Life's Little Inspirations

I thought that once I started this process (again), it would be much quicker but I was wrong.

Approximately January 18^th, I called the surgeon and spoke with the head nurse.  Much to my surprise I had a tentative surgery date of April 3^rd and 4^th.  The company was about to start making my FDA approved titanium implants, and they would know more the next week.

On February 2^nd I called and again spoke to the head nurse.  She read a letter from TMJ concepts stating that my implants will be finished and arriving on or before May 5^th….umm…that’s a month after my surgery date.  She told me that she is doing everything she can to get an exact date, and she wants the surgery to be in April.  If not, they are booked in May.  That means I would have to wait until June. 

This was troublesome for several reasons:

1)  I was tired of the uncertainty

2)  I had to create two sets of sub plans (1 for my juniors and 1 for my seniors)

3)  It's difficult to tell your boss that you may or may not be having surgery during the school year.

                      This is a prime example of my one eye drooping, and this is on a good day.

Honestly, I was disappointed and having a bit of a pity party.  That’s when something very interesting happened.  One of my students was telling me about his most recent trip to the hospital, and I began asking him questions.  I know he has had many surgeries (major heart surgery, metal chest plate, rods in his spine, etc.), and I was just curious about his daily comfort level.  He told me that he is in more pain than most people, but it could be worse.  He can’t play the sports that he loves, but he has found a talent with theater and enjoys that.  He then went on to explain that he is lucky to be alive and walking.  The pain he has is a lot better since his last surgery and that he is just happy to be enjoying life. 

I couldn’t believe it.  Without knowing it, he had single handedly given me the best advice just by being optimistic.  Sometimes inspiration comes in the least likely places.  I would never have guessed that a student would be the one to pull me out of the funk that I was in. 

In case anyone is wondering, I am pretty good at compartmentalizing so students will never know when I am upset about something like this.  In fact, the majority of my students have no idea that I’m in pain or that anything is wrong with me. 

                                    I love spending time with rescue dogs!  They help me as much as I help them :)

Gato, my furbaby, always there to cuddle and make me feel better! Love him.