It's been eight years, two colonoscopies, an ovary removal, a complete hysterectomy, a hernia operation, bone scans, ex-rays and MRIs, and there is still no resolve to the pain in my left groin and back.

I spent last year on FMLA barely getting paid, and almost six months this year on short-term disability. The company I work for has Signa as their insurance provider, and they make life harder for the ailing. I suppose that's their job. In my case they pay me doctor visit by doctor visit.

I'm told I have to get my attending physicians to fax their notes to Signa representatives in order to get paid. So not only are we living in pain, but we are expected to do the leg work for an insurance company as well. The end of my six months is up June 8, and then long-term disability goes into effect.

Here's the kicker, even though my company provides long-term disability, their policy is to terminate employment to those of us going into long-term. So here's my option: I have to go to my attending physician and ask them to lift the work restrictions so I don't lose my job, even though nothing has been resolved for my back.

I'm told I have to be back to work one month before I can be out again. One of my pain doctors said he will do an exploratory on my left hip. He will fix the problem when he sees what it is, but I can't chance him replacing my hip right now because I'll need two months for rehab.

I'm sitting at home not getting paychecks because my doctor's receptionist gave my Signa representative the wrong fax number to get info to my doctor. My pain is constant, I'm searching other jobs less taxing on backs, but the anti-depressants are keeping me alive. What a system.