Sorry, I posted this in another forum too but I think this may be more relevant to apologies for the double post!
Hi all,
This is probably going to be quite a long message so please bear with me and thanks for your patience.
I have been studying with the OU since 2010, towards a LLB Law degree. I have managed to obtain amazing grades so far but it has been tough going as life has not always been easy (not looking for sympathy and certainly there are people that go through worse).
One exam I had a postponement as I was actually ill with a bug on the day (turned up to the exam and spent most of the time in the toilet). That was 2012.
Last year I assessment banked the module I had completed the overall assessment side of the module before the exam and am now due to sit the exam next week. I assessment banked before the exam as my overall assessment was amazing but I had some really hard times at home in the run up to the exam and it made life hell from August last year to more or less May this year. I think I am now over that period of trouble though (touch wood). HOWEVER, I unexpectedly found myself pregnant over a week ago (complete surprise.....other two children are 11 and 7 so wasn't planning on anymore now) and am suffering from horrendous sickness, so much so I self referred to the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit this morning as I have felt so ill and helpless and my GP had no available appointments. I have no energy, I am faint all the time (I did actually pass out yesterday), I am constantly gagging and heaving, I can barely keep anything solid down, and I am now struggling with fluids. Plus I feel like I constantly have the shakes. They done a urine test and said it hasn't got too bad yet as no ketones in urine but I have lost 3lb in a week through this. My blood pressure is also high (142/86) and I am suffering from headaches (probably as a result of the constant heaving!).
Therefore, I am beginning to wonder how on earth I will be able to sit this exam! And panicking now because I think as I assessment banked from last year, I will not be allowed another opportunity. I would really like a discretionary postponement to get me past this period in the pregnancy but I am not sure whether I will be eligible? I would really like to ring the OU but I am terrified they are going to tell me no and just think I am coming up with excuses to avoid the exam!
It is worth noting as well that I suffer from depression and anxiety....neither of which are being managed well at the moment. Not only do I am trying to digest that I am pregnant and dealing with this horrific sickness, but my husbands business is failing seriously and close to being liquidated, with HMRC breathing heavily down his neck and making threats about our assets, but also my grandfather has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and has been given weeks to live. I am struggling to get out of bed in the morning due to feeling so physically ill but also mentally ill. My poor boys are really suffering as I can't be the mum to them that I want to be because of everything else going on. I don't want to be around anyone as I am an emotionally time bomb and with the worry of the exam now I am just about ready to explode.
I really don't know what to do.
Sorry for rambling. My husband is not good with 'talking' and I haven't told any of the family about my pregnancy yet so I'm trying to cope all by myself.