I went into the conversation with my supervisor very nervous. But she was more responsive and supportive than I expected. She said as I started talking, she was afraid I was going to quit and was relieved that was not what I was saying. She said a leave is ok, and we need to plan together to make it a sustainable job when I get back. So this is excellent news.

I plan to start the leave October 1, so there will be time to transfer projects over and minimize the disruption. (I’d really rather start in September but feel I should help get everything in shape.) Now I have to figure out how to hang in there another six weeks…

Thanks everyone for the kind and supportive comments you left me about asking for leave. They helped bolster me as I went into that conversation.