Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Day Eighty-Three...Still Sick

So, I've been off work a total of 13 days...13 working days...and I'm still not feeling how I should be feeling after a round of steriods, a nebulizer treatment, antibiotics, 2 inhalers and a cough syrup with codeine. So, I went back to the walk-in clinic and saw Dr. McDreamy...uhhh...Dr. Todd. He was distressed that I wasn't feeling 100%. I told him I wasn't feeling even 50%. He decided to give me another nebulizer treatment...one that was more powerful and a little longer (more meds)...and another rounds of prednizone...also stronger and longer...in hopes that will knock it out.

He also gave me the rest of the week off and stern instructions to see my regular doctor on Friday. So, I have an appointment on Friday morning to see what's going on. If I'm not better, she will investigate further to see what is really going on.

Sigh...

Until then, I'm staying as low-profile as I can. Resting, watching stupid, mind-numbing movies on TV, probably finishing my book, researching more school (I'm thinking about another endorsement in either English/Language Arts or Social Studies...probably English...I'm good at that!).

And, I've found out that my job has been offered to someone else for next year.

Sigh...

So, if you want to chat, I'm prolly online all day!

Day Eighty-Three...Still Sick

So, I've been off work a total of 12 days...12 working days...and I'm
still not feeling how I should be feeling after a round of steriods, a
nebulizer treatment, antibiotics, 2 inhalers and a cough syrup with
codeine. So, I went back to the walk-in clinic and saw Dr.
McDreamy...uhhh...Dr. Todd. He was distressed that I wasn't feeling
100%. I told him I wasn't feeling even 50%. He decided to give me
another nebulizer treatment...one that was more powerful and a little
longer (more meds)...and another rounds of prednizone...also stronger
and longer...in hopes that will knock it out.

He also gave me the rest of the week off and stern instructions to see
my regular doctor on Friday. So, I have an appointment on Friday
morning to see what's going on. If I'm not better, she will investigate
further to see what is really going on.

Sigh...

Until then, I'm staying as low-profile as I can. Resting, watching
stupid, mind-numbing movies on TV, probably finishing my book,
researching more school (I'm thinking about another endorsement in
either English/Language Arts or Social Studies...probably English...I'm
good at that!)

So, if anyone wants to chat...I'm online pretty much all day.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Day Eighty-Two...Vewy, Vewy Sick

So, here it is, nearly 2 am and I'm laying in bed hacking up both my lungs. I've been sick for 5 days. Last Tuesday, I went to the doctor at the walk-in clinic by my house. Can I just say how much I like Dr. Todd? He is such a nice man. If he weren't married...

I digress...

Anyway, I have an upper respiratory infection that has hit me like a ton of bricks. Like I said before, I started out on prednizone, which worked GREAT before. My doc said if I didn't feel better by Friday, I could call for antibiotics...which I did. I stopped taking the prednizone after assuming that's what I was supposed to do. Well, you know what happens when I assume? I make an a$$ out of myself! Heh! So, although my runny nose and fever and body aches went away when I started the antibiotics, my cough, runny nose and headache got worse. So, I called the clinic today and the nurse said I was supposed to be taking both meds. Silly me...

So, I took my next dose of the prednizone AND the antibiotic today. I was hoping to be better by Monday (today) to go to work and back on schedule with the Y, but that's not going to happen. I can't walk from the kitchen table to the bathroom or my chair without getting winded and coughing so hard I pee and nearly pass out from the pressure in my head. I'm going back to the clinic when I wake up so I can get some different cough syrup (the one Dr. Todd gave me isn't really working much) and a note for work.

One funny thing about this is that when I cough, I inhale more than I exhale, so I have the burps all the time :-D

I hope I feel better soon.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Day Eighty-Two...Feeling a Little Better

Yesterday, i called the doctor. He put me on some antibiotics and I think they're doing the trick. Last time I had this same illness, he put me on prednizone, which worked VERY well. I was feeling better within 24 hours. This time, however, not so much. In fact, I felt worse. So, like I said before, I didn't go in to work at all this week (from Tuesday on) because I would get winded just walking from the couch to the bathroom. It was awful! Anyway, I've only taken 2 doses of the antibiotics my doctor gave me and I feel better. Still not up to running a marathon, but better. I coughed and coughed a LOT last night which is making me tired today, but overall, I do feel better. I hope I'm better to go back to work on Monday. I'm sure I will be!

And, I want to get back to the Y. I've set a new goal for myself. I want to be under 400 pounds by June 20th...that's the last day of school. I can do it if I lose 2.6 pounds a week. That shouldn't be a problem...especially since Moob and I are committed to going to the Y daily Monday through Friday. They have some very cool classes...one of which we missed last night because I was so sick. It was a hula dance class. Maybe we'll catch it the next time around. Or something just as fun. The cool thing about the Y is their FitLinxx system. You're assigned an ID number that is used with all the machines. It will automatically adjust the weights for you when you enter your ID. No thinking about how much weight should be added...no over-doing things. It's awesome!

So, to achieve my goal, I have to lose an average of 2.6 pounds a week between now and June 20. Moob and I are also going to take pictures of ourselves to help motivate us and spur us on to going to the gym every day. No, those pictures won't be published!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Day Eighty-One...Back to the Bottom

So, I've been sick all this week. I had my interview scheduled for today at 3:15. I was bound and determined to go to work today, but all I did last night was toss and turn and cough and pee and whine 'cuz my voice hurts. So, at 5:15 this morning, I emailed the woman at the district office who set up the interview. I asked her if I could reschedule. I heard nothing back so I called at around noon. She was out to lunch. I left very specific instructions for her secretary to have the woman call me back at my home number or email me at my phone email so I would be SURE I wouldn't miss this opportunity. Well, I finally got a message back, after it was too late, saying that "Our process for hiring in this type of situation is that if a candidate has to cancel an interview for whatever reason, we move forward with the remaining scheduled interviews. If we do not make a selection, then we can consider the candidate who cancelled and any others who may have applied in the meantime. So, we won't be able to reschedule your interview at this time. Feel free to check back with [the program specialist] in a few days to see if the position is being filled. Thanks."

Translation...because the program specialist didn't call me back in time, I have been pushed to the bottom of the barrel as far as interviews go. They'll proceed with the interviews, try to make a selection and then...and only if they can't find someone else...will they go back and try to reschedule my interview. I'm pretty much screwed because someone couldn't follow directions.

I emailed back explaining the situation and the only response I got back was that it has been forwarded to the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for consideration.

So, we'll see what happens. God will have me where he wants me.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Day...whatever it is today

I can't sleep. I've been out sick the last few days and my sleep schedule is all out of whack. In fact, I've been in my bed trying to sleep for 2 hours to no avail. Sigh. I'm tired enough. I keep yawning and my eyes keep closing, but once my eyes close, I start thinking of all kinds of weird things and in inner voice suddenly develops a British accent. And, once that happens, I can't turn it off (my mind, that is...as well as the accent!) and, thus, I can't sleep. Am I stressed out? A little. My job was is not a continuing contract, so I had to reapply and re-interview. I have my interview tomorrow after school. I'm sure I'll do fine. I'm just a little worried that come September, I'll have to start over again. Fortunately, I'll get paid through August, so that's good. And I got a bit of a raise, so that'll help, too. I'm nervous about the questions they'll as me. I've struggled so much this year...I don't want them to think I can't do the job. I don't want to bad-mouth the previous teacher, but she left me with squat. There's no formal curriculum, no supplies, no support materials. If you read my previous post, you'll learn that she lied to me about what she had and hadn't taught the kids...like she was trying to set me up for failure. I guess I just have to go in there with the confidence that God will have me where he wants me. I LOVE my job. I LOVE the school. I LOVE the kids...well, most of 'em! Nah, each one is special to me and I've really had a hard time with some, but if anything were to happen to any of them, I'd be devastated.

So, going in tomorrow, I have my 1st period class and my 5th period class. We're going to learn about lexicalized signs (words that were originally fingerspelled, but the fingerspelling morphed into the sign...like #BACK or #ALL...forming each of the letters quickly has become the sign for that word). I may, depending on time, she the beginning of a video Sound and Fury about Cochlear Implants. We'll see.

For the interview, though, if you think of it, please pray for me at 3:15. That's when my interview is scheduled. I just need to remember to have faith and the confidence that I AM the right person for those kids and that job. I need to project that confidence and determination at the interview. I need to speak with a tone of "You've already got the right teacher", without sounding cocky. I need to remember to remind them that they've already got a vested interest in me with all the training I've gone to and will go to in the summer. I have to act with humility, but confidence in who I am as a teacher. I'm a good teacher and they need to see that. It'll be interesting though...my voice comes and goes when I'm sick, so... I'll update you tomorrow. Right now, it's off to less-than-seven-hours-of-sleep-when-I-should-have-gotten-nine-hours land.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Day Seventy-Nine...Chili

So, today I tried a new recipe: Cincinatti-Style Turkey Chili. It was pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. It had sauted onion, garlic powder, ground turkey, chili powder, corriander, cumin, cinnamon (yes, you read that correctly, I DID say cinnamon!), tomato paste, chicken broth, red kidney beans and pasta. The recipe called for spaghetti noodles broken down into 2 inch pieces, but I found these cute little wagon-wheel shaped noodles at WinCo (which, by the way, has become my favorite store. I shopped there while living in Idaho and didn't like the atmosphere much...too many crazies! But here...well, Marysville...isn't too bad. Still a lot of people, but it's a bigger store so less crazies per square foot! Lol!), so I decided to get those instead. I made it with corn bread muffins and it was very tasty! And filling! I usually have 2 bowls of regar chili, but I only ate one of this.

And the family (except Milyra) really liked it. At least she tried it!

Then we had ice cream and peanut butter cookies for dessert. The perfect end to the perfect day!

I'm supposed to be sleeping right now, but I'm waiting for some of my food to digest. I'm laying down and feeling like I'm floating! I drank too much water right after dinner! Heh!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Day Seventy-Eight...The End!

Ok, it's just the end of Spring Break, but it DEFINITELY wasn't long enough! LOL! I'm heading back to school tomorrow for a week of WASL testing. Fortunately, that means I'll have shorter classes, except tomorrow. Tomorrow is a regular day, so 50 minute classes. It's not too bad...

So, that means that I have 49 school days left until the end of the year. That means I have 49 days to plan for my students. That means I have 49 days I have to deal with my students really not wanting to be there. I have 49 days to make my bosses happy with me so they don't hire someone else in my place.

Oh, also, it was a sad day on Saturday. My mom's dog, Claire, lived to be 18 years old. She passed away on Saturday morning. Actually, because she was so sick and old, mom and dad decided to put her to sleep. She had such bad arthritis, she was having accidents in the house because she couldn't get up and get to the door fast enough, she was blind and deaf, had no teeth, wasn't eating much. It was just time. My mom held her as she went down. It was bittersweet for her.

So...that's pretty much where I am right now. Not in a BAD place, not in an AMAZINGLY HAPPY place, but I'm a'ight!

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Day Seventy-Seven...Diagnosis, Almost

So, at 32, I would expect that I could get 8 hours of sleep every night and wake up mostly refreshed and ready to face the following day. I would expect that I could come home from work and not feel like taking a nap. I would expect that I would be able to sleep through the night. I would expect that I would be able to fall asleep within a few minutes of hitting the pillow at night. I would also expect that doing the littlest things wouldn't make me exhausted. Well...my expectations are incorrect. I DON'T get 8 hours of sleep every night, even though I go to bed between 7 and 8 pm (I have to get up by 5 or so to get to Renton by 7). I DON'T wake up mostly refreshed and ready to face the day because I'm so exhausted. I DON'T come home from work and feel like not taking a nap. I DON'T sleep through the night. I DON'T fall asleep within a few minutes of going to bed. It takes be anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes to fall asleep, and even at that, I don't STAY asleep. It's been that way for several years, but I've really noticed it since I started working. It's starting to affect my abilities at my job.

So, I took charge of the situation. I went to the doctor today. My parents and my brother all have sleep apnea and my mother and brother have Restless Leg Syndrome (the creepy-crawlies, crabby-legs syndrome at night). My mom says I breathe just like she does at night (she's come into my room when I lived at home and purposefully listened to me sleeping to check) and my covers are almost always off my bed when I wake up. So, I probably have both. Both of those things have, most likely, been disturbing my sleep, probably for years. The doctor wants to do a sleep study on me. I'll go back to the clinic on Thursday night at about 7:30, they'll hook me up to machines to monitor how I sleep, and I'll spend the night there. Then in about 7 days, I'll get the results. If I have it (and there's little doubt in my mind), I'll most likely get a machine to wear when I sleep that will help push air into my lungs and keep me breathing. If this works, I should sleep better than I have in years and I should have the energy I need to do the normal, everyday things I want to do.

Also, the doctor gave me a sample of some medicine for RLS (the creepy-crawly, crabby-leg syndrome). He told me to try it and see if it works. If not, we can try something else.

I really hope that this does the trick. It will be nice to sleep again. It would also be nice (and, I'm just kinda thinking out loud right now), but it would be nice if I could some how have this doctor deem it a medical necessity for me to lose weight through the Lap Band surgery and have my insurance pay for it. I have been doing some research and it seems like the Lap Band is the way I would like to go. It's MUCH less invasive, it's adjustable, and there is FAR LESS complications and dangers associated with it (when compared to Gastric Bypass). Granted, every surgical procedure carries a certain amount of dangers and risks. But the Lap Band procedure does not involve cutting or removing any of the stomach muscle at all. It's a sleeve that is put at the top of your stomach. The sleeve can be inflated or deflated in an out-patient office visit. It can also be reversed/removed if complications arise.

But, right now, I think I'll concentrate on the sleeping issues I have, get those taken care of, then deal with fixing the underlying weight problem. Who knows, maybe taking care of the sleep apnea will give me the energy I need to work out every day like I'm supposed to. If so, I'll be able to lose my weight on my own. If not, then I can talk to my doctor about the other things.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Day Seventy-Six...Oh...My...Goodness!

AHHHHH! So, I've found 34 new blogs on stamping and card making! {screeching like a little girl} I've included them for your viewing pleasure!

So, I'm so excited about it because it has pictures, designs and instructions I *may* begin posting some of the cards I make, again, for your viewing pleasure!

EEK! Fun! Grin!

Friday, April 4, 2008

Day Seventy-Five...Spring Break

Ok, so it's Spring Break and I couldn't be happier. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job! But, I definitely need some time off...and some time to regroup. I need to gather my things, gather my thoughts and (re) plan the rest of the year. The former teacher, I think, had it in for me. I'm not sure why, but...whatever.

So, with that, I've got to redo all my plans for the rest of the year based on what my students have done thus far. I borrowed 2 students' notebooks with everything they've learned/done this last semester. That way, I know what they've done and I can plan accordingly.

I'm also going to SCCC to get the videos that the former teacher was supposed to leave for me, but (dun-dun-duuuuuuun) didn't.

But, for now, I'm just going to bed.