Sleep

I am currently tired! Only 5 more injections! In the past few months, when I wake up in the middle of the night, a lot of nights, I have a hard time getting back to sleep. I have that problem from my dad. You wake up for the RR, and for whatever reason you have something on your mind. You start thinking, and that will keep you awake for awhile. I am in bed between 7 1/2-9 hours a night. I go to bed tired and wake up tired. I am just not getting enough sleep at night. I have had this problem for years, but would not effect me very often, but it is getting more and more frequent.

It doesn't help that I am up 2-4 times a night. I spend about 95% of the night, laying on my back with my right leg elevated. Laying on my back, makes me wake up a lot at night. Every time I wake up, I basically will roll over and hit play on my cd player, so I can play my Praise and Worship cd. The cd lasts about 80 minutes, and it plays a few time through every night.

I have worked 12 days this month. I worked 3 1/2 days last week, and so far only one day this week.

This past Saturday night, I did a small scrapbook in about 2 hours. It is a Picfolio and holds 24 pics. I did it of my birthday, back in July. I'm thinking of doing another one from next month's party. Hopefully, I'll take a lot of pics that night, so that I can make one.

Praise God!

7 more injections then I am done!!!!!! I posted on Tuesday about something stupid I did on Monday. When I left the library I was at on Tuesday, I stopped at the one I was at on Monday. Guess what! My flash drive was there behind the computer on that desk. I am so hoping, nobody looked to see what was on my flash drive. I am so thankful that it was there.

We are now in my favorite season, fall/autumn. The leaves have started changing on the trees in my yard. It is a slightly early, but still beautiful.

I have gotten into Akron U's Grad School. I will start classes in January. I will be getting a letter soon, telling me who my advisor is and will call to make an appointment.

New Stocking

Last Friday, I picked up my new stocking. I wore it for the first time on Saturday. It fits fine, but it bugs me at the top of my thigh. Saturday, it left a red mark. It is tighter than my old one. With the temps in the 70's and colder at night, you'd think the lymphodema would decrease, but it doesn't look like it has.

Labs were done as usual, last Friday. My white blood count is down from 2.0 to 1.9. Looks like my platelet dropped, too. They are now at 121.

I worked 4 days last week, kinder. I have worked both yesterday and today for this week.

8 more injections!

The Indians have won 7 in a row, and are actually 2 games above .500. Before Sunday, the last time they were above .500 was back in May. Cliff Lee pitches tonight and again on Sunday.

I saw 3 deer last Thursday morning.

I've been taking lots of Tylenol in the past week and half, trying not to take a pain pill. It has been a couple of weeks since I've taken a pain pill.

I did something really stupid yesterday. I need some prayer!!! I went to the library yesterday afternoon to get online. (First time online in 6 days.) I connected my flash drive to the hard drive, so I could send an attachment to an email to somebody. I totally forgot about my flash drive and left it there, connected to the computer. This flash drive is very important, all of my resume stuff is on it, along with a copy of my driver's license and I think also my ss card. When I realized it this afternoon, I had my mom call over to the library and nobody had turned it in. Please pray that I get it back and nobody uses it to try and mess up my identity. I still can't believe I did that. It is tough not having a working computer at home.

Skunk II

**UPDATE**
The skunk went "bye-bye" yesterday morning. I think you can figure out how he went bye-bye. I will give you a hint. Three letter word, and starts with a g.
The Indians will have a pitcher two years in a row win the CY Yound Award. Cliff Lee won again last night. He is now 22-2.


I was awake for a couple of hours last night, at some point, I heard what sounded like the trap door closing. Lo and Behold, we caught an animal. A skunk, a good sized skunk. A skunk, not an albino skunk. I told my dad, he went out to look, he threw something at the cage, and guess what the skunk did? He sprayed! My room smelled, I had to close my windows and it still smelled when I went downstairs. I didn't see it spray, but I sure could smell it. At first, it looked like two animals in the cage, but there is only one. I wonder how long we will have the skunk until it goes "bye-bye".

Last Day

Monday, was my monthly appointment with my onc. I only lost 1 pound this past month. I ate more and drank more pop than I should've. I will see him again on October 24. I received the lab results from Friday's labs. My WBC went down from 2.3 to 2.0. I expected that since I battle fatigue all of last week. My platelets went up from 107 to 139. I had the normal lows of other things.

Last day of Interferon treatment will be Friday, October 10. Yeah!!!!!!!!! Can you believe that the year of treatment is just about done? That is such good news. I will have labs done on October 24 with scans in early November. After that, if things are good, I can have my port taken out. I will ask about followup first and go from there. Please pray that I will make the best decision about my port and what to do with it.

Thank you again for all of your prayers! I so do appreciate them.

I am working on applying to grad school to start in January. I worked yesterday. So far, I've worked 2 1/2 days since school has started. It will pick up, but I'm not worried.

My Teachers

I attended Chapel Hill Christian School for elementary school in the late 70's and early 80's. Since I have graduated from college and have my teaching certificate, I have subbed for three of my elementary ed teachers. Before I ever moved to TX, I did sub at CHCS, and subbed for my PE and my sixth grade teachers. Subbing for my sixth grade teacher was so cool! My fourth grade teacher is teaching in the city school district that I do sub for. This afternoon, I was her sub. That was cool for the both of us! She is now teaching third grade.

This Past Week

Friday afternoon, we left for IL for a wedding that was on Saturday morning. There were 5 of us in the car. Cramped, but I tried hard not to complain. The only driving I did over the weekend was Sunday morning.

The wedding was nice, started 30 minutes late, that is okay. The groom washed his bride's feet. That was different. The bride, groom, matron of honor, and best man, were the only ones to partake in communion. Bride's mother married them. Brunch reception, and dancing after we ate. Groom's sister made the wedding cake. She did a great job.

Spent the night in IN. Sunday morning, drove to Sandusky to spend time at Kalahari. Nice place, fun and expensive. Did get some sun. Sore calf muscles, feel it more in my left than my right, but knees are bothering me. They have a wave pool, four hot tubs, water slides, and other things to do.

Left Sandusky around 5 pm on Monday to head for home. I called the hospital (nurses' station) to let them know I would be in between 7:30 and 8 pm. That is so they could call pharmacy to have my injection. They knew I would be in sometime on Monday, because they had my chart. I get there about 7:30 (mom drove me, I was very tired). Guess what? My injection wasn't there. They called down to pharmacy. I didn't get my injection till around 9 pm. I was bored, so I played with my phone and watched Indians a bit. About 8:45 called the sub systems to see if there was something for Tuesday, there was and I accepted it.

Woke up Tuesday and called the system trying to cancel, couldn't. I was so tired that I couldn't function and sore. Dad drove me to school and my mom picked me up that afternoon. Had a headache most of day, finally took a pain after supper, 6 pm. The pain pill did its job.

This morning, had my follow-up with the surgeon about last week. Appointment was for 8:45 am. Was called back to a room, a little after 10 am, waited still another hour to see the doctor. Confirmed the bakers cyst, and said I was probably starting to get arthritis in my knees. Was told to follow-up with my family doctor. Will wait awhile before I do. It was noon, when I finally left the hospital area, after getting my injection.

I didn't get my lab results on Monday. I got them today. My WBC was 2.3, up from 2.1. I thought it would've dropped since I was tired all last week. I didn't eat breakfast on Friday, and my glucose was at 107, that was odd. My platelets had dropped down to 107. I was expecting that to drop. Will get new results next Monday.

This Friday, I am planning on getting measured for a new compression stocking. I won't if I sub. Seeing my onc next Monday afternoon.

Last Friday, the Indians winning streak was ended by Seattle, and Seattle swept the good guys. We did win Monday and Tuesday and lost today. Monday, Cliff Lee pitched and won his 20th game of the season. Let's see how many more he can win. He won AL pitcher of the month for August, second time this season. He is in contention for CY Young award. I hope he wins it.

Ultrasound Update

I had my ultrasound this morning, on both groins and going down the inside part of each leg, and behind each knee. I was told that I had a Bakers Cyst, a buildup of fluid. I will know more after I see the surgeon next week.

Ultrasound

I saw my surgeon this morning. For the past week, I have had some pain in my right knee. Last Thursday, at least twice, I was standing and talking, the next thing I know, my leg gives out on me. I didn't fall, but was able to shift my weight around. I debated or not to make the appointment then debated or not to keep the appointment. So, I saw him this morning. The knee area is a little swollen and so is the calf area.

Tomorrow morning at 8:30, I am scheduled for an ultrasound on both legs from the groin area on down. Since I just had a CT scan last month, I'm not getting another one. My surgeon doesn't think there is anything wrong, but to play it safe. Wants to make sure I do not have a blood clot, and the ultrasound can pick up lymph nodes.

I will be seeing my surgeon again next Wednesday morning.

My Weekend

Over the past two days, all three of my teams won, while my mom's teams lost. :) Friday night, my high school team won and my mom's lost. Indians won both Friday night and last night. They have won 6 in a row. Steelers won last night, while the Browns lost yesterday afternoon. I keep telling her, she needs to start cheering for the better team, but she won't listen to me.

Yesterday, a friend and I, went to the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum. She went to see a certain show for a class. That place is cool. There were about 100 steps up to the monument, where President McKinley and his wife's coffins are located. There is a statue of him as well. That monument is 101 yrs old. They were both placed there in 1907, after Mrs. McKinley died. Both of their daughters who died in childhood are there in the wall behind their coffins, as well.

Inside, we saw a couple of replicas of dinosaurs, mastodon, hands on science of energy, pulleys, light, etc., hides of animals, bees, and a few live animals in cages. Mastodons are related to mammoths and today's elephants. Mastodons lived in Stark County millions of years ago. We saw an electric show and learned a bit about electricity.

I took pics in Discover World (science stuff), but wasn't able upstairs in the McKinley collection.

Was in the planetarium, and saw a video about Mars, and saw stars of what would've been visible last night, if we had a clear sky. Was cool.

Upstairs, was cool. Street of shops from the 1800's and early 1900's. A couple of old cars, wagon, White House mementos, some of their furniture, Inauguration mementos. I like that kind of stuff. I had an enjoyable time. The slide show is from the museum showing pics that I had taken.

Today after church, about 18 of us went bowling. I bowled 3 games. My scores were, 101, 87, 95. I seemed to regress during the games. I bowled at least one strike each game. The last game, I did bowl 3 spares in a row. Nobody bowled a turkey. We had fun. Many times, we were close to bowling strikes or spares, but one pin would be left standing. This was the third time I had been bowling this year.

Short Notice Interview

After my appointment at the hospital this morning, I headed over to AU to meet with an advisor for grad school. I am starting back in January. AU doesn't have the program that I want. I am not crazy about taking classes online. What is my goal? IN 10-15 years, I want to be teaching science staff development to elementary education teachers. I want my masters in elementary ed science. The program at AU does allow you to take 15 hours in a concentration of what you want. That will allow me to take hours in science. Plus, I will have to take a couple of classes in curriculum, which will help me to understand how curriculum is written. That will be helpful for me in the future.

While I was meeting the advisor my phone rang, it was on vibrate. My dad called to tell me to call him. I called him, and he gave me a phone number. I called and left a message for this person. I was told to call a principal for a charter school. Their enrollment is up and they are looking to hire a couple of teachers at the last minute. I talked to her about 10:40 am and scheduled an appointment for noon. I went home to change clothes and get a resume packet and a scrapbook. This opening is for 4th grade-self contained. Having little experience being self-contained is a mark against me. They use FOSS (doesn't cover all of the objectives to be taught, okay), which I used in Dallas. That is a mark for me. The principal had some other interviews and hopes to make the decision by Monday morning. School starts on Monday.

Will see what comes from this.

Interview, What Interview?

I was supposed to have a phone interview this morning at 10 am. I was home by 9:45 am. Ten o'clock has come and gone, and no phone call. I don't have her phone number to call her. She said she would call if she didn't forget. Teachers started back today in Charlotte. It has me kinda down, all this stuff about Charlotte, the ups and downs. This, no phone call, must be God's way of making sure I know that moving is not part of his plan for me, right now. Who knows, I might still need him to confirm that. I will be kept busy subbing, but I want my own classroom again. I have been feeling melancholy the past couple of weeks, and its due to the Charlotte thing.

It is also due to the fact...WARNING: Vanity popping up!...When I look in the mirror, I see an area where hair is thinning, up front. Mom says it looks like there is also new hair growth in the same area, as well. I will continue loose hair even up to a few months after finishing Interferon. Only 2 months left of injections!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!

White blood count is up to 2.1 this week. Platelet is at 125. Have been feeling a little fit of brain fog, and when I stand up, I feel a little out of it, wobbly, like. Those are just side effects, nothing to worry about.

Yesterday's sermon was from Psalms 116, and it was good. Plus, I didn't' yawn during the sermon or Sunday School, and I usually do.

Thank you again for your prayers.

I Think the Door is Closing

I'm not sure, but I think God is closing the door to NC. I'd thought he opened it back in the spring. But with the frustrating problems/phone calls I have had this summer, and no job, looks like God is closing the door. I can't completely tell. I still get phone calls, and think there is a slim chance of moving. My mom doesn't want me to go, and I understand her reasoning. There is also the money issue in moving down there. Where is the money going to come from in renting an apartment, getting situated in both the apartment and in a new school? If this is God's will, then he will provide the money. Plus, there is the issue of my treatment, two months left. Having a hard time in accepting all of this.

Charlotte called yesterday to see if I was still interested. I called back and left a message. This lady called me back this morning, and we talked about what I am interested in teaching. There are still a few openings left down there. Later this afternoon, I received another phone call from a principal. I now have a phone interview this coming Monday morning at 10 am. She wanted to do it at 8:30 am, and I won't be home at that time.

New teacher orientation started yesterday. Teachers go back to work on Monday. There is staff development and time to work in your room next week. They like to ask me how soon can I get down there and if I'm relocating to the Charlotte area. I am only moving if I have a job. I said that I need a couple of days, once I was offered a job. I have to pack, and then I could leave the next day. They are cutting it close.

The new dilemma is knowing if I should accept the job or not if I am offered one. I just don't know now. In making sure I am ready by the 25th, not missing too many injections, and finding an apartment is a lot to think about and do. Lord, what is your will? Is this what you want? Is this from you? Am I just supposed to sub again this school year? I'm having a hard time accepting it and being thankful for all of this school stuff.

If I dont' make sense, it is because I'm having a hard time putting into words what I am thinking and feeling. I am confused.

OBIT: The Animals are Dead

Never shoot a skunk close to the house. Why? You can smell their spray while in the house. A few years ago, my parents heard noise in the ceiling (my bathroom ceiling to be exact). Turned out the visitors were raccoons. They left the proof behind, yellow spots in my ceiling. A few weeks ago, I heard noise in my ceiling, and even saw a couple climb the tree to the roof. The raccoons are back. This time, they are basically sticking to my bed room ceiling. Dad set out the traps, one by the tree in front of the dining room window and one on the back deck.

A few weeks ago, I posted about catching an albino skunk in one of the traps and I posted a pick that I took. The skunk was hadn't died. Was trying to starve it, didn't work. My parents think the skunk was eating the mulch. Temps have cooled down (highs in the 70s) and has rained at times. The other night, in the other trap, an opossum was caught. I took a couple pics yesterday. He bared his teeth and growled at me.

Today, our lovely pets, went bye-bye. (Yes, I was being sarcastic.) Somebody we know came out and killed them both for us. After he shot the skunk, you could smell it in the house. I closed my bedroom windows before hand, so I wouldn't have the smell in my room. Thankfully, now it is raining. Mom says the rain should help get rid of the smell. The trap with the possum was taken to the woods and shot dead. Now, I don't know how my dad is going to trap the raccoons. He will figure it out.

The three pics below are of the albino skunk and the possum.

Birth Verse

Robin Lee Hatcher is one of my favorite authors. (She writes Christian romance.) I just checked her blog at
and her latest post is about something she got from another author, Angela Hunt, about having a birth verse. I went to the link she had and checked to see what my birth verse is. Mine is Hebrews 7:25.

Hebrews 7:25 NIV
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

What is your birth verse? I think this is interesting. Here is the link to find out what your birth verse is:


For some reason, the two links are not showing up. Robin Lee Hatcher's blog is http://robinlee.typepad.com and the other website is www.birthverse.com

August Visit

This morning, I had my monthly appointment in seeing my onc. I was in and out of there in about 15 minutes. I lost another 3 pounds, with a total of 51 pounds lost in the past year. I had moved up the appointment a week, cause I thought I was moving this weekend, but I don't think I am at all.

I noticed a new spot, last night, of where I am loosing hair. The hair thinning at greatly slowed down, because of getting it cut short. I have been noticing in the last few weeks, some hair coming out. This new spot is right up front, on the left side of my head. I saw it in the mirror last night. I will be loosing hair through the end of the year, I am very thankful that the hair loss/thinning hasn't been as bad as some people have had while on Interferon.

I am expecting my white blood count to have dropped, and maybe even my platelet count, too. I had a headache that started Monday night and lasted a good 24 hours. I took a pain pill twice on Tuesday, one when I first got up and another one around supper time. had a tickle in my throat for a few days. Actually, I have a small headache right now. That is the thing about the side effects of Interferon, I never know when they will effect me and which ones.

What I Found

This morning, I had a phone interview for a 5th grade math/science position in Charlotte. They do team on the 5th grade and have 6 teachers. They ability group the students, and I have little experience with that. I believe that will be a strike against me, but I think because I have taught 5th science and been on a team, that will help me. Will see...

My white blood count went up from 2.2 to 2.4. My platelet count dropped from about 126 to like 112. I bruise more easily with a low platelet count. Side effects have been pretty minimal, which is good. This evening, I do have a tickle in my throat, and took two vitamin C. I do see my onc this Friday.

My mom and I worked in the basement for a good hour this afternoon. We were going through containers and boxes, deciding what to trash, recycle, keep to stay here, keep but take with me. I still have a bunch of school stuff that would need to go. (No, no job yet, but we are preparing just in case, anyway.) I opened this one file container, and found folders in it. I opened them up, and kinda went through them. I found a sheet of paper, with my NTE scores hand written onto the paper. The NTE is the OH test for teachers to take, who want their teaching certificate. I faxed the scores down to Charlotte late this afternoon. Will see if it helps or not.

More Venting

I called MI this afternoon, and was given a number for a company in MA. This company still has my MI state tests scores for my certification. I had taken those tests before I had finished my course work. I was told how to request the scores. I printed up the necessary forms, and had my dad get me the money order from the bank. Mom mailed it this evening. I will get those scores in about 4 weeks. I did ask them to rush it if possible.

I left a message with somebody in NC about this piece of info. This person called me back and told me to call again once I get my scores in about 4 weeks. If they have any openings at that time, I might get a placement. I am upset, because I wasn't told everything I need to do or get done, when I was in NC back in April.

I would do/send something, get a phone call saying to I need to do this or that. I do it, and get a phone call from somebody else, telling me to do something else. They have all of these people moving down there from OH and other states. I really do not like not being told everything I need to know in advance about something. It upsets me and frustrates me.

So, what am I saying? Those who have been on my mom's side, looks like you have gotten your prayers answered. I think I'm staying here, finishing my treatment here, and subbing here. Still not completely positive about it all.

I do have a phone interview Monday morning, for an elementary position. The Interview is at 11 am. Will see what happens, There is a slim chance on still moving this month. If I don't, I am going to apply to start back on my Master's degree at Akron U.

I think I'm done venting for now. LOL

Frustration: Teaching Certificates

I have received a few phone calls this week from NC, either a principal or someone from human resources. Each HR person asks for something different or telling me what I need to do to complete my file. It is like the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. Another part of the problem is that I graduated from college in December 1994. I went to school out of state, and at one time, I had three different teaching certificates. I've been trying to get my OH scores from the NTE, but because it has been more than ten years, they have gone bye-bye into thin air. Between all of the moves in the past 12 years, I have lost my OH scores.

I have nothing against the 2001 No Child Left Behind law, and making sure all teachers are highly qualified. But, there is something the federal government didn't take into account, people who initially took their tests and gotten their teaching certificates number of years ago. Maybe they took a break, or are changing states or what, and they need to get a teaching certificate, they need to have proof that they are highly qualified. It is really hard getting that proof.

May 1993, I took my first state test that was needed to get my teaching certificate. I took the secondary ed math one at that time. In January 1994, I took the elementary ed and the science tests. Did my student teaching in the fall of '94 and received my certificate in 1995. By the taking and passing the subject tests, I was certified to teach math and science up to 8th grade. I took the OH test in 1995 and passed the test. By taking the test, and having my MI certificate, I became certified in OH for K-8 and allowed to teach math and science up to the 8th grade. I moved down to TX in August '98. I took the necessary tests during that school year and passed them. With my MI and OH tests and passing the TX state tests, I became certified to teach 1-8 self-contained and math science up to the 8th grade.

Now, there seems like there is hassles in figuring out what I need to do in order to become certified in NC. My OH scores are gone. I have my TX scores. I found out this afternoon, I can request my MI scores. It will take about a month for me to get those scores, though. In TX, I was allowed to teach on a one year emergency teaching certificate, until I could take the tests and get my TX certificate. Don't know if I can teach in NC without my NC teaching certificate. I am certified in two other states. You would think that would be enough. I make phone calls, send faxes, and emails in trying to do what I am supposed to do. I am not being given all of the info that I need, so I am not completely understanding what needs to do be done. So, I am frustrated!

Can't tell if God is opening or closing doors for NC. He has plans to prosper me, not to harm me. (Jeremiah 29:11).

Surgeon

I saw my surgeon this morning. I had actually moved up the appointment by six weeks. He says I look good. The hole looks great and so does my right groin. I do not have to go back, unless I feel I need to. He did tell me a couple of things: 1. About once a week, look at the hole, check it out, because if the melanoma every comes back, it will show up first in the hole, where it was originally. 2. Once I am done loosing the weight I want to loose, I can make an appointment, and they can see about doing surgery with the loose skin there in the hole area. That will be a couple of years yet, though.

My goal in loosing weight, is to loose at least 100 more pounds. That would put me at my high school weight, but still more than I should be for my height. I would love to loose more than that, but will take what I can get.

Have had a few more phone calls from NC. Two offers to teach Kinder or first grade, and I said no. Looks like, probably middle school (6th grade) maybe math. Still don't know yet. I will get in touch with a onc down there, when I know for sure.