No crystal ball.

[allupsidedown]

I have been off work, in hospital and back home again having a bad flare of a long term condition. My work knew about the condition when I got the job and it usually is not an issue. However, it does flare up occasionally and this time was bad and I was admitted to hospital for 10 days. I've been off since convalescing. I’m now reducing my steroids and feeling much better. I was supposed to return to work last week but a set back with the steroids affecting my blood pressure and heart rate kept me off longer. This happened at 3am when I was supposed to go to work at 8:30am so I couldn’t give my head teacher much warning.
I have the hospital again on Monday for my MRI. School have known about this. I said it was unlikely I have been off work, in hospital and back home again having a bad flare. I’m now reducing my steroids and feeling much better. I was supposed to return to work last week but a set back with the steroids affecting my blood pressure and heart rate kept me off longer. This happened at 3am when I was supposed to go to work at 8:30am so I couldn’t give my head teacher much warning.
I have the hospital again on Monday for a MRI. School have known about this. I said it was unlikely I would manage Monday due to the timing and travel back but should be fine for Tuesday. My medication has been sorted and I am feeling lots better.
My head teacher was just on the phone wanting a guarantee about next week and really annoyed when I said well I obviously can’t guarantee anything but at the moment the doctors and I think I’m ok to return on Tuesday. She said that isn’t good enough and really only wants me back when I have no symptoms and I’m off the medication. I tried to explain that I will be on medication and managing my condition for the rest of my life. She got rather huffy, like I am really inconveniencing her. 😢
I now don’t know what to do. I have no idea if the MRI will show that I need surgery or if they are changing my meds to humira. At the moment steroids are holding the flare at bay but that isn’t a long term solution. I am feeling a whole lot better but that isn’t a guarantee.
Any suggestions? I think if she is forcing my hand then I’m not going back because I can’t be certain that I will be fine as the steroids reduce further. She just lacks empathy and made me feel like I’m useless.

She said that isn’t good enough and really only wants me back when I have no symptoms and I’m off the medication
I would suggest you need to seek support through your GP in the first instance so that your HT is clear about the nature of your condition. If it is an Autoimmune condition such as RA or Lupus then you should be able to get it covered as a disability so your employer needs to make reasonable adjustments. What those are will depend on the job you do but until your have that clarity via your GP your HT will continue to see it as an illness to recover from not a life long condition to be managed.

See it from her perspective she needs some degree of predictability but she needs to meet you half way. For example could you get your GP to raise a Fitnote with a phased return so you can get back to work gradually?

If it is IBD you are definitely covered under the Equality Act. Reasonable adjustments may be needed, phased return, ensuring that any absence related to your condition is made clear during return to work interview etc. e.g. I have had a week off after struggling with a chest infection and sinusitis for a fortnight - I will ensure that I write down ‘On Humira, reduced immunity’ where it asks if my current illness is related to a disability. Cover your back!

If your HT genuinely hasn’t a clue about your autoimmune condition then don’t be afraid to speak to them about it or send a basic ‘guide for employers’ to them for info.