AW: You Can't Make this Sh*t Up (A Epic GIF Story)

meredithcarole · January 2015

Okay, so here's a funny (ironic) story:

Originally my surgery was going to be done laparoscopically and require a 6 week recovery. They did all the FMLA paper work and put a return date of January 28th.

What the hell was I going to do for 6 weeks!? I was going to be bored out of my mind.

But then, when I went in for my pre-op appointment the doctor said she thought she could do it robotically instead!

Well that's fantastic! Now we are looking at 2 - 4 weeks. My job is very active, however, so I opt for the 4.

Anyway, at my follow up on the 7th I get them to give me updated return to work papers for the 18th. I am kind of worn out, however, so I opt to not drive to work to turn it in, but rather go home knowing that the following week I have to be on that side of town for a surprise party and I can turn it in then. It seemed like a good idea at the time...

So yesterday I turn in the paper work around 2:30 and proceed on my way to the surprise party, but I get a phone call just as I am parking... Turns out that there is no "MD" written after my doctor's signature so they can't accept the paperwork. They tell me to have the doctor's office resubmit.

What!? You're kidding, right? I'm so annoyed I forget to ask for the fax number so the doctor can fax it in and the call was from a "private" number so I cannot call back to ask for it. Fantastic.

Alright, whatever. I will go back to the administrative office and get the number when the party is over.

So when I go back to the desk I get promptly ignored. I finally get someone's attention and she gives me a slip of paper preprinted with the fax number and the phone number for the leave administration team without ever saying a word, but she conveyed plenty in the look she gave me.

Sigh. I immediately dial the office number for the doctor. It is 4:28. Someone answers! I don't even have to go through a phone tree!

I am halfway through my explanation, I get in the car - the call drops.

FML. I spend the next 30 minutes going in circles on the phone tree trying to get a human being, but it is too late in the day.

So, I set my alarm for bright and early this morning so I can catch them in time since the RE's office is only open until 1 pm on Fridays.

I call and get a live human, but she ends up having to put me through to my doctor's nurses' voicemail. So I leave a message....

But, they call back almost immediately! That never happens. The nurse thinks it's funny. It's no problem, she'll draw a smiley face if that makes them happy. The fax is already sent!

You'd think the story would end here, wouldn't you? No such luck.

So I give it about 2 hours and call Leave Administration to make sure they are all good. They, however, have no record of the fax.

So, I call the nurse back. At this point they skip the formality of me leaving a message and just put me on hold while they find her. She swears she sent it, I tell her I totally believe her, but I verify the fax number to make sure I didn't screw that up. Nope, she has the right number. Do I want her to email it? Well, I don't have an email address for them, but I suggest she fax it once more and then email me so that when the office closes there won't be any issue because I will have a copy.

I wait (somewhat impatiently) and about 30 minutes later the email comes through. I glance at it and yes, it says "MD." We are golden! I now have everything I need to make this work out!

I met H for lunch (after all, angsting works up quite the appetite) and once we are done I call the Leave Administration again. They still don't have the fax.

At this point it's almost 2:30. I tell them I have a digital copy (along with the 2 fax call reports showing it was received somewhere) and I ask if I can email it. They say they don't normally allow that, but given my situation they will make an exception. Great, thank you. So I send off the email and go in for my haircut appointment (which I am late for, by the way). When I am done and I am on my way home I call one more time to make sure everything is in order. The have it. they got the email.

Oh, but wait...

The paperwork doesn't say the 18th, it says the 28th.

And thus I will not be returning to work on the 18th as I have no clearance....

Congratulations for making it through! Drinks for everyone!

renegadewhit · January 2015

How frustrating! You deserve a drink. I think you should just call this next week a vacation and rest up/work on building your stamina back up for when you do return.

firefly143 · January 2015

What a shitty situation! So sorry you can't return to work as early as you were hoping! (Hugs) maybe you could join like a cooking class or painting class that's only a couple weeks long so you aren't so bored!

meredithcarole · January 2015

Well, I will be returning on Monday (I certainly hope the RE is open - it's MLK day) unless there is some unforeseen catastrophe. As it is, my boss is none too amused as she now has to work on Sunday.

meredithcarole · January 2015

agpjt413 said:

OMG Mere!!! As many mounds of paperwork they fill out on a daily basis, they always manage to screw things up, it seems - UGH! (How was the party, btw?)

The surprise party was good. It was one her work threw for her, not the one I am planning, but she was genuinely surprised. I am feeling a little morose about the whole thing today, though (it is partly stress, I think).

Km380 · January 2015

Oh my! That's so ridiculous! Sorry it was such a hassle.
Love the gifs though

CC1017 · January 2015

Oh goodness. I want to bang my head against a wall for you!

Nikolie93 · January 2015

Oh my! I really hope you don't take offense to my laughing but the gifs were absolutely perfect!

I'm sorry that happened though, how frustrating X(

meredithcarole · January 2015

Nikolie93 said:

Oh my! I really hope you don't take offense to my laughing but the gifs were absolutely perfect! I'm sorry that happened though, how frustrating X(

Laugh away. If you can't find humor in a ridiculous situation all is truly lost.