Things keep moving

I went to a training last week, Saturday actually, and got to hang with my friends who are still at Weis. The best thing to come of the day was that I realized how fortunate I am. I have a great job, which I enjoy, and they are having to put up with LOTS OF CRAP. I am so grateful to not be there (at Weis) this year!

I am still battling the "nerve thing" which may or may not be sciatica. Some days are worse than others and I'm starting to think that it may be time to find a chiropractor. I've never been to one, but it may be time. I need to look into whether my insurance pays for it or not.

I dyed my hair. I got tired of being referred to as Chris' mom. I also kept seeing myself in the mirror and thinking it didn't look like me. In my mind I have dark hair. I also am much thinner, but what can you do? So, I dyed it. First it came out sort of light brown/gold - not my intention. I used temporary dye because I've been told that sometimes dye can react with the drugs left in your hair by the chemotherapy. So, the next day I dyed it again, just darker. I liked it BUT now since I've washed it a couple of times it is getting too light. I think I will just dive in and use a permanent dye on it and if my hair falls out, well... I've been there before haven't I?

I think Chris and I will be buying a car this weekend. Chris was in a wreck in our CRV last year and it was repaired but it still doesn't run right. We are a little leary of driving long distances in it because of the sounds it makes. It is out of warranty and things are starting to go wrong. The dealership will give a decent price on a trade-in so it is time. I let you know what we do.

Disappointing

Disappointing appointment today at Dr. Hatch's. She didn't like the way my site looked and didn't release me. In fact, I have another follow-up. I also am to call her if I need her. She made it sound like I would, need her I mean. She used the word "necrosis" a few times and even I know that means death of tissue. She thinks that the area just above my scar is looking not so good. I am to avoid any trauma(even seat belt rubbing), stop wearing my compression garment, sleep only on my left side, and not do any lymph massage or major exercise. She also said something very scary about "rupturing," and I choose not to even think about that. The big problem is that radiation has compromised the circulation and the cellulitis has not fully gone away. She did say she thought my hair was beautiful - she hadn't seen me in a while(since I had very little hair) AND I just dyed it brown. Hard to believe I have any vanity left...

Tonight was "meet the Teacher" night at my school and I had the opportunity to realize how inadequate my Spanish is. I struggled through a number of parent meetings and nobody told me I sucked. I just knew it instinctively. We also had a showing of Ike: A Documentary. I am so proud of my two former students, Maria and Melnikia who are part of the team that created this great film. They are going to some film festivals - Yay! I am definitely buying a copy of it when it is finally released. Tonight's version is SO different from the version I saw in May.

Less is more?

I know I'm posting less. There is just less stuff going on with my health - and that's a good thing. I'm still having trouble with my sciatic nerve on my left side. I've been taking muscle relaxants and ibuprofen and I can't say it's any better. In fact, it seems to go more down my leg now. I went for a massage last weekend and it helped. I really don't know what to do about it. The doctor said to stay on my feet and out of the chair, and I do. I rarely sit down during the day.

This Tuesday I have a Dr. Hatch appointment. She is/was my Radiation Oncologist. I guess it will be just a follow-up. I am feeling fine boob-wise. I have a little swelling around my surgical site, but it is not bad and it's controlled somewhat with the compression garment. I admit to being lazy about wearing it all the time since it is uncomfortable. So I'm trading one discomfort for another...

2 down..

We just finished our second week of school! I ended up staying extra late today because I realized that next Friday I have to do "progress reports." Yeah, I know. So...there was a frenzy of grading today after school.

My principal was asked to talk me into doing UIL One Act. I told him I would need a budget of at least $2500, hoping that would kill it. Turns out I have a "meeting" with the powers that be on Thursday to discuss. I told my principal, Mr. Paul, today that I thought my plate was too full to take this on and he said if I still feel the same after the meeting, we won't do it! I love this man.

Health wise, I'm feeling pretty good. I have a little more energy every day. I've gotten to the point where I don't have to lie down immediately when I get home from work. I have stayed up until 9:00! I'm a big girl now. I have also gotten used to my prosthetic and don't really notice it after I have had it on for a while. I'm going to steal a term from a fellow blogger and start calling it my FOOB (fake+boob= foob)

I love my new school.

My new school, Crenshaw, is turning out to be wonderful. It is really small. Each class is less than 10 kids except for my theatre class which has 15. Of course there are a couple of kids who are challenging, but you can deal with them! I mean that you can figure what's going on with them and help them. It is a luxury to have the ability to do that. I also found out that our school secretary is a Breast Cancer survivor - yay Cindy. I hope this continues to be what I think it is. I'm in love.

My sciatic nerve thing is getting somewhat better. I have been taking my meds and staying off my butt. The doctor said it was probably caused by too much sitting at once - INSERVICE!!!

My Occupational Therapist has released me. I'm not happy about it, but Chris gave me a lymph massage today and it really helped. I sure wish it was something I could do to myself. The area under my mastectomy scar gets swollen and hurts. Once again I thank God for Chris...

And so it begins...

School starts tomorrow. I went in today (Sunday) to get some more "getting ready" done. I saw my schedule and freaked! I have 8 different classes to prep for! Language Arts for 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, Theatre Arts, Reading Lab for 5th grade, Writing lab for 7th grade, reading lab for 6th!!! I am trying to be calm and think of two of them as extensions of the regular class... I guess I'll just do my best. One of my classes is Theatre Arts, so I don't have really any planning to do for that... I choose to look on the bright side. Hey, I have a job.

Went to the doctor on Saturday and she thinks I have either one of two things, both of which are treated the same. It's either a swollen muscle or sciatica. She gave me a muscle relaxant that won't make me drowsy and put me back on the ibuprofen. I tolerate it pretty well, but I've been on it forever. I am to take one of each every 8 hours for a couple of weeks and see how it goes. Also, I am to sit as little as possible - not hard for a teacher.

I just got my "compression garment" that I had ordered and it seems to help with the lymphatic swelling that I get around my mastectomy site. I will have to wear it at night and if/when I fly again. It is basically a long line bra with only one cup. I must remember to take it to my physical therapy tomorrow. Vickie has been eager to see it. We're hoping that it does the job and I don't have to buy a more expensive, custom-made version.

I don't think I mentioned it but I have a couple of friends at Crenshaw (my new school) already. I am right across the hall from Jesse Minter, who teaches Science. We became friends at a writing workshop a couple of years ago and now we are neighbors! It's nice to go into a new school with a friend or two to help you along... She is very kind and has invited Chris and I to stay at her mobile home on the beach if we need/want to. Her house was destroyed in the hurricane. Everyone has been nothing but nice and helpful. Jackie, the building engineer (custodian) is GREAT.

It's the weekend.

Today we sent Coinin, one of our bunnies away to another home. We are very sad. He and Haas became unbonded and have continued to fight so it is very hard to have two bunnies in the house who don't get along. We decided to keep Haas because he is the older of the two and in less good health. Coinin is just more adoptable. Sad. We've had him since he was a baby.

I finished up a week of in-service today. I'll be spending my weekend getting ready for Monday. I still have work to do in my room and planning. I did get my ferry pass today!!! I also got my door access card. Much of the last few days has been spent trying to get reconnected to all the systems. My accounts had been frozen or stopped for: Skyward (gradebook program), CareHere (health care), Eduphoria (help desk and training), and others.

I have been having a weird sciatic nerve thing since we spent 2 days sitting in these hard plastic chairs. I went to get a massage and that helped a bit, but I am still having trouble walking sometimes ( it comes and goes)and it HURTS. I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow morning to see what is up.