Today was a challenging day for me at work. I woke up feeling really unwell after having a moderate allergic reaction to tree nuts from some cookies I ate at a bake sale last night. The cookies were on a table labeled as nut-free, so I didn't think twice about eating them. I spent hours dealing with significant abdominal cramping and nausea, and by morning, I still felt terrible. I didn’t have a fever or anything contagious, but I knew I wouldn't be able to focus well at the office. I decided to reach out to my manager and asked if I could work from home for the day. I explained that I’d be more comfortable with a heating pad and close to my own bathroom, and that I was still willing to work. I also made it clear that I understood if the answer was no. I felt guilty asking, especially since I had just returned from an extended medical leave after knee surgery and had exhausted my paid sick leave during that time. To my surprise, my manager told me to either take a sick day or come into the office. I was really discouraged by this response, especially given my track record of satisfactory performance over the past three years. I ended up driving an hour to the office, feeling nauseous and cramping, just to sit at my desk with a heating pad. It was frustrating to feel like my health wasn’t being prioritized, especially after such a long recovery period. I really wish my manager had considered my request more thoughtfully, especially since my work is entirely computer-based and I could have been just as productive at home. It made me question my position and how I’m valued in the team.