Round 11

The roller coaster continues.

Marc's appointment for this treatment was at 8 a.m. - difficult at best for most people to take him in to OHSU since you have to leave at o-dark-hundred to get there on time. So we came up with a new plan - can't even count how many plans we have had through all this. I took Marc in before school and his martial arts instructor picked him up at 1:00ish. It was a good plan. Marc wasn't stuck at OHSU for several hours after his treatment was over before he could come home.

His blood counts were mixed. The part that usually is too low was fine. Another part of the blood count was low this time. They weren't going to give him treatment. I don't know if he talked them into waiting a bit and trying again or if it was the nurse's idea, but he did every trick in the book he'd heard of that can raise the white count and they tried again. It worked. His white count came up enough for them to give him treatment 11. One more. The light at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter.

By the end of next week I will be finished teaching second grade. I have accepted the position of intervention/literacy specialist in my building. It's a long story that started before mom died. It was finalized last week and the letters (one from the principals and one from me) went home to the parents on Friday. My job is posted and we should interview early next week. Then there will be a few days of transition with the new person. After that I'll start my new position.

For those of you who aren't sure what an intervention/literacy specialist does, join the crowd. There are many different ways that schools are using this position. Some have a specialist that works with groups of kids that need extra support. Some schools use the specialist to work with teachers in looking at reading assessment data, creating intervention plans, and matching kids' needs to programs that fit. Others use the position to mentor new teachers and to be a resource to find new instructional strategies and work with teams of teachers to try new things based on research and best practice. So far it sounds like I will be doing a bit of all of those things. I'll also be working with our Title 1 program (a federally funded program that helps kids in the bottom 25% not counting special ed kids). I'll work with the Title 1 "ladies" in scheduling, planning, etc. One of the fun parts of the Title 1 piece will be creating literacy activities for families to connect the school, families, and the community.

So, why make this change on top of everything else? It's a job I'm excited about. It will be more flexible. No more writing sub plans, conferencing with parents, doing hours of work on report cards, and no more settling arguments about who's chair it is...come on guys it's a chair - get one of the 25 other ones in the room...

Thank you to all the people that made my three peaceful days at home alone last weekend possible. Steph and Rose went to Arizona to visit my sister Donna. They had a great time. Marc and Brett went to his parent's house. I babysat Masen Saturday morning. When I got home I put my jammies on and didn't get out of them until Monday morning. I read the New York Times, watched many of the shows I had recorded and never had time to watch, and paid bills. Ok, the bills weren't so much fun, but it had to be done. I also went shopping Monday. I found a suit jacket at The Rack. Original price $138. Marked down to $34.90 and 60% off that. Mom would be proud.

My Aunt Lorna, mom's oldest sister, has been on my mind lately. I came very close to going out to the beach this weekend to see her, but decided to stay home and relax instead. It's a decision I regret. I know I needed the rest. I know she'd understand. Tuesday morning I read my email. Aunt Lorna is in hospice care. This being a chemo week and Rose having a swim meet this coming weekend, there is no way I can go now. I talked to Jane, her daughter-in-law, this morning. They weren't expecting her to make it through the day.

Our long-term disability check is in the mail. Unfortunately we have to send it back. It is for $10,000.00. Somehow they were given the wrong date for when the shared leave ran out. Bummer. I'll call tomorrow and straighten in out...

Someone offered me super glue since I'm on the last knot in my rope and my nails are breaking. The reality is - you are my super glue. Thanks to all of you who have made sure I haven't lost my grip.