Can you write an effective letter?

[Esther]

I need to write a letter than could affect my job.

I need to write a letter to HR requesting my vacation days be restored back to me.

Here's the story.

Two years ago I ruptured my C-6&7 vertebrae. I believe it happened when I picked up a heavy suitcase here at work. Sometimes this suitcase weighs as much as 50 lbs are better. I felt something give, but since nothing happened immediately, I didn’t think much more about it. The doctor did tell me that this is common. Sometimes it takes awhile before it shows up.

Later all at once I had major pain in my right arm. To make a long story short, I had to have surgery as the nerve was being severed.

IF I had gone to workers comp first I would probably have lost my arm. The first doctor I went to sent me to PT and they really messed me up. Basically because they didn’t know my situation was as serious as it was. The doctor had told them and me that I had a herniated disk. He also told me when I told him I was going to see a Neurosurgeon to wait at least seven months before I let them operate. When I told the surgeon what he said AFTER the surgery he said I would have lost my arm if I had listened to him.

I know from several family members that are dealing with workers comp that they had to wait a YEAR before they would allow them to have their much needed surgery. This has caused nerve damage to one of them that may never heal.

Since I have insurance I elected to pay out of my pocket rather than risk my health to workers comp.

Now this past year I had a pinched nerve right above where the last surgery was. I believe this is also related to pulling this heavy suitcase. The doctor thinks this may be the source for all of this as well. It is the ONLY thing that I have done consistently that is different to before I had these issues come up.

I don’t want to lose my job over this, as I plan to quit later, but I would like to get my medical bills all paid off first.

Also, this is three years in a row I have had major surgery, which means I have not had a true vacation. I would love to get away for awhile.

IF you think you can write an effective letter, please do.

Thanks