FMLA Coverage (March & April)

Hello, everyone.

I have some news. This season has definitely been a test of my Faith, and it continues to test me now, in other areas I wasn’t expecting. My mother went on FMLA for 2-3 months when she worked at a hospital as a Respiratory Therapist. She was paid during these months as normal. This has been my only experience with FMLA. I suppose everyone knew that the state of Texas does not require employers to pay employees during FMLA, but they can if they desire to. My mother was apparently fortunate enough to work at such a company that chose to provide for her during her FMLA season.

In early January I was diagnosed with rectal cancer and had an emergency colostomy procedure due to the tumor blocking my GI system to the point that doctors were afraid I would turn septic. My surgery for the tumor removal is scheduled for Monday, March 6th at 9:30 am. All 4 of my care physicians believe I will not need chemo or radiation, but we are submitting the tumor to pathology just to be on the safe side. (It has been caught super early!) Regardless of whether or not I end up needing the chemo treatment, I will have surgery again (expected to be in early June as of right now) to reverse the colostomy procedure and put my GI tract back in order.

On March 1st, I went to pay my rent. The transaction was blocked by my bank, which I found odd. I checked my account to discover I was not paid by my district. I assumed this to be an understandable error of someone in HR simply not hitting the right button, or my FMLA paperwork being mishandled, incorrectly communicated, etc. I called my district HR and discovered that FMLA is NOT paid sick leave. The FMLA only guarantees I keep my position and that I am not fined for missing more days than is allotted in my contract. Since teachers are paid a month behind and my paid sick days ran out before January 15th, when I return at the start of April I will not receive that pay until May 15th. Luckily, I have credit cards that I was able to pay my rent with and I have had so many people bless me with financial offerings for my medical bills that I can secure my rent until I am paid again in May. However, this leaves all other expenses to the wind. While I am paid by my church still, that money is not enough to cover my current expenses and food. (Expenses being insurance payments, car payment, gas, etc.) I have carefully calculated what I will need to get by with as I HATE having to ‘beg’ for money and will not ask for more than I absolutely need. Luckily, this end is in sight and I will be back to work soon. I will definitely try to get back in earlier than April to combat this. Please give if you feel led. If you know someone who might want to contribute, please forward this. Thank you, all. This will be over soon… and I can NOT wait.

*I am currently trying to see if I qualify for SSDI as well*