Goodbye Summer, It's Time to Head Back to School!

This summer was so packed with fun and excitement, family and friends, that it just flew by!  We were busy with the nuptials of Danielle and Corey that before we knew it, August was upon us.
I have to say, this was the first time in my teaching career I did not make it into school before August.  There just wasn't time.  So once that month hit, I knew I needed to get busy.  Thanks to Pinterest I found a few new bulletin board ideas.  It's a good feeling to get those done and out of the way so that once we start with In-Service training, I can focus on anything new that is introduced to us.

We had a phenomenal start to our school year with a new Superintendent, Kelly Hess.  It makes a big difference when your school board hires someone who has put time, energy and  a big piece of their heart into the position they are taking over.  Kelly attended the Harbor Creek School District as a student.  She was then hired as a fourth grade teacher, I believe.  Eventually she was hired as a Principal and also held the position of Curriculum Director.  She lives in the district and she bleeds orange and black.  It is so refreshing to have someone who appreciates what we do and treats us with such respect.  She cares wholeheartedly for this district and it shows.   We are a great district and it's only going to get "greater" with her guidance. The feeling of opening day was exhilarating!  It got me so pumped up for a wonderful school year that is going to take lots of work and effort on both the teachers and the students' part.  Support from the parents is also very important. That's what will make us so great.

     We also have a new principal at the Jr. High.  It was bittersweet to have our principal move to the senior high, but Mr. Krahe is familiar with all of us as well.  He started as a Phys. Ed. teacher with many of us before becoming a principal.  He was the Athletic Director and Senior High Principal for many years.  So the move has been quite smooth.    Mr. Krahe got us motivated during our opening days with some group activities of sharing and of course discussion about the Common Core standards.  He showed us one of the TED Talk videos that we found to be very motivating.  Rita Pierson is an inspiring speaker.   Mr. Krahe's wife, Joanne, also deserves kudos helping her hubby out with treat bags for the staff and a packed full basket of Bob's mints and peppermint patties in the lounge with a clever note that had sayings on it like "Thank you for your commit"mint".  Who doesn't like treats?!  It was a great, collaborative start to the year.

My Special Ed Director got us all started with "Smiles" and a video that brought smiles to our faces.   The chocolate smile sucker was another plus!  We were given our caseloads that seem to be getting bigger every year and a reminder that we will be spending some time training more for Indicator 13.  This has to do with the Transition section on the IEP's we write.  It's always good to stay up on the latest through training.  So we are up and running for a successful year. 

Another exciting part about starting up this school year is the fact that my nephew, Kian started Kindergarten!  I was unsure how his Mom and Dad would  hold up watching their one and only little world get on that school bus and begin his education, but he made it quite easy on them.  That boy LOVES buses! So to get to ride on one every day to school is AWESOME in his eyes!

Danielle asked him what his favorite part of the day was and Kian replied, "Riding on the bus!"  What is your least favorite part of the day?  "They make me stay there ALL DAY!"  Ohhhh the things they come up with!  So he is beginning a new routine and seems to really enjoy it.  I'm sure I will have many more stories from Kian as the school year continues!  The one I must share this time has to do with lunch.  His mom, Michelle, was looking on the lunch menu last Thursday night.  She asked Kian what Big Daddy's Pizza was.  He said it's when the dad's come to lunch and eat pizza with you.  Well, Kian's dad lives on pizza alone.  He insists it has all 4 food groups and it is good for you.  To each his own. . . . anyway, being the Dad Scott is-he doesn't miss out on anything-he went there to eat lunch with Kian on Friday only to find out that this is what the name of the pizza brand is they serve!  Thankfully our elementary schools have a great policy and allow parents to eat lunch with their child, so Scott stayed for his favorite food!  There were three other dads that were there as well.   They must have gotten the same memo from their kids!

Well, I made it through the first two and a half days of school and ended up missing a day and a half from the flu.  Apparently my immune system was still on summer vacation.  I am still napping after work and taking three hour naps on the weekend, but eventually I think I will adjust.  I'm also doing a lot of  drinking those Bolthouse veggie drinks to stock up on more antioxidants.

Last week I went for bloodwork, and unfortunately, a blood vessel broke, so as she was pulling out the needle from my port, it looked like a bad horror film for a few minutes.  This nurse was so skilled, she did

not get one drop on my blouse!  She thought for sure she did.  Afterward I bruised from it but my bloodowork came back good, so that's all that counts.   I am anxiously awaiting for this Friday.  I have a CT scan in the morning and they will take my CA125 again.  It went up from 50 to 159 at the end of July, but I am hoping that the added wedding planning stress and a bad case of poison ivy caused that.   Then on the 21st, I will take a ride down to Pittsburgh to visit my favorite oncologist, Dr. Krivak.
 I have been tired since going back to work, but that is also a side effect of the Parp Inhibitors I am on. Plus it has been so hot this past week.  Who doesn't feel drained at the end of the day?   My stomach has been funky and I haven't been as hungry; in fact, I am down 10 pounds, but that could be from having the flu. Don't worry, I have another 25 extra  pounds lying around, so I'm trying not to worry about that either.  I've been trying to lose weight for over a year!  So when all of a sudden, you drop ten, it makes me a bit curious.     I tend to panic a bit with any little change, but I think that goes with all that I've been through.  I just have to stay strong and be positive.  Everything is fine.  Those spots are disappearing or dying off from the oral chemo I am taking, right?!  Soon I will know what is going on inside and that will bring me some relief, I am sure.
Finally, I have to mention that September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness month and Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.  Some of my dearest friends have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.  Kathy Lewis, my "twin" is the first person I must mention.   We met when I was a substitute teacher for her probably about 24 years ago. We have a lot in common besides teaching.  She is my true go-to friend for advice and for exercise!  That woman loves to exercise!  We also both have three children; a girl and two boys, birthdays in June only two days apart, and a love for coffee and books!  She was so brave as she fought her way into remission!  She has been in remission for several years.

 My other friend, Rob Ludwig, is also a thyroid cancer survivor.  His fight has been  more involved and he has an awesome scar right across his neck.  He has been in remission for almost two years.  He's been fighting for almost five years with one recurrence.    Rob has had to deal with keeping his thyroid controlled through medication as does Kathy, which causes hot flashes and a flushed face for him.  He's the only guy who understands me when I am sweating up a storm one minute and cold the next!  He continues to go for scans and bloodwork to make sure his numbers are where they are supposed to be.  I love his zeal for life!  He is so uplifting and full of fun.  He always keeps me laughing and he is one hell of a fighter! There is also Kristie Curtis, who I met through Kathy and aerobics class.  She also went through a scary time getting her thyroid removed.  God never gives us more than we can handle.  Apparently, he thinks we are a bunch of bad asses!                                 Susan Evans, a patient of Dr. Krivak's, and a  family friend, Michelle Fuhrman, have joined together to have a fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153652820720757&set=gm.847554585341311&type=1
It's called the Evans-Krivak Gynecological Research Education Fund. We are selling beautiful Keep Collective bracelets and necklaces.  A portion of the proceeds will go to the fundraiser.   I am one of the hostesses as well as Susan and several other women.

Susan and I are both patients of Dr. Thomas Krivak.  Thanks to him, Susan is in remission, and I have been given several years of living so far from his up to date knowledge of what works for this disease.  Although I am not in remission, I am hopeful it will happen soon.  So we are helping to raise awareness and money in order to help Dr. Krivak continue research for a cure and educate other oncologists and patients.  Please order something if you can!  It would be greatly appreciated.

 Susan also wrote a book about her experience (picture below).  All proceeds go to the fund, so if you are ever looking for a great read, check it out!  She and her husband started the fund for Dr. Krivak and do a ton of traveling and speaking regarding her journey and the need for a cure.  God bless them and all they are doing for Research and Education!

Enjoy Labor Day!  It is a yearly tribute to all the contributions our workers have made to our country.
Until next time,
                                                        Sue
  

Susan Evans book-it's a great read!  Check it out!

Giving up is not an option!

AMEN!