Thankful Thursday 9/15/11

Having trouble maintaining my "gratitude attitude" lately. A little Thankful Thursday should fix that!

I am thankful for my wonderful little brother, who took me to a doctor's appointment and a couple of stores this past Tuesday.

I am thankful for co-workers who are still sending support in the form of sweet notes and gift cards.

I am thankful we worked out a way for my girls to be able to participate in their chosen fall activities- Drama for Morgan and Dance for Vivian.

I am thankful for two whole days without vomiting this week! (It's the little things, people! This medicine I'm on is almost as bad as the disease!)

I am thankful for the opportunity to be a guest blogger for the American Autoimmune Related Disease Association tomorrow. I wrote about parenting while having a chronic illness. I'd love for you to come check it out!

Taking Time

It's been a week and a half since my doctor said, "no driving, no work". At that time he optimistically guessed at August 22nd (this coming Monday) as my return-to-work date. Just guessing. I knew in my heart that I wouldn't be ready. Really! I don't even start my new immuno-suppressive therapy until Tuesday! How was I supposed to recover in that amount of time?

So yesterday I calculated how much paid time off I have left, and called my boss. I told her, "Let's try for September 26th". I sighed; she sighed. I love my job and hate feeling like I'm leaving people high and dry, or like I'm abandoning the families I work with. I know it's not life or death, but I'm good at what I do and I provide a valuable service. (I work with kids with disabilities). After we hung up, I felt defeated and guilty.

But today I am feeling relief. I know I am not capable or working right now. I am dizzy, often nauseous, shaky, in pain, weak, and sometimes brain-fogged to the point of not being able to follow a conversation. With this longer time frame, my employer can make plans to change services for my kiddos. With this longer time frame, my meds will (hopefully) have time to start working and I can make the trip to Cleveland Clinic.

Taking time was the right decision. Even so, there is still ambiguity. There is a chance this new medicine won't work. We've already tried three different drugs in as many months. The chances are equally good that I could snap out of this flare within two weeks, or my condition will worsen and I may never work again. That's a big question mark, I know. But the question marks are part and parcel of having a rare, complicated, fluctuating disease.

For now, I need to use my time to relax, heal my body, and calm my mind. Taking time is good.

The Face of Prednisone- It Ain't Pretty
My Spoonie Mantra

Project 365: Week 20

A great week with some sunshine! 59 pics taken...here's a few.

Sunday- Mother's Day cookout at my brothers. From L-R: Me, sister Rachel, Aunt Carol, Mamo, Ann (brother's mother-in-law), Emily (brother's sister-in-law), Libby (brother's wife)

Monday- Beautiful sunrise on my way to work.

Tuesday- I pass this little train everyday, but have never taken a ride. Hope to do their Christmas event one year.

Wednesday- Sparkle polish on my toes. Must or bust?

Thursday- Waiting for the bus!

Friday- Mexican for lunch with my coworkers!

Saturday- Soccer game. Morgan is the girl in orange.

Thankful Thursday 4/21/11

I love my job. I love working with kiddos with disabilities, especially those with autism. I love helping the parents feel more comfortable with how they interact with their kids. I love working with professionals from lots of different disciplines.

But sometimes my job is really tough.  I am a mandatory reporter for suspected abuse or neglect, and last week, for the first time in my 15 years in this field, I had to make a call to Children's Services. 

The thankful part? In this case, the system seems to be working. The parents are following through with all the caseworker's recommendations and continuing to allow me into their home to support them. The house is safer, the kids healthier. 

My job may not always be easy,  but every once in a while, I make a big difference.

Share your gratitudes with The Bug.

Image source: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-scientific-fundamentalist/200805/there-is-only-one-human-culture

Post-it Note Tuesday, 4/19/11

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Project 365: Week 11

Busy week at our house, as usual. Did you get a chance to enjoy the sunshine this week?

Sunday- Counting out the savings in piggy banks with Daddy!

Monday- First day of jazz/hip hop dance lessons.

Tuesday- Worn out from yesterday's dance class and playing outside after school.

Wednesday- Coworkers and I went for a walk to enjoy the nice weather!

Thursday- "No reason" flowers from hubs. There are opening up nicely and smell so good!

Friday- Finally. another tooth lost! She fell asleep on the couch in hopes of actually meeting the Tooth Fairy.

Saturday- My girls came up with idea to go on a "trash walk" up and down our street. It is so gratifying to see my kids taking care of their neighborhood and environment.

Project 365: Week 9

Total shots taken this week- 59. Much fewer kid pics for those of you who are just tired of them!

Sunday- Bird nest in my backyard. I was so excited to see the sun!

Monday- A little twist to our Monday night pancake routine.

Tuesday- I frequently pass by Kings Island, a local amusement park. I am anxious for warmer weather so we can enjoy our season passes!

Wednesday- Here is the new building my department moved into on Monday. It doesn't look like much, but we have a golf course/wooded area view from my office in the back of the building. Kinda nice.

Thursday- Morgan's school program, an adaptation of Dr. Seusss's "Daisy-Head Mayzie".

Friday- Here is my work "nook". I feel pretty much organized and settled in now.

Saturday- Today was the season-end celebration. No more cheerleading pics, I promise! Next is soccer- we signed my oldest up today.