Monday, Monday

"Case of the Mondays. Write about something that gets you down, burns you out, or makes you sad. Purge it in a blog post. Turn it around at the end. Tell Tuesday why you’re ready for it."

Now this is the perfect prompt for today. When I originally read it last night I was thinking about coming up with something on my own. But after today, it's looking pretty spot on.  It started this morning when I got this e-mail:

____________________________________________From: M  Sent: Monday, November 07, 2011 11:26 AMTo: EmmyCc: N Subject: Request for FMLA Approved - EmmyYou submitted an FMLA medical certification for intermittent time off work for Emmy. Your medical certification was approved and an approval letter has been mailed to you. You are eligible for up to twelve weeks of FMLA leave for each calendar year, at this time starting November 4, 2011 through December 31, 2012. The estimated time off for FMLA is up to two times every three months, five days per episode.FMLA Requirements:So that there is the least disruption to the workplace you are expected to provide your management team with a 30-day notice of your FMLA leave time off work if your leave is foreseeable, or as soon as you become aware. Please also forward us a copy of your upcoming appointments for our records.
In addition you are expected to plan your scheduled appointments before your shift start time, during lunch or at the end of your work shift. However, we do understand that there may be minimal notice with some symptoms related to the serious health conditions noted on your medical certifications.
No other medical documentation is required at this time. For example, we do not need medical documentation to substantiate your medical appointments. However, we will seek clarification from your health services provider if there is a pattern of absenteeism not previously noted on your medical certifications on file.
Time Card Management:If you miss a portion of the day for FMLA purposes, then please enter the hours you worked and discretionary time (accrued vacation time if no discretionary remaining) for the FMLA time off for that day. In addition please note in the comments section the amount of time off that day for the FMLA related reason. If you miss the entire day from work and have exhausted both your discretionary and vacation time, then please code your timecard as FMLA - "36".
Please use the attached worksheet to keep track of your FMLA time. Your management will also track your time off work. At the end of each month your management will forward us a copy of the worksheet for review. Please let me know if you have questions or need to discuss the above information is detail. In addition you are expected to plan your scheduled appointments before your shift start time, during lunch or at the end of your work shift. However, we do understand that there may be minimal notice with some symptoms related to the serious health conditions noted on your medical certifications.No other medical documentation is required at this time. For example, we do not need medical documentation to substantiate your medical appointments. However, we will seek clarification from your health services provider if there is a pattern of absenteeism not previously noted on your medical certifications on file.

I took out the names and added a highlight to point out to you the part that I'm going to talk about. I had to pull out my new calendar and come up with a list of expected appointments. I sent M this:

From: Emmy
Sent: Monday, November 07, 2011 11:57 AMTo: MCc: NSubject: RE: Request for FMLA Approved - Emmy 

M:

At present I have the following medical appointments pending:

Thursday Dec. 22, 2011 12:30 – 2:30

Friday Dec. 23, 2011 1:00 – 2:30

2 unscheduled around Jan. 12, 2012

Friday March 2, 2012 8:30 – 10:00

Tuesday April 24, 2012 8:30 – 10:00

2 unscheduled around May 15, 2012

Unscheduled around June 24, 2012

3 unscheduled appointments around July 16, 2012

Unscheduled around Aug. 2, 2012

Monday Aug. 20, 2012 9:30 – 11:00

Unscheduled around Sept. 12, 2012

Unscheduled around Oct. 24, 2012

2 Unscheduled around Dec. 19, 2012

These are regularly scheduled follow-up appointments. If I have a medical issue that would require added attention then some of the follow-up appointments may be scheduled more frequently. In addition to the appointments listed above, I have weekly physical therapy sessions that take place before work on Tuesday mornings and a bi-monthly appointment that either takes place after hours on Tuesdays or Saturday mornings. From time to time a few of these appointments will be rescheduled either by the doctor or me due to scheduling conflicts. I do generally try to get the first available morning appointment or one that takes place near lunch. That is not always possible.

I hate that I made out that list. I know that I see doctors often, but this gave me a number. 44 visits for regularly scheduled appointments and 52 physical therapy sessions.  96 office visits (the equivalent of one every 3.8 days) every year and this is if I don't get sick. If I do get sick the number goes higher and I haven't had a year in the last 8 that I haven't faced some sort of medical situation.   This exercise in futility has left me really bummed out. No wonder I spend so much time trying to figure out which medical expert I can write off. Yeah, I'm kind of burned out on my health right now.

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

Sorry about the formatting. Blogger changed it when it published and I can't undo it.
Emmy