Well on the 19th of this month I go back to work on a full months phased return. The company I work for have been brilliant with me all through this hard time and have put no stress on me. I couldn’t have asked for more. I go back on a half shift 2 to 3 days a week with a meeting every Monday to see how I’m doing. Am I nervous you bet I am. But I’m ready for the next step in my recovery and hopefully this is the right step. But who knows. Have you gone back to work and found it helped or found you struggled with the return process.
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Morning Gnasher
Excellent and encouraging news. Personally want to thank you for posting.
Im due to start a bit of work in January. I retired (almost) 3/years ago and since the stroke has reduced or stopped my activities I felt this may be the way forward. Reestablish a social circle too. Aiming for just 2 days a week initially thankfully my new employer is flexible and understands the situation. God willing it will work out. So I found your post encouraging and look forward to hearing how it goes?
Cheers……
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Hi, That’s great news. Unfortunately I have never been able to return to work but there are lots of contributors on here that have done and I’m sure someone will jump on and offer their advice and share their experience with you.
Good luck on the 19th and I wish you well and look forward to hearing how it goes.
Sending positive thoughts and regards Sue
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@Gnasher well done on getting yourself back to work and I hope you’ll return to work goes really well and very smoothly for you. Sounds like your employer has been great which is really good to hear as not everybody has the same experience.
I returned to work about 18 months after my stroke. I went back on a phased return starting on just a couple of hours a day a couple of days a week and building up from there over a 12-week period. For me I never made it back to full-time hours and I now work part-time and take every Wednesday off. Although you feel ready to go back to work watch out for fatigue. I found it much harder going back than I ever thought it would be. Try and take regular breaks throughout your working hours. I found these to be really important. Don’t be surprised if you find it a little more difficult than you expect. Persevere as it will get easier in time. Also don’t be afraid to rethink your hours if you are finding it harder than you thought
Most of all good luck and I hope you settle back in smoothly. Look forward to hearing how you get on.
Best wishes
Ann
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Gnasher, glad to hear that your making your way down recovery road, I just made it back for the second time. Different manager with a better outlook have been back and know myself when to take some time out and taking it more slowly this time. It is a good feeling and felt that I’m in control again.
Good luck and take care on this part of your journey.
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Thats great news and I wish you all the best.
I too am going back to work after 6 months off at the beginning of December. I am mostly looking forward to it but also know it will be hard to start with because of fatigue.
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Hello @Gnasher - I just want to wish you all the best as you embark on a phased return to work 
From all you have said, I expect things will turn out fine. With a supportive employer and planned reviews to see how you’re doing every Monday, this seems like an ideal way to return to work and I am sure any nerves you may have will melt away - btw, it is good to be nervous
We look forward to updates from you on how you’re getting on, so don’t be a stranger
Happy Wednesday
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Well 1st of all thanks for the kind words of encouragement. How did it go. Well I managed just short of 3 hours. Coffee on arrival made by the deputy manager and a welcome back from available staff. 503 emails to check and 503 emails still to check. Told just enjoy been back. I can’t find any faults with my return today. Ok I was anxious and very nervous before I went in but it passed quickly from the support given and the kind words. I’m back in again on Friday and again told you will take it easy again. Oh but get your own bl###y coffee next time 
. What a fantastic company I work for and I’ve told them all that today. But yes it was good to get back and hopefully Friday will be easier to go in. Was i tired you bet I was when I got home. But hey I did it.
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Well done - enjoy your rest day tomorrow and don’t underestimate what you have achieved.
It seems you have a wonderful employer and colleagues and this will help make return to work that much easier
Take care.
Thats great news. .glad it went well & sounds like your employer is really good too.
Hope all goes as well tomorrow.
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I have to admit last night I was so tired and found myself in bed at 7. Today I’ve been doing some housework to help the dear lady of the house. We do share the housework. Only thing I’ve never been aloud to do is the ironing. I did it once and that’s another story work have been great and i got a text this morning saying how was i this morning.
Like you I’ve already mentioned I would like to cut my hours at some point. But that can wait till the new year. After my phased return I’ve put in holidays to cover only working 3 days max. And from the 23rd Dec I’m off till the 2nd of Jan.
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I won’t ask about the ironing tee hee. If you’re like my husband it’s better that you don’t go anywhere near it. 
I too used some leave on my return to work to ensure I could work fewer days whilst I got used to being back at work. I did find though that I did need to permanently reduce my hours and I’m very glad that I did so now. Your employer sounds great with them checking in with you this morning. Enjoy your Friday at work.
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Just an update on how works going. Last Wednesday was good to be back on phased return. Should have gone in Friday but wasn’t feeling great so didn’t go in. Work brilliant with me. Monday this week went well 4 hours and been in today again 4 hours and all good. Hopefully in again Friday for same hours.
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Glad this week is going well work wise. I hope Fri is good too. You did right not going in last fri if you weren’t feeling great. Just take it slowly & adjust as necessary.
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