[bmwbzz]

I know no one can really predict how long recover will be, but I guess I'm wondering about backslides and whether people had sudden recovery or things went slowly (working 2 hours then 4 then 8).

I hit my head on a pipe about 2 months ago. I continued to sort of work - they were really good about things and let me come and go as needed. I am a programmer and working at the computer for an hour or two at a time would make me nauseaous. I also have trouble focusing, extreme fatigue, etc. Sometimes I'd over do it and be out a whole day. After about a month, work seemed a bit ... less sympathetic so I asked to just do an official half time. After about 2 weeks of that, I got "talked to" about my "work ethic" and not getting enough work done. At this point I knew there was no way I could do more than I was doing, so I asked to go on medical leave.

I have been on medical - with NO pay at all - for 2 weeks now. The first week I slept a lot, but felt fairly functional. This week I've felt terrible - I've been sleeping about 14 hours then having to nap, I have headaches, nausea etc. Also, right before I went on medical leave I developed tingling/numbness in my right arm and pins and needles down my back, which often make falling asleep difficult and I've been tossing and turning more.

Anyway, the point is that I originally thought I'd be on leave for 2-3 weeks, but now I can't even imagine working 8 hours + lunch + commuting anytime soon. Is it possible I'll be fully function after a week? Or should I hunker down for a couple more months?

I finally am seeing TBI specialists. I have an EKG and neuro psych eval next week and we have increased my anti-depressants and I have Xanax for when my anxiety gets extreme. I am feeling hopeful that at least I am in the right hands.

My husband is currently not working - he is a student. Even if he got a full-time job, I don't think it would cover our rent and my medical bills - we have an extremely high deductible, live in NYC, unemployment is very high here, and the holidays are a hard time to get hired for non-seasonal things. Our savings are low due to my husband quiting work for school this year, paying for school, a dog with Cancer, and another dog needing surgery.

How have people approached family/friends regarding money?
Has anyone done anything like **? (On the one hand, I'd want to help a friend in need; on the other ... well, I don't have cancer and we're not starving etc)
I am mostly worried about the things we need cash/checks for - certain doctors and rent. We don't have pre-existing credit card debt so we will do that as needed.