@Ecila I have to say I like @EmeraldEyes approach. Use your stroke in a positive way. You have lived experience that others won’thave & that will give you an advantage.
You definitely sound ready to give work a try. It’ll be tough but there’s every reason to hope it will be successful. I was very nervous about my obvious disability on my return to work. But I have to say it bothers me more than others & I will shamefully admit that it can be an advantage sometimes as I can send people off to get / do things for me & they happily do so. My colleagues look after me well as I am sure yours will too.
Good luck. We look forward to hearing all about how it goes.
I hope you don’t mind me following up on this but I would (I sure others on this forum would also) love to hear from you.
It’s been a while since we last heard from you and I expect you have been busy preparing for your phased return to work. I hope it is all going to plan and hopefully you will be back to work soon.
When you get a chance, it would be lovely to hear from you
Thanks for your encouragement. I hadn’t intended to stop replying, but I am not great at keeping on top of messages at the best of times
I am well into my return now! I don’t have a regular shift pattern and I am still some way off the hours per week I am aiming for, but we are trying to build my stamina slowly and steadily. I think I’ve had some pretty big achievements but also identified some difficulties - standing on ward rounds is a challenge
Its difficult for me to not be in a state of constant anxiety from the uncertainty - sometimes I feel great, other times I feel like this is going to be impossible and have visions of being let go. I am meant to rotate into a new job in December, but I don’t know what this will be and am very anxious about being able to continue at a sustainable pace (or continue at all - but I am aware my brain is probably catastrophising with that sort of thought!)
I have some really good support who seem committed to helping me come back in a sustainable way, which is very comforting and validating! The colleagues I have met are also very accepting and welcoming, which is amazing. I have been quite private about my experience so far, but am starting to feel more able to tell people what I need. My limitations are not very visible, which feels like both a positive and a negative!
Feel free to prod me for more updates I am getting into a much better routine and might be quicker at replying!
thanks!