A seriously ill work colleague
VoodooChic
Posts: 9,868 Forum Member
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Gradually he's been getting thinner and thinner in the face and body and complaining about feeling tired all the time - I've been saying for about 2 months for him to go to the Dr to get checked out - but he won't in case it's something serious!! FFS!!!
Anyway I've been off for the last 2 weeks - I was shocked by his gaunt appearance and now he's grown a pot belly and his voice is frail. Again I told him to go - he has diagnosed himself with water retension! and is taking pills for that.
I told my manager who then told the boss....he had a word with him about having time off but he refuses to acknowledge it.....very concerned
Anyway I've been off for the last 2 weeks - I was shocked by his gaunt appearance and now he's grown a pot belly and his voice is frail. Again I told him to go - he has diagnosed himself with water retension! and is taking pills for that.
I told my manager who then told the boss....he had a word with him about having time off but he refuses to acknowledge it.....very concerned
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Comments
It may be something serious, or something far easier to treat such as a food intolerance. My ex BIL became intolerant to wheat and lost a lot of weight very quickly. After diagnosis, he changed his diet and put back on some of the weight he'd lost.
You cannot know, unless the person tells you, so I would advise caution.
In practical terms, you have voiced your concern to the person concerned, and, unless you are a personal friend, I would now leave them be.
You cannot make him go, although it sounds like it could be serious.
Speaking as someone who has just recovered from a serious illness, he should really get to the doctors, I would be dead if I had not gone.
I think its quite a common thing though, people don't want to face it and would rather carry on until they can no longer, not a good idea.
If he goes to the doctors and it is serious, he will be treated and made comfortable what ever it is, and if he can be made better it will only be a short term suffering for long term gain.
On the other hand it might not be serious at all. Although from what you describe it does sound serious.
I was thinking something similar. You must respect your workmates privacy. You have offered help and can do no more.
Our firm retained a private doctor for use occasionally when there was concern about someone's health. It may have been used most often where someone had a lot of days off sick, just to make sure that there was a genuine illness.
Not saying that's what they have, just a possibility and either way someone needs to get them the doctor.
On the other hand, maybe he is seriously ill, and knows the diagnosis but is currently in denial.
It's obvious what advice the op is asking for.
Most of the "medical advice" threads have uninformed replies (as has this one already).
The OP is simply asking for advice on how to encourage a colleague to get checked out.
That is good, I was suffering for a couple of months with feeling tired, it was only when I had pain and fell ill at work that I went to the Doctor.
I should have acted earlier and if I did I may not be on chemo now, but it happens. thankfully, my cancer was still caught earlyu enough, one operation and a few does of chemo and hopefully I will be back to normal.
But yes I can understand why some people do not bother going to the Doctors, they do not want to know what is wrong with them. I hope they sort him out and it is not as serious as it look.
Really? I can't see any (except the one you replied to, which was uninformed by any actual proper reading of the original post...).
Glad OP's colleague is off to the doc's.
As no-one knows who I am or who he is - it matters not. Whatever the news - I shall post here if I feel like it - I suggest you don't open this thread again:)
Of course you shall (and I will read the thread if I choose, being concerned for the privacy of the person concerned and not my own sensibilities). However, my suggestion was purely that, a suggestion, and one which I think has merit (I have an interest, you see, but that is a private matter). I wasn't having a go.
You disagree with me, which is your choice.
He, or his family, might read the forum though, and could possibly recognise the person described, from the information you've given. I appreciate it's all anonymous though, and that scenario is unlikely.
Guess what, it matters not at all if a person can be identified. The sense of betrayal is the same. If they find out of course.
My original comment was regarding an update request, and to consider the option of not updating with potentially unpleasant news. I would still suggest that posting any such news is inappropriate, and may not be appreciated if the subject were aware of it, regardless of anonymity. Maybe that's just me, but that's one more than none.
You are correct, it could be anyone.
I agree with you . Some things are not for posting online on an open to all forum .
Or his shrimps, whelks or starfish?
First chuckle of the day....