SnowmanAndBandit's journey

I’m currently on medical leave due to a ruptured disc I suffered in April while working as a Foreman at a crane company. I've been with the company for four years and have always been dedicated, working long hours and never taking a PTO day in two years. My boss has been supportive during this time, encouraging me to rest and recover after my surgery in May. I have a vacation planned to Disney from August 5-11, which was booked before my injury. The company’s handbook states that vacation requests need to be submitted a month in advance, and they typically don’t give employees a hard time about taking time off. However, I’m unsure how to approach this situation since I’m still on leave with an uncertain return date. I have a follow-up appointment with my surgeon on July 8 to discuss my ability to return to work, but I’m torn on whether to inform my employer about the vacation now or wait until I have more clarity on my recovery. I feel guilty about taking time off right after being out for three months, but my coworkers have encouraged me to go, especially since I haven’t had much time with my daughter due to work commitments. I’m also worried about how to discuss this with my surgeon without giving the impression that I’m trying to manipulate the situation. It’s a tough spot to be in, and I’m hoping to find the right balance between my health and family time.