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FMLA Info - Open Thread

Of you kind folks that have had to file FMLA with your employer, did anyone get a hard time from the employer concerning the wording of the FMLA form?
The doc wrote that I could be off periodically thoughout the year due to my illness and treatment. You'd think that would be good enough, but my HR department is not satisfied and wants the Dr. to spell out that the shots could cause sides, etc.
I think that they are just giving me a hard time. Anyone else have to have their darned FMLA form revised until it is "just right"?
They are so full of it at work with this, they claim that they are "only trying to be consistent", when I know for a fact that some upper management have had cancer treatments lasting the majority of last year and never even had to file the silly FMLA form at all.
Yea, just depends upon who you are around there as to how much grief HR can dish out to you.
24 Responses
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Avatar universal
Hey! Thanks a bunch for your answer. I AM GONNA DO IT !!!!! Love ya, Cindee
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Avatar universal
If this is too personal don't bother responding but are you saying your company decided to get rid of you once your FMLA was up because of HCV? Or did they find some other convenient reason to do so?

I've often wondered if we HCVers get a "red mark" on some HR files someplace and companies look for reasons to fire us because we are a "drain" on their bottom line -- $$$$$.

Take care,

Scott
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Avatar universal
oh my God, you too...blueskies as well...i need mine trimmed too. i have trouble with them rubbing on my stupid glasses even, cause they are suddenly SO LONG.  i went to the clinic today because the irritation from them has caused an eye infection...nasty goopy stuff i woke up with.  and i never wear eye makeup so, its gotta be the sudden 'growth spurt' just too weird!!!
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Avatar universal
My company wanted every T crossed and I dotted on the forms but once that was done it was smooth sailing.

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Avatar universal
Thank you so much for your support and compassion. It's just what I needed - from people who KNOW what this is like.
Thanks everyone!
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Avatar universal
hi honey, i KNOW that you have probably answered this a hundred times...and i remember getting in on this one to way back....BUT.i really CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE...there is 2 1/2 in. of growth, and the 'stripe' down the center of my head is driving me crazy!!!!....could i MAYBE do a little something?? i always do high and low lights (blonde)...i just can't bare living with it looking like this for that much longer.  it seems to have slowed down on falling out and is fairly healthy as i am only washing once a week while on treatment....eyelashes however...could sure use a trim...so weird, the way they are growing. any imput....as long as you say YES!!!!!!!! would be appreaciated..ha ha no REALLY, your proffessional opinion....thanks girlie!
kimmy
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Avatar universal
I agree with kennedge on the appetite suppressants!!  The less you throw in with these combo meds, the better.  One apple and a bowl of soup all day?  No wonder you feel sickly and your stomach grumbles. You have to eat! I find that eating small amounts often throughout the day makes me feel much better and gets rid of the light headed, weak feeling.  Priority #1 = take care of yourself!
ambush :)
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Avatar universal
I agree with mofosr, give them the info. You can insist they accept the form as it is and threaten them with the law and may win this battle but you will lose the war. They won't forget and will make you do everything exactly "right". You don't need any extra grief right now. It's not that big a deal to do what they want so you can get what you want. You can cath more flies with honey than with vinegar(or whatever that old saying is).

MajNeni--Comgrats on finishing and a big thanks for all the help the past year.
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Avatar universal


welcome to the forum

your numbers look good

a bit of advice

stop the appetite suppressants...now...this is a major conflict with treatment, your liver, your mental health

cannot believe your dr would not give you this advice
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Avatar universal
Yes, I've been in the business for 28 years.  I don't know who told you that you have to wait 6 months.  It depends on the condition of your hair.  Some people have no problems with it at all, some lose lots and what is left is dry and brittle.  If your hair is in decent shape, go for it but be careful as always.  If it is extremely dry and brittle, then I would have to say no as it would likely break.  Hope you are in the former catagory.  Good luck
Galen
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Avatar universal
HEY GIRL!!!! I HOPE THIS POST FINDS YOU FEELING BETTER EACH AND EVERY DAY!!!!!!!!!

I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, SINCE YOU ARE A HAIR DRESSER. (THAT IS IF I REMEMBER YOUR PROFESSION CORRECTLY).

DO I REALLY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I AM 6 MONTHS POST TX. (THAT WILL BE IN MAY) UNTIL I CAN HAVE A PERM PUT IN MY HORRIBLE LOOKING STRAIGHT HAIR???????????? I ROLL IT ON ELECTRIC ROLLERS AND IT LOOKS GOOD FOR ABOUT A DAY, AND THEN IT'S BACK TO HORRIBLE!

I WANT A PERM SO BADLY....I NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO LIFT MY SPIRITS. ANY SUGGESTIONS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

YOU HAVE NEVER STEERED ME WRONG IN ANY ANSWERS YOU HAVE GIVEN ME. AND I MUST SAY YOU HAVE BEEN A GOD SEND, TO THIS FORUM. THANK-YOU SO MUCH GIRL.

I WILL BE LOOKING TO HEAR FROM YOU. AS ALWAYS PRAYERS TO YOU @ ALL OF OUR HEP C FAMILY. CINDEE

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Avatar universal
The only thing I can say is that my shots at least 4 or 5 days after my shots because it shows what has been accomplished from the last sight. I would talk to my Doc. to chande my shot day. I know that they can change at least 1 day.   Best to you   Joni
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Avatar universal
Sorry about the titiberi in the last post. It's either blond or brainfog. Joni
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Avatar universal
Sorry, I don't know how that happened.

Chemistry
total Protein 7.6
Albumin 3.5
total Bilirubin 0.4
Direct Bilirubin 0.2
Alk Phos 100
AST 24
ALT 51

Hematology
WBC 4.5
RBC 4.33
HGB 14.3
HCT 42.9
MCV 99.1
MCH 331.
MCHC 33.4
RDW 12.9
Platelets 235
Differential type Auto
Neutrophils 51
Lymphocytes 37
Monocytes 6
EOS 6
Basophils 1
Abs Neuts 2.3L
Abs Lymph 1.6
Abs Mono 03
Abs Eos 0.3
Abs Baso 0.0

Now, according to my PA this was excellent, first time my AST and ALT have been normal.  I have continued the Pegysas/Copegus, and had labwork done yesterday, prior to shot #5, which I haven't gotten results for yet.

Thing is, I'm feeling sicklier, particularly today and yesterday.  All day today I was nauseous, slightly dizzy, constantly sniffling, blowing my nose, stomach grumbles, and a tad of diarrhea.  Tinnitus comes and goes, and my back and scalp are raw from itching.  My chest feels tight to breath, but that's likely my asthma.  I've been drinking plenty of liquids, but had only one apple all day and then a small bowl of soup at Mom's after work.

Until now, I've been taking shots on Wed night.  However, due to scheduling and docs office hours, it would actually be better for me to do them on Tuesdays.  That way I get my labwork done Mondays, and talk to the doc before injection on Tuesday.  Their office is closed on Wed, which has made me wait a day later wondering how my blood work came out.  

Do you think it will create problems if I just move the injection day up one day?  Would it screw anything up if I did it tonight instead of tomorrow night?

On an added note, I've been taking appetite suppressants all alonjg.  I've told my doc and PA and everyone about them, but there is never any comment or concern.  I don't know if they metabolize in the liver or bowel, and if I should be taking them with hep c.

I'd appreciate any comments on any of the above anyone can provide--from labs, to shot schedule, to appetite suppressants.

Thanks much.
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Avatar universal
Hi, I'm tagging on here.

Jan 6 I had some labwork done,  It was after 2 weeks of tx, the day before shot #3. Here are the results:

Total Protein  7.6
Albumin
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Avatar universal
Hey! I did the family leave act too. I took in a copy of all @ any side effects the meds may cause. After that, they approved it. Even told me they would hold my job! Well after 13wks I was too sick to return to work..worked with numbers also. The meds kicked my butt! About a wk after my family leave act ran out, I rec'd a LETTER in the mail to say I was terminated. A LETTER, mind you! As if I didn't have enough depression, a company I worked for, for 5 yrs. didn't even have enough compassion to call me to tell me I was terminated...before they sent the letter. This really HURT me! I worked my butt off for this co., overtime whenever they asked, even put off my vacation once for a fellow co-worker who had a one time free trip. Some people can be so mean. I even took in the pamplets on Hep C, just to let them know what I would be going thru(this was while I was still working). Nobody even took the few minutes to read them! And one of my co-workers was my first cousin. I sometimes wonder how they would feel if something like this happened to them!!!! Hang in there and keep fighting. BTW I went on disability w/ no problems at all. Much love and many prayers, Cindee
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Avatar universal
Welcome, I'm new too, Dec is when I found outI have HepC! What I can tell you is: This forum of first hand experience has been the best for me. It's given me
HOPE,support,info,humor,compassion, a place to let off steam,a place you DON'T feel alone, and answers everytime you post! Stick around, you will become informed in a way that you can conquer this dragon. We are all here for each other! Positive thoughts your way, Annette
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Avatar universal
I AGREE WITH THE ADVICE AND COMMENTS FROM BOTH BLUESKIES AND TWOTELLS...... MY DOCTOR FILLED OUT IN MY FMLA FORMS THAT I NEEDED TO BE SEEN 2X PER MONTH..... FMLA DID ONE BETTER... INSTEAD THEY AUTHORIZED THAT I COULD BE SEEN AS NEEDED...JUST IN CASE I WAS NOT FEELING WELL MORE THAN 2X PER MONTH...I WAS ALSO APPROVED FOR THE PERIOD OF 1 YEAR INSTEAD OF 6 MONTHS...HR HAS NO RIGHT TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL EXPLANATIONS....THEY ARE FOOLISHLY LOOKING FOR LEGAL TROUBLES...WHAT NERVE.... THIS IS BRINGING OUT MY REBA RAGE....I HATE ABUSE.....THEY ARE VERY CLEARLY BREAKING THE FMLA LAWS!!!!     DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED...TAKE WHATEVER ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN....YOU NEED THIS AGGRAVATION LIKE A WHOLE IN THE HEAD....HOW DARE THEY JEOPARDIZE YOUR RECOVERY BY ADDING THIS UNNECESSARY STRESS TO YOU..... MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND LET US KNOW THE OUTCOME... YOU AND ALL OF US WILL SURVIVE..... GOD BLESS.... EDGAR
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Avatar universal
Hope this doesn't make your HR experience more complex and difficult but I too agree with asking your HR Director on what consistent basis do they base their rights on with asking your doctor to do extra work or for that matter, an extra description further to him filling out the form.

What is accepted and what matters is that the form is filled out and not only filled out properly from your physician but that this completed form is placed in your employee file.  I happen to know that it is not legal for HR or other employees from your job to request separate paperwork containing further explanation as to your condition or side effects that you may face because of your treatment and medications.

If this persists, your employer may be looking at a bigger battle than just your doctor knowing that he/she has filed the FMLA and submitted the form properly and not complying with your HR demands.


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Avatar universal
Now that was funny!  LOL!
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Everyone here understands the "freaked out" feeling!  Welcome to the board.  There's a very good chance you'll be fine to keep working.  Keep a positive outlook and a smile and that will help alot ~ oh, yeah, and come here when you need a boost :)
ambush :)

This is a clipping I've carried in my wallet for 30+ years ~ I though all the warriors here could relate to:

It's an old saying but true: "Necessity is the mother of invention."  A little frog was trapped in a deep rut in the road.  All the other little frogs tried to help him out.
"Jump Out!" they said, "You can do it!"
But the little frog just couldn't see how he could get out of that rut.  Finally, his friends gave up.  But hours later, they saw him hopping about joyously.
"How did you get out of the rut?" they asked him.
"Oh," he said, "a big truck came along and I HAD to get out."

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Avatar universal
Freaked out is a good description.  I haven't started treatment yet but I go to my orientation/class tomorrow night.  I can tell you this as the only experience I have now is "waiting to start".  I had/have a whole lot of questions and fears.  Just by reading what the others are going through and how they handle their lives, is a great comfort.  I don't know if I will be able to work full time.  I am a legal secretary and spend the majority of my time trascribing. Hopefuly, I can designate Fridays as my shot night.  That will give me the weekend to recoup and be ready for work on Monday.  I'm just hoping that the sx work around MY schedule and I don't have to work around theirs!  Keep reading here and asking.  The group here will guide you through.

Jamie
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Avatar universal
im new and not informed on sides
im a waiter, can you still work
is forgetfullness high
i have to think on my feet in a fast pace enviorment
im freaked out on this whole thing
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Avatar universal
Sorry, I have no information about the work situation yet.  I wanted to jump in on your "Open Thread" with something I received from my sponsor this morning.  I hope you don't mind.

POWER OF PASSION

When your spirit is battered and your energy is depleted, and you feel like you can't go on, you can go on. In fact you can surpass all you've ever done before and reach a new level of accomplishment. It is amazing what you can do when you know you must. It is incredible what you can accomplish when it means everything to you. But how could you ever be that passionate, and so totally committed that you would endure any difficulty in order to reach ever higher? That's a good question, and one that would be very much worth your time, your thought,your effort to answer. Somewhere in you is something you sincerely care about enough that you would transcend any obstacle in order to give it life. Somewhere in you is a burning passion ready to be ignited.
You'll find clues in the things that make you happy, sad, angry,
frustrated, joyful, serene, in the things that make you feel most alive. Pay heed to those stirrings, and listen to what they have to say. The power of passion is somewhere in your life. Let yourself know it and live it.
Jamie
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