Ok...I just wrote this e-mail to my professor. How does this look?

I wanted to get back to you as soon as I could about missing class on Wednesday. I am really sorry that I did not let you know that I would be missing class. And I am sorry that I did not e-mail you after either. I am going to give you the long story, which may be too much information, but I want you to understand that I didn't just skip class, and that this is not something I typically do.

I suffer from severe depression and anxiety. My disability is on file with Ross Center, and several people in the Honors Program know about it (including Joyce Morrissey and Dick Cluster). I can also bring you a letter from my healthcare provider (therapist). This semester I took on quite a lot - more than I have since returning to school in 2003. I felt I was ready considering how well I did last semester. On top of taking a full class load, though, I also added working 10 hours a week. This, combined with other vulnerability factors, caused me to have a severe anxiety attack on Wednesday afternoon. It almost put me back in the hospital.

As of Wednesday morning, I was still managing ok. But, something happened in one of my morning classes, and I crashed hard and fast. I was in no position to deal with anything at the time. My focus was on keeping myself safe and trying to stay out of the hospital. This is why I was unable to e-mail at the time. My missing class had nothing (or at least very little) to do with my paper (which was/is finished) and the presentation.

After getting myself safe again, I knew I was going to need to do some repair work when contacting you, so I wanted to speak with my therapist first. This is why I did not respond immediately to your e-mail or even e-mail you prior to that time. I understand that missing class when I had a presentation was a serious problem, and that not dealing with it in a timely manner was not appropriate. I was just doing the best that I could at the time.

I would like to return to class, and would be ready to do my presentation on October 12. Thank you for making that option available to me. I do want to let you know a couple of things, though. First, I am going to take the next few weeks slowly and carefully, really watching how they go. If it is still very difficult for me to make it to class/through class/complete the work, I may need to withdraw from the class. I do not want to, but I feel I need to leave that option open for myself. Second, I am very behind on the reading. I was wondering if we could meet to work out something in regards to that - maybe a schedule of the vital chapters or something.

I really do want to make this work, and I apologize that I left you in such a bad position on Wednesday. I hope we can work this out so I can finish the class successfully.

Thank you,

Oh, well. Off to help myself get better.

This is one of the many reasons I adore VW so very much.

ETA: x-post--and that letter is another

Beth, you just made me laugh. My cats do that sometimes, too, though Byron is more likely to act as the "Furry Snooze Button" as he purrs and burrows into me and tries to encourage me to sleep just a few more minutes...

vw, the letter is great. Good work.

That letter is perfect, vw. It explains everything clearly, and doesn't come across as defensive or as a bid for sympathy.

You guys don't think it's TMI?

No, I think you were honest and up-front about what you're dealing with, without giving him details about your condition that he doesn't need.

No, I totally don't. Speaking as a teacher, with any less information I would be skeptical. One of the things you're coming up against is that some students with only very mild ailments--mental or physical--really do use them as an excuse to get out of work. The fact that you've been straightforward and given him both some notion about the severity of your situation and people to call to verify it means that he's not likely to lump you into that category.

Ok. Cool. Thanks guys. I appreciate it greatly.

It's only TMI if it makes you uncomfortable to share it. Otherwise, I think it sounds fantastic. Very mature and well-reasoned.

And this part:

My focus was on keeping myself safe and trying to stay out of the hospital.

Seriously made me so proud. That probably sounds condescending and stupid, and I really really really don't mean it that way; I'm just so glad that you said, "Y'know what? My safety first. Period."

What they said (points to preceding posts).