Drowning in Paperwork

March 3, 2026

Did you know that at some point you become so tired that your body MAKES you sleep? I was able to get a few hours of actual “good” sleep and then slept as fitfully as usual. 

My usual work schedule is a regular Monday – Friday but instead of starting at 8am, I start at 8pm which means I don’t punch out for the weekend until 5am Saturday morning. Yes, sure, I get Monday off up until 8pm but when the rest of the world works days, people just don’t understand that I work nights. 

My shower had a leak back in November and the water was shut off for 3 days and then I had contractors coming in to repair the leak. Yesterday, the complex came out to patch the drywall. They did call first and thankfully the guy they sent out has a brother who works overnights so he was a little more commiserate about my hours. He was back this morning to do another skim coat and will be back tomorrow too. I guess this is where I’m also thankful that my hearing isn’t at 100%!

I’ve said it before but man, why does everything surrounding a diagnosis have to be so hard!?! I double checked my disability/FMLA paperwork and will likely have to cancel one and resubmit for intermittent FMLA while I have radiation. Why can’t I just submit one form (same condition!) for the surgery and radiation!?! It’s just so much more paperwork for everyone involved but I guess I need to be grateful that my company is big enough to have the FMLA benefit and that they offer disability while I’m recovering.

Over text, I had asked a friend the same questions as posed above, they said they think that if they make it difficult, then people will just give up. Goodness, I do hope that is not actuality. Maybe I should have asked the office if the person who DOES that paperwork could also answer questions about other paperwork.

I guess I’m glad that I have these few weeks before surgery to get this all accomplished but I’m also irked that the claims specialist for the insurance company will call me a day or two after my leave starts. All the ICD-10 codes and after-visit summaries have been uploaded to them, they know what I’m having done and clearly my diagnosis code so they think that calling two days after surgery is going to do what? Just let me be!

I feel like a plane waiting for permission to land right now. Just simply circling the surgery date waiting. Unfortunately, I’ll then be likely circling the radiation start date. 

To be entirely honest here, and that is the goal, I’m having mad anxiety but I’m afraid to take more Xanax due to the side effects. 

Maybe just keep that in the back of your mind as well. If you feel the need to medicate, ask if there is an antianxiety that has fewer side effects.