Saturday, February 18, 2006

Rewind, erase and go forward please

Some weeks it would be nice to rewind and start over and I think this would be one of them.

I have been monitoring my blood pressure for a few weeks - it's been high enough that I wanted to keep tabs on it. Well, Tuesday was a stressful day at work, and without going into details, the result was that I felt somehow that my blood pressure was high - well it was, and high enough that the school nurse said, call your doctor, don't drive, etc.

So the end result after the doctor's visit is I am now on a beta blocker and diuretic and will get some blood work done.

Is school stressful??? Well, you bet it is. Most days I think I have the best job in the world, but there are days that give me a reality check that not all in the world is right and I don't live in utopia. I see the impact that our society has on our kids, whether it be television, music, or their environment. For many, school is their safe haven and hopefully we can offer them not only a valuable education, but also the tools and skills to make it in today's world. I also hope we can offer to be role models to those students, especially to those that have to endure situations we have never been a part of in our sheltered lives.

So, as I knit, and as I sing, and as I sit in my warm home, make me ever so mindful that there are many children right at my back door that will never have the creature comforts of a safe home and family.

I do not solely blame my high blood pressure on stress. I would be lying and fooling myself if I did. Most days I let the stress run off my back like water does on a duck's back. Tuesday was not one of them - Wednesday was a day of rest and a day to adjust to the medication. Hopefully this weekend will allow some more rest and time to sit back.
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However, I would be remiss if I did not celebrate with my friend whose children have blessed her with the births of two granddaughters in a two day period. Welcome to the world, Abigail and Sophia!!

Knitting update to come!

8 comments:

LutheranChik said...

Cathy, I have high blood pressure too. For me it's largely a matter of heredity...I can't think of a relative on either side of my family who doesn't take medicine for hypertension. I know I was really irritated when I "graduated" from diet-alone therapy to a prescription med, but...my medicine does the trick with minimal side effects, so it's a good thing.

Anonymous said...

Cathy,

No one knows what it takes to teach, except another teacher. The more we love our students, the harder and the more dear the teaching becomes.

I had to stop teaching three years ago after my health became a serious issue. I plan to go back as soon as I can and still volunteer at my old school.

The teachers that have an easy time of it are the ones who are just there to get paid (as small as that income might be.) If you love them and care about them, it takes a toll.

But, God is good all the time, and God is with us everywhere. I will keep you in my prayers.

Donna

dkmca2003@yahoo.com

St. Casserole said...

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Joan said...

You hit the nail on the head, Donna. I always said that teaching wouldn't be near as stressful if the teacher didn't love his/her students. But since most of us really want the best for them and realise how important it is for us to do a good job, teaching IS very stressful!

Take care of yourself, Cathy. Remember the flight attendants' admonition to see to your own health first so that you will be able to take care of others.

Joan said...

Hi again, Cathy. Thanks for you note on my blog. I left an answer there for you, but I thought I would come back here in case you didn't check the comments there again. I live 30 miles west of Atlanta right off I-20. I had wondered where in Georgia you live. Yes, I am Median Sib's older sister. One of our younger sisters writes Blue Star Chronicles and one of our brothers has Alone on a Limb. I notice you also visited our cousin Jane of Cozy Reader. I hope you are feeling less stressed - maybe you have a day off tomorrow for Presidents Day.

Emily said...

I'm glad you're there for the children you are called to work with, and glad this health stuff has been caught now.

Peace!

Anonymous said...

Hugs to you.

Norma said...

I hope you're feeling better and relaxing with a good knitting pattern.