15 Days of Rest!

I am finally off for our winter break.  I don't have to go back to work until January 6th! Going to spend the next 2 weeks enjoying time with my boys and my hubby. I will not stress over the holidays like I did for Thanksgiving and end up in a major flare.

My hubby and my youngest went out and bought a monster tree for Christmas (13ft. Noble Fir).  It's finally up and the tree and house are decorated.  My hubby decorated the house yesterday during his day off so I wouldn't have to do it.  We all decorated the tree Thursday night.

I've decided that we will go to Christmas Eve service and then to my cousin's house for her annual Christmas Eve party.  Christmas Day will be spent at home with my guys.  I've invited my parents to come over and join us for breakfast and the opening of the gifts.  My mom is upset with me because I don't want to have a bigger family gathering and has said she will not be coming over.  She tried to give me guilt by saying "it's time to start your own family traditions."

I refused to be guilted into doing something I don't feel up to doing and told her the invitation was still on the table for her and my dad.  I also told my dad.  Whether they show up or not is entirely up to them.

 I'm going to enjoy my Christmas Break and rest up for the second half of the school year.  The second half is always the craziest because of statewide testing.

Gentle Hugs,
Bonnie

My Body Knows!

It seems like my body knows that I must get through the work week with as little pain as possible, but it seems to want to make up for the week on weekends.  I had minimal pain all week, but this morning I woke up and I can hardly move my arms because my shoulders and neck are killing me.  I also have a monster headache, but after almost 30 years of monster headaches I can deal with those.  My feet feel like I'm walking on shards of glass!

I'm glad I didn't have this pain during the week, but I would like a weekend off every once in awhile. I guess my brain and body know that I need every bit of strength and energy to get through my days, but it is wreaking havoc with my weekends.  I seem to spend my Saturdays trying to recuperate and recharge for the next work week.  This wouldn't be so bad, except it takes time away from my family.  I feel guilty for not wanting to do anything on Saturdays because I hurt so much, but luckily for me I live with a wonderful group of guys who pamper me and understand what I'm going through. 

I love being a teacher, and all that it entails. I love seeing the faces of my students when the light bulb goes on.  From the moment I step into the building until I get back into my car, I'm going nonstop! I don't think I could effectively do my job if I had the pain I have today.  It's bad enough the fibro fog hits at the most inopportune times, but my kids usually can figure out what I'm trying to say or what I was trying to write when it hits. 

This first week back wasn't too bad, and the fibro fog was pretty mellow until yesterday.  I think by yesterday I was exhausted from the week and my brain was acting pretty loopy. The great thing about teaching 5th graders is that they are quick to pick up on a spelling mistake or a misspoken word.  They are not obnoxious about correcting me, and I've learned to make it a game by telling them I was trying to see if they were paying attention.  Other times I'll blame it on a lack of coffee.  Either one usually works, and we have a good laugh about it!

So today I will rest up and conserve my energy.  Luckily it's a 3 day weekend which will allow me to spend extra time with my guys. I've taken my meds and the dreaded pain pill (which I hate taking unless absolutely necessary), and I will nap! Today is a me day!

Gentle Hugs,
Bonnie

Fibro Update!

On Monday, my rolling chair rolled out right from under me! I was going to sit down, and I guess I must of sat on the edge instead of the middle.  All I know is that one minute I was standing, the next minute I was on my A$$!  I instantly got a headache, and by the end of the day I felt as though someone had beaten me with a baseball bat and then threw me in front of a moving truck!
Needless to say, I spent most of the week in pain! To make matters worse, I had a meeting everyday after the students left, and a training this morning.  No time to rest and recuperate.  I finally got rid of the headache on Thursday, and I am only a little sore today.

On the brighter side of things, my little man earned his green belt today in Karate! So very proud of him.  They had to test by running for 30 minutes straight (at least we were inside an air conditioned gym), do a whole bunch of exercises, and do their karate forms!  He did all that, and still came home and started running around. Oh to be an energetic 8 year old again! Very proud of my little man!

Shane after running for 30 minutes!

Shane after getting his green belt!

Gentle Hugs!
Bonnie

Down to a 2!

After my horrible Saturday, I am finally feeling better.  I am down to a 2 on the pain scale, and was able to come to work and have a good day with my students.  I wish for the day when I can say I'm at a 0.  One of these days it might happen, but for now I'm thrilled I'm not a 9.

Gentle Hugs!

Nine!!!!

Today is definitely a bad flare up day! On my pain scale I am easily a 9, maybe even a 10.  It was a long week that left me feeling like I have been hit by a semi truck.

I had to have a brain MRI on Tuesday to see if my neurologist can figure out why I'm still getting massive headaches and little sleep even though I now have my CPAP machine.  I had to lay absolutely still for almost an hour in the tube.  My arms, neck, and back really started to hurt during the test.  After the test I had a massive headache that I haven't been able to get rid of yet.

On Wednesday we walked our 5th graders to the middle school where most of them will be going next week.  The middle school is only about 1/2 a mile away from our campus, so the walk was no big deal. We took a tour of the entire campus, and then walked back to school. All in all, I was on my feet walking for about 2 hours.  Now my knees were starting to get into the act.

I probably would be feeling okay by now if we hadn't taken our students to the local University for career opportunity days on Thursday. Yep, more walking! We were there all day, and had to walk up and down numerous stairs. My hips decided to join the party!

Going to work yesterday was a feat all by itself.  I woke up this morning and every inch of my body seems to hurt.  I had to get up early to make breakfast for my oldest because he is taking his SAT's today. Can't have him going to test with only pop tarts in his belly.

So I am going to spend the day trying to rest as much as possible. I have to do laundry, but I should be able to relax between loads. Hope everyone has a great day!

Gentle Hugs!

Finalist

Just found out that I'm a finalist for Teacher of the Year! Not sure how I feel about this! I know it's an honor to be nominated, and I really do appreciate the nomination. My problem is that Teacher of the Year is voted on by your colleagues. I love my colleagues, but how do they know what I do in the classroom? I think Teacher of Year should be voted on by administration since they are the ones who are in and out of the classrooms everyday. To me Teacher of the Year is more of a popularity contest.  To make matters worse, I'm up against the math teacher in my grade level. So now I have to deal with the pressure of whether or not my colleagues like me better than her! I feel like I am back in high school!  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Just kidding! As I told my students, whether I win or lose, I know I'm a good teacher who does everything in her power to ensure her students succeed! I really am happy and honored to be nominated!

Fibro Fog Moment!

I have my appointment with the neurologist this afternoon.  I've known about this appointment for almost a month now.  The appointment is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., so I figured I would work half a day, and call in a substitute for the other half.  I get to work this morning and one of my colleagues asks me why I'm there.  I look at her and say "I work here?"  She then asks me why I had a sub in my classroom.  I give her my best confused look and say "I don't know!"

So I go to my room, and sure enough there is a sub there. Luckily this is a sub I have called in many times over the last 11 years, and I look at him and say "What are doing here so early?" Now he gives me the confused look and says "you put in for me for a full day."

Me: Really?
Him: Yes.
Me: Wow, I'm losing my mind! Oh well, I guess I'll enjoy my full day off! Have fun! See ya!!!

And I ran out of the building before anyone could change their mind!  I seriously thought I had put in for a half day.  I could have slept an extra hour this morning before getting the boys up and ready for school.  I guess I better double check all the other days I have requested off for doctor's appointments to make sure I have put them in correctly.

Long Week!

This week was super long! I didn't get any teaching done this week, instead I spent the entire week testing my students.  They had to take district benchmark tests every single day this week. The benchmarks only took 90 minutes a day, but then my schedule had to be modified to meet both my classes. Instead of meeting each of my classes for 2 1/2 hours a day, I only had them for 1 1/2 hours. I had to use this time every day to do mid year reading assessments.  My poor kids spent the entire week testing and working independently while I did their individual reading assessments.

I don't know why, but testing is exhausting! This week has left me drained and in pain.  I woke up with pain all over this morning.  My body feels like it has been hit all over by a baseball bat.  Luckily it is a three day weekend, so I should be able to recharge for next week.  I'm relaxing today, and hopefully will feel well enough to spend the rest of the weekend doing something with my family.  Maybe we'll go to a movie!

One Day Back and a Migraine!

Yesterday started out pretty good. I was excited to see my students, and they were on task and ready to get back to work. Halfway through the day, MIGRAINE!!! Who knows what set it off, but the rest of the day ended up going down hill!

I had managed to go a whole 3 days without a headache, and now it's back with a vengeance. I have my appointment with the neurologist on January 31st. Hopefully he can help with the headaches.

On the plus side, at least it is a short week!

Last Day of Winter Break!

This break went by way too fast. I spent the first week of it in severe pain, and the second week of it getting used to the new medications. My headache is finally gone, but my neck and lower back are still hurting.

I am looking forward to going back to work to see my kids, but I'm afraid of having another flare up. I've spent most of the break trying to rest up, but once I'm back at work life will be nonstop again. I spent most of November in severe pain, and missed several days of work. When I was at work, the headache was so bad, I really wasn't able to give my kids the attention they need. I really hope I'm able to get back into a routine, and am able to give my kids the quality education they deserve. I love teaching, but the last couple of months have been trying!

So tomorrow it's back to reality!

Here I Go Again!

I use to have another blog that I was faithful to for a couple of years, and then I let life get in the way! Instead of continuing with my old blog, I decided it was time for a fresh start. So this blog will be about my very ordinary simple life! NOT! For those of you who know me, you know that my life has been anything but simple or ordinary lately!

How ordinary and simple can it be when you're the mother of two very active boys? My oldest son Spencer is 16 and junior in high school. He is very active in both theater and choir. He also recently got his driving permit and has given me quite a few gray hairs along the way. My youngest son Shane will be 8 in February. He is in second grade, and is very active in karate and gymnastics.

I've been married to my high school sweetheart for 20 years, but we have actually been together for 27 years. Brian is my best friend, and has been there for me through the good times and bad.

I have been a teacher for just over 14 years, and have loved it for the most part. I hate state mandated tests we have to give our students, but I'll save that for another post.

I was recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia after several months of suffering from unexplained pains. I was poked, prodded, xrayed, had CT scans and MRIs, bloodwork, and every other test they could think of giving me. It seemed like I was at the doctor's office every week, and they could never figure out what was causing all the problems. I was given shots, antibiotics, and antidepressants. Finally, my aunt (who also suffers from fibromyalgia) realized that many of my symptoms mimicked her symptoms. Well my doctor did a simple test, and after some new medications the pain is now manageable. I went from barely being able to move and suffering from migraine worthy headaches to being able to go out with my family and enjoying some kind of life again. I still have pains and a headache, but at least now I can deal with the pain.

I know that living with fibromyalgia is something I will have to deal with for the rest of my life, but I plan on taking it one day at a time. I know some days will be better than others and that I will have to make some major life changes (diet and exercise), but I am up to the challenge!

So this my ordinary simple life in a nutshell!