So a lot can happen in two weeks. Two weekends ago I was feeling better that I have felt in a very long time. I was swimming regularly, enjoying the occasional coffee out, and spending time with friends.
Last weekend I spent Friday in bed with what I thought was a sinus headache. I missed a Thanksgiving dinner because I felt awful. I looked after myself and woke up Saturday feeling much better, ready to take on the day with a swim at the pool, a walk to the school, a day in the classroom, and an hour and a half of tutoring.
I thought I had fought a good fight in the battle for health. I felt sad that I had missed the Thanksgiving dinner and thought I would invite some of the neighbours in our building to my place for a potluck. An invitation was sent over WhatsApp, with favourable results, so I went ahead and planned a Monday night event.
On Sunday after school I went to the local grocery store and picked up supplies.Sunday night was spent preparing roast chicken, stuffing, and sweet potatoes.
By Monday morning, I was feeling ICK! Rather than cancel the dinner, I thought, full steam ahead and came home after school to tidy up the apartment and complete that dinner preparations.
It was a lovely time, No less than eight friends ventured in with various eats and treats and we spend a lovely evening together, simply celebrating the Canadian Thanksgiving. It was great to get together. By 8 everyone had left, and by 10 the dishes were done, food put away, and apartment tidied.
Somewhere around Tuesday I was beginning to feel unwell. So unwell, that I did not go swimming, barely made it to school, but carried on, because that is what teachers do.
Then on Wednesday morning, it really hit me. During the first class, I raised my voice and started a coughing spell that wouldn't stop; in fact, I couldn't get my breath (wheeze, wheeze, wheeze) and asked a student to run and get the nurse. Meanwhile I went out to the hallway, still coughing and choking, when a colleague walked by, realized the situation, and took over this children.
I ran to the nurse's office, saying "I can't breathe." It was a scary situation. Fortunately the nurses on staff are well trained and had the equipment to deal with my crisis. Needless to say it created quite a stir among the cleaning staff (whom I had run by) and the administration (whom were alerted). I was told to go home, go the the doctor, and take Thursday off.
Well at our school, you have to have a doctor's note to take either day surrounding the weekend off. My doctor diagnosed mile bronchitis, prescribed medications, but did not offer a sick note, nor did I remember to ask for one.
I returned home, determined to settle down, take my medications, and return to work on Thursday. And yes, although it was difficult, I did manage to make it through the day, teaching the boys and girls about kindness, caring, and encouragement.
However, I learned a few very important lessons. If you are going to teach, you have to remain healthy. To remain healthy, you have to have down time. Finally, no one is going to thank you if you come to work sick, and you are going to create challenges for others.
So I have spent this weekend, locked up in my apartment, taking the prescribed medication, looking after myself, and starting planning for the week. I also watched two movies, read the rest of Jane Eyre, and focused on relaxing. Thankfully, I am breathing easy now!
Until next time,
Bee Rich
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| Swimming is Fun! |
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| Drinking Lattes is Fun |
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| And Sharpening a class set of coloured pencils is Fun... |
I thought I had fought a good fight in the battle for health. I felt sad that I had missed the Thanksgiving dinner and thought I would invite some of the neighbours in our building to my place for a potluck. An invitation was sent over WhatsApp, with favourable results, so I went ahead and planned a Monday night event.
On Sunday after school I went to the local grocery store and picked up supplies.Sunday night was spent preparing roast chicken, stuffing, and sweet potatoes.
By Monday morning, I was feeling ICK! Rather than cancel the dinner, I thought, full steam ahead and came home after school to tidy up the apartment and complete that dinner preparations.
It was a lovely time, No less than eight friends ventured in with various eats and treats and we spend a lovely evening together, simply celebrating the Canadian Thanksgiving. It was great to get together. By 8 everyone had left, and by 10 the dishes were done, food put away, and apartment tidied.
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| Happy Canadian Thanksgiving from Kuwait! |
Somewhere around Tuesday I was beginning to feel unwell. So unwell, that I did not go swimming, barely made it to school, but carried on, because that is what teachers do.
Then on Wednesday morning, it really hit me. During the first class, I raised my voice and started a coughing spell that wouldn't stop; in fact, I couldn't get my breath (wheeze, wheeze, wheeze) and asked a student to run and get the nurse. Meanwhile I went out to the hallway, still coughing and choking, when a colleague walked by, realized the situation, and took over this children.
I ran to the nurse's office, saying "I can't breathe." It was a scary situation. Fortunately the nurses on staff are well trained and had the equipment to deal with my crisis. Needless to say it created quite a stir among the cleaning staff (whom I had run by) and the administration (whom were alerted). I was told to go home, go the the doctor, and take Thursday off.
Well at our school, you have to have a doctor's note to take either day surrounding the weekend off. My doctor diagnosed mile bronchitis, prescribed medications, but did not offer a sick note, nor did I remember to ask for one.
I returned home, determined to settle down, take my medications, and return to work on Thursday. And yes, although it was difficult, I did manage to make it through the day, teaching the boys and girls about kindness, caring, and encouragement.
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| Nebulizer Parts |
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| R and R - |
However, I learned a few very important lessons. If you are going to teach, you have to remain healthy. To remain healthy, you have to have down time. Finally, no one is going to thank you if you come to work sick, and you are going to create challenges for others.
So I have spent this weekend, locked up in my apartment, taking the prescribed medication, looking after myself, and starting planning for the week. I also watched two movies, read the rest of Jane Eyre, and focused on relaxing. Thankfully, I am breathing easy now!
Until next time,
Bee Rich
