MG - The Matrix Re-wired

Yes, we will get a back payment. I will have to explain the 'shame' bit though:

I am a PF blogger who keeps going on about the importance of knowing and checking one's numbers. And I missed this one out for nine years! What is the lesson?
Any assumptions can be left aside. I didn't check how much we were supposed to get because I assumed that it is right.

FW

Memory_Girl wrote: »

I know the weekend baking goes down a storm - and the "stuff in jars" always gets a lot of interest, but there is so much going on in my life that I'd like to know what you'd think would help the most.

Off to wake up some boys

MG

A quick de lurk to say I LOVE the baking and the jars! Your recipes always seem to work well for me :-):j

The other thing which I like is your ingenuity (sp?) If there is something you need but don't have you come up with brilliant alternatives. The 'shopping from home' concept. You are a true inspiration to me and i'm sure to many other people.:T

I wish you well for the future and successfull implementation of some of those ideas in your book - - - - sooner rather than later remember!!!!

MM

It's a bit of a long one, and I know what the sensible decision it, but my heart just can't follow!

I've been off work since before Christmas as I perforated my ear drum so couldn't fly. Obviously expecting it to be better within a month, as usual, I just decided to get on with it and enjoy being off work.

Now, 3 months down the line, I've finally seen an ENT specialist (after original gp saying I'm fine to go back to work, then paying to see an aviation doctor as I was still in pain, then going to new doctor for an ENT referral and being told steam will fix it!) and there is a lot more going on in my ears than the perforation. They don't actually know quite what is wrong, until they can get in and have a look. Meanwhile, in the 'good' ear it turns out my drum is stuck to the bone and I need to have it resected and grafted so it should grow away from the bone, plus they might give me grommets to help with my hearing.

I'm on the waiting list now and it could be 3 months until I get in, plus recovery time, then depending on those results, I could need a further operation. While my perforation is healed, I'm still advised not to fly at the moment as it could potentially cause further damage.

Currently, I'm on SSP which with debts etc, I'm going to struggle on, luckily I'm moving in with Mr S so can get away without paying rent for awhile.

Mr S says that this could now be for the better, and I should just quit work, and get a temping job for a while, and looking for something more permanent. I'm capable of working, just not flying but my work can't try to place me elsewhere until I've been told i can't return to flying full stop.

While my head says this is the sensible decision especially financially, I just can't make the final decision to leave. It wasn't a forever job anyway, but being moreorless forced out by health kind of takes my choice away from me. i do still enjoy my job, most of the time, and was hoping to become a manager for a bit before I found anything else. Unfortunately, I also can't just a temporary job meanwhile as that is a sackable offence.

I think because I've been in my job for 5 years now, it's almost a safety net and taking that leap scares the bejeezus out of me which I honestly never thought I would say! I also actually really enjoyed having days off in the week and stuff, but then I guess being able to plan my life instead of waiting for my roster to come out every month would be lovely.

ETA: I have emailed work with the details of what the specialist said, but as my manager is off until tomorrow, I don't know what they think. Occupational health are involved too but not sure how much influence they will have on bringing op forward.

So, I just wanted to ask all you matrix-ers for any advice!

Horace wrote: »

Ears can be strange things. My dad is deaf because he had an infection resulting in him having to have the bones removed from his ear. I seem to be prone to getting irritating ear infections as well although I have super normal hearing:( (super normal hearing can be a right pain because I hear things, even the tiniest background noises that others don't hear).

If you love your job, I would be inclined to stay but go off sick - that way you can get some rest and recouperation before you have your op and take time off after the operation as well. At the moment your ear problem is long term and could be classed as a disability (it is having an adverse affect on your life) and as such your employer should be making reasonable adjustment and if that means no flying then it means no flying and you stay at home or they pay for you to go on Eurostar if they want you to travel to Europe.

Sending you some hugs (((((( )))))))

I'm not sure how long you can stay off sick? I've been off since December 21st, and even my days off count towards the total, I know you get paid for 28 weeks but what happens after that? I just dont know!!

ETA: Thanks for the hugs and replying