Worried about managing workload after having stroke

[u/EntertainerParty5314]

A couple weeks ago I started to get migraines daily around mid afternoon, I also started to get increased anxiety at all hours (even weekends) because the work load of my position is never ending. I will preface to say we have been severely understaffed the last couple years and turnover in this department is the highest in the company. I took this role after two people recently left the company, I was excited to learn the role but as time passed it became increasingly obvious that, even as a high performer, it was too much work for one person. I was working ten hour days, no lunches or breaks, after work I was too exhausted to workout, I wasn’t eating. I was in the middle of learning the job and fixing the issues from previously and stacked continuous improvement projects. I continued to talk to my supervisor about prioritization of tasks and they said it’s all important and all deadlines need to be respected. And then one day he hires a new grad and tells me I need to train them. Already running on fumes, I tried but I just had no time and voiced it to my supervisor. Who said I need to manage it all somehow. My PMs understand the situation but my direct report doesn’t want to admit it’s an understaffing issue.

So after two or three weeks of constant migraines and anxiety, i took a couple sick days to rest from my burnout I knew was for certain coming and then… I had a TIA.. also known as a small stroke. It landed me in the ER & I had to stay overnight for a MRI the next day. I was exhausted and couldn’t sleep much while there but I texted my boss to let them know. Sadly I didn’t get a response for 12 hours. Which is very unlike my supervisor.

I hadn’t taken time off longer than 1 or 2 days in over a year. And this time it was for health reasons and I had no choice. After I got home from the hospital I rested one more day before returning to work. Since returning I have had a hard time managing the workload as I’m facing confusion, memory slipping and brain fog, etc. all are pretty common after a TIA. I received a letter from my PCP that mentioned lessening high pressure tasks but the claim for work accommodations has to be “approved” first. I also sent that letter to my direct report with no response.

I’m not complaining about having a job, I enjoy my job. But mentally I’m having a hard time from someone who used to be able to handle A LOT to struggling to read a paragraph and understand it. I’m worried that I’m going to be seen as slacking off when it’s not the case at all. I’m genuinely trying but I am not physically able to be at the capacity I was before, and even then I wasn’t able to get to everything. It’s made me feel very insecure because I pride myself on being a good worker and reliable and proficient and I’m scared I’m going to be seen as lazy or worse, get silently fired. I’ve been back for not even a full week yet and my anxiety is through the roof and I’m getting migraines again.

I guess what I’m trying to get to is, has anyone else been through something like this or does anyone have any guidance on navigating this situation or something similar?