Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed is a good word for how I am feeling today. 

Overwhelmed by the positive thoughts that were sent my way after reading this blog.  Overwhelmed by the old friends that have contacted me.  Overwhelmed by the people I have never met that are offering their support.  Overwhelmed by my fellow Chiari friends that are reaching out to answer any questions I have.  Overwhelmed by this horrible headache that came on while I am trying to get ready to go out for a five-course meal matched with wine pairings (sounds fancy huh?  As of three months ago, I didn't even really like wine.  Now, I just pretend so that I can do these fancy things!)  Still overwhelmed by the fact that I had a student in tears today saying "Miss Burns, you only have nine days left!"  It really stinks that it isn't appropriate for teachers to breakdown in tears with the students sometimes.  To fight the tears, I just hugged that boy as tight as I could until he pulled away because I mean, your teacher hugging you like that?  "Miss Burns, that's not cool!"

I guess that is something you should know.  I am a 1st grade teacher in Medford.  I LOVE my job.  I LOVE my students.  I always have stories.  The innocent minds and optimistic attitudes make me look forward to going to work almost every day.  I told my students two weeks ago that I would be leaving them for 6-10 weeks.  I had two students in tears, one in a know-it-all "brain surgery is no big deal" outlook, and about seventeen stories about a time that they, or mom, or grandpa had stitches.  My students are six and seven years old.  They have very little concept of time.  When I say two months, some take it as two minutes and some take it as a year.  After being off for the weekend and being out yesterday for Pre-Op stuff, I was greeted this morning by one of my girls saying "Miss Burns, that wasn't even that long!"  I WISH! 

As sad as I am to leave my students, I LOVE that I have a goal to get back to work.  I plan to keep my students as written and video penpals during my recovery, and I truly believe those little smiling faces are what will get me through it. 

I have to say thank you to my mom, my aunts, my cousins, and my friends that shared this blog yesterday.  I know everyone says it, but I really have THE best friends and family.  It also looks like this surgery will be bringing me some new friends. 

Side note, I love the show Friends.  I quote it often, I apologize now. 

Many people asked so here is what I know about my surgery so far:  My surgery is on Feb. 28.  I am getting the surgery at Capital Health in Hopewell and Dr. Vez (it is a longer name, but I can't even pretend to know it) will be the doctor doing the surgery. 

Yesterday I had my pre-op appointment where I had a EKG, X-Rays, six gallons of blood taken, a physical, and a medical interview done.  Longest. 2 and half hours. EVER.  But, its done.  The nurses were nice and the doctors seemed knowledgable.  What more do you need?  I mean, maybe a cute doctor?  But, regardless, he knows his stuff.  I guess that's most important ;-)

Also, six gallons was an overstatement, but seriously that's the best way to describe how I felt.  Good news is that if anything goes wrong, they have plenty of my blood!

Okay, I have to go prepare for my fun night out!