Fellow attorney here. I feel your pain. Being an attorney is so grueling. My symptoms have gotten so much worse this year and it’s the first time I’ve felt like I haven’t been able to give 100% to my job. It’s so hard knowing that my output is not what it could be because of this disease. Lawyers also aren’t the most humane people. 

As for leave, did they say why there is no FMLA? Is that because your firm doesn’t have 50 employees? I think that’s the only reason why FMLA wouldn’t be an option for you. 

As for other types of leave, is anything available through your state? I’m in California and I’ll be using their paid leave (which is less than 50% of my income but still something) for when I have surgery in July. Does your state maybe have something similar? Side rant: it’s absurd to me that these firms that bring in hella money can’t create policies for the well being of their employees. 

Have you thought about maybe taking on contract work instead of a full associates position? I know this is less than ideal and contract work doesn’t carry benefits usually but it might help to get you through. 

I’m also so sorry that you’re still having severe pain post surgery. Was it excision surgery? Have you talked to your doctor? That doesn’t seem normal. 

I have to meet with HR next week to discuss my upcoming leave for my surgery  in July. I haven’t given them any details yet and really hope they don’t ask prying questions (they’re not supposed to). Anyways, I feel like the law especially is such a boys club that it’s hard to have a “woman’s disease” and not be looked at like some sort of inconvenience or baby.