Liz - just read your rant Truth! And the fact is, we'd all RATHER work 40 hours than be as sick as we are and either dying to just get to work to keep the job to keep the healthcare, or -in my case- pulled off work. Would I trade in a regular work week/life to be well? Hell yeah. Though mine is for mental reasons (DID; switching too much -due to stress- while working is becoming dangerous), I did have the more severe pain when I was working more hours and standing all the time. The migraines from the noise and chaos, the pain from trying to keep up, the trying not to cry and let it show.
Totally get it.
As of this week, I am not allowed to work. And I feel like I lost part of my identity - my last part. I don't know how I am going to meet my financial issues in the new year (talk about stress). Or my taxes or all the rest. Thankfully, I do have health care thru Medicare.
I'm glad you were able to speak and be heard, Liz.