Not the celebration I wanted.

We had a week to get ready for distance learning. The Monday after Spring break we were allowed in school to gather what we needed. We couldn't gather in a group to talk and we only had so much time to gather what we needed. I wrote down all I needed to get so I wouldn't forget anything. I took my big bag to carry it all. Then I took a second bag to put books in. 

I got what I needed from school then went to the public library to get some books. I figured with everything closing, they would be closing soon. I wanted to make sure I had plenty to read during this Covid 19 thing. 

I also went to Joann Fabrics. I wanted to make sure I had fabric. OK, after everyone stops laughing, I will explain. I needed some material for a present that I wanted to work on. 

It was odd to go into Joann's. I looked for elastic, but they were completely sold out. People were buying elastic to make masks. They needed masks for people who worked in the health care industry. The heavy duty good masks were needed to treat the Covid patients. I will have to look for elastic someplace else. 

Then everything closed. Many stores were closed. Just closed. All restaurants, bars, every place except grocery stores and hardware stores. It was odd and strange and gave you a strange unsettling feeling. 

I got a call from the Oncologist. I still had my last chemo maintenance appointment. But I couldn't bring anyone, no valet parking, I had to answer questions like. Do you have a fever? Do you have a cough? 

I was going to celebrate with wearing a sparkly outfit and I had bought a new tiara to wear. I was going to bring treats for the nurses who had been so amazing while I was going through treatment. I didn't do any of those things. Why, because of Covid 19. I easily found a parking spot, I was greeted by someone wearing a mask and face shield I was asked if I had a cough or fever. Then I was given a sticker that said Patient with the date on it. 

I walked into oncology. Both receptionists were wearing masks and face shields. Such a strange feeling. I went in to see my oncologist. I have a new person. My other doctor left the state. Everyone was wearing masks and face shields. It is really tough to talk to people wearing those. All my numbers looked really good. They talked about my schedule of appointments with three months I see them then in three months I see my surgeon. 

I went downstairs for treatment. no one was at the desk, so I walked right in. That felt strange also. The whole thing was surreal.  I won't miss them trying to get the IV started. There are some amazing nurses who can do that  right away and others can not. That is the only time I miss my port. 

I really did have some rock star nurses when I went for treatment.  And my last time was no different. 

Even when they put the bandaid on and I bled through it. They were right there to put the fun stretchy stuff on it. That keeps compression on it and I usually don't bleed after that. 

I promised I would come back after this Covid thing was done and bring them treats. I really did meet some great nurses. They were amazing. 

I look back at the wonderful people that God put in my path as I went through this journey. I have been blessed. I know God is watching over me and will continue to watch over and guide me. 

Meetings, meetings and my couch

Quarantine, Save lives, do your part, wear a mask, don't go out. 

People have been arguing on when things should open up, if they should open up. Here is my take. I'm on year two of quarantine. Last summer I stayed home. I didn't leave Green Bay. I went out when I went grocery shopping or to meet someone for lunch. 

I had a lot planned for this summer. I was going to go to my conference and see my family/friends. I was going to spend time going to places outside of Green Bay and seeing friends. Well. That is all changed. My conference is now virtual which means I won't be able to hug my friends that are there. There won't be much open to go to. This was my summer to go and do and celebrate what I had been through. I'm so sad that I won't be able to do that yet. I say yet because I know we will get through this and I will be able to hug my friends/family. 



I'm not one to sit a lot. My job requires me to move and do and be active. Remind me to tell you about the fun preK songs and the amazing Mo Willems songs that I get to dance to with the students. 
Well, now I sit a lot on my couch. The Jovers is loving all my sitting time. I meet with both schools, with grade levels and with people who need advice on how to do something with distance learning. I love that I get to see their faces and we can laugh and catch up. I have also been scheduling video calls with friends so I can see their wonderful faces. That has really helped me get through these weeks. 

I have to say I work with some amazing people They are working with students at a distance, they are working at providing quality lessons for the students. I'm thankful for all of them. 

Going grocery shopping once a week is not fun. I can never remember all I need in one trip. But if I forget something, I have to wait until my next shopping trip. I do get take out every Thursday. I call it Take out Thursday. I have been trying to support local businesses. I have had some really good meals. Jovi loves that I take her for rides to get the take out. 

The one thing I will never understand is why people needed so much toilet paper. Strange things are out at the grocery store. One day there was no chicken. Odd, Odd Odd. They have put limits on how much of one thing you can buy. I understand why. I'm not a fan of wearing a mask to shop, but I do what I have to do to stay safe. 

I feel bad for those who had celebrations planned. Graduations are cancelled, weddings are postponed. Teachers are not able to say good bye to their students. Its odd and strange and I'm not a fan. Here is my Senior picture. I wish all the seniors God's blessings as they start a new chapter in their life. 

Church is online. I miss singing hymns with the congregation. I miss the standing and sitting and being part of a group. The only cool thing is I can worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ in different states. My former student teacher's husband is a pastor in Missouri. So I can worship there or in California, or New York. I look forward to the day when I can be with people in worship. 

I really didn't see this coming.

I went to school on Friday, it was the day before spring break. I was looking forward to visiting my parents for a couple of days. I know Jovi was looking forward to seeing them. 

We got the news after school that we would be closed because of Covid 19. We were in a Safer at Home order. And schools were to be closed until April 26th. I have never in my career seen schools around the nation close. And with us going on Spring break, we would have to wait until later to understand what we would be doing. 

I decided not to go to my parents. I didn't want to bring anything to them. I spent my week stocking up on things I needed. 

I had just bought a new sewing machine at Walmart. It is not a fancy schmancy one. It is very simple but did a good job when I needed to finish the costumes for the musical. I did some sewing. I worked on the patriotic quilt I had started when I was doing chemo. 


I had made a PT appointment for the Friday of spring break. It felt like I had pulled something and I wanted it checked out. Well, that appointment got cancelled. I was sad. I really wanted to make sure everything was ok. Guess it will have to wait. 

The suggestions for gatherings kept changing. It was finally gatherings of 10 or less. Which meant no church. Well, no church in the building. God is always with us and even though we can't gather as a congregation, it doesn't mean we can't worship. Technology and livestreaming means we can still worship. How wonderful we can still hear the message that God loves us.  And with the technology. I could visit a couple of churches in one day and churches in other states. 

both scopies in a day

I have heard many a tale about what you need to drink before a colonoscopy. I have heard how nasty it is. It empties you out so they can see how your colon is. 

The drink isn't too terrible, the worst part was how much there was to drink. Then you needed to drink water afterwards. As many of you know, I couldn't drink water while I was going through chemo, it made my tummy hurt, well, this made my tummy hurt again. So you need to drink two of those things. I had one the night before and one the day of. The not eating all morning wasn't too bad. Making sure I didn't eat or drink was the toughest part. Making sure I had enough to drink every day has become habit. I didn't want to grab something to drink by accident. 

I had a taxi take me to the hospital, then someone would come and pick me up when it was done. I got to the hospital and then was taken to a different floor. I was taken into a room. The very nice nurse checked me in and went over what was going to happen. They were going to put me out, then put a puff of air in my stomach and put a scope down my throat. That would only take 5-10 minutes. That part really freaked me out. Just that gag reflex make me shiver. Then while I was still out, they would check out my colon. 

I was really glad I had an afghan to work on while I was waiting. It was good to keep my hands busy. I like to keep busy while I'm waiting. It does help. Sometimes I read, sometimes I knit or crochet. I'm so glad my mom taught me how to do those things.  

I had to have special bracelets on my wrist. I could only have blood pressure taken on my right arm and I had an allergy alert added. 

I was wheeled into the room where I would have my procedures. It was an odd room, not one I had pictured. I met my doctor who would be doing the procedure. He seemed like a good guy. Then they put something in my mouth to keep it open. Yuck, Yuck Yuck. But I took deep breaths said a prayer and fell asleep.  

I woke up back in my room. When they say they put a little puff of air in your stomach, they don't tell you that it has to make it's way out. Did I have cramps and pain until it worked it's way out. Walking and then being on my knees helped. Not fun. But it was all done. 

The doctor came in. My colon looked good. My throat on the other hand, did not. I have really bad acid reflux. So he told me I needed to take some over the counter meds and he would see how I am healing in a couple of months. My friend came and picked me up. 

I was also really happy to eat. And get ready to go to school. I really do miss the students when I have to take time off. I like having my normal routine. 

working hard

Wow, time really does go fast. I know I haven't been posting much in my blog. But I am now back at school and working hard. 

I was back doing what I loved. I worked on the costumes for the musical. The musical was Oz! It was great to work the light board. 
So many memories came flooding back. I was working the light board when I found out I was going to do chemo. It seemed like a life time ago. 

I am still doing chemo maintenance I have a couple left. 

I have a confession, I was not thrilled with my PA. She is not the most positive person. When my iron was low and she suggested the colonoscopy and endoscopy because in her words. i might be bleeding internally. Really?!?! Then she said I know not the outcome you wanted. Again Really?!?! I was not happy with how she approached my issue. I understand they were concerned about my numbers, But where is the We want to make sure everything is ok. Put the positive spin. I have found out that attitude has a huge impact on your healing. I'm so glad I did not have her my whole time going in. But I have to say, she is the first person that has not been positive. Most have been happy and positive with me. Which I appreciate and really need.   

I'm so glad I had more positive people around me and keep my going. 

Oh my

My hemoglobin  was not going up as fast as everyone wanted. I was told I needed to have a colonoscopy and an endoscopy I had to have it scheduled and to make sure I had a ride home. I also had to take a day off school. 

To get someone to be able to take me home was a challenge. When all your friends work, you need to get creative. I talked to my navigator. We talked about all the different possibilities.  The one person had said, get someone to take a day off. Well, with all the sickness going around, I was reluctant to ask someone to just take a day off for a five minute drive.  Especially a teacher. Do you how long it takes to prepare for a sub. It was decided that we could schedule one late so I could get picked up after school got out. That seemed like a good way to handle it. 



So I called to schedule it. Apparently something got mixed up. When I got the information in the mail, I was only scheduled for an endoscopy, not both. I was not going in for one, then having to wait and go in for the other. So I had to call and reschedule. Which meant having to get a different day. The one lady didn't seem to understand why I wanted a late appointment. She kept wanting to give me an early appointment. I was told I couldn't wait in the lobby after my procedure, so I needed the late appointment. I finally got it. It was quite the production to get it all figured out. 

Meanwhile at school there was a lot going on. My one school had just started doing video morning announcements. My other school had been doing video morning announcements for a while.  I'm the one who is in charge of the videoing and editing. I have found I love this!! I have found a love and a talent for video making and editing. Not what I had expected or even thought about. It is truly amazing the opportunities that God puts in your lap. He knew I needed a new adventure and learning opportunity. God is Good!

I have only a couple of last maintenance treatments left. It is hard to believe that. It seemed like a lot when I started. It is amazing how blessed I have been to go through all my treatments and been able to go back to work. Now I am looking forward to what I can do.