fmla?

Hi all . decided to do fmla, i am not very dependable right now, and my job is not a sit in the office type job, i am always out in the field, and the sides hit me without any warning, and it's insane when i need to get to a bathroom now and have to figure out where to go and is there one nearby. i almost had an accident last week (not good) and i am the only female with 5 males. we get along great but they have habits of just popping up on you or popping in if i am somewhere in doors.i did not think it was fair for my team to keep putting them in binds and they are the ones that offered the fmla. they are very understanding it was the doctor that had a problem doing the paper work, i finally told her that she has got to help me, and i explained why, she FINALLY understood. it was really stressing me out. i am going onto 4th week, and have 44 more to go. i will wait until week 12 and see if it is helping me and decide what to do. i am praying that it will be gone!!!!! the fatigue and bone aches and pains are 10 times worse for me now that i started tx, and the brainfog is weird.. thanks for letting me babble on.....

[thegypsy9164]

Hi,
We have 3-months FMLA at my job.  I am taking "intermittent FMLA."  I considered taking it all a couple of weeks ago but after reviewing my short-term disability requirements, how much I would get at 60% of my usual pay rate including having to pay my insurance premiums, I decided I just couldn't afford it.  I am a single father with 17, 15 and 2 1/2-year olds to care for and my income is my only option.  It would be nice to know how to apply for a government grant of some kind that could help pay the bills until getting healthy enough to work again but I don't know of any options like that.  I'll just have to go to work as the half-dead and hope the physical symptoms continue to allow me to work.  I am grateful that I do work in an office setting.  Keep your head up!
Joey

[meakea]

Good luck to you with your decision-making for your employment situation.  I know how stressful it is to try to keep up a job while on treatment.  I have been very fortunate that I have been able to keep working full time and I'm at week 29 of my TX.  I pray I am able to continue.

My first 8-12 weeks were the worst for me as far as going to work while on TX and I remember many days at work feeling like I was a puppet - that someone else was pulling the strings for my arm and leg movements.  I just prayed each day that I would get through the day so I could go home and lay down.  Now, I'm doing better with that part of it.  It's still hard but I don't feel quite so overwhelmed by it and I have developed a routine that helps me get through my work day a bit easier.  I don't have the choice of doing FMLA because the firm I work for is small enough that it doesn't fall under the FMLA guidelines -- thus, I keep trudging forward and going to work.  With the present economy I feel very fortunate to even have a job and I will do nothing to jeopardize it so I don't even feel that I can ask for time off without pay.  

We all know what we can and can't do and I sympathize with you about the bathroom situation.  I am fortunate that my office is situation right next to the ladies room so I can pop in and out of there every hour or less and no one notices.  FMLA is there for a reason so, if you need it, use it.

[nygirl7]

If I had tried taking FMLA my job would have definitely displaced me and when I got back they would have waited the appropriate time and gotten rid of me. I just couldn't afford to take that chance (you know they guarantee you A job but not necessarily YOUR job).

The first 12 were the worst for me (except when I got depressed about week 55 - 72 cause I got tired of it).  But physically the hardest was the time period where I was getting acclimated to it all and suffering from the anemia. The anemia was the worst part without a doubt in my mind.

You might find that once you get to week 12 you are somewhat acclimated and don't need to take the chance on FMLA. I don't know how much it actually pays but I couldn't afford to even think about it since these days I barely make enough to live week to week comfortably.

Here's hoping you don't need to do it, but thank God it is there if you do.

[Trinity4]

Not enough people for FMLA with my job and something tells me if there was it would still be considered unfavorable to do so even though companies must provide it to their employees if eligible.  FMLA by itself doesn't pay anything and is supposed to guarantee you a job once you return.  Doesn't have to be the same job though.
If you have a long term or short term disability policy it should pay a certain percentage of your salary.

"The first 12 were the worst for me (except when I got depressed about week 55 - 72 cause I got tired of it)."

Oh Lordy, truer words were never spoken.  

[nygirl7]

Not enough people for FMLA with my job and something tells me if there was it would still be considered unfavorable

Yup that was my problem too.....didn't matter if they really offered 100% of my salary or anything it was the repurcussions that would have done me in.  A girl here was just diagnosed stage THREE Breast Cancer and SHE is afraid that somehow she will lose her job. I try to tell her that if she did she'd have a hell of a good lawsuit but these days - people can't even take that chance because jobs are so few and far between.

I get you on the "After Week 48 Syndrome" it is the worst.......seemingly unending.......but it DOES and with it will be a nice piece of paper saying SVR for you.  :)  Somehow it makes it totally worth it in the end!

Love Deb

[MYS]

I had to go on FMLA when I was on treatment.  It's only for 12 weeks, it can be used intermitently (or however you spell it).  After that, if you still have paid leave (PTO) like I did, my company let me use that.  Then, if you have long term disability, you may be able to use that.
I did try to hold out as long as possible before going on it, but finally caved in.  You have to have worked for your company a year to be eligible, and you have to have worked 1,250 hours during that year.  
I found that if you want a doctor's note or FMLA form filled out properly, you have to write it yourself, then get him to sign it!
All the best,
MYS