Alomst 3 year DIFFERENT wow moment
Glad to hear you have a new therapist and have started the ball rolling in various directions. GREAT first step.
Now...in answer to your curious questions: FMLA/STD (no, not THAT kind of STD, lol)
FMLA = Federal Medical Leave Act. Federal law requires your job to hold your position for a minimum of 12 weeks (not necessarily paid, but they can't fire you for being out for less than 12 weeks)
STD = Short Term Disability Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is not a state that is mandated to offer this to employees, but many do. Any MEDICAL leave (assuming you have STD coverage at work) pays 80% of your pay. Surgery, maternity, mental health....whatever. And, by law, you do NOT have to disclose WHAT you are being treated for - it is illegal for your employer to ask. All you need is a note/form filled out by your doctor with your date of leave and date expected back at work.
You can also start to look into, if your employer doesn't offer it, to get private STD insurance. Not sure the prices on that.
And as a last resort, and I am NOT suggesting you wait this long....but as a teacher....you have summers off. So if any of the above options don't work, and your new therapist/meds are helping but aren't quite cutting it....you can start the process towards the end of the school year and be inpatient during the summer. Based SOLELY on my knowledge of my brothers inpatient for drug rehab there were "options"....2 week, 6 week, 8 week, 12 week, etc...
Now...in answer to your curious questions: FMLA/STD (no, not THAT kind of STD, lol)
FMLA = Federal Medical Leave Act. Federal law requires your job to hold your position for a minimum of 12 weeks (not necessarily paid, but they can't fire you for being out for less than 12 weeks)
STD = Short Term Disability Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is not a state that is mandated to offer this to employees, but many do. Any MEDICAL leave (assuming you have STD coverage at work) pays 80% of your pay. Surgery, maternity, mental health....whatever. And, by law, you do NOT have to disclose WHAT you are being treated for - it is illegal for your employer to ask. All you need is a note/form filled out by your doctor with your date of leave and date expected back at work.
You can also start to look into, if your employer doesn't offer it, to get private STD insurance. Not sure the prices on that.
And as a last resort, and I am NOT suggesting you wait this long....but as a teacher....you have summers off. So if any of the above options don't work, and your new therapist/meds are helping but aren't quite cutting it....you can start the process towards the end of the school year and be inpatient during the summer. Based SOLELY on my knowledge of my brothers inpatient for drug rehab there were "options"....2 week, 6 week, 8 week, 12 week, etc...
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
Guess i should have spelled them out I forget that not everyone speaks the same language as I do LOL Pam I am sure you can relate. Sorry about that it was sleepy.
EMDR is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)1
http://www.emdr.com/briefdes.htm
essence, EFT is an emotional version of acupuncture wherein we stimulate certain meridian points by tapping on them with our fingertips. This addresses a new cause for emotional issues (unbalanced energy meridians). Properly done, this frequently reduces the therapeutic process from months or years down to hours or minutes. And, since emotional stress can contribute to pain, disease and physical ailments, we often find that EFT
http://www.emofree.com/newcomer.htm#Newcomers
EMDR is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)1
http://www.emdr.com/briefdes.htm
essence, EFT is an emotional version of acupuncture wherein we stimulate certain meridian points by tapping on them with our fingertips. This addresses a new cause for emotional issues (unbalanced energy meridians). Properly done, this frequently reduces the therapeutic process from months or years down to hours or minutes. And, since emotional stress can contribute to pain, disease and physical ailments, we often find that EFT
http://www.emofree.com/newcomer.htm#Newcomers
Jen,
I know head stuff is really tough to deal with after wls. I just wanted to say that you have been a real inspiration to me since I've been on the boards. I've seen your before and recent photos---you've done a tremendous job. Reading about you running marathons made me realize that I can have goals like that, that I'm capable of much more now.
I hope you are soon able to see that you are a beautiful person who is definitely not a failure. Hang in there and keep striving---and know that we're right in there with you!!!
I know head stuff is really tough to deal with after wls. I just wanted to say that you have been a real inspiration to me since I've been on the boards. I've seen your before and recent photos---you've done a tremendous job. Reading about you running marathons made me realize that I can have goals like that, that I'm capable of much more now.
I hope you are soon able to see that you are a beautiful person who is definitely not a failure. Hang in there and keep striving---and know that we're right in there with you!!!
Julia
Jenn,
I read your post and wish I had some magic words to impart, however, you've gotten a good many responses that tell you (1) that WE CARE and (2) that our surgery does not fix the things that got us to where we were presurgery and (3) that it will always be a battle, one in which we can hold our own, but not without constant work on ourselves, physically, but as you pointed out, mentally as well, it's about changing the self talk, learning new coping mechanisms and doing the most courageous thing of all, which you do so well, sharing with all of us the real pain of your journey. I applaud you for coming and telling us YOUR TRUTH and I truly hope that one day, I will read a post that finds you more at ease with you as others see you, a beautiful, intelligent and inspiring young woman! I truly wish that for you.
Hugs, Laureen
I read your post and wish I had some magic words to impart, however, you've gotten a good many responses that tell you (1) that WE CARE and (2) that our surgery does not fix the things that got us to where we were presurgery and (3) that it will always be a battle, one in which we can hold our own, but not without constant work on ourselves, physically, but as you pointed out, mentally as well, it's about changing the self talk, learning new coping mechanisms and doing the most courageous thing of all, which you do so well, sharing with all of us the real pain of your journey. I applaud you for coming and telling us YOUR TRUTH and I truly hope that one day, I will read a post that finds you more at ease with you as others see you, a beautiful, intelligent and inspiring young woman! I truly wish that for you.
Hugs, Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
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