Starting to worry about my job

Hi Everyone, Well with all the complications I have from the surgery and the fact that I spent 18 days in the hospital I am getting concerned about my job. I do most of my work from my home office and I have been doing as much of that as I can. My boss wants me to go to Bend Oregon later this week for 4 days and I still have not driven a car yet do to all the pain meds I am still on. This trip also means I have to drive 7 hours through the most barren land you have ever seen and I am concerned about all the complications that keep popping up on me just when I think I have turned the corner and am getting better. I did tell him it would be a 50/50 proposition that I would be up to going but I think he really wants me to go. Hell I want to go to but I am scared to be so far away from my doctor while I still have a feeding tube in me and 2 drains.I will see my DR. tommorrow for a leak test and hopefully the leak has healed. I still get exhausted after 15 minutes of walking around and then need to rest for 1 hour or more before my energy returns. I think it would be better off that I stay home for this trip and then I go with him for Mothers Day which is only an overnight trip at most. The company has been great so far but I think now they will be asking me to take FMLA which is good for my healing but not for my bills. PLease don't preach that my health is more important as I know that but I also need to have electricity and a mortage payment. I am just wondering what you think I should do. Joel A Droba

Wow Joel, can't they be more understanding? I personally would never try it!!! My thoughts are with you though!!! Becky

Joel - your health comes BEFORE your job. You are in NO condition to take a road trip. FMLA exhausts your PTO time first before it goes to no pay, but it does protect your job. But if I were you, I'd tell your boss that you are not ready to go back to work, espeically a road trip. If your doctor knew what you were doing, he'd strap ya down so fast you wouldn't know what hit ya! Just say your doctor hasn't cleared you for travel yet. Remember, we only have ONE life, but can have multiple jobs. PROTECT YOUR LIFE!! You are in NO condition to take a road trip, Joel.

Did you check with your doctor? My concern would be with all the new germs you'd be exposing yourself to. Take care of yourself, please. Huggggs, Heidi

Joel, Take the FMLA leave and get yourself better. It protects your job and when you get back to work you can work something out with your creditors. Trust me, I've been in collections for 13 years and I know they will be willing to work with you. If you give your body the time it needs to rest and heal, perhaps you will only be out a couple weeks and it won't turn out that bad. If you try to do too much, and your work is expecting 100% output, it could lead to more work troubles in the future. Chris S.

Hey Joel- So in echo of everyone else, I would say it's a bad idea to do this road trip for all the reasons (reading your post, I would say you recognize the concerns) AS far as your job goes however, I do not blame you for being nervous. However, I think that it might be a surprise on how supportive the work place can be--as long as you are honest and up front with it. I would let your boss know that you aren't ready for travel and if need be, get a doc note. Additionally, to lhelp with the bills. ask if ther eis more at home work you can do (if it won't take too much out of you) You don't want to get sick again. Let yourself heal Thinking of you! Courtney

Hi Joel I would just echo what everyone else has said. Your boss is pretty insensitive to make that kind of demand on you, especially with all the complications you have had. Take the FMLA. I did.

I want to thank everyone for caring to respond. I spoke with my boss today and he understands and said I have more than enough desk work to keep me busy for a few more weeks. My boss is not really the problem it is his boss who might make trouble he has told my boss as long as you are ok with him being out then he is ok it. I know I definetly have to be in Portland on May 8th. For this I can drive down with him and it is a 1 day event. My DR. Has released me for all work levels and said as soon as I feel up to it, it will be good. As far as FMLA goes I just recieved a discharge on a bankruptcy and I do not feel that not paying bills at this time would be ok. I will get through this as I am feeling better every day. I did drive today and I was just fine so no problems there. I will just need more rest time while in Portland. Again thanks for caring and nothing I do wil hurt me or make me worse than I am now. The Dr says I am healing great and the little leak I have remaining should seal itself in a week or 2 and then I can start to eat. Still losing weight I am down 44lbs from when I left the hospital and this is with tube feeding. Anyways talk to you later. Joel Droba

Thanks for your reply Joel. I was wondering what you had decided to do. Sounds like you have found a workable situation. Good luck getting that leak to close. Be as careful as you can. I'm tempted to lift things heavier than 10 lbs because I'm feeling healed. Hugggs, Heidi

I would give yourself plently of time to heal considering all you have been through thus far.... I would'nt even consider a road trip or going back to work right now... I understand it's difficult bill wise, but their are options out there for you to where you can at least get some kind of compensation. If your boss doesnt understand what your going through and how important your health is then I think he needs a nice swift kick in the you know what!! I hope things work out for you and good luck Bonnie