That is a wild and scary story! 

And I know some of the frustration you have dealt with for getting short term disability approval. Mine was not for the same condition but I wasn't successful in securing it after months of trying and submitting to sharing a lot of medical records that I didn't want to share. It's not even something you CAN get someone else to help you do either because of HIPAA, and when you're already suffering it's hard to have the energy to advocate for yourself and fight the bureaucrats that just want to keep you from using what's really your own money (part of your salary goes to fund STD!).

I'm glad you were able to get it despite your condition at the time. And glad that you are in a better, even if more "weathered", place now.