When my thumb (so minor compared to your delicate neck) leave went from 1 month to a frigging 10 weeks I was feeling so guilty. And I was(mentally) more than ready to go back to work. A co-worker just said to me "take the time to heal. Because when you return, you will be expected to perform at 100%" She was right. And your co-workers want to know that when they have a serious ailment that they can take the time to heal that their doctor recommends too, in part because you have not set the bar unnecessarily high by being a martyr and coming back while you are still suffering.( Oh those dangerous snarky attacks!) Hang in there - I bet your neck is trying really hard to get well for you! Tokie