It just keeps getting funner and funner

Heard this morning from my HR department. They are forced to stop my paycheck since Metlife has not reopened my claim in over 30 days. Sure makes trying to get better harder to do with no money coming in. Metlife will undoubtedly drag this out as far as they can - hoping to force me back to work and saving themselves all kinds of money (figuring that I'm far from the only person they are doing this to). I'm not sure why they chose to loosen their attack dogs on me, but I think it's just the way insurance works in a difficult economy. Doesn't make it any easier for me and my family to live though. Going back to work now, aside from the fact that I'm not in any shape to do so, would be like admitting that Metlife is right - that my leave was unjustified all along. And it's all because I have a condition that cannot be proven by a lab test or any other relatively inexpensive means. A PET scan (hugely expensive) could show evidence of it (but Metlife would never approve the procedure as medically justified) - as could a tilt table test - but not sure they would even do that. Feel pretty well abandoned by all except my wonderful wife and family and my Lord - whom I need to come through on this one big time. And I thought healthcare was a national disgrace before this came about. Notice how much the new health reform is doing to help me with this as well - absolutely nothing. Some reform. President Obama thinks he's the greatest since FDR, when he's not even scratched the surface of the problems with healthcare in this country. It will continue to get more and more expensive- and I thought the objective was to get soaring costs under control. Silly me.

New Developments

I know I just got through stating that I was not going to continue this, but today's happening's have to be recorded somewhere, even if no one is ever going to read them. My short term disability claim has been denied for the past month supposedly due to lack of sufficient information provided. While that was true for a few weeks ( my doctor, like everyone's is understaffed and busy) - but we've corrected this and sent them all that they asked for - an itemized list. After taking almost 2 weeks to review this, I have been told I must see an "independent" medical expert and be evaluated by them to determine whether or not STD benefits would continue to be extended to me or not. (Like I don't know the answer to that question already) - independent my @ss...
Anyway - I spoke with my benefits department later today and they are most likely going to have to cut off my pay since it's been more than 4 weeks since they've approved an update - even though they've gotten several from my doctor. Not having been born yesterday, it is not hard to realize that I am being forced to a decision - hire a lawyer or just go back to work, sick or not. Since I've worked sick to one degree or another for all of the past 10 years, seems like the latter would be the move for me. Besides, when you've got chronic fatigue (I could kill the person who came up with that never justifiable name) - you get sick of the fight whether it's justified or not. I do just want to say one thing - anyone who knows me knows that I am an honest - to a fault - man. And it hurts having your integrity doubted and denied. Just when I had gotten used to the fact that most people don't believe in CFIDS in the first place - now I'm being asked to stake my financial future on the medical opinion of a doctor hired and paid by my insurance company - gee, I wonder what conclusion he's going to come to? Anyone like to place a bet? I may need it to live on if I don't return to work in the next few weeks.

Apologies - IF anyone is reading

My apologies to anyone actually reading this. I have been out of work the past few months on a medical leave of absence and very reluctant to post. I may abandon this as things like this are being increasingly used - even out of context, as evidence in court etc. Don't expect my situation to come to that, but these days, being honest often does not help. So my apologies to anyone following this and hoping for any nuggets of wisdom - but let's face it, if you've read all the entries up to this one, you've had a long wait for anything worthwhile. Thank you for perusing though. Once I get to feeling better, I will stick with my day job and will not attempt the great American novel.