Sick of Being Sick

I have been struggling with chronic IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) for the past couple of years and for the last few months it has really been debilitating. In fact, I am on FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) protection which means if I am sick and out of sick leave, I can be absent from work and my job and benefits are protected. This is truly a blessing to us... because although my paycheck suffers (big time... I normally take home $1900 per month and for April I took home $537. Gulp!) my job is safe and my benefits are still provided. However, it is very stressful to be sick - Take last week, I was out for 4 days... Yikes.

The hardest part is that stress and anxiety exacerbate the condition - so, it wasn't pleasant to come in to work this morning and have one of my co-workers give me the silent treatment. Apparently, she thinks I get sick just to make her life hard... Which is hurtful to me because I try so hard to be a team player and to leave work on my desk with thorough and complete notes or instructions... Oh well, what doesn't kill me makes me stronger... Right?