That's right my friends, tuesday is the big day. I will then officially have 2 bionic hips. Now for several months people I am around who are not in the medical profession which is most of the people I am around on a daily basis have been telling me I was going to be the bionic woman. I however never knew that was a technical medical term until my rheumatologist Dr. J used it when I was in her office a few weeks ago. She told me that I would feel a lot better when I had 2 bionic hips. So to all you non medical people rest assured you are using a word even people who have that Dr in front of their name use. Don't forget to say a little prayer for me on June 2nd around 9 am. Last time I got really sick from the morphine so they are going to try demerol this time and hopefully I won't be sick the entire first day (for the few readers who saw me in my sick state it was not pretty and I am sorry you had to endure that).
In other news, to borrow the words from the rock song "School's out for summer." On Thursday morning I officially finished my school obligations for the summer. Now I just get to focus on recovering from hip replacement and begin to think about ways to help my new group of kiddos to love math as much as I do. As I mentioned before I had a great year this year and hope to have another great year next year.
I will probably be in the hospital until Friday or Saturday and so I probably won't be able to update my blog until next weekend. I will try to post some status on my facebook so feel free to stop by facebook if you want to know how I am doing because I can do that with my iphone. Thanks for your prayers and your faithful reading.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Time Flies When...
Hey friends I am sure you all have heard that time flies when you are having fun. I think times flies other times too. This post is dedicated to a very busy week and things that have made it fly. (special note: I am using a list format on this post you know mixing it up a bit)
Time Flies When
1. You have 2 Doctors' appointments in 3 days.
That's right my friends. On Monday I had my pre-op appointment with Dr. Rob which is Dr. Tkach(hip replacement expert)PA. It went well and I knew what was going to happen. Pre-op Physical my heart rate by the way was 133. At little bit of white coat syndrome you know. Then chest x-ray and I also got to do a bonus left hip x-rays, 2 different views because we needed to make sure my hip was still bad. Just kidding, he wanted a current picture since the last ones were done way back last June (Crazy huh? That is when I first found out I needed bilateral hip replacement and now one year later I am about to have 2 new hips). After x-ray down to the lab for yes that is right blood work and EKG. I only had to do the EKG once this time. Last time I had to do it three times and the lab tech said these words "I am going to let you lay there and try to relax then we are going to try again". Not this time we got it the first try (you see I know what to expect now and I am not as nervous). Then to the pre-admission nurse. Yes that is right I have to be at the hospital at 7:00 a.m. The nurse estimated my surgery would be at 9:00 and she said that would be Dr. Tkach's 3rd surgery for the day. (REMEMBER FRIENDS PRAY PRAY PRAY ON JUNE 2ND AT 9:00). Then on Wednesday I got to go see Dr. J my rheumatologist so I could get down my medicine schedule before surgery. We discussed it and she wrote it all down for me. Same procedure as last time, why mess with a good thing. Two highlights at the appointment, no blood work since I had just had it done on Monday and I got to see an OU security guard on a segway scooter.
2. It is the last week of school.
Ok so I do have to go back next tuesday with the kiddos and next wednesday for teacher check out day and next thursday and friday for math calendar committee however it was the last full week at school with the kiddos (except I was off Monday and Wednesday to go to the doctor). This is the busiest craziest time at school. If you are one of the those people who believe that teachers simply lock the doors and walk away from the school for the summer let me tell you that is a delusion my friend. If you don't believe me please come to MHS and I will show you the procedure. We have to collect and inventory textbooks, inventory our rooms, computers, equipments, pack our rooms so they can be cleaned over the summer, and you know get the kiddos ready for finals and enter final grades. To top it all off we had Graduation last night. We graduated 510 seniors at the Cox convention center. They had a jumbo-tron in the cox center now so we got see the graduation on jumbo-tron and it was brodcast on the www live. That is pretty cool especially if your loved ones our overseas or unable to attend. It was fun but made for a long Thursday. We of course made it a big event. We went downtown to eat then to graduation.
3. You have a major life event coming up
That's right friends, I think time flies when you are getting ready for surgery or any other major event in your life. I feel like the last few weeks have flown by and the next week and a half will too. I am sure it is going to be fine but the first few weeks after surgery are really rough. Everyone tells me this one is going to be easier because lets face the facts. With my right hip I had one replaced hip that I was recovering from and one really bad hip. This time I have one really great ceramic replaced hip and one newly replaced hip that I am recovering from. There you have it last time 2 bad hips this time one bad and one good. My mom and best care taker ever is moving back in for 6(more like 8 is what it took last time)weeks. I hope to be well enough to go to Rymac's 1st b-day on June 20th.
I'll keep you posted. I am continually amazed at how many followers I have on my blog. Vinita people are always asking how I am doing and telling my parents that they read my blog. Thanks for reading and don't be afraid to leave a comment.
Time Flies When
1. You have 2 Doctors' appointments in 3 days.
That's right my friends. On Monday I had my pre-op appointment with Dr. Rob which is Dr. Tkach(hip replacement expert)PA. It went well and I knew what was going to happen. Pre-op Physical my heart rate by the way was 133. At little bit of white coat syndrome you know. Then chest x-ray and I also got to do a bonus left hip x-rays, 2 different views because we needed to make sure my hip was still bad. Just kidding, he wanted a current picture since the last ones were done way back last June (Crazy huh? That is when I first found out I needed bilateral hip replacement and now one year later I am about to have 2 new hips). After x-ray down to the lab for yes that is right blood work and EKG. I only had to do the EKG once this time. Last time I had to do it three times and the lab tech said these words "I am going to let you lay there and try to relax then we are going to try again". Not this time we got it the first try (you see I know what to expect now and I am not as nervous). Then to the pre-admission nurse. Yes that is right I have to be at the hospital at 7:00 a.m. The nurse estimated my surgery would be at 9:00 and she said that would be Dr. Tkach's 3rd surgery for the day. (REMEMBER FRIENDS PRAY PRAY PRAY ON JUNE 2ND AT 9:00). Then on Wednesday I got to go see Dr. J my rheumatologist so I could get down my medicine schedule before surgery. We discussed it and she wrote it all down for me. Same procedure as last time, why mess with a good thing. Two highlights at the appointment, no blood work since I had just had it done on Monday and I got to see an OU security guard on a segway scooter.
2. It is the last week of school.
Ok so I do have to go back next tuesday with the kiddos and next wednesday for teacher check out day and next thursday and friday for math calendar committee however it was the last full week at school with the kiddos (except I was off Monday and Wednesday to go to the doctor). This is the busiest craziest time at school. If you are one of the those people who believe that teachers simply lock the doors and walk away from the school for the summer let me tell you that is a delusion my friend. If you don't believe me please come to MHS and I will show you the procedure. We have to collect and inventory textbooks, inventory our rooms, computers, equipments, pack our rooms so they can be cleaned over the summer, and you know get the kiddos ready for finals and enter final grades. To top it all off we had Graduation last night. We graduated 510 seniors at the Cox convention center. They had a jumbo-tron in the cox center now so we got see the graduation on jumbo-tron and it was brodcast on the www live. That is pretty cool especially if your loved ones our overseas or unable to attend. It was fun but made for a long Thursday. We of course made it a big event. We went downtown to eat then to graduation.
3. You have a major life event coming up
That's right friends, I think time flies when you are getting ready for surgery or any other major event in your life. I feel like the last few weeks have flown by and the next week and a half will too. I am sure it is going to be fine but the first few weeks after surgery are really rough. Everyone tells me this one is going to be easier because lets face the facts. With my right hip I had one replaced hip that I was recovering from and one really bad hip. This time I have one really great ceramic replaced hip and one newly replaced hip that I am recovering from. There you have it last time 2 bad hips this time one bad and one good. My mom and best care taker ever is moving back in for 6(more like 8 is what it took last time)weeks. I hope to be well enough to go to Rymac's 1st b-day on June 20th.
I'll keep you posted. I am continually amazed at how many followers I have on my blog. Vinita people are always asking how I am doing and telling my parents that they read my blog. Thanks for reading and don't be afraid to leave a comment.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
3...2...1...PRAY
Hey faithful readers and prayer partners get ready. It is only 2 weeks. Count them 2 weeks until surgery. If you haven't done it yet pick up those prayer calendars and mark the day June 2nd. I am pretty convinced that the last surgery went so well because of the prayers of my faithful friends and of course a great doctor. I have my pre-op appointment on monday. You know the one where they make sure I am "healthy" enough to have surgery. It will be a fun day. Then back to school on Tuesday then I get to go see Dr. J on Wednesday to get my medicine schedule down for surgery. It worked out really well last time, no arthritis flare, so we are going to follow her instructions to a T again hopefully the same success. Then back to school on Thursday and Friday. Crazy week huh?
In other news, I almost had a major tragedy at the grocery store. I was getting bananas which are pretty much a breakfast staple at my house these days. I picked the bunch I wanted but they happened to be near the top of the display. I started to get them and knocked off 2 more bunches which tumbled down the display almost crashing to the ground along with several other bunches of bananas. However with my stealth reflexes I was able to stop them from falling and saved the whole display. I quickly put the bananas back, grabbed the original bunch I was going for and walked really quickly to the juice section (which would not had been possible without a hip replacement).
School is quickly coming to an end and I am kind of sad. For the first time this year several students have told me how much I have changed their life and their attitude toward math. Many of them have told me how they have never liked math and never been successful in math until this year. Not to brag on my self or anything but this is why I teach, to help kiddos love math and be successful. I love this bunch of kids and am going to miss them but soon another group of lives to change.
Have a great day and start praying. I will try to update as soon as I can after surgery but look forward to another update pre surgery.
In other news, I almost had a major tragedy at the grocery store. I was getting bananas which are pretty much a breakfast staple at my house these days. I picked the bunch I wanted but they happened to be near the top of the display. I started to get them and knocked off 2 more bunches which tumbled down the display almost crashing to the ground along with several other bunches of bananas. However with my stealth reflexes I was able to stop them from falling and saved the whole display. I quickly put the bananas back, grabbed the original bunch I was going for and walked really quickly to the juice section (which would not had been possible without a hip replacement).
School is quickly coming to an end and I am kind of sad. For the first time this year several students have told me how much I have changed their life and their attitude toward math. Many of them have told me how they have never liked math and never been successful in math until this year. Not to brag on my self or anything but this is why I teach, to help kiddos love math and be successful. I love this bunch of kids and am going to miss them but soon another group of lives to change.
Have a great day and start praying. I will try to update as soon as I can after surgery but look forward to another update pre surgery.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Sorry my friends but I am Jury Reject.
Its been a while since I updated so I hope you are still around to read. Guess what friends? Yes that is right it is only 1 month until I have my other hip operated on. So remember my friends, to mark your calendar to pray for me on JUNE 2nd. I am going to a different hospital this time but will have the same wonderful doctor as last time. He actually prefers to do surgery at this hospital but I am not looking forward to breaking in a whole new group of nurses and aides and physical therapists. I just have to remember to be a good patient and they just have to remember to be there every 4 hours with the pain medication and we will be fine.
In other news in my life. I mailed my national board box and will find out my fate in November. Last time I found out when I was in the hospital so it will be nice to get the news when I am not hyped up on pain pills and only about 8 hours out of surgery. My kiddos take their state test on Thursday. They are feeling pretty good. I am feeling pretty good but I am scared because they get a prilimary score when they log off the computer. I just hope they do well. We have all worked way to hard for them to not do well.
Well since the last time I blogged I have reported to Jury Duty. I got there about 8:15 and they quickly shuffled all of us to the court room where the judge explained she didn't let her mother in law off of Jury Duty and she wasn't letting us off unless we fit one of the categories and even then it was tough. One of the guys there was a police officier and it says if you are law enforcement you can get off but this judge said only if you were called to criminal case. Anyway so me and 200 of my closest friends were in the court room waiting our fate. Then they separated us into groups I was put on a civil case for a car wreck settlement with 30 others. We reported to our court room and they explained all this stuff to us then seated 18 people in the jury box for questioning. I was not picked which meant for the next 5 hours of my life I had to sit in a court rooma and listen to all questions in case one of the 18 was deemed unfit and I had to replace them. That happened several times and I didn't make the cut. I was pretty convinced that I was going to be let go until they decided on the 12 person Jury. They then decided they needed an alternate juror so me and 2 others were put to the test and they decided they didn't want me. At that point I became a jury reject. I was actually glad. I learned a lot but it was a really long day.
Sorry this is so long remember June 2nd and regular updates are coming soon. That's right the actual reason for this blog is about to come into play again.
In other news in my life. I mailed my national board box and will find out my fate in November. Last time I found out when I was in the hospital so it will be nice to get the news when I am not hyped up on pain pills and only about 8 hours out of surgery. My kiddos take their state test on Thursday. They are feeling pretty good. I am feeling pretty good but I am scared because they get a prilimary score when they log off the computer. I just hope they do well. We have all worked way to hard for them to not do well.
Well since the last time I blogged I have reported to Jury Duty. I got there about 8:15 and they quickly shuffled all of us to the court room where the judge explained she didn't let her mother in law off of Jury Duty and she wasn't letting us off unless we fit one of the categories and even then it was tough. One of the guys there was a police officier and it says if you are law enforcement you can get off but this judge said only if you were called to criminal case. Anyway so me and 200 of my closest friends were in the court room waiting our fate. Then they separated us into groups I was put on a civil case for a car wreck settlement with 30 others. We reported to our court room and they explained all this stuff to us then seated 18 people in the jury box for questioning. I was not picked which meant for the next 5 hours of my life I had to sit in a court rooma and listen to all questions in case one of the 18 was deemed unfit and I had to replace them. That happened several times and I didn't make the cut. I was pretty convinced that I was going to be let go until they decided on the 12 person Jury. They then decided they needed an alternate juror so me and 2 others were put to the test and they decided they didn't want me. At that point I became a jury reject. I was actually glad. I learned a lot but it was a really long day.
Sorry this is so long remember June 2nd and regular updates are coming soon. That's right the actual reason for this blog is about to come into play again.
Monday, April 13, 2009
"Just put that in your calculator and graph it"
So I know this is dedicated to my journey through hip replacement but I have no real hip news right now. I am waiting for my next hip to be operated on in June. That is June 2nd if you haven't marked your prayer calendar yet. My ceramic hip is great. It never ceases to amaze me how much this whole journey is going to improve my life. I can't wait.
In other life news, on Wednesday I mail off my National Board box for attempt 2. I hope I pass this time. You can add that to your prayers too(I won't find out until November). We are in the middle of my favorite time of the year at school, ok so maybe that is a slight exaggeration, do you know what that is? That right state testing time. It is the time of the year where I get to say one million five hundred and fifty-two times why don't you put it in your graphing calculator, you know we can check our answer in our graphing calculator, or how about if we use the graphing calculator on this one. In fact one of my kiddos said today "Just put that in your calculator, and graph it" you know like "put it that in your pipe and smoke it" I am using my inner cheerleader skill this month (yes that is right GO MATH!). As I explained to my kiddos today this test is very important to me and should be very important to them as well. So prayer request 3 pray my kiddos are attentive during review and are confident for the test on May 7th. If that isn't enough stress I called to jury duty on April 27th. That's right take me out of my classroom during the most stressful time of the year. My friends at school just laugh at me when I mention it. Don't you think they should be sympathic. I just told them I was going to put their names in the suggested juror box when I went in. Oh well it is my civic duty right and I get paid $20 a day plus mileage. Well I hope you have a great day and I will blog again soon. Just remember you can "Put that in your calculator and graph it" (I think it might be my new theme.)
In other life news, on Wednesday I mail off my National Board box for attempt 2. I hope I pass this time. You can add that to your prayers too(I won't find out until November). We are in the middle of my favorite time of the year at school, ok so maybe that is a slight exaggeration, do you know what that is? That right state testing time. It is the time of the year where I get to say one million five hundred and fifty-two times why don't you put it in your graphing calculator, you know we can check our answer in our graphing calculator, or how about if we use the graphing calculator on this one. In fact one of my kiddos said today "Just put that in your calculator, and graph it" you know like "put it that in your pipe and smoke it" I am using my inner cheerleader skill this month (yes that is right GO MATH!). As I explained to my kiddos today this test is very important to me and should be very important to them as well. So prayer request 3 pray my kiddos are attentive during review and are confident for the test on May 7th. If that isn't enough stress I called to jury duty on April 27th. That's right take me out of my classroom during the most stressful time of the year. My friends at school just laugh at me when I mention it. Don't you think they should be sympathic. I just told them I was going to put their names in the suggested juror box when I went in. Oh well it is my civic duty right and I get paid $20 a day plus mileage. Well I hope you have a great day and I will blog again soon. Just remember you can "Put that in your calculator and graph it" (I think it might be my new theme.)
Friday, March 20, 2009
Time Flies....
Today is the last day of Spring Break and before you get mad that I actually get a spring break let's consider what I do day in and day out. I go to school to teach the kiddos of Moore, Ok math and somehow convince them that math is not that bad and even though they don't have the "math gene" they can handle it. Somedays I have to find my inner cheerleader and cheer the kids on. (I am always saying, you can do it, we can handle it, you know the basically GO MATH!!) Yes I do love math that much. It takes it toll emotionally, mentally, and physically. I give all day long. Now I am not saying that you too don't deserve a Spring Break but it is basically my time to get some rest and get recharged for the next 9 weeks which is the big one. That's right it is the time of year where we prepare our kiddos for the state test. We spend many days just building confidence. Anyway probably more than you wanted to know. So to fit the title my Spring Break has flown by, which leads directly to my next point. I came to the realization in the past few days that it is about 10 weeks, yes that is right 10 weeks until my left hip surgery. Now you are probably thinking that is quite a while. Not really my friends. I am not excited about the first like 3 weeks after surgery but after that I should start feeling ok and improving everyday. The date of that surgery is June 2nd. Mark your calendars and pray for me that day.
I continue to love my right hip and I can't even tell you how much better I feel. It is amazing to me that after diagnosing the problem and getting my hips replaced that I am going to be almost as good as new again. Now one of the most asked questions (ranking a close 2nd to will you buzz when you go through airport security? the answer is unfortunately yes) is "Will hip replacement cure your arthritis?" The answer is unfortunately no. You see Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease caused by a malfunctioning immune system and barring a new miracle treatment I will have the disease for the rest of my life. Although with new medications once I get my hip fixed I probably won't feel the effects of it much unless I have a major flare up. Ok enough of the downer stuff. On an up note. The past week I have become comfortable with sleeping on my side again. Now I haven't slept on my right side but yes I am sleeping on my left side. Lest you think that is not a major deal, I had to sleep on my back for 3 months. So yes it is a major deal, one day if you ever have a hip replacement which I hope you don't have to you too will understand. Have a great week and maybe this week I can get the feel good blog of the week award. I mean we laughed, we cried (or at least got serious for a few sentences) does that qualify us for the award?
I continue to love my right hip and I can't even tell you how much better I feel. It is amazing to me that after diagnosing the problem and getting my hips replaced that I am going to be almost as good as new again. Now one of the most asked questions (ranking a close 2nd to will you buzz when you go through airport security? the answer is unfortunately yes) is "Will hip replacement cure your arthritis?" The answer is unfortunately no. You see Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease caused by a malfunctioning immune system and barring a new miracle treatment I will have the disease for the rest of my life. Although with new medications once I get my hip fixed I probably won't feel the effects of it much unless I have a major flare up. Ok enough of the downer stuff. On an up note. The past week I have become comfortable with sleeping on my side again. Now I haven't slept on my right side but yes I am sleeping on my left side. Lest you think that is not a major deal, I had to sleep on my back for 3 months. So yes it is a major deal, one day if you ever have a hip replacement which I hope you don't have to you too will understand. Have a great week and maybe this week I can get the feel good blog of the week award. I mean we laughed, we cried (or at least got serious for a few sentences) does that qualify us for the award?
Friday, March 13, 2009
Yes you read that right.
So if you have ever read the description of my blog it used to read "My name is Courtney and I am 29 years old" I am no longer 29. As of today March 13th I am 30. I Had to change the wording in my blog. 30 is treating me great so far. It all started with my mom and dad surprising me at school yesterday with Cupcakes. It was so funny. I was sitting in my friend's room where we always eat lunch and I was talking which I do quite frequently at lunch. I was facing the other direction and everyone was looking at someone behind me. I remember saying is it someone here for me because yes the kiddos do know where I eat lunch. I turned around to see who it was and it was my Mom and Dad standing there with cupcakes. It was such a fun surprise. They spent the night and we went to lunch today after parent teacher conferences. Then we went to the A t & t store to get new phones. If you want to know about my new phone comment and maybe I will blog about it. I am officially on spring break which is amazing. I am going to work on my National Board certification and get finished. Nothing really new in the hippy world. I still am looking forward to having the other one done. Then watch out world. Just thought you guys might be interested to know I have joined the 30 club. Have a great day.
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