Pre-Test hurdles.

Chapter 2:
Preparations? Amongst my contemporaries that are still with me, I have the most hair, and the most health concerns. So I had no one to ask guidance of.
2 things I knew.
1: My manager/friend of 12 years had to be told. I had a few weeks to gather information. He was to say the least a bit shocked. Of course telling me to do what I had to do. He was able to guide me to the benefits department and whom I should exactly speak to.
I work in the corporate headquarters, so this should account for something. I called and was assaulted by the many numbers that were on her voice mail. Hell how about just some polite human guidance. It must be very difficult for others to have to go through this. Seems no one wants to extend the human touch anymore.
So I staked out her cubicle. When an opening appeared I presented myself with questions. Thankfully it was someone I knew, made it a bit easier. I asked for explicit instructions.
For instance how did I do short term leave? Also when were benefits going to be re-opened, because I was certain that I didn't have long term. I also asked about what to do about returning, because I expected and still expect to return.
The company we use is called the Hartford. Had 30 days prior to open an claim. She recommended that I do it within a week or so. She also gave me instructions that all of my time off would have to be used up before L.O.A. would be instituted. And once it was I would get approximately %66 pay for 26 weeks. It would come in 2 checks, one from the company and one from the Hartford. She also informed me that my supervisor would have to create an epaf on my first day out.
Coming back, let the Hartford know and my supervisor 72 hours before my return.
That seemed all relatively easy. I spoke with my manager who know about the epaf and he wished me luck. Next was a call to my insurance company who seemed to indicate none of this would need to be done in advance. I was then ready.
The 20th came. The Dr. office was filled with people, mostly older than I. In a small way it didn't give me much hope. I was 20 years early for this I felt. I also determined that I would no longer be able to refer to myself as old. Some looked okay some sickly. Unfortunately this office is what I call the cattle call. Go to billing window, clock in, wait to be called. Far to busy.
It didn't take to long for me to be called, by a nurse. Ushered into a little office. The Dr. came in, we went over my chart. Over each of my medications. My cardiologist had sent him my results so we went straight to an ekg. It was determined that I would be eligible for an electro physiology test. I was to go to the other window and schedule the test. That was that. I asked my questions, got papers to read and we were done.
I went to the secretary window. Given paperwork to read. A very detached woman wanted to know when I wanted to schedule this test. At this moment it still did not feel real to me. I felt this would be a test and nothing more. Wasn't this the way it always went? They apparently only did the test on Monday and Wednesday. When did I want it? It was Tuesday, I opted for the following Monday, this way I could be fully prepared with everything. I was informed that the pretest would happen before my appointment. They would call me to let me know. The nurse then handed me several booklets for me to peruse. 1 about the test itself, 2 others on the defibrillator and pacemaker.
I returned to work the following day. Explained to my manager so he had all the information. I also rechecked with benefits. On the Thursday I was informed my pre-test would occur on Friday. Thursday would be my last day at work.