Open Heart Surgery

[HarleyPete]

Well, I have just been told that I now require open heart surgery at some point. I was dignosed some time ago with a dilated aortic root and descending aorta. This has been monitored but after the CT scan I had on Tuesday I was told that the dilation is now at a point where surgery is the only preventitive option. I'm sure that somehow this will be used to terminate my employment on the grounds of ill health or inability to carry out my role now I have informed HR (despite protestations to the contrary). To say that my life has been turned upside down is an understatement, feeling very "broken" at present.

Has anyone else been through something similar and managed to carry on working? Given my age I wonder if they will simply push for medical retirement as a reason to terminate. I seriously believe that one person above me would be over the moon if I was gone despite having worked at my school for almost twenty years. I don't think my knowledge or skills would be enough to make them think twice about it.

HP

[thecaretaker]

I'm really sorry to hear this, it must be devastating for you. I can't imagine how you feel.

I hope it all goes well for you and you are able to enjoy like to the full after the op.

Keep us informed m8. Will say a little prayer for you.

[Vera]

I was diagnosed with a heart condition some 7 years ago,
It knocks you for six and spreads uncertainty through all that you do and think of doing.
All I can say is that the emotions it raises are no joke but they do subside with time and with the surgery and some physical therapy there is no reason you shouldn't be able to return to work.

I would focus all you can on remaining healthy and thinking of number one right now.
They cannot get rid of you because you are ill and need surgery, there are employment protections in place.
I hope you have a union to help should you need it.

Talk on here if you need to, we will all listen.

[Nigel]

As Vera said
I had a heart attack a few years ago and thought my world had ended, in the back of the ambulance I thought if I can`t work or cycle I don`t want to live, then the stubborn gene kicked in and I thought I will get over this.
They put in a stent and I have been working for 7 years, riding bikes and carrying on as normal.

Yours is more serious but the NHS is amazing, you will get better

[Keyolder]

Take care and look after yourself, I hope all goes well for you and your recovery is swift. I have a friend that has a similar medical issue as you, although he decided to retire a few years early but is still enjoying life 8 years after the operation.

[Dragonrider]

All the best HarleyPete, I do hope you get it in a timely fashion and it all goes well. Forget about work for the time being, your mental health is as important as your physical health and they can both go hand in hand.

[magpie]

Best wishes Harleypete. Just deal with the operation first and don't worry too much about after for now as stress and worry can really affect your mental health. Once you have had the operation you can then start the process of seeing where you lie with the job, the Consultant that you see will be able to advise you as to your future ability to carry out various work related jobs. HR should be able to keep you right and if you are in a union make sure you have a rep to help you. Good luck with it

[PalaceEagles]

I can't say I have been through what you are going through but I can as a parents. My son who is 8 now was born with a hole in the heart. He was operated on a year and a half ago. We new from birth that he had a heart problem and new one day that he may need to be operated on. As a parent I know how you are feeling but I can assure you that it will subside and does get better with time. As much a people complain about the NHS the specialist hospital he is under saved his life, he plays football, swims, rides his bike and skateboard anything that a normal 8 year old does. He is still monitored and will probably need more surgery in the future but I know that the hospital will look after him. Like yours's will.

Good luck and my best wishes.

[Sitesupervisor]

Firstly sorry to hear about your problems.
But if you keep going with life as normal as you can it helps. Not really the same I was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 bowel cancer in May 2021. Was given till --- (The seasonal word only permitted in December) ---. My world fell apart. In Sept 2021 I started treatment which knocked me When someone tells you you're going to die very shortly it changes the way you see things
Could not have gone to work if I had wanted to, sickness from the chemo etc. Sat at home just waiting to die not a good place to be. well, --- (The seasonal word only permitted in December) --- came in 2021 . Then the switch went on I thought they must have got it wrong I am still here. So I started going out for walks when I felt right.
Having chemo every other week.
In June 2022 I was starting to feel more like my normal self so I rang the school and asked if I could come in school. The school was VERY GOOD yes you can come in but not to work. I had a big fight on my hands with Health and safety trying to get back into work. The best thing I did was come back to work. Having worked all my working life having no time off was not for me.
I am still having chemo every 2 weeks and the school knows that sometimes I might not turn up on Friday morning after chemo on Thursday

But you just have to keep going and take each day as it comes I am still terminally ill who knows what tomorrow will bring, keep fighting it and doing what I do and it's not going to change me.

Love work, keeps my mental health in the right place

good luck keep smiling and do as much as YOU feel your able to do.

[MrMoustache]

Well, I have just been told that I now require open heart surgery at some point. I was dignosed some time ago with a dilated aortic root and descending aorta. This has been monitored but after the CT scan I had on Tuesday I was told that the dilation is now at a point where surgery is the only preventitive option. I'm sure that somehow this will be used to terminate my employment on the grounds of ill health or inability to carry out my role now I have informed HR (despite protestations to the contrary). To say that my life has been turned upside down is an understatement, feeling very "broken" at present.

Has anyone else been through something similar and managed to carry on working? Given my age I wonder if they will simply push for medical retirement as a reason to terminate. I seriously believe that one person above me would be over the moon if I was gone despite having worked at my school for almost twenty years. I don't think my knowledge or skills would be enough to make them think twice about it.

HP

I'm sorry and I wish you all the best

I had the worst possible hearth attack (nicknamed The widow maker) when I was 41, obviusvely I take lot of medication and I had to slow down.
It takes a bit to recover but you can have pretty much a normal life.
One of the parameter used to understand the heart functionality is the EF (ejection fraction) but you need to listen to your body, stop when you feel something unusual and plan in advance