2 1/2 years. That is how long my teaching career lasted. Not long, but long enough. How did I come to this decision you might ask? Well for that explanation, we must take a small glimpse into the past. In June I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). This disease is genetic so I've had it my whole life, I just didn't know what it was. Doctors would say that I would grow out of it, or that is was asthma. Ha, kinda wish I could give those doctors a visit to see the look on their faces, but I digress. CF is exacerbated by stress and germs. Working with 6/7 year old is like dipping myself in a vat of germs daily. Great visual I know. I took as many precautions as I could. We used hand sanitizer after every recess, we wiped off their desks with clorox wipes at the end of every day, we made sure to use tissues and cough into our elbows. Sadly, all my steps to avoid getting sick did not pay off. On October 22 last year, I woke up with lung pain. Very similar to chest pain, but when you have CF, you can tell the difference. I was so frustrated. It felt like the time I had pneumonia. I called my doctor and they asked me to go home from work until they could get me in. So, to my house I went to sit and wait. They asked me to come in about 9:30. Up to the University of Utah I went. After a few x-rays and an exam, they came to the conclusion I had a lung infection. The doctor I saw was not my usual doctor so we weren't that great of friends, and now not sure we'll ever be. I have a legitimate reason I assure you. After sending down blood work to be analyzed, my not-best-friend came into the exam room and said, "Well, call your school. We're admitting you."
I do have to admit I didn't think he was serious and was extremely sad when I realized he was. I was not allowed to go home at all, or leave the hospital under any circumstances. Thank goodness my angel of a mother was on her way. She kindly picked up my toothbrush and extra clothes. Here is the best (worst) part. They were admitting me for 10-14 days. 10-14 DAYS! My teacher brain was freaking out. How in the world could I create sub plans for that long? How could I leave my kids for that long? I was frazzled and discombobulated. The first few days weren't horrible, but in no way were they fun. Nurses came and went at all hours of the day and night, my veins were poked like a pin cushion. The doctor came in one day, not the one who admitted me, and talked to me about how long my imprisonment would be. Since I had just been diagnosed he wanted to keep me the whole 2 weeks, part of my soul died when he said that. As all good doctors do, he gave me a glimmer of hope along with the depressing news. He told me if I could get my breathing tests up past a certain percentage he would think about sending me home a little earlier. I latched onto that news like a barnacle on a ship. I did everything the doctors and nurses said I needed to. I did my respiratory therapy, I worked out everyday, I took at my meds. Along came judgement day, one week since I was admitted. Down I went to the area of my breathing tests. I breathed my very best. When it was completed, these tests are not the easiest, I was fidgeting in my chair awaiting my results. As I got the news, I totally blew it! I did better than the doctor wanted me to. I was so excited to take my results upstairs to the doctor. Even he was shocked. So, they let me out. I escaped the day before Halloween. On Monday, back to school I went. In the hospital I was on such heavy antibiotics that my already diminished immune system was wiped out. I got sick my first day back with a cold. It took me a month and 2 weeks to get over it. With everything that happened, the only thing I knew was that I wanted to live. So, after talking to TJ and doing a lot of praying and pondering, here we are. Me, retired at 23. Being away from the classroom has been tough, but also good for the lungs, head, and soul. I'll always be a teacher at heart. Next stop... Married life.
