Hi Timmo. My earlier response was for you in case it wasn’t clear. X
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Some great advice above… hope it works out for you.
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I am terrified of going back to work! I’m shielding because I have recently gone into remission from Burkitts Lymphoma (forgive the spelling) and have very bad anxiety if I have to go out. I haven’t been in a bus since March but I work as a bus driver! My specialist wants my to remain on furlough for the maximum time to give my immune system a better chance to recover and for the virus to subside in the country however my employer is trying to bully me to go back. I don’t know what to do.
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Hi @Chris_S, a great big welcome to our community forum. I bet you are anxious and I expect you will find so many of us on this forum share your anxiety and it is compounded for you because of your occupation. I expect you do not know what to do. Perhaps your specialist might put something in writing for you, or your GP. Are you a member of a union or do you have an occupational health department?
We are all here for you and also the wonderful Blood Cancer UK Support Services Team on 0808 2080 888 10am-7pm Monday-Friday and 10am to 1pm Saturday and Sunday or via email at support@bloodcancer.org.uk is there if you would like to talk. Take care and please let us know how you get on.
Thank you so much. I am part of the Union and I have been in contact with HR who are siding with me on the matter however their company Doc is currently assessing my medical notes and will band me as with “green, amber or red” for my level of risk. I am petrified of them making a decision that may put my life at risk.
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Hi @Chris_S, it sounds as if you have done all you can for the moment, please let us know how you get on and it is natural to feel anxious and petrified. You have got the support line number above if you need it. There is also information on the Blood Cancer UK website that may be of assistance to you. Take care.
Hi Chris, a warm welcome to the forum! It’s so understanding you’re feeling anxious about this, I’m so sorry to hear that your employer is putting the pressure on for you to go back, that sounds really stressful for you. I’m glad you’ve got the support of your HR department. Have you spoken to your specialist about your workplace’s process in identifying your risk level?
Also Chris, may I ask if your company doctor is aware of the opinion of your specialist? As you will know, your specialist will be best placed to give you most appropriate advice for your own individual situation as they will know you best.
Please do give us a call if you want to chat anything through, we are only a phone call away!
Alice
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I am long retired so returning to work doesn’t apply to me fortunately.
The government’s advice that high risk patients can pause shielding from 1/8 is bulls***.
I asked my GP about this yesterday, he told me I should disregard this and carry on shielding.
I’m still at just as much risk as I was at the start of the lockdown, even more so as many people are no longer social distancing. Reducing social distancing from 2 metres to 1 metre plus is a disastrous decision.
Covid 19 is still with us and infection rates are increasing.
A second wave is fast approaching, if not already with us.
Anthony
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Hi Anthony, very true.
Hi Anthony, how was your GP appointment? If you don’t mind me asking how are your feet and are you able to get any exercise?
I had to fill out E assessment first, which was very lengthy and required loads of answers which were totally irrelevant.
I was asking about stiff toe joints only.
I deleted the whole lot and left message for my doctor to call me back.
He did and said unless there is no pain it’s nothing to worry about.
Slight swelling on foot with plantar Faciitis which is due to me trying keep weight off my heal when walking.
Still hurts a lot and as I’m using a walking stick it does throw me off balance, I’ve tried lots of gel inserts. I’m using the one that works the best.
In the conversation a raised the question about shielding and you saw in my previous post the reply he gave.
Totally different subject—
My daughter can no longer do my shopping due to school holidays as her autistic son behaves so badly in shops. I ordered online from Tesco delivered last Sunday.
Never again, 6 of the ready meals all had the same best before date, one had best before the day of delivery. I complained vehemently to customer services who refunded me the whole order which I dumped.
They assured me it wouldn’t happen again, which I don’t believe for one moment.
When I used to do my own shopping I’ve seen the order pickers just take the first item from the shelves.
I’ve placed an order with Sainsbury’s for delivery this Friday, all frozen this time. Hopefully I’ll have a weeks meals that are safe to eat this time.
Best wishes to you Erica
Anthony
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I mean heel not heal, human error. Sorry
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Anthony that sounds so frustrating about the Tesco delivery!! I’m so glad they refunded you. I hope Sainsbury’s do better on Friday!
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You should find Sainsburys really good Anthony I shop regularly with them online both back in “normal” life and in shielding and they are excellent at sending dates well in advance - and if anything is near the end date their policy is to email beforehand so you know and can refuse the product when delivered if you wish - so you should get a better shop!! Also to say Iceland are very good on deliveries too especially for smaller shops as they deliver usually next day, you only need to spend £25 and their slots are easily available. All the best
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Hi Anthony, I’m also a happy Sainsburys shopper. Yes, as you have said before your daughter certainly has her hands full. Please let us know how Sainsburys do on Friday.
Dear Jilly, Alice, and Erica,
Thank you all for your replies.
I’ll let you know how the Sainsbury’s delivery goes.
When I complained to Tesco about their delivery I said that the majority of the online shopping staff were lazy and incompetent, they responded with a grovelling apology plus a £4 gift voucher along with my complete refund…
Best wishes
Anthony 
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Oh Anthony, you have a way with words, I await hearing what you spend your complete refund and £4 gift voucher on.
Hi I can really relate to how you are feeling. I have CLL and are on watch and wait. I work in a very large secondary school and I will be in a bubble of 300 I am still waiting for my school to do my risk assessment as in my normal role I work closely with challenging pupils as a learning mentor. I have no idea what provision my school are putting in place for me but I need to keep my self safe as I will also be travelling by public transport. I have emailed my school several times about the need to complete RA but no response. I have been told by my union I will not be able to return to work until I have RA in place. Very stressful time for me. Does anyone please have any further suggestions what I could do to quicken the RA process. Thanks.
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Some useful info here - they have a webinar on this topic 2.30pm tue 4 aug Prof Chris Fegan one of the experts - always worth hearing
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Hi @myrdin, thanks for this information and info on the webinar. How are you doing?