Hi everyone,
I’m Joanne and was diagnosed with Essential thrombocythemia (ET) in April this year. I’m 47, currently off work after a very complicated few months of migraines, drug interactions, an adverse reaction to dermatology immunotherapy and then the Essential thrombocythemia (ET) diagnosis.
I already live with a few chronic conditions which affect my day to day capacity and quality of life; chronic migraines, menopause, chronic fatigue syndrome and year round eczema, asthma, hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis, so the Essential thrombocythemia (ET) on top of all this has knocked the wind out of me. The constant tinnitus and headaches make me feel very fatigued, in fact I would go as far as to say I’m quite vague sometimes.
I have about 2 reasonable feeling days per week. I was managing to hold down a part time job for 3 days a week, until my health deteriorated so much last year I have been off sick since November. I really hope to go back, as I miss the sense of purpose and a lovely team of colleagues, but I have a family and I’m worried about having the health and energy to return to work and to be reliable, and maintain my concentration / not make stupid mistakes, etc, as well as having the capacity to look after my family. My husband is very supportive and helps as much as he can, but has a very demanding job, so I do need to prioritise having capacity for the Mum-taxi runs, keeping laundry and sports kits ticking over, etc.
Is anyone else on here juggling multiple chronic conditions and of working age? How do you cope? Are you able to work?
Thank you for ‘listening’. 
Joanne