Why I Love Teaching Part 2!

My "saving angels disguised as teachers" Abby, Sara, and Alisha

As many of you know, I have had an issue with blood clots--ARGH!!!! In October I was hospitalized for 4 days with a clot in my lung. On Monday, March 3, I was kicked in the foot which resulted in a blood clot in my lower right calf. After a nearly 45 minute, highly intense ultrasound (they aren't much fun when you aren't trying to see if it's a boy or a girl, although Doug kept trying to assign a gender to my clot...) it was determined that I did have a "superficial" clot. What that means is that the clot was in the outer veins on my leg. I was given strict instructions to not sit or stand. Basically that means I can lie down or walk. However, I was also told not to "overdo" the walking. I was up to nearly 10 miles a day at the gym, so being idle has NOT been an easy task. I am confined to crutches because it is painful to have any weight on my leg. I try to "cruise" the block twice a day, but even that far has proven to be quite difficult. Hopefully by following the directions of the doctor, I will prevent this clot from going into my deep vein, which would mean a lifetime of coumadin. UGH!!!! I am grateful for coumadin, however it is a horrible drug and I hate what it is doing to my body. Just as an example, a few weeks ago in church, my nose was running a little bit. I had a tissue, wiped my nose, realized it was bleeding and had to literally run to the restroom. Within about 3 minutes it was bleeding so heavily it was coming out both nostrils and my throat. (I hope no one is eating dinner right now! ;-)) I will do whatever it takes to get off this medication, which means I have been confined to my bed for a week now. I go to the doctor today for a follow-up. If all goes well and this clot has remained superficial, I will get to QUIT taking my coumadin in mid-April. Yes, any extra prayers would be greatly appreciated.

If any of you have been laid up for awhile, you know how quickly your house can disintegrate around you. On Friday afternoon, after teaching ALL DAY, my friends came over after school to help me. Just having someone visit was all I needed, but they went a step further. They deep cleaned my bathrooms and my kitchen. I love teaching--not only because of the great kids I get to teach, but also because of the AMAZING FRIENDS I GET TO WORK WITH. So thank you to Abby, Alisha, and Sara for your kindness and friendship. You will never know how much you mean to me!

Alexia and Stella "helping" in the bathroom.

Abby posing for the camera.

Alisha working hard!