Feel to unwell to go to London tomorrow but no idea how to get out of it

[unsureaboutmyheart]

I have been working with a start-up brand and have organised their first photoshoot for tomorrow, for which I need to attend. However the past couple of days I’ve been really struggling and really don’t feel like I will cope with an 8 hour day in London and a two hour commute each way.
I need to be there because I am supposed to be managing it and have asked all of my team if they can cover but nobody can.

For the last couple of days I’ve been feeling really weak and breathless even walking to the kitchen. I have consistent tachycardia which is making my breathlessness harder to deal with. I’ve also had explosive diarrhoea however today feel so constipated despite having the urge to go and am bleeding from my rectum whenever I try and fail to go. I’m just passing blood and some stool but not emptying my bowels completely. It’s just sort of falling out with the blood.

I have Crohn’s but it’s been okay recently up until this week, but I’m not sure it’s a flare because it doesn’t feel ‘normal’ for me, and I never struggle with constipation.

I don’t know how I will cope getting breathless so easily and feeling how I do. But it’s my business and I would be so embarrassed to let them down.

I was wondering if anyone has any solutions on how to deal with this, it feels like I’m 100% going to have to go.

Please help!

Oh you poor, poor thing.
I'm so sorry as I have no advice to offer, but that sounds really difficult

You will just have to reschedule

You must realise it would be unprofessional to go and deliver an under par service?

@HelloMiss we can’t reschedule, studio, photographer, models, hair & makeup is all paid
for

It sounds like you are not at all well enough to go to London. The blood in stool maybe tearing or piles rather than internal but you really need to call your GP/ specialist team first thing tomorrow for an appointment. You are not well at all. You have put the project together and done your best but your health is more important. Tell your boss ASAP you are simply too unwell. They need to draft in others so give them as much notice as possible, but it's their problem not yours. Get yourself checked out and well again.

oh god you poor thing!! Normally I'm one to say just try suck it up and get through the day, but you sound really really poorly. Is there absolutely anyone you can think of who could take your place? Could you oversee form afar? Hope you feel better soon 🤞🏻

Insurance?

If the brand is worth anything they would be understanding about illness. If they have no consideration for someone with Crohn's it verges on none for disabilities.

Let people know now, don't wait until the morning.

Have people missed the part where the OP says it's her business? There is no boss to call to say she can't come.

.

Ugh OP, I'm sorry you're going through this. I take it there's no way to manage it remotely?

If you're going to be no use or make yourself more ill by going, I'd message them
Now to let them know. Hope you're feeling better soon 💐

What would happen if you had something contagious or were in hospital? Is it part of your staffs contracts that they NEED to be attending these shoots too? Seems odd that ALL your team have said no- unless its not part of their contract and they thought 'hmm, I'm rather just WFH!'.

You need to be checked medically OP. Not sure I'd want to risk explosive diarrhoea on a set, fainting or worse. x

You have Crohn’s disease and you’re losing blood. You sound very unwell. I know it’s far from ideal but things like this happen. Your health is the one thing that’s irreplaceable

Is there any way you can explain how poorly you are and support with the shoot remotely?

Does the studio or the make up artist know anyone who can help with the aspects you were going to do?

Of course you can’t go. You should be going to see a doctor instead!
You will need to run the shoot remotely as best as possible. Next time make a contingency plan!

Sorry to disagree with everyone but I think you have to go. You will feel worse if you don’t - or at least make the attempt.

can you make the travel there easier so comfy clothes, get a taxi to the station, maybe sit in first class if they are paying you expenses ?

Do you have a schedule and a run sheet, OP?

Is there a great EA in your network that can stand in at short notice?

Or does the start-up have someone you've been working with who could stand in?

The rest of the team are working mums and working from home due to half term so it’s too short notice. We don’t do many shoots so it’s not in their contracts that they have to attend. I also have a little boy but my partner is home with him tomorrow.

I had similar symptoms to you and I phoned my GP surgery for an urgent same day appointment and was seen. You shouldn't play down how unwell you are. See a Dr tomorrow.

Irresponsible to go without seeking medical help beforehand

Were I you I would go to a and e. I actually think you need to be seen urgently as you sound very unwell. But also no one is going to a ridge that someone who is actually in hospital should be at work.

I 🤔 think i would see if possible to arrange a remote working appointment online instead

Obviously get an doctors appointment as soon as possible ok..
Take care...

Can you book a hotel room so you can go straight to it after the shoot so you don't have the travel back on the same day? Take a change of clothes. Order room service and get a decent night's sleep before traveling back. I find it odd though given that you are so unwell that none of your employees have grandparents or partners on hand so they could step up even if it's not in their contracts. Can your partner and child travel with you and stay overnight in case you get worse?

Good idea @Pinkfrlls

Given how important the day is they will understand that you must be really unwell to not attend. The world won’t end without you there OP, it’s important of course but it’s just work. At the end of the day you are all working to be able to go back home to your families. So putting yourself at such risk when you have a young family, in order to attend work is silly. And you won’t be giving that shoot your best anyway. You are really quite unwell OP, so phone your client and explain and apologise. They will get by without you. And phone a doctor!

There must be a freelancer in your network who could step in in person if you can remote in via zoom.
I work in telly, I absolutely get the no-one can replace me feeling but health comes first and you sound really unwell.
We had a senior team member become very ill just before a shoot recently and had to find someone to stand in within the day. It's obviously not ideal but they aren't well enough to do the job so a solution has to be found.