It sounds like you are in a lot distress...time off is probably a good idea...100% pay for 26 weeks...not something you will find at just any company...I have 6 weeks at 100% pay and then it goes onto insurance...Short term is considered under 26 weeks and then long term kicks in...

Something you and your pdoc will have to decide when you are feeling more stable about the length of time being gone...when everything doesn't look so dismal...

Hoping the time will help you...

P.S. Most supervisors/companies are not looking to make peoples lives difficult...they are trying to run the business as best they can...hopefully in such a way they can give back to their employees with good benefits (which you appear to have), give back to their community, and make a reasonable profit. Keep it in mind and challange your thinking about this...as it will be the pretty much the same with any company...