Underlying Condition - COVID
for the last several years whenever I got the flu or even the cold it was hard for me to recover. (I have four kids including a newborn and they always get sick). Would cough for 2-4 months after recovering especially when there was cold air either outside or when I got out of a shower. The doctor diagnosed me as having COPD chronic bronchitis. My dad may also have it. Been following COVID and risks of serious illness for individuals with chronic bronchitis. Advised my employer my concerns with being reassigned into a high volume front line service from a head office role. Employer assigned half the team to work from home and the other half including me front line into an area of work not familiar to me nor that I have been trained in (PSW work for the elderly in long term care homes).
Questions:
1. Can anyone share their experiences with having an underlying issue and being redeployed to a high risk setting and how they responded with the employer?
2. In my jurisdiction Ontario not clear on who gets a ventilator if they need one and whether this includes someone that is 49 with an underlying health condition. Anyone aware of the ethical framework for Ontario?
3. Employer now asking for a doctor's note but I'm worried that this will result in a big red flag in my file where if I'm needing a ventilator it will be in my electronic medical file where now it's most likely buried in notes taken a few years ago. Decision I'm trying to make is whether just to risk it and go in (at least I might get a ventilator) or get a note and be flagged as a high risk individual disqualifying me from a ventilator. Any thoughts or comments welcome
Hi DannoWilliams, thank you for posting. I hear how anxious you feel living with COPD, being assigned to work in a high-risk situation, and being unsure what the medical protocol would be, were you to get sick. I hope other members from the community who may also be based in Canada will stop by to share their experiences with you. While I cannot speak with certainty, the article I found in researching your questions suggests that Ontario is being proactive in developing protocols for worst-case scenarios, but has not yet arrived at the point of needing to implement them.
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/03/29/ontario-developing-last-resort-guidelines-on-which-patients-to-prioritize-if-hospitals-are-overwhelmed-by-critical-covid-19-cases.html
If they do reach the point of needing to make those choices about who to treat aggressively with ventilators or not, the document indicates that based on a medical evaluation of the patient when they come in, if the doctor assesses the chance of survival at less than 70 percent, those people would not receive ventilators. Again, this is only if and when a critical overflow of patients and shortage of ventilators occurs. Ontario is working hard to procure more ventilators.As far as whether to request a doctor's note for your employer, I would encourage you to discuss it and your concerns about it with your doctor. S/he may be able to provide further details about the legality of repercussions in having such a note attached to your file and any potential medical care you might require should you contract the virus. Conversations with your doctor are confidential and that might help you make the best long-term choice for you.
I hope some of this is helpful for you! Please keep us posted on how you are managing and what you decide to do. It is a scary time for those with already compromised lungs. Know in this community you are among those who share your feelings of fear and anxiety. We are always here to listen and offer support when you feel overwhelmed. Wishing you a gentle day. ~Allyson (COPD.net team)
Hi DannoWilliams.
According to the Premier of Ontario Doug Ford, you can not be discriminated against for choosing to not take the risk. You can apply for CERB stimulus package. Your compensation will be $2,000.00 per month.
Only you can decide if you want to pull that card. The hardest place to be right now is in the closet with your chronic illness. I understand why you don't want to come out with the employer but until you do they are confused as to why you should be exempt.
We have some employment laws in Ontario that should protect you but only if you choose to expose your disability. Hope this answers your questions. Barbara Moore (site moderator)I tried to explain to my dad he just thought it was funny (he's a regular drunk)
I have smoked for years, but have experienced shortness of breath. Tired occasionally. I am 33 years of ages & scared tbh.
I live a stressful life which doesn't help & put on weight which made me alert to these symptoms. Scared tbh. I want to see a doc asap.
If I'm slowly dying... I would like to know.
I am irging you to talk to your doctor asap. He has medications for you that will help you feel better.
One of the things my doctor told me was that you don't die from COPD, so I should get on with living.
Ask him if you can attend Rehab so you can learn topace yourself while breathing. Barbara Moore (site moderator)
Hi Lee954, and thanks for your post here. I see my colleague, Barbara, has already replied to you with good suggestions.
I'm sorry to hear you're having difficulty breathing at this time and that your dad, was not able to provide you with any support.
It makes Barbara's suggestions even more timely. At your young age, it is important for you to see a doctor - a pulmonologist, if possible. You're deserving of a complete workup - history and physical, suitable diagnostics tests, evaluation, diagnosis and proposed treatment plan and medication regimen. At that point you will have a better and more complete understanding of what your actual medical issue(s) are and how you can be treated so you can feel better. Then, you will be able to 'live your life', as Barbara so aptly suggested.
What do you think? Please do let us hear back from you when you are able.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
I can't breathe 😞
