It's All New and I'm 52

It's been almost a year since my last post. I'm not even sure if I still have any readers or not. I hope some of you will get this and let me know how you are!!

A lot has happened in the past year plus. My 50th year left a lot to be desired in the way of happiness, but I have since found life can be worse. And better.... all at the same time. Simplification and enjoyment of life has become a necessity. Last year at this time, I was going through what I thought would probably be my last spring. You see, last February I was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. It is a slow-growing, not smoking related (i had not smoked in over 13 years), very common lung cancer. I was shocked and had the biggest pity party anyone would never want to go to! I had six round of chemo, with the last one being the last week of June, 2010. It had shrunk a bit and I have CT scans every 6 weeks. So far, it has not shown any new growth in size! I have since found a new enjoyment with every positive scan and I live my life for the love and happiness I find in small things.

About two weeks ago, I had my 52 birthday and I'm continuing to live. I am healthy (haha, I know that's funny), happy and trying to be the best person possible. There is hope that in the very least, growth will not happen.

Here is my question. Do any of you know anyone that has or has survived lung cancer? I would like to get to know them!!

Jackie

Let's Not Have Another Friday Like The Last One!

You know, some days are just not worth repeating. Friday was one of those days. There are three main reasons:

1. I had been making calls to Boston to try new treatments for my lung cancer. I don't qualify.

2. Run-in with redneck parents over a cap & gown needed for Monday.

3. One of my kids did not get on the bus yesterday afternoon and no one could find her. Until we had been searching for her for hours. And hours. She ran away to her mom's about 50 miles away.

I am so ready for school to be out. I need a break!!!

Do you remember me??

Yes, it's been well over a year. A wham-bam packed year! I'll do my best to bring you up to speed.

The 2009-10 school year was the worst year since my first year of teaching. Plus a lot of things going on with my Dad. Let's just say that covers it, for the most part.

I bought a house last summer and in the middle of moving day, I had to go to the emergency room and had to have emergency surgery for a perforated ulcer. My stomach and duodenum had separated. Ten days later, I got out of the hospital...... and headed for the lung specialist because they saw a 'spot' in one of lungs when they were doing CT-scans to find out my state of emergency. From there, a PET scan to see if it was cancer. On a scale of 1-5, mine came back a 3. So then, wait and see. Plus, there was another spot in the other lung, along with 3 very small pin-points of spots scattered about randomly. ugh.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, I started a new school year and it has been so much better than last year. However, I had to go have CT-scans of my lungs to check and see if growth and been detected and yep, in January's scans, it had changed sizes. I had biopsy and in my mind, it was to eliminate the big "C". Boy, was I shocked to find out I was wrong!! It was positive. Shock!
(And no, I don't smoke)

Meanwhile, I am taking chemo. I have lost no weight, nor my hair. The hair has stopped growing, and a little thinner, but no one notices. Yesterday, I had my 4th treatment, leaving me only 2 more to go. Then, possible maintence drugs. We will see.

I've gotten 'homesick' for blogging. I hope I still have a few readers left out there!!

I Smell Spring!

The anticipation of spring always has me rather giddy! This year is no exception. I love the smell of freshly mowed spring grass. You can almost smell the chlorophyll exploding from the ground!

The cycle of life has once again raised it's beautiful head!

The Story of the Fly Swatter

There is a girl in my class that causes problems often. Very often. In about nine weeks, give or take, she will graduate (yes, there is a God!). She is mad at me. No biggy. (Sometimes, I think they see who draws the short straw before they come to school on that one. )

However she is mad because I stopped her from going to chorus. Not because I didn't want her to go, but because she faked a fainting spell. (It's not like everyone in the world loves our kids! Then, to have them pull a trick like that??!!!??). After an adequate time of punishment, I got her back in the class only to have her begin to 'phone stalk' the teacher. (Ooopppsss... that a biggy!) She is out! Her high school musical career is over! Only to have really 'phone stalk' the teacher again! Ugly text messages, photos (stop and think for minute here..... do you remember what kind of class I teach?). The teacher had to get a new cell number. A few weeks ago, the girl asked to go to the restroom and came up missing. I found her upstairs in the gym. She was on her way to see the chorus teacher. (This is where you insert a picture of Jackie blowing her top!)

OK, so after what I consider enough punishment, I was going to let her have a 'life' (this just means she can be with other people in the classroom...), I was going to give her a little freedom, starting today. Then, this morning, I am summoned by another student about what this girl brought to school with her. Are you ready? A fly swatter. WTF?

Me: Why did you bring a fly swatter to school?

Her: Because I want to smack you with it!

For sale: One very used fly swatter that's good for smacking.

Newsflash: One very, pissed of girl that has little or no freedom!

Somber Reflection

In light of the present financial crisis, it's interesting to read what Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

"Banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. "

Just another day...

Boy (rubbing stomach after PE): My stomach hurts.

Me: What do you think is wrong?

Boy (still rubbing): I think I'm pregnant.

Me (w/ eyes wide): Oh? Why do you think that?

Boy (still rubbing and face all scrunched in pain): 'Cause my tummy hurts so bad. I think I'm pregnant with puppies.