feeling bad about taking a sick day . .

**Hannahs mom** · 02-18-2008, 07:38 PM

Why do I always feel horrible when I need to take a sick day?? I have 13 days a year to take, so I have the days. I just hate going to my boss and telling her that I need to leave early or be off one day. I've had to do this a couple of times this year because I'm not able to leave school until around 3:45. The dr.'s office closes at 4:30 and I've had to leave to take my dd to a well child appt. (they only do these before 12:00) and then had to leave early to take her to the dr. when she was sick.

My mother in law and mom take turns watching my DD. My mil isn't in good health and had to take gamma gobulin transfusions last week. She now is in the hospital with possible spinal meningitis, a side effect of the transfusions. Anyway my mom isn't sure that she can watch DD on Wed. and I'd hate to ask DH to stay home because he's been taking care of stuff at his mom's and plans on staying at the hospital with her tonight and tomorrow night. So, should I let my boss know that I'll need to be off on Wed. first thing tomorrow, or should I wait and hope that my mom can watch her. This is probably one of the worst things about being a working mom . . .

**Jskell911** · 02-18-2008, 07:41 PM

I agree so much. DS has been so sick for over a week and I felt guilty for taking one measly day out to care for him!

**AmyBoz** · 02-18-2008, 08:44 PM

I feel your pain. I always wonder, "Am I REALLY sick enough to stay home, or could I make it through the day." It's a tough choice.

**Edna_E** · 02-18-2008, 08:56 PM

Me too. I'm the same way about my vacation days.

**dcompton** · 02-18-2008, 10:24 PM

I would explain the situation to your boss - within limits and depending on your relationship with him - so that he will know that you may need to be off. Spinal meningitis is serious; it's not like your mil has the sniffles and is just feeling a little under the weather.

**jenloveschip2001** · 02-19-2008, 10:47 AM

I am sorry to hear that your mil is sick. I'm sure that work will understand. I live pretty close to you, if there is anything that I can do just send me a pm.

**Hannahs mom** · 02-19-2008, 11:26 AM

Thanks, JenlovesChip2001. That's so sweet of you.

I've got Wed. covered without having to get a sub, but I know that it's going to be a long road. My mil has leukemia, fibromialgia (sp), and diabetes. She took the gamma gobulin transfusion to try to boost her platelets so she could have a liver biopsy. Her dr. seems to think that she has Wilson's disease as well. We've just found out that the transfusions didn't boost her platelet level enough to have the biopsy. So, she has said that she's not going to do anything else . . . Of course, I'm just hoping this is her being upset about all the side effects and having to be in the hospital, etc.
Surprisingly, she was in pretty good health before the transfusions last week and has been able to watch my DD with no problems.
I'm assuming that I will need to take time off if my mom isn't able to watch my DD in the future. Ok, I'm rambling . . . . sometimes it's just nice to talk, even if I can't actually see you guys. I know I'm not the only one out there who feels the need to be at home, but has to work.

**VanVivCam** · 02-19-2008, 11:55 AM

I LOVE sick days when i am not sick. Hey...you have 13 right??? might as well use them! And it sounds like you are needed. At least you get paid to be off work. I only work parttime so I don't get paid to be off work now. Only my hubby pays me for my days that I don't go into the office.

**shoiji** · 02-19-2008, 12:08 PM

I can understand how you feel. Depending on what you do, you could talk with your boss, if you needed a day at home and work from home. But I would only do this after speaking to your boss ahead of time and getting it approved. This also lets your boss know how committed you are.

**PAVallygrl** · 02-19-2008, 01:11 PM

13? Gee, I wish we had that. We get 5 and it's Use 'em or Loose 'em. With the way things have been going lately, No Raise, No Bonus, more people to tend to (started with 2 people I was responsible for now we are up to 6 (and then have to cover 4 others from time to time) and NO additional Pay) well, it's take what ya can at this point. Nope not guilt whatsover. Take 'em, they are yours ENJOY!

I hope your MIL will be better soon.

**Hannahs mom** · 02-25-2008, 10:18 AM

PAVallygrl - we get 13 but those have to be used for any long term leave (like a maternity leave). So it's good, but you have to save those days up before a baby comes along, or you have to take no pay days. It's not the best, but hey it could be a lot worse.

Update on the MIl - platelets have come up and she will be having a liver biopsy soon. Her attitude is getting a little more positive. She's decided that she will fight whatever this is.