Recovering

I arrived back in Melbourne Friday night/Saturday morning. I foolishly thought that I would be able to jump into bed and get to sleep straight away and jetlag would not be an issue. This thought was despite the many, many warnings that friends and family have given me. I never really got it! 22 hours travel time through a fast speed day (flew from day into dark then through a day back into dark!)

Sure enough, I got into bed and did not sleep for 5 hours!

I then slept for 5 hours.

I then sort of got through the day in a slight delirium.

10.30 pm got to bed and asleep. Awake midnight. No more sleep.

Sunday was my godsons 4th birthday. Nothing like going to a 4 year old party when you are vague as all giddyup!

Dozed on the couch at 6.30pm....awake at 7.30pm. Bed by 7.45 asleep not long after. I woke at 5am this morning. I am still very tired but I am not delirious. The aim is to have another early night tonight......maybe after my current favourite tv show has finished.

I will review my trip and put in a few photos tomorrow.

Thank goodness I don't have to work until next week!

cough. cough. cough.

I still have this cough....might have it for weeks. It frustrates me like nothing else.

Yesterday I got a little upset over an incident that had got stupidly out of control. I was not that upset but with this cough, I become an slightly uncontrollable mess.

I haven't been out at night in 3 weeks.....the cold air gets to me and I cough uncontrollably. I have got a little sick of my own company.

Coughing makes me really tired. Midday, I'm ready for a sleep. That frustrates me as I'm getting about 8 hours sleep a night.....that's when I stay asleep. I'm ready for bed about 8.30, often I wake up on the couch at about 9.30 and take myself off bed.

I'm onto my third bottle of cough syrup. I've kept going the same chemist and discussed the long term ramifications....but I'm over it to say the least.

Wordless Wednesday and thoughtful Thursday

After my excitingly quiet weekend, I realised that I hadn't had enough of the silent treatment. Work on Monday learning to use the Ultranet (Victorian Education department's version of Social Media which didn't quite work as they thought/hoped it would) where I whispered my way through the day. My throat was a little sore and yet I hadn't spoken that much.......

Tuesday I was in for the day - I had two rehearsals that I needed to run. It's funny how you can do something in a totally different fashion to what you thought you would have to and it works.....

Both of these rehearsals were silent. I had a few flash cards for my Year 8 band and in the beginning they were a little silly but they soon realised that I wasn't going to raise anything more than a whisper.....Choir was more interesting but my senior kids realised that I needed a helping hand and shushed kids up left, right and centre.

It's days like Tuesday that make me really appreciate where I work. The kids are amazing.

On the way home I stopped in at the doctor to pick up a medical certificate for the afternoon and managed to sneak in to see him. He checked my throat and announced that I had a good croup-like cough developing. Two more days were written onto the certificate. We then discussed possible medication. I am on day 2 of steroids (of 4) and was given a weeks worth of antibiotics. The reason for the medication is to kill off the secondary symptoms to give my body a chance to rid itself of the tract infection.

The doctor and I are quite clear on my deadline of August 26th and the fact that I need to be at school for specific rehearsals. He then decided to let me know of another teacher he is treating who is up to 10 days off work with the same thing! Hmmm! I will see how tomorrow pans out when I am at work running the massacred singing.....

So yesterday I went nuts on the email......and achieved a fair few things. Today I will sort out some correction.....plan the program and might even get some other planning done.

The crotchet hook and I have had a great work out, and we have just about finished 60 squares to add to the many that I have already......

Don't speak and you can achieve so much....no wonder I shush my students so much. I know the truth!

silent Sunday

Sunday - day two of not talking. I have progressed through a number of emotions. Boredom is the prevailing one...although I do like the idea of not actually have to vocalise all my thoughts.

Yesterday I had a bizarre moment when my mother rang on my mobile. She inadvertently rang me instead of messaging. She was more shocked than I and immediately told me, in a slightly flustered tone, that I must not speak and to only answer "hmmm" to questions posed. She did point out that I should change my pitch according to agreement or disagreement.

When I finally did say something, it was to ask her how she was......."I think I am alright" was her reply.

You know it's hard to hide the fact that you're laughing when each and every laugh is punctuated by uncontrollable coughing.

my voice is gone!

I'm sitting here realising that I haven't written in so long that I really don't know what to say or where to start (if indeed I had something to say).

Went off to the Dr today as my throat was nastily sore on Tuesday night. Wednesday it ached. Wednesday night I got a cough suppressant for a very dry cough. Thursday I battled through and decided that I needed to get to the Dr to see if it was anything more serious that a cold.

My major concern about having a cold - or something worse, is the fact that in 3 weeks we have the big concert of the year. Each year about this time, I get something. I have got through May, June and July without major issues. August hits and I am hit with a lurgy.

Dr gave me the 'good' news. It's a viral lower respiratory tract infection. Right over the area where the division is to the lungs.......Have to keep really warm. Lots of warm fluid. Most importantly NO SPEAKING!

I laughed (then coughed uncontrollably) at the last statement. I am home all weekend not speaking. It's only Friday and I am going nuts already! Well maybe I am exaggerating - but I am going to have to go to the video store for some entertainment!

Another reason I was laughing is the fact that we have a concert in 3 weeks......I have rehearsal upon rehearsal! Year 8 concert band.....80 kids (Frogdancer....you might need to be more vocal in my place....sorry!) Choir......70+kids!

At the end of the week......Massed Singing rehearsals start! That's a few 100 kids. I explained this to the dr. He thinks I should be fine by the end of the week as long as I use a mic!

Think this weekend I might get a workout on the blog.

the journey begins

I have just come back from a walk along the beach where I saw a few entertaining sights. My favourite was a tiny little dog proudly prancing along the shoreline with a stick in it's mouth that was probably 4 times its body length.......

Today is Sunday (ANZAC day in Australia and New Zealand) and is the middle of a long weekend. I have walked for about 2 hours this weekend, in amongst just getting myself organised food wise and basically resting.

I decided about 5 weeks ago to get onto getting myself fit and healthy. I have been to the gym at least once a week during that time, attended a weekly pilates class and walked a few times a week. So far, so good.

Issues arise when I look at food. I know that I need to make wise food choices - but seem to make LARGE food choices......Portion size is my issue at the moment.

Then, like most people in the world, I eat when tired, stressed or emotionally down.

I recognise this, but have done nothing to alleviate this. This morning I made a decision and got onto an online program where I can monitor my eating etc. I know that I can't do this on my own. I think I can - but have proved over the last 5 weeks that I really need to get some 'support'. Weekly meetings are something I don't want. I have also tried the replacement program.......and suffered greatly.

Over the past few weeks I sat on the couch, great piles of food in front of me, watching 'Biggest Loser'. I was inspired but was not ready to do something......

I woke this morning and it felt like something had snapped into position. Measurements taken - and I realised that I am a long way from my optimum BMI.......

I have now tracked and I have walked......I am now out for a light lunch with friends. Watch this space!

Getting active......again!

Last week (Friday 5th March to be exact) I had a moment where I realised that I HAD to do something with my health! I don't know exactly what made me think this but I decided that I had to do something with my overall health.

The last few weeks have been ridiculous in terms time management. I just felt that I had nothing working the way I had hoped. I was so tired and lethargic and really didn't want to get out and greet people. This is not a good place to be.

Then I had this very interesting time when three friends told me outright that they were concerned about me. None of these friends work with me. They were just concerned with the frenetic energy I was dealing with everything. One friend told me that I seemed to have forgotten how to breath.

Another friend reminded me that no matter how much I put into the work place it will not replace the life I have afterwards. The question she put to me was to think about what I would be like when I am 70 and all I really have to show is a lifetime of successful concerts........at first I was peeved with this but then I reflected and knew that she was right.

Where is that balance that I had demanded of myself two years ago?

Two years ago I was searching for that balance but forgot that I had started on that journey. The weight that I had worked so hard to remove had crept back on. I had/have little or no energy for doing things away from the workplace and basically I was becoming an awesome couch potato.

So - I had a wake up moment. I was leaving work and thought that I should do something......what? I remembered that at the beginning of last year I had joined the local gym run by the council and that maybe I should get back to that. I rang and made an appointment with a personal trainer for the very next morning.

It was fantastic! The trainer I met was the woman who had started to help me at the beginning of last year. She remembered who I was and was genuinely concerned about what had happened in the past 14 months.

With her help I have developed a program. It isn't much to look at at the moment, but you do have to start somewhere. I have been to the gym 3 times this week and I have also been for a swim at the same venue. I started with just cardio work - and boy am I unfit! When I went swimming I discovered that I can only turn my head one way and developed a crick in my neck! I have enquired about stroke correction classes.......

Yesterday I found out how to use the equipment - and thoroughly enjoyed the process. My weights are puny.......but considering the fact that I have been dealing with rehabilitation from my back issue from June last year, I am quite impressed! The trainer setting up my program only allowed me to do certain gym work AFTER she had spoken to both my osteopath and physiotherapist. So thorough!

This morning I went for an hour walk along the beach. I feel quite energised!

The program that the trainer got me on is basically to get me moving every day! Make time to get out and get active. I have noticed that I am feeling a lot better as a result. I have to work on the diet part - which I seem to have been working on a little, but this is the week to get that sorted. Food diary at the ready.

For those wondering about local council gyms, get out and join one. They provide everything that a brand name gym provides but at a fraction of the cost. I have a personal trainer - or a program manager, full gym facilities and then there is the swimming pool that I have complete access to. I paid under $700 for all of that for 12 months and then got a month free. I can also go to any of the group classes that I want!

I feel really happy that I have done this!

hard

It has been a whirlwind this week emotionally. The year 12s had a festive end to their year - Tuesday dress up day, Wednesday sign the uniforms and valedictory dinner and Thursday - their assembly which was highly entertaining.

I love my year 12s and some are definitely favourites in my world. Others, I am pleased to see the end of - but then you get that with every group of people.

Friday morning the bubble of high energy was burst with the sad news that one of the girls in Year 12 had taken her own life earlier in the week. I didn't personally teach this girl but I knew her through others that I did teach.

Her funeral was today and I found it to be one of the most moving experiences I have been to. I was there to support the kids I teach who knew her and I was struggling with the whole situation.

Frogdancer was one of her teachers and her account is quite moving........

All I have to say is RIP T.

changing plans for the day

Week two of the holidays and I had an appointment with the dentist - to have another look at that tooth that broke around my birthday...it still hurts when I eat or the right side of my mouth. I changed my appointment as I have the beginnings of a cold......nothing like being a sneeze-head and struggling with the whole breathing thing (although not so severe now) and having work done in your mouth.....

Considering I have a little time to myself, I haven't dressed yet - such bliss.....and I have just about finished writing up 2 exams. I have one more to go! Then I have the CDs to go.

Did I tell you that I am on Facebook? I have become addicted to the farming application here......I have this thing about seeding fields and yielding the harvest - even if it is only virtual.

My thoughts today are with my sister who is having chemo for breast cancer. Just sending out my love to her! If you can send her love that will be awesome!

short and sweet on a saturday

Interns much better. Well one is sick but she is still improving. The other didn't cry this week. This is awesome!

I am very tired - still. So I am getting my bloods checked. Will see how we go.

Almost up to date with my correction. Very impressive if you ask me!

I'm off to see My sisters keeper tomorrow.

update

Interesting developments in the tooth and pilates department

Tooth - now I have an infection in my jaw...... I'm back to the dentist on Thursday. The doctor has given me a course of anitbiotics with the instructions to tell the dentist (as if I wouldn't)......and then the dentist needs to state if I need to have a repeat. I have had huge issues with pain in the nerves in my mouth near my ears. Hopefully this will sort itself out soon! meanwhile, more pain killers are the go.

Pilates - through the course of todays session I got to being able to do a situp from lying down with straight legs. Now while this doesn't seem that exciting, I find it amazing. We tested from the beginning to see what my ability to complete a sit up with straight legs. No chance at all. I was very sad. But we did lots of exercises to engage the abdominals and by the end of the time I was able to sit up with straight legs.

Now I am sure there is the question about why the focus on being able to complete a sit up with straight legs.......well I found out today that if you have bent legs you don't engage all the abdominals that well and you start using the hip flexors......this is generally what you want but when your core muscles are pretty stuffed you want to be able to learn how to engage them properly.

So there you have it. I am still on operation 'Fix the Widget' these school holidays. The back is in much better condition, the core muscles are engaging - I can roll over in bed without having to wake up to do so. So annoying. My tooth is fixed and once the infection is gone I am sure I will be much, much better.

By the way, I'm reading Gilead at the moment and I am wondering why it won the Pulitzer Prize. If anyone has read this book and LOVED it can you let me know why. I am finding it 'nice', which, in my humble opinion, is not a good recommendation for a book. I am struggling with it altogether, but will perservere as it is for one of my book clubs.

quick catch up

I haven't posted for a while. It has been quite busy in my world.

Work stuff - lots of it. Highlights - 2 year 12 performance nights. Junior concert. Attending the drama night. Chant off (which one of my form groups won!) Lowlights - dealing with an inept person or two, picking up the pieces of people who go on leave without outlining what they need to do.

Family - seeing my sister off to an overseas adventure. Catching up with other family through lots of calls etc.

Socially - out and about for fun.

Frogdancer mentioned in one of her posts that I had a birthday and it came for free for all my guests.........I'm still sorting that one out.

My birthday was a couple of Thursdays ago and I had a lovely dinner cooked for me. Fabulous!

Friday night I went out with some lovely women, including the Dancer, to a Korean restaurant. Food is always lovely there. We ordered way too much food - as you do. I was enjoying bbq beef and suddenly heard a crack and felt a crunch in my mouth. I tentatively put my finger in my mouth to discover one very large bone shard. One of the women saw my distressed face and asked me if I was ok. I said I thought I had cracked a tooth. A moment later I took the piece of tooth out my mouth.

Frogdancer called a waitress over and I outlined the story. She got the manager. He has offered to pay for the tooth work through his business insurance. I'm seeing the dentist on Tuesday and then follow it up with him after that. I will keep you all posted on what is going on with that.

I have taken very strong actions towards fixing my core muscles after that ridiculous trip I had last school holidays. I am having one-on-one pilates classes with a physiotherapist. Amazing how much better it is to do this rather than attending a class with a group of people. I have been taught how to do so much so quickly.

We set some goals last week - interesting. My goal is to be able to stand from sitting/lying down without compensating. I also would like to turn in bed without having to wake up to do so. Simple things really.

Her goals were a little more technical than mine.

I also have another goal - to stand comfortably on one leg - especially my right leg. It's amazing how quickly you can lose control over things like this. It's also very scary.

Not an exciting post I know but I am tired from the end of term. I am stoked to be on holidays for the next two weeks.

YAY!

sick #2

Day two of being home sick. I am mightily relaxed - probably for the first time in ages.

There is nothing I can do but sit and ponder the world. My mark books are at work until later today when one of my colleagues will drop them off. I contemplated going into work tomorrow to mark my students composition assignments on the school network but realise that I can probably break the back of my reports without having to mark them in such a rush.

If I get the bulk of my reports done - comments and 3/4 of the marks in - this weekend, then I can mark the rest of the work next week and pop those extras in.

Sitting here I realise how lucky I am. I am in a warm house, I can afford to see the doctor if needed and I have sick leave to call upon. I have been listening to world news and sometimes it pulls you back in from feeling sorry for yourself.

Yes, there are moments when I cough like there is no tomorrow and I have never known my sinuses to be so willing to off load their innards..........but this is nothing really.

This morning I had a chat with my mum and told her that I had croup. She laughed. How rude! She told me that only little children get that. I promised her that the doctor had said that there are many cases around at the moment and it is moving like nothing else. In amongst all of this she told me about how she and my dad would deal with croup in us when we were kids. I don't like the sound of it.

My father had this remedy he learnt from his grandmother - melted butter, lemon and honey. Lemon and honey - fine. Melted butter -urgh. I told mum that I would probably throw up with the melted butter......apparently that is the point. The lemon and honey cuts through the build up of phlegm and the butter makes you throw up.

Gotta love the old remedies. I'm sure there is a better solution.....inhalations seem to be working a charm.

In amongst this I set the styles exam that Scott mentioned and emailed it to him. I did try to mail the audio but the system didn't like the size of the audio file........

Finished knitting one scarf, another to go. Finish some socks and might make headway onto my cardigan from last year. All up quite relaxing. Wonder what shocking movie will be on today.......

sick

Home sick today.

Woke up and my head cold had taken a turn to the 'interesting'. Sinus headache.................can't breath properly.

That was at 5.45am and I had a shower to do an inhalation. Worked somewhat. Still couldn't breathe.

Made phone call to the answering machine that miraculously covers your lesson throughout the day. Then emailed my lessons to colleague at work so she could print out.....hope she did.

Went back to bed and slept for 3 hours - on top of my 8 hours the night before. Must be sick if I sleep that long.

Woke up, rang the doctor and struggled to get an appointment for this afternoon. Must be lots of sick people in the area today.

Now sitting on the couch. Thought of doing reports - but left my mark books at work. Hmmmm. I'll be fine for tomorrow - especially if I sleep more today.

Later the same day - been to the doctor. Yes there are lots of sick people in the area. Had to wait 40 minutes from scheduled appointment time. Apparently I have croup........lots of it going around! Off again tomorrow.

grumbling

Went out to dinner last night which was a fun catch up with some staff from work. Being so overworked at the moment I feel lucky to make an occasional lunchtime.

Got home, went to bed and finally asleep by 11.30pm only to be woken at 12.30 and not able to sleep again until 4.30am! So cross. BUT the fun didn't end there. The grumbles hit my insides.

I might just tell you that there is nothing like the internal machinations of something really untoward working it's way through your system. Pain, incredible pain.......and you know those grumbles only leave one of two ways........I didn't like either but was only really persecuted with one way that involved my lower half.

I ended up going to work for 4 hours this morning as I have a theory group who are sitting their external exam tomorrow.........final class and all. Also my Year 12 Group kids had an assessment task that needed to be done for their overall grade. I left at 11am and got home by 11.30 and slept on the couch until 12.45. Feel so much better.

Going back to the theory class....the kidlet turned up this morning with the other three gentlemen. They gentlemen should pass really well. I don't think she will. Poor poppet - she is under pressure from her mother to do well in everything and so she is pushed to succeed. The kid doesnt know if she is coming or going....hence what happened on Sunday.

I've been sitting and reading assignments for the past hour and loving the fact that I am just about up to date.......Year 12s to do next.

back to it.

The back is much improved. I sat to get my hair done today. Well, I sat for the coloring, then wandered the room while it set. I then sat for the wash, wandered and finally sat for the cut and blow-wave. I think I wandered for half an hour in the 2 hours of hairdressing appointment.

Once home I lay on the floor for a bit - about half an hour.

Back to the osteopath this afternoon.

Strangely enough I am very excited to be going back to work on Monday - not so much because I am missing work. I have been very bored - I think I have mentioned this before. Having a back issue has really annoyed me. I have not really contacted anyone over this time as I was not in a happy place physically and mentally to do so.

One thing I have been doing is looking at weird signs. My favourite was for a waxing studio which, according to the sign, catered for all male and female waxing. My reaction: Is there any other kind?

back to back

I saw my regular osteopath today and he was impressed by the state of my back. Impressed that I am sitting considering what I have done to it. In his words "it was a great job on an already good situation".

I do hope you understand that 'great' and 'good' are not really meant as they are spoken in the regular world.

As I said to him, I have NEVER BEEN SO BORED DURING MY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. I go to do something and then the sciatic pain drives me to distraction. Driving anywhere is fraught with sciatic temptation....then having people over means that I might have to entertain them. That doesn't really work when I am completely ok with the use of my body.

I am off to a pilates class in about 20 minutes and I am looking forward to it. My osteopath suggested that I might need to have a few classes on my own to get the exercises sorted out correctly. I told him it is a very small group that are in the class which he seemed fairly happy about.

follow up

So you post about something and then it all changes.

Well not quite. Back still sore but not spasming. Thanks to all who sent best wishes - I no longer have to retreat to the floor for hours on end. I was beginning to get a lot bored!

I have been stretching lots. Am still going to investigate the pilates etc because buggered if I am going to allow this happen again.

Sciatic pain is a bitch. You think all is fine and dandy and then pain down the leg because you sat the wrong way, moved the wrong way etc. I know it is there as a reminder to chill out and take it slowly. Um? What? Don't really know how to take it that slow. Probably why I ended up the way I did! Actually I am very good at slothing - but once I get going I move fast. I don't think there is a happy medium for me. It's either go or stop.

Hope all had a lovely Easter/Passover etc. Those who are orthodox - I'll try to remember next week to wish you a lovely easter. Public holiday here and I'm loving today. Probably cause I can move a little more freely and get a few things done. Family gathering today as well - which means getting out of the house. Yay.

pain in the backside

So my holidays have been sent on a curve that I don't really appreciate. On Wednesday I tripped over a lead in my house and caused my back to spasm like there is no tomorrow.

I have this ongoing issue with my back - 15 years. I have kept it under control for most of the last 15 years. Stupidly I backed off a little in the last few months and my back is now telling me how it really is and will be.

The world looks really different from the floor. I should know as I have spent the better part of four days down there.

I am seeing an osteopath and he gave me an elephant stamp for effort! I am so proud. That was Thursday.

He told me I should try and get out and walk to stop the back from stiffening up. I think he might have meant about 30 minutes worth. I did an hour, which included a walk along the beach, and suffered for about 2 hours afterwards. The last 20 minutes walking home were horrible!

Yesterday I had a massage which has helped a great deal to get some movement into the base of my back. I am now able to get some stretches in without too much pain......ha!

I haven't been out much. Joined K for dinner on Friday night and lasted 2 hours maximum. The drive home was yucky! Was meant to go out for dinner and catch up last night but turned that down after my relaxing massage. GRRRR!

I have been investigating pilates classes. Also looking into good yoga places. Need to improve those core muscles.

Back to the lie down time......and the heat pack.

woo hoo

Monday and I am feeling somewhat refreshed.

Today I had the third week of no year 7 class......so frustrating. I will get over it but I was cross for a little bit.

Year 12 class #1 freaked out as I gave them a spot test. "I wasn't warned" - well it is a spot test. "Will this count?" - not to your end of year mark but it will let you know what you know and what you should work on..........

Year 12 class #2 became confused over definitions of Large, Medium and Small scale compositions. Once we broke it down they were fine. They still laughed at my REALLY BAD jokes. Bless them.

Rehearsal at lunch was really interesting. The kid I am working with struggles with reading and then is scared that she is making a mistake. The music is friggin' hard!

What do you get with 25 hyperactive year 8 kids and a class set of djembes? My period 5 class and a BIG headache. Well it was noisy but fun. I got over my headache pretty quickly.

As well I entered 4 kids into AMEB grade 3 theory, I helped organise kids for a publicity shoot tomorrow, counseled a year 12 who has frozen with fear, listened to an outline for the massed singing item for this years Winter Concert and worked on pieces for the Cabaret night.

Now home I am going to look at arrangements for the Year 8 band rehearsal tomorrow and write out a guitar part or two.......

Meanwhile the cd ripping continues.........