Hi,
I was diagnosed with Myelofibrosis in October 2024, I am currently not having any treatment and I'm on watch and wait. I have also been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my knees and potentially in my back (I am awaiting MRI Scan results). Last year at the end of August I was admitted to hospital for a very bad case of infected gastroenteritis. Due to me being so poorly my recovery was very slow and I had to take time off work and wasn't able to go back to work till the end of October. A week after returning I was diagnosed with the cancer.
For context I am a teaching assistant in a primary school. Work have been very good with me and made any reasonable adjustments that I have needed and I have reduced my hours to 17.5 a week as with the fatigue I physically can't do a full day.
Unfortunately over the last 12 months I have had to have time off due to stomach issues that can't be either confirmed or denied that is related to the cancer. I also had 3 days off two weeks ago as my knee gave way due to the osteoarthritis and it was painful to walk on.
Myself and the headteacher have had fortnightly health check in meetings to see how I'm coping and if there is anything else that can be done to assist me. Unfortunately I have also had to have regular attendance meetings as I've had so much time off over the last 12 months, I've never been issued with a warning either formal or written, however at my meeting last week my headteacher has said she needs to seek advise as I've hit triggers due to my absence, this could potentially lead to me going to panel to discuss my future. My headteacher was very reluctant to make this decision but feels that she has no choice.
I am concerned as I don't know what my future holds and I'm worried that my job my be terminated, I know that cancer is classed as a disability and I'm covered by the disability act but I'm unsure how I'm protected or what I'm entitled to if my job was to be terminated.
Any advise would be very grateful.