Occupational Health

As I'm planning to return to work I was asked to visit the Occuoational Health Doctor. Now this is a new experience for me as I'm usually the one making the referrals as part of my job.

It's strange how nervous you feel just before the appointment. It's like that feeling you get when you're going through customs at the airport- you know you don't have anything you shouldn't in your suitcase but your stomach still starts to churn and your heart starts to race incase they stop you. Well that's how I felt. I know I've been ill and I've never been anything but honest in all my communication with work but I sat feeling nervous about what the Doctor would say or do in the appointment.

I won't go into details but the outcome of the appointment was that the OH doctor felt that I wasn't fit to return to work just yet. I was a bit gutted as I had been gearing up to going back and saw this as the next step in getting 'back to normal'.

But the last thing I want to do is go back before I'm ready and end up off sick again within weeks. He wants to see me again in 4-6 weeks time and then he will review my situation and see if I'm ready for a phased reintroduction into the workplace.

Although I do feel a bit deflated I'm trying not to see it as a setback and looking for the positives. It will give me time to build up my strength and stamina. It will give me more time to rest and fully recouperate. It will allow me to have more time at home with the kids, getting them into a proper routine and supporting them in some of the issues they have as a result of me being so ill and spending so much time in hospital. It will mean that when I do go back to work I will be ready for it and more likely to remain at work. Plus it gives me a few more weeks to lose a few more pounds and fit back into my suits aswell!!

NB x

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