Discouragement

Come the end of next month, it will be two years, since I have worked full-time. I am ready for my own classroom. Subbing is good and it keeps me up in the classroom. But it just isn't the same. I've told the Lord, I would like one year, where the behavior is pretty good, and the kids care about their education. I get tired of being around students who don't care about either their education or their behavior.

Last week and this week is testing here in OH. Wasn't expecting to work much this week. I worked the last two days, middle school and high school. Was called this morning by a different district to a school I do not like (bad behavior, and the kids dont' care too much) and for a teacher I have been before. I turned it down, the only call I recieved. I kinda regret turning it down. Part of that regret is the lecture I will recieve later today. I have the right to be choosey as a substitute teacher. I know I need to not be that choosey, but I am. What am I supposed to do about the bad behavior and the not caring about learning. With it being a testing day, things can be worse. So, I am down a bit.

Monday, got my blood work back. Liver counts are normal, first time since last fall. White blood count is up to 3.1. A few counts are still low, but overall it was good. I had my weekly fever yesterday. I wake up with one at least once a week on a Tuesday or Thursday, the day after my injection. I've been getting headaches, hard to tell if they are sinus headaches or interferon induced headaches. I've taken a pain pill both of the last two nights. Monday, I was cold. Turned the heat on and had to sit underneath a blanket all afternoon and evening. I had a hard time getting warm.

Last Night's Fun

Yesterday, was my first injection of Interferon in a week. The last one I received was April 18. I knew that my side effects would be worse after skipping a couple of days. Last night, they were as bad as last fall, when I was on the high dose. They started before I even got my injection.

I subbed in a first grade classroom yesterday. My first all day job since April 14. Before noon, I had a headache. I couldn't take anything, because of getting Tylenol some time after 3 pm. School got out at 2:30 pm, and I was tired then. I drove to the hospital, had my blood drawn for my weekly labs. Got my injection and came home. By the time I got home, my fatigue level was up to a 9/10. I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open while driving. I was that tired. I took a nap after coming home. My naps aren't long, usually about 30 minutes, and at times an hour in length.

I was tired during the evening. Got off the computer about 8:30 pm. I had a headache. Decided to take Sudafed, because I wasn't sure which container held the pain pills. I had the chills and was warm. My teeth was chattering. Got a shower, and watched the Indians game. Went to bed about 10 pm. The second time, I woke up, my head was hurting like crazy. Went downstairs to take a couple of pain pills, get some water. I took my temp, and it was at 100.7 degrees. Changed into my summer pajamas, after heading back upstairs. All of my windows were open and my fan was on. Slept great for the next 3 1/2 hrs. Slept off and on after that, and got up a little after 7 am.

I came downstairs a little after 9:30 this morning, and took the last pain pill. The pain pills are the only thing that works on my interferon induced headaches. I called my onc office this morning, and spoke to the onc on duty. She called in a prescription for pain pills for me. My mom picked them up for me this afternoon. I've been tired and feel out of it today.

I'm glad I this is happening over the weekend, so that hopefully, I won't have to make myself unavailable and can work all week. Will see how long it takes me to get back into the groove of the injections. I will miss an injection in June, when I got to TX for a few days.

The Beach, Fort Fisher, Wilmington

Vacation time was on Sunday and Monday. Sunday after church, drove to Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. It was nice to walk on the beach, dig my toes into the sand, pick up seashells, and watch the tide come in. My dad wouldn't believe me that it was high tide, he though it was low tide. It was nice to be out there. I enjoyed it. We stayed in Wilmington for the night.

Monday morning, we checked out and drove down to Carolina Beach and then over to Kure Beach.




I had fun texting and calling people to rub in the fact, I was on the beach and they weren't. I didn't wear my stocking on Monday, so I could enjoy the beach. The breeze was nice. I just enjoyed it. I hadn't been on the beach in 13 years. The sand was nice. Walking on broken shells, that did hurt a bit. Gorgeous views.

After the two beaches, we stopped at Fort Fisher, the last strong hold in the Confederacy during the Civil War. Received a history lesson. Saw a real cannon that had been brought up from the ocean. Cannon balls. I bought replica money from the Civil War time. That was so cool.

From Fort Fisher, drove back to Wilmington and went to downtown. Downtown, you can see a real battleship that was used during WW II in the Pacific Ocean.

Dad and I received a tour of the Coast Guard ship that is docked in Wilmington. Wilmington is its home base. They are home for two months, out to sea for two months, etc. Standing there, you could see a battleship across the way. I took a bunch of pics. Dad drove over to the battleship, it was five, so we didn't get on, plus the cost was $12 to get on. But it was cool!

NC Interviews

(Here is the welcome sign to NC)
We left Friday, April 18, and got down to Charlotte, a little before 6 pm. We stopped about every 2-3 hours. The scenery was beautiful. There were trees/shrubs with these pretty purple flowers. To me, the trees had very skinny trunks. After supper, we soaked in the hot tub.

Saturday, at the convention center, was the Charlotte-Mecklenburgh job fair. I dropped off about 20 resume packets. I did not talk to all 20 schools. Some had long lines. Standing there for a period of time, bothered my hip and my leg some. A lot gave job offers, some openings, they only took resumes. Will see...I do have a letter of intent. Supposedly, if I don't have an assignment by July, I will get one. God has something for me.

I made phone calls on Thursday, Friday, and again on Monday. I received two more interviews on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. Sunday, we drove to the beach, Monday, drove up to Wilson, NC. Tuesday, we were in Wilson for the morning, and over to Lexington for the afternoon. We stayed in Thomasville for the night. Wednesday, drove over to Troy. When I was done in Troy, headed for home.

Nothing in the other three. Lexington, my name is in the pile to be considered for an opening in the fall. I am a little too early for most of these places, because last week, they gave out contracts. They are due this or next week. The majority of the school districts will not know about openings until next month sometime. Hopefully, I will get more interviews throughout the summer.

Trouble on the Turnpike

Last week, I went up to MI for a job fair. I left EMU around 4:30 April 16. I stopped for supper, then continued on my way home. (Right after, I moved back to OH last year, my gas gauge broke.) When my gas tank gets low, the needle on my gas gauge moves back over to Full, then the yellow light goes on. I knew I was low. I saw the needle move back to Full, but didn't pay attention to when the yellow light went on. Once that light goes on, I have about 50 miles before I run out of gas. Guess what I did that Wednesday night? I ran out of gas. I was about 60 miles from home, around 7:15 pm. As I was moving over to the shoulder, I noticed my battery light was on.

My dad called a business associate that lived up where I was, and she came to me with a gallon of gas. I went to start my car, and it wouldn't start. My battery was dead. She called AAA, and waited with me, until a tow truck arrived. He took me off the turnpike, and waited with me for another one, who took me home. I got home around midnight. I was very tired, and not able to drive anymore that night. I had to still get my injection.

Mom took me into town, and I got my injection around 12:45 am (Thursday). I am not supposed to get it two days in a row, but basically did. I got it again after 7:30 am on Friday.

EMU Job Fair

Last week, was the Eastern Michigan University Job Fair. I went up the day before, so I could see my best friend. We haven't seen each other in a year. Her oldest turned 13, she now has a teenager, later in the week. It was good to see her and her boys. We had a nice visit.

I gave out about 20 resume packets. I only spoke to people from ID, WV, NC, and SC. I asked people from NC and SC who do I contact about setting up interviews for the next week, since I was heading down to Charlotte that weekend. I started making phone calls that afternoon. I left messages, and a majority didn't call me back.

Akron Aeros and Spring

Brandi and Orbit



Orbit and myself



Fireworks

We had spring weather this week. New leaves are coming out on the trees. Nice weather. M-F, I've done some walking. Friday, was the only day, I didn't walk down the driveway. Monday and Friday, I did the most walking, and the following day, I've been worn out. But do you know how good it was to be outside and enjoying the sunshine? I won't be surprised if my white blood count dropped. Last week, it was at 2.6.

Last night, I went to an Akron Aeros (AA Indians) game downtown Akron, with my sis, niece, and mom. The other team took an early lead, but in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Aeros rallied and went ahead. Between both teams, they made 8 errors. The visiting team committed 6 of those errors. The final score was 12-5. My niece and I each had our pic taken with Orbit, the mascot. Orbit also signed the mitt my niece had. My dad gave her the mitt last night before going to the game.

After the game was fireworks. They were cool. I took a couple of pics and then did a video of the fireworks. I haven't been able to figure out how to save the video. If I can upload it, then I will.

Will not talk about the Indians, I am very disappointed with them, they have a loosing record and are not playing up to par. I still hope to go to 2-3 games this year, though.

Next week, going up to MI and at the end of the week, heading down to Charlotte, NC. I probably won't post until after I have gotten back from NC.

Opening Day 2008

The Cleveland Indians opened their season against Chicago White Sox. First pitch was at 3:05 pm. Indians are at home for the first series of the season. Mark B. was the starting pitcher is now 0-6 against C.C. Sabithia. White Sox pitcher only lasted 1 2/3 innings, 2/3 innings longer than their pitcher lasted last year on opening day.

In the first inning, White Sox got a guy on base, and he stole second. Thome came up to bat, and C.C. pitched a perfect to pitch to Thome, to allow him to get a two run home run. Before that at-bat, Thome was 0-11 against C.C. Thome's first two at-bats, he hit a home run against C.C. What are we going to do with C.C.?

Bottom of the second, We had 11 or 12 guys come to bat. Victor got to hit twice. Each of his two at-bats, he hit a single, and his second one was a RBI single. Guiterriz hit a two run home run. He hit our first home run of the season. Grady took longer this year, than last year, to hit his first home run of the season. Grady's second at-bat of the game, he hit a solo home run. By the fifth out of the game, Mark B. had been chased to the showers, with the score at 7-2.

C.C. allowed the White Sox to come back into the game. C.C. could've pitched better than he did. Casey Blake made an error, which allowed White Sox to come back and tie the game. Actually Rafael Perez gave up the run(s) that tied the game. That is not like Perez at all. He would've done better. I do home he pitches like he did last year. C.C. pitched okay, but not like a Cy Young player would pitch, though.

Bottom of the 8th, Casey Blake, came to bat, with the bases loaded. He hit a 3 run double. Score is now 10-7. White Sox deliberately walked Grady, and pitched to Jason Michaels.

Top of the 9th, Joe Borowski, our closer, is on the mound. He pulled his favorite 2007 stunt, keeping us on the edge of our seats, by giving up a solo home run. Score is now 10-8. Casey Blake hit the winning run and made the final out of the game. We win 10-8!

I know this was only the first game of the season, but the Idiots could've and should've done better. Tomorrow is an off day. Wednesday, game starts at 7:05 and Thursday, starts at 12:05 before heading out to Oakland for the weekend.

My Brother

Last fall, I posted about my brother staph infection he had in his finger. I wasn't sure if I was going to post about him from this week or not. I've thought about it and have decided to post.

I didn't go see Timmy last weekend, because I was still sore on the left side from my biopsy, and Timmy sits to my left, on the couch. Sunday night (Easter), mom received a phone call telling her that Timmy was in the hospital. He woke up Saturday, with sinus problems. Sunday, he was worse, face red and half of it swollen. They took him to Emergency and he was admitted. He has another staph infection, this time in his nose, and bacteria in his blood. They talked about doing surgery, but the doctors have now decided no surgery. That is good news. He is on a very strong antibiotic, that he gets twice a day. His doctor was supposed to prescribe a pain medicine for him.

Timmy fell out of bed last night and hit his head. He didn't need stitches, that is good.

I haven't seen him yet and won't until after he is sent home to the group home. My parents want to make sure I don't catch anything. My sinuses have been bothering me this week. I keep getting sinus headaches. Tylenol doesn't work, so I've started taking Sudafed.

Thank you for all of your prayers. I really do appreciate them.

Biopsy Results

I have some good news to share. The doctor, who did my biopsy on Wednesday, called me this afternoon. She wanted to give me the biopsy results. Came back good, clean, benign! Praise the Lord. I am now done with tests for a few months.

I am quite sore on my left side. It hurts to do right turns, when I am driving. I won't be able to sleep on my left side for a few more days. A lot of times, just any kind of movement causes it to hurt.

Biopsy

This morning was my biopsy. It was over by the hospital, in one of their professional buildings. I had to by there by 8:45 am, with it starting at 9am. I go back into the room, and we do paperwork first. She explains the whole procedure to me, I ask questions, she answers and vice versa. This mass, that was being biopsied, could not be felt by touching, can only be seen by x-ray.

I laid down on my stomach, and my left side hang down through a hole in the table. They squished and squeezed, with tools and took pics. Couldn't see it, so went over for a mammogram. The density of the mass is the same as the rest of the tissue surrounding it. Went back and got situated again on the table. They got me already, then I said I needed a pillow for my right side, because the area around my port was bothering me. I tried not to move, but I did, so they had to start all over again, in getting me ready for the biopsy.

They numbed it, inserted a needle, took pics, went around the clock to get tissue samples. At the end, they inserted a clip, so that if I ever had to see a surgeon, got another biopsy, mammogram, they could see where a biopsy was done beforehand.

I have had to keep ice on that area off and on all day. I was in the room for a couple of hours. I received a ride in a wheelchair up to the seventh floor to get my injection. They were busy, so I stayed in the wheelchair and was taken care of right there in the middle of the room, blocking traffic.

I will get the results next week when I see my onc.

I woke up fine this morning. We left around 8 am, and by that time, I was ready for a nap. I was tired all day.

It is currently snowing.

March Job Fair

Today, was the teacher job fair at AU. Over sixy school districts were there. I had 11 interviews today, and I gave out 24 resume packets. I recieved two possible job offers, one of those I actually signed a letter of intent/contract. I had interviews with districts from the following states: AZ, KS, NV, GA, SC, NC, and MD. There was even a school district there from Alaska.

I tried to get into as many OH school district lines, but they were long. I gave to a few of thoe districts, but the majority of my packets went to the out of state districts.

The district with the possible job, I have to fill out the application and make sure they have all of my info. They are having their own job fair April 19. I can go down there, meet and interview with principals that I would be interested working with, and those who are interested with me, just decide where I want to work, and can leave there with a job for next school year. That is what I go from my conversation with them. If I don't get something next month, then I would be given a school to teach out come around July 1.

I need to pray about all of this, do my job, research the area and different schools, go down a day early to check out the area. This job fair is the same week, that I am going back up to EMU for their teacher job fair.

I would appreciate your prayers for wisdom in this area. God has a place for me to teach at, He will reveal it in time.

Need a Biopsy

Saw my onc this morning. My dad was there with me for my appointment. First, I am a little anemic, explains why I am tired, besides the Interferon making me tired. My ovaries are fine. They thought they were seeing something near my port when I got the mammograms/ultrasounds last month. There's nothing really there. They do see a 3.5cm mass in my left breast. There are two options, wait 3 months then get another mammogram/ultrasound, or get a biopsy. My onc prefers me getting the biopsy, because of my melanoma. The radiologist is going to perform the biopsy instead of a surgeon, because this way, I will get it done sooner.

So, Wednesday, March 26, at 9am, I am going to get a Sterotactic Guided Biopsy of my left breast. They believe it is benign, and I was told not to worry. I haven't yet. I will get the results the following week, when I go to see my onc again.

The biopsy can't be done next week, because I am going to a teacher job fair over at the university. So far, I have 8 interviews scheduled for next week. I have room for 4 more. Please keep that in your prayers also.

I saw my surgeon on Wednesday. I do not have to see him again for 6 months. He said something to me about seeing a dermatologist, so I have an appointment to see one on April 2.

Today, I have been the most "awake" than I have been all week.

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When people read blogs, they will sometimes look at the comments that have been posted. I've done that, and I don't care if you read those that have been posted on mine. There are two comments that were posted on my post from last week, with pics of snow. Please do not try to read those comments, I'm afraid if you do, if they might try to cause a problem for you on your computer or not. I do not know how to delete them. I've changed a couple of things on posting comments.

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My friends in TX, yes, I know you received some snow this week. Your most recent storm, is up here in OH. It started snowing little after 10 am today. We already have 3-6 inches of snow, and are expecting about a foot or more by 4 am on Sunday. Maybe, I will take more pics and post them. Enjoy your snow.

Need Further Evaluation

Two weeks ago, on President's Day, I had a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound, which took 2 1/2 hours. I was told the doctor thought there was something around my port area. Today, I received a letter, saying that I need further evaluation, from what they saw two weeks ago. I am already scheduled to see my onc this Friday. We will talk about this and I will also talk to him about my fatigue and energy levels. Please keep me in your prayers on Friday morning.

Snow Day

Woke up to a gorgeous site this morning! I was up about an hour, before I saw on tv, that where I was supposed to work today was closed. All schools are closed in about a 100 mile radius of where I live. It has been snowing all day! We will end up with 6-8 inches of snow when it is all done snowing. I can't remember the last time we had this much snow at one time.

I went outside twice to take pictures. First time, standing in the doorway, and went out to the driveway. The second time, I put boots on, and walked down the driveway a bit, and into the front yard. I took a pic of the front of the house, and a bunch of the trees.

Enjoy the view. It is absolutely gorgeous! I have been enjoying the view all day.

White Blood Count

I had my weekly blood draw last Friday. I received the results this afternoon. My white blood count is up to 2.8. That is the highest I have seen it, since I started Interferon.

"Date Adventure"-Mark Lowry

Mark Lowry is so funny! He is a Christian comedine, who was a member of the Gaither Vocal Group for many years. This song is to the tune of "The Great Adventure" by Steven Curtis Champman. Enjoy the video.

Total Lunar Eclipse

Last night, here in Northeast Ohio, we were able to view the Total Lunar Eclipse. There was a full moon. One of the pics, I'm posting was taken by one of the photographers from my local newspaper, Akron Beacon Journal. The other one I found through Google.

Scan Results

First off, I have a sinus infection. I have not been feeling well. I stayed home from church yesterday, and slept for a few more hours. I got an antibiotic from my onc this morning. I have had a few nose bleeds since Thursday evening.

I had an appointment to see my onc this morning. Bloodcounts are fine. As you all know, I had my CT Scan two weeks ago. Two weeks ago, I had a kidney stone. I didn't know that I had one. I've had one before, very painful. I wasn't really having much pain. I have the usual stomach ache at different times. I also have a cyst on an ovary. My onc said that it is commen for women to get cysts. This Friday morning, I am scheduled to get an ultrasound.

After seeing my onc, I was scheduled for a appointment at the Breast Imaging Center there by the hospital. My appointmnet was for 10:20 am, and I didn't leave there til about 1 pm. I had a mammogram on them both. She showed them to the doctor, and I had to wait for about 30 minutes to get an ultrasound on them both. Then I had another mammogram, then went in for another ultrasound. One of the techs explained all what went on. This was my first mammogram, and with my history, the doctor was erring on the side of caution, and setting up a baseline to have something to comapre it to in the future. The doctor saw some tissue mass around my port. (I saw the port on the xray.) Doctor is not sure if it is residual from the port being put in. I have to get another mammogram in about six months. They are going to take a wait and see stance on it.

My last CT Scan in July, the onc saw nodules in my lungs. They are still there, and are still small. There is no change in the nodules. That is good. He was able to see a few lymph nodes, but they were visible because I haven't been feeling well.

Again, thank you for your prayers, and please continue to pray. I see my onc again on March 7.

I woke up to this...

Our second Artic Blast blew in last night. Very cold and windy. In three of the pics, you can see the wind blowing and moving the snow around. Enjoy these pics of beauty.