Severe asthmatic back at work?!
Question: You work with a soft-spoken, fairly shy young woman who has an incredible work ethic. Recently she had a severe asthma attack due to bronchitis. She was taken in an ambulance to the hospital from work. She returned to work 5 days later. You're all teachers. The 3 days she's been back, she's been trying to teach in front of the kids and be her normal self. However, on her prep periods she rests, keeping her head down on the table with her eyes closed. When asked if she's feeling better she said a little but she still doesn't feel great and said that it still feels as if her chest is tight.
It's been a week since her attack (the 3rd day she's been back). You still see her with her head down when you walk in the office. However, when she's teaching, she's up and about.
What would you think?
Answers: You work with a soft-spoken, fairly shy young woman who has an incredible work ethic. Recently she had a severe asthma attack due to bronchitis. She was taken in an ambulance to the hospital from work. She returned to work 5 days later. You're all teachers. The 3 days she's been back, she's been trying to teach in front of the kids and be her normal self. However, on her prep periods she rests, keeping her head down on the table with her eyes closed. When asked if she's feeling better she said a little but she still doesn't feel great and said that it still feels as if her chest is tight.
It's been a week since her attack (the 3rd day she's been back). You still see her with her head down when you walk in the office. However, when she's teaching, she's up and about.
What would you think?
From experience since I have asthma, there are days I am bothered by it. I go to work and try to function the best I can. But I also rest when I can because you are not getting the needed oxygen, and this makes you feel very tired.
If she continues to work she will probably die or have another attack. If she takes a hiatus she will probably get layed off and be replaced while she is gone. Most likely if people are suspecting that she is in bad health she will get replaced really soon with someone in good health. Health problems are something that employers scrutinize with little sympathy. That's how it works in business, not really sure if that is how it works at your school.
Sounds like she's doing her best in the position she's in. Support her morally when you can.
Its not her fault she has ashma and treatment these days usually controlls it fairly well.
If I were her I'd more to a better warmer and dryer climate to improve her quality of life for the long term.
Climate is the key trigger.