Please help me explain to my boss

[Eminado]

Hi
I have a suspected (pretty likely) fibroid and am waiting to see my Consultant to discuss scan results and my treatment options - surgery, etc

However my period started yesterday and it is horrific. They normally are awful but this is worse than ever. I am literally dripping blood through my clothes despite wearing a tampon and a pad, i am soaking maxi pads while wearing a super plus tampon.

I also feel sick - nauseous and dizzy and achy.

I am client facing in a fast paced environment and i just cant face going to the loo every hour, checking my clothes and the seat all the time.

I need to email my boss but i am not sure what to say. How much detail?

I also had 2 hours off for the scan last week.

I want to word the email properly so it doesnt sound like i just fancy staying in bed.

Please help. Urgently! Thanks

I'd probably just say about the suspected fibroid and that your symptoms are too bad today for you to come into work.

Just say something to the effect of "I'm sorry, I won't be in today as I am very unwell with personal medical issue which is currently under investigation."

I think you need a doctor's appointment asap if you're bleeding that heavily. In which case tell boss you can't come in as you have an emergency doctor's appointment. I don't think you have to tell them what it's for.

Depends on whether your boss is male or female really. If female, just say that you're having a really bad monthly, if male, severe gynae issues?

Sorry, ignore me. Is it the fibroid that's causing the heavy bleeding? In which case what Toddleoo said.

Sorry if i wasnt clear

He is male

I have seen GP and boss knows i have gynae issue that i may require surgery. He also knows i had the scan and that i am waiting to discuss treatment options.

I was in work on mon and tues and yesterday.

Its just explaining why today my symptoms are so bad i cant come in. Hope this makes sense.

Mabelface, I think I'd say "severe gynae issues " if my boss was male or female. Some women have light periods and may not realise just how bad they can be for others.

Without saying

Hi good morning my period started

Also depends on company policy and whether or not they expect a call when sick, rather than an email.

I wouldn’t say bad period tbh, everyone’s experiences are different and there’s a risk you’ll minimise it. I’d go with ‘Hi X, Following my scan last week I’m experiencing further complications [related to the suspected fibroid - if they know] and therefore won’t be in the office today’.

I might add an offer of checking emails if I was able to keep an eye from bed but I am one of those idiots who does that and I’m aware it’s probably bad to do it!

He is fine with either call or email - he wont make an issue of me being off i just am self concious that ive been talking a lot about my uterus lately.
Maybe overthinking things?

As you know I have ongoing, severe gynae issues which are under investigation. Unfortunately, today, my symptoms are so extreme that I am unable to work for a number of different reasons including nausea, blood loss and pain.

Tbh you don't need to mention the actual symptoms but there's an option there if you would feel better spelling it out!

I would say

‘Gyne issue under investigation is causing severe problems today and I’m unable to leave the house. I’ll let you know how I am tomorrow morning, hopefully I’ll be able to come in.’

Unless he’s 12 I’m sure he can work out what the problem is.

I hope you can get it sorted soon 🌷

Your gynae problems are causing "severe discomfort" today?

I think you're overthinking it. Why have you been talking about your uterus? Keep it vague.

You are having an ongoing medical issue you are undergoing treatment to resolve. These things don't always heal overnight. You'll have months and years (hopefully) of never mentioning your uterus again. It's just the focus of this particular issue at this time.

“Unless he’s 12 I’m sure he can work out what the problem is.”

Thanks for making me smile.

Thank you all for responding - I will send a hybrid of all these now.

Thank you.

Can you work from home today? Do you have a laptop etc?

I'd probably say 'Without being too grim, i literally cannot leave the house today, my symptoms are horrific.'

WipsGlitter - because there seems to be something big inside it that is causing me problems ?!?!?

Yes Molon- am fully able to WFH and that is how i have survived the last few months!

*Moloko, sorry

I get it. You are going through a horrible ordeal and it's hard to get perspective when you are in the middle of it all. It is fine to use any of the explanations in this thread. Anyway- you aren't off because of your period, you are off because of your gynae problems. No need to explain when your period is.

I think you can be pretty vague can’t you? “I’m really not very well today, all to do with this thing that’s ongoing, I’m going to see the doctor today and will let you know when I might be back in when I know more. Sorry for the inconvenience”

Also, meant to say, if this bleeding is unusually heavy and you’re soaking through pads like that then you need to speak to a doctor today please.

I had a huge fibroid so totally understand where you're coming from.

I think you owe it to your boss to be honest! All this coyness about periods and not wanting to talk about them is what makes women soldier on thinking what they're experiencing is normal. Say "I'm sorry if all I seem to be doing is talk about my uterus these days!" if you want to make light of it, but I'd go with what others say about experiencing bad symptoms, possibly having to see GP later.

And also agree that if things get worse you need to seek attention - more than one person I know has had to have a transfusion because of fibroid related blood loss.