Back in the Routine Again

Thursday morning I complained to Brian about not wanting to get up. This was my usual whine, so I guess I'm back in the routine again. I think this is the first time I have ever eaten breakfast with Brian. Now I have to eat to take my drugs, and Brian has been putting out my juice and cereal for me.

My classes are going well, and my students are patient when I occasionally have to take a drink of water in the middle of a sentence (I'd like to get rid of the dry mouth).

I got reduced on my immune suppressant drug, and I also received my flu shot and some other vaccine at the doctor this week. After a week of shots for my blood clot, I am now on a low dose of blood thinners. I "ran" 25 minutes (pieced together) a few days ago, and I'm going to try to go a little longer tomorrow. I'm hoping the nerve cell phone vibration feeling goes away with the Prograf drug reduction.

Monday night, Mark Siske's girls' reserve team sponsored the Pink Zone, and Brian and I were honored by the governor's wife. It was a nice event, and it included vendors from various cancer organizations. I got to see several people from SENHOC and St. E's at the tables.

I have been waiting for our superintendent to send me a get well card, but instead he came to the Pink Zone event. Dr. Joel stopped me in the hallway, and I highlighted some of my crazy stories (he had read the newspaper article). Colleen, my mom, and I all decided a needed a photo op.

I enjoyed the emails and letters from friends (some from the past) and family about the article. Here is the link, in case you haven't read it yet: http://journalstar.com/news/local/education/beating-cancer-with-humor-optimism/article_5bb9158c-7ff9-5e79-ab35-7d6baa72115f.html

Clogged Leg Drain

My calf cramped up on me in the middle of Saturday night, and my leg has hurt since. Many of my colleagues correctly diagnosed me with a blood clot. Being paranoid, I popped over to the cancer center, was then flipped to St. E's for an ultrasound, and then back to the cancer center. I need shots injected into my stomach for a week. I can do this myself...I'm not afraid of needles...but I'd rather just have someone else inflict the pain on me. I also get to take another drug...a blood thinner. Whatever does the job, right?

Despite my limp, the first two days of school have gone well. I had several of my 10th grade students last year in English 9 or 9I, so I don't have to learn their names or behaviors. I'm going to learn a lot from my AP Literature students. Three of my classes are huge, but my AP class has 15 students, and my English 9 class has 11 students. Too bad that isn't reality for all classes. Just think what we could do with that ratio?

I miss watching Ellen and hanging out with my cats, but I am happy to be back in a routine. Currently, Brian is out fetching Piesano's for dinner (I hope he can get out of that parking lot).

Thank you, Ann Ringlein and the Lincoln Track Club, for the Endurance Award. Ann, your speech made me even tear up.

I think I'm going to bed at 9 again. :)

Back to Work

Tomorrow my lengthy medical retirement ends. It is a teacher work day, and second semester officially begins on Monday. I have been having those school dreams. Of course, in the dreams, kids are throwing things at me (like chairs).

I've been starting to "run" (a definite jog). I can do some continuous spurts, if it's flat or downhill and not into the wind. Yesterday, I jogged about 14 of the 18 minutes I was out. At one point (downhill), I thought I was feeling good, and then I saw my shadow. Maybe it wasn't me, but that shadow did NOT look like a runner. My goal is to be able to run 3-4 miles by February 27th when track starts.

I hope everyone had a good holiday. I know I ate too much because I keep looking around for the dessert after every meal.

Really, I'm Not Angry...It's Just the Hat