I have been out of work for the last two weeks, July 22nd through August 8th. I have received various mailings from the worker’s compensation board but nothing has been relayed to me by my employer’s claims service representative. Also I have not heard back from the physical therapy office which was ordered two weeks ago. Meanwhile, I have a re-evaluation today with the w/c doctor and I hope she has me out another two weeks because nothing has been done or improved.

The corporate office representative has not contacted me once. I sent an email the other day asking when compensation for my LOA will be processed. I just received a letter that the Worker’s Compensation Board has assigned a case number, so perhaps that may be the hold up. The paperwork also says, “You have not reported any loss of wages for this claim.” I will need that fixed but I’m not the one who has to fix it.

I will NOT call my corporate representative. I want everything documented, so if this whole thing goes sideways, I have a paper trail of what was said, to whom, when and their response, if any. If this isn’t properly taken care of that is the fault of my employer. I should be penalized for their incompetence. Hopefully it doesn’t come to such in the future.

I received one call from the physical therapy office last week. After a round of calls, I got the authorization from my doctor to send it to them. Now I understand there is a process through worker’s comp so they must be waiting for approval before calling me from an appointment. I did get paperwork of such documentation from another third party (employers insurer, I think) stating it was approved and within guidelines of my worker’s compensation case.

Again, I want to thank everyone for your emails to me regarding the situation. All have been read and I responded to many of them. I still have many more to reply to, so be patient. Your positive support has boosted my morale. While I still worry of the future, I don’t worry as much. One day at a time, right.

Today’s visit with the doctor is a re-eval. I wish I could go back to work but I just can’t. First, still can’t walk around the block. When I go out the door I am fine. Five to ten minutes later, I don’t know if I put my foot the wrong way, step on a crack in the sidewalk but a pain shoots up from my toes, through my knee to my hip. Sometimes I have to clutch on to something close for balance. I have fallen once. A neighhor happen to see me out their window and helped me up. That is what I’m scared of – falling and no one able to help me and I have to call 911. I still have an outstanding bill of $1K+ from a visit before the worker’s comp claim was filed (which reminds me, I have to send that to the rep to see if it will be covered. I have groceries delivered. Yesterday I had wet cat food (40 can pack), kitty litter (25lb bag) and various other items. Just carrying the wet cat food and definitely the kitty litter was a chore going up the stairs. When I’m at home I am fine most of the time. There are times when I wake up, take a step and still have to wait 10-15 minutes to even begin walking. I am various meds, they do help but just meds and take home exercises for the hip and knee aren’t doing anything.

Honestly I can’t afford another two weeks at home without any kind of compensation. My funds are running low and I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I have to remember that is not today. Today, I have what I need to survive another day. Someone reminded me of patience too. Things aren’t going to happen I want them. I have to be patient with the various processes and keep hope that all will be taken care of in the near future. We’ll just have to see how the visit transpires today.

On a last note, I only drank four beers total last night. I was just tired of bringing that can to my lips for what? Relief? No, it just masks what I am going through. I need to face my fears, tackle my worries and move forward. Just one day at a time.

Thank you all for reading and being patient with me during this situation.

MK