u/SuchAGeoNerd

I recently had an emergency surgery and a week-long stay in the hospital. When I contacted my boss and work about it, HR made me apply for short term disability since I was out of sick time. I applied and dealt with the stupid insurance company. But surprisingly they actually gave me 8 weeks full off starting from when I was admitted to the hospital. It's been a rough month but I'm finally feeling life myself again.... But I'm also starting to feel guilty about taking another 3 weeks off when I could get back to work. My boss seems to be supportive when she checks in on me, but I can't help but feel like I'm letting the team down. I've literally never had more than 2 weeks off in a row since I was in high school so I'm going a little stir crazy too.

So I'd love some advice on how to not feel guilty taking this time off and how best to phase back into work come September. I'm also a little worried all my projects will be permanently taken over by someone else while I'm gone.

Edit: you people rock. Seriously thank you for the kind replies to kinda snap me out of it. I realized I'm super burned out from this past year and this break is desperately needed. If it wasn't the physical illness that took me out, I'm sure I would have ended up on STD eventually. Considering my incisions aren't even healed up yet I was being crazy thinking I should be working.

I'm going to fully disconnect from work and focus on myself for 3 weeks. Maybe even longer if I need it. I won't feel guilty taking time.

I've been put in the field a lot more recently and I have to wear a standard hard hat. The issue is I have to have it so tight on my head so it doesn't fall off while I'm working. Every time I kneel or bend over to pick something up it would fall off. It's so tight I can't make it 3 hrs before I get a headache. 12 hr days are hard which a constant headache.

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I'm thinking of going to our HSE person and ask for an alternative but I'd like to come with specific requests or solutions.

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Any tips on alternatives or solutions? My only thought is more like a mountaineering style helmet with a chin strap, but I also don't really want to stand out so bad on site. Those helmets seem super polarizing to people.