Work...let's talk about that one. It's my first year of teaching, and I knew it was going to be hard--everyone says so. It's hard. It' stressful. And it's basically taken over my life. It's a good thing I love those little kiddos (most of the time...and most of them). However, it's starting to take a toll. I remember my mom telling me in high school and college that I need to learn how to deal with my stress better or it can start to affect my body. I would try to stop and not get so stressed about everything, but then I would get stressed about how I wasn't supposed to be getting stressed and then I would remember everything on my to do list...and that was pretty much out the window. Well, I would like to take this moment now to proclaim that my mom is a freaking genius (Tage, that one was for you).
Earlier this year I was told (after one of those invasive colonoscopies....) that I "probably" have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Basically whenever I get stressed I get diarrhea My mom's prophecy was beginning to come true. Now I know whenever I get stressed because WWIII ensues in my intestines. But that wasn't all...oh no it was not.
Last Wednesday I noticed a little cluster of zits (or so I thought) on my back. Thoroughly grossed out at this new appearance of "back-ne" (like acne only on my back), I just tried not to think about it. But then it started to get all red and really itchy the next day. So, I thought it was just a weird rash and put hydrocortizone cream on it. But then it started to REALLY itch and REALLY hurt! So after consulting with my two nurse moms, I went to the doctor and was informed that I have shingles. Wait, what is shingles? I will let these people do the talking:
I remember lying down in the corner of my room during lunch one day because I was so exhausted (sick) I could not even go on. I didn't meet Allen until my second year of teaching, probably because Heavenly Father knew I was too consumed to notice him, I was in so far over my head. AND...I can't tell you how many times I wondered to myself what I was going to do for a living after I quit my job. Yep, I feel your pain. Only I wasn't teaching them in Chinese! That's gotta be worse. I can say this with some authority, however, and that is that the second year is a thousand times better. I don't even exactly know why. Don't give up. Get better. And listen to your mom. :)
ReplyDeleteI remember my first year teaching I started having migraines. My doctor was a little surprised b/c apparently you usually start having migraines younger if you're going to have them. I only had a couple that first year, none the second year and since I stopped teaching i haven't had one in years. Unfortunately my 3rd year of teaching I had to change schools b/c of a move and the school I moved to was not as good as my first one (talking about administration and support, not just students and parents). It was like having a first year of teaching all over again. That year I chipped my tooth from grinding my teeth at night! Yeah, teaching can be really stressful, especially in the beginning. But I also had amazing experiences and loved teaching as well, at times.
ReplyDeleteAh, Kelsi. That's Awesome. Well, You are awesome, not so much the intestines, and the shingles...Although now that I think about it I have a friend from high school who is a teacher, and has had shingles more than once. I bet they forgot to warn you about THAT when you picked a major!!!
ReplyDeleteAs for the intestines...Thank your Dad for that one, it runs (no pun intended) on that side of the family. Mine do the same thing over stress, and even worse with any little hormone change. Yay.
Love you!