Stress Center Peer Support

I've been sick for over a month feeling worse and worse. I had a series of chest xrays today and was found to have pneumonia I am not only scared of permanent damage or dying from this but I am extremely guilty about not being at work, about appearing to be slacking off, and about never getting better. they want me at work tomorrow, but the doctor says I cannot return to work until next Tuesday and if I'm not better by then I have to be hospitalized! Yikes! I'm afraid if I go out to pick up my prescriptions and get some canned soup someone at work will see me and I'll be fired because "what would she be doing out if she was so sick". I've never really missed work before, and I've never really been sick like this either It's freaking me out

Okay hunny. Let me say a few things. First of all, take a deep breath and let's focus on the facts here.

1. You are sick. that is obvious. I've had pneumonia before and it's not something you go to work while having. I think EVERYONE living in the world knows that.

2. You are getting VERY far ahead of yourself. Next Tuesday is many days away. You have 5 days and you can recover quite a bit in 5 days... this isn't neccessarily going to get any worse, so just stay in the moment right now and focus on the present. As my dad says, "Cross that bridge when you get there." You aren't there yet, you may not be there ever - no point working yourself up for nothing.

3. You need to not be so concerned with what your co-workers are thinking. You know you're sick, you're not making it up and that's all that matters. The truth is is that you are sick, you cannot work, end of story. You need to tell your employer that you have specific directions from your doctor and that you will be in when you are feeling well.

And PLEASE, give yourself some slack here! You don't feel good, so go relax, watch a good, funny movie. Eat some soup, take your meds, and don't worry so much abotu work! You're not going to get fired for being incredibly sick, ok? It's illegal.

That is very common to have pneumonia for a month thinking it is a cold or bronchitis and treating it with the simple cold remedies we're used to. You had no way of knowing what you really had until you got the x-rays. Five days on the antibotics will make a huge difference in how you feel and in your ability to return to work. It is very important you get your perscriptions and soup and then tuck in for the next five days.

Also, ease your worries by contacting your supervisor asap. That will also help you recovery a great deal. Tell him/her that you've seen a doctor and found out what is really happening, that you have pneumonia and what you need to do now to recover as quickly as possible. No reasonable manager will want you to work and take any unhealthy risks.

Don't worry anything about what co-workers or others think. Do what you need to do to be healthy, which is just what it sounds like you are doing. I am sending prayers your way for a quick recovery without pressures and worries. Take care and keep warm.

Please take care of yourself and do not feel guilty about work. i just had a good friend pass away who went for a long time with this and did not get the help she could have from drs , medicine and rest. Your employer knows that this is serious, and you need to do everything you can to get better if that means going to the hospital. I put my mother in the hosp the Saturday before New Years she had bronchitis for two months, and was very ill on Christmas Day, she continued to get worse and took her to the hosp we found out it was pneumonia ,and after high doses of antibiotics she is doing great. So you will be fine as long as you do as the dr orders

You can always find another job, life is much more important.

Get Well Soon

Thank you guys for these posts I've let go of the what ifs and am concentrating on recovering. As luck would have it, I'm working on session 8 right now

I sure hope you start feeling better. I've never had pneumonia, but I just got over back to back to back illnesses so I know how much it sucks to be sick for a long time. If all else fails, get a drs. note. Any doctor will be happy to write one out for you. I'm glad you are feeling better mentally...now let's get you feeling better physically.