work problems- don't know what to do

Today is my third day back to work after about a week and a half off for the holiday.  I am completely exhausted.  I feel like someone's been beating me with a stick.  If I feel like this after only 2 full days of work, how am I going to make it through a full week next week?  I'm not sick enough for disability, but I'm not healthy enough to effectively work a 40 hour week.  I live on my own and support myself- I can't afford to work part time.

Just before Thanksgiving my boss sat me down and told me that if I didn't get better soon he would have to replace me after the first of the year.  He's quite obviously watching me right now, and monitoring my progress.  I can't afford to lose this job.  The insurance is phenomenal and fully funded by the company.  What do I do?

I'm thinking about asking for a temp to come in and help with some of the seasonal filing work.  Our fiscal year is the same as the calendar year, so it's time to start all new payables and receivables files.  The system I worked with last year was inherited from the girl who had the job before me, and it just doesn't work for the volume of sales.  Old files need to be packed up for off-site storage.  And the supply closet needs a complete overhaul- you don't dare go in right now without a hard hat.  The idea of trying to do all this myself makes me want to curl up under my desk and cry.

I know he'd be open to having someone come in for these specific tasks.  What I'd really like is to find a way to cut my hours back some, too, at least until my third Remicade treatment on the 16th.  That's the part I'm not sure about.  On the one hand, I honestly don't know how I'm going to make it through working full time.  On the other, I'm afraid to ask for what I need, because I don't want to lose this job if I can avoid it.

I would tread carefully after reading others posts about being fired for being sick. Although it may be illegal in many situations, employers find ways around it. FMLA definatly protects you but only if you sign up for it. You need to sign up for it asap in order to be protected as you already know you are being watched. The tasks you mention (supply closet, packing files) sounds like stuff we do at the law firm I work at. None of it has to be done overnight or in one sitting. Can't you organize a little a day until it is done so that you feel less overwhelmed? Also, it can be kind of a pain for a company to hire a temp because of all the paperwork (taxes, etc.) Do any of the employees there have teenage children? At our firm when we have some dirty tiring busy work we hire one of the lawyers kids to come in to do it. They love the extra cash and we don't have to insult any of our "well dressed" employees by asking them to work w/ the dirty old stale files. Your boss might be impressed if you suggested bringing in one of their kids, taking them under your wing, and having them help you get it all done. Remember its all in how you word it. Rather than saying you are overwhelmed and need help turn it into a positive. "I want to make sure I stay on top of all the projects beginning in the new year. I am afraid that if I was working alone of the supply closet and old files that some of my more important everyday work would be neglected. I had an idea that we could bring in your son and I could show him how to archive the old files. He will get some money and you don't have to worry about the front desk being empty during the day. I can still get my normal work done."

Unfortunately, I'm already on Pred!  I tapered from 40 to 30mg the week before Christmas, and I'm supposed to be bumping down again, but I've been putting it off because I'm already so tired.  I flared a little bit over the holiday, even with the pred, but I figured it was more about the travel and different foods than anything else.  Other than the exhaustion and aches, I'm not too bad.  I'm just so frustrated.

I'll look into the FMLA stuff more carefully.  I work for a small company, less than 50 employees I believe, so I'm not sure if FMLA applies.  We have a temp who comes in for me when I have to be out for tests or my Remicade infusion, so finding someone isn't an issue.  It's great to have a person we can trust to take care of things, but I don't want the boss getting any big ideas about bringing her on as my replacement!