What's new, not much. Been working. EMG was normal and I don't have a desire to get zapped and stuck with needles, not a fun test. After inquiring about my pain level (5-8), the doc said I didn't need to come back unless I got worse. Worse is 7-9? Unable to walk? Everything going numb? Well, that what it was when I first saw him. His big advice was to lose weight and do the exercises in a little pamphlet. For that, I had 3 MRI's, a CT Scan and an EMG. I'm kindof glad I'm not going back. So, what am I doing? Seeing another doc, getting a second opinion, ie I filed an industrial claim.

Aside from all that, I had discovered I am hopelessly behind on reading fics and surfing sites. While I was laying around being most useless, other more enterprising folks have set up shop selling everything from t-shirts to coffee mugs to suport their web sites. Ok, I did set up a ring system but that is free. And I now have a minidoll maker, also free. I made some IncrediMail stationary, also free. I really don't have the knack for this I can see now.

Sent to me and thought to share:

What not to say to a naked man:)
1. I've smoked fatter joints than that.
2. Awww, it's cute.
3. Why don't we just cuddle?
4. You know they have surgery to fix that.
5. Make it dance.
6. Can I paint a smiley face on it?
7. Wow, and your feet are so big.
8. It's OK, we'll work around it.
9. Will it squeak if I squeeze it?
10. Oh no... a flash headache.
11. (giggle and point)
12. Can I be honest with you?
13. How sweet, you brought incense.
14. This explains your car.
15. Maybe if we water it, it'll grow.
16. Why is God punishing me?
17. At least this won't take long.
18. I never saw one like that before.
19. But it still works, right?
20. It looks so unused.
21. Maybe it looks better in natural light.
22. Why don't we skip right to the cigarettes?
23. Are you cold?
24. If you get me really drunk first....
25. Is that an optical illusion?
26. What is that?
27. It's a good thing you have so many other talents.
28. Does it come with an air pump?
29. So this is why you're supposed to judge people's personality.
30. I guess this makes me the early bird.

And my additions:
31. Oh it's an innie.
32. Do you have a magnifying glass?
33. I thought you said you were a guy.

Fic food it is.

Better doesn't describe it, got a call from HR, still no info from the doc's office, the required forms haven't been submitted. Seems when they wanted clarification and the doc's refused without getting in writing, they never asked as they are not required to do that, it's the doc's job to provide it. They don't have enough info to give me light duty and of course they don't even have the forms showing that I have regular duty. And the doc's didn't follow thru with the FMLA forms as promised. I have to meet with them tomorrow.

So, I called the doc's and of course the help hasn't filled out the forms and told me flat out not to be rude to them. I did remind them, they had been rude to me and had not done what they promised. So, maybe they will fill it out, maybe not. They are in no hurry to do it.

Legally, I am screwed. I did seek advice and was told that my employer can give preferential treatment and discriminate. Basically, they only have to do the minimum required by law which is why noone wants to do anything. If no law forces them to accomodate me, they won't. And I can't do a thing about it. Several coworkers said they would speak up for me but I was informed they wouldn't as they would get fired for doing so. My only hope is that the doc fills out the form. If not, I can get another doc which really doesn't help me much. in the here and now. Well, I did file for industrial as my bulging ie herniated disc is a common injury in my profession. If approved, I will beg for another doc. I am tired of all the crap.

I am counting the months til we can have another union election. Mind you, I doubt I would be suffering from all this crap if the union won.

It just gets better and better. I chatted with the coworker who was getting preferential treatment last night. She is still getting preferential treatment, she has doc's orders. And my boss never told her she would have to get a desk job if she couldn't work elsewhere when we were closed. He said he was going to when I called him on the discrepancy. Another lie.

Today, I called the doc's office to check if they got insurance approval for the procedure I am scheduled for tomorrow. Nope, they just got the paperwork today. I then asked if they filled out the Family Medical Leave Act forms. Nope again, cause I went back to work. I explained they wouldn't let me return to work without them and that the office had promised they would be in HR by today. They don't seem to grasp the significance of needing the forms to protect me from being fired for being sick and I am unsure if they will fill them out. I also called HR and explained my unhappiness at the doc's office not following thru with what was promised to protect my job and that I was unhappy about my boss discriminating against me. I also mentioned I was filing workman's comp on the advice of my attorney. It is safe to say I am not happy.

One of my coworkers asked me if I got my gift certificate. I replied, "What gift certificate?" She then told me that they got together and gave me a gift certificate and my boss had it. I did have to pointedly ask my boss about it as it was in his care and he cared not to tell me. I did eventually get it. And upon return, I got to hear the story behind it.

Follow the tale of "Stupid". "Stupid" was married with 4 kids, 3 living at home. She was known for her incredible stupidity like taking the dogs to the vet cause they got stuck together. The vet had to tell her the dogs were having sex and it was normal. I guess it's not a problem with a tiny penis but it can happen with dogs.

Basically, in a nutshell he hubby got her pg, he was caught cheating on her by her daughter and she threw him out. I don't know which happened first nor does it matter. She worked briefly after surfing the net to find out her options re child support (I actually found links for her is why I know) and I am guessing other stuff. This is somewhat important.

She became so stressed over the situation that she wasn't able to work. She allegedly had pseudoseizures. So coworkers rallyed to her aid bigtime. The boss made sure that when long term disability, etc came in that, cause she worked overtime, she would get more compensation than she would for her base hours. Staff on two units took up a collection for her and provided her Thanksgiving. And one coworker wanted to adopt her family and provide their Christmas. Legally, that was against the rules but they did take up a collection for her.

Here's where I came in. Unbeknownst to me another coworker (a true friend) complained that if they collected money for her, they should for me. The coworker who wanted to collect for her saw no need to collect for me as I was in a better paid position. My friend informed then I was out of time off and refused to donate unless the money was divided equally. She did ask how much I got as she wanted to see if they kept their promise. I believe they did.

There are a couple more details. When my boss took me to HR so they could tell me my options, they basically told me they had nothing. The emergency help was a one time thing and only applied if one was going to lose one's house or car. They did not offer short term disability. My only chance for assistance was if coworkers would donate PTO (their vacation days). I informed my boss who naturally never said anything to anyone else about that option. And I didn't feel it my place to beg people for PTO (essentially begging for money). If he wanted to help me out that way that was his perogative. Sides, the point became moot when the doc said I could work light duty. Then it became an issue between my employer and me and why should anyone donate when I could work.

I must add my friend is also miffed at that coworker cause she told my friend, who had a baby a few months ago, that she should give her baby clothes and stuff to this other coworker when she no longer needed it. I can understand her feelings as I had ex relatives who expected the same of me. I do feel it a bit nervy to expect that from a coworker.

Now for the biggie. "Stupid" isn't so stupid when it counts. Her husband (don't know if they are divorcing nor do I know the status of her child support) is paying the mortgage. The people at her church are paying her bills. She is on welfare, WIC, and is getting food stamps. When it comes to working the system and getting others to care for her, she is doing a wonderful job.

So, charitable giving can be quite a sticky wicket. Even for me, right now I am working. But I don't know whether and how much of my medical problem is industrial or not. I don't know which insurance or any will cover the costs, it gets rather sticky. I don't have time off to take care of any problems. And because of the way I have been treated at work and fear more of the same whatever I do, I am hesitant to do anything without legal advice especially since AZ is a "right to work" state. They don't need any reason to fire me.

OK, I have some good news. After the doc's office was quite snippy on Thursday despite my copious use of the a word (attorney) and insisted the doc wouldn't let me work, I left a final "if work didn't cause, aggravate or contribute to the condition, I should be allowed to work. If it didn't, it should be industrial." Most of the hassle is cause everyone (bosses, HR) is saying it is not industrial (no specific injury date to claim) they don't have to do anything. I even went down to Employee Health, talked to the nurse and picked up the industrial claim forms. I also called to make an appointment with an attorney specializing in industrial claims.

Well, shortly before 4PM on Friday, I got a call from the doc's office. I can work. They faxed the order to my boss's office then I found out he was on vacation. So, I called back and asked that they fax it to my unit. Several phone calls later and I am set to actually work. And after multiple pages, calls, and messages over a two day period, my boss finally called, said he got someone in Education Dept to give me light duty, then I told him my news that I can work regular. So, I am staving off poverty for the moment. No telling the results of the next test thou.

Now at to the suggestion my boss let me work light duty, ha! Well, now that the doc said I can work regular duty, they won't give me light duty unless the doc changes the order. And now that I am back on the schedule, I am scheduled to work the night of my EMG. Hopefully I won't get any drugs during the procedure that will prevent my working that night as I would be penalized, up to and including being fired if I didn't show up. And if I have a particularly bad and/or busy night and am in more pain cause of it, I dare not say anything lest I get fired. I was run ragged my first night. I never even got a break to eat either, not uncommon but I usually can sneak in a few bites occasionally. They do have people that may give you a break to go grab some food but don't expect them to do anything while you're gone or when you return. They will chat with coworkers while my meal gets cold cause I am working.