages always and it helps me to have such nice people to talk to and discuss things with.

      Thinking about you and remember Year 2 is the year of recovery!

      Craig

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