Back to work…

As most of you know our union and the district came to a tentative agreement and we went back to work on Wednesday and had our first day of classes on Thursday. Today the members of the SEA are meeting to vote to accept or reject the tentative agreement. We had so much support from parents and others in Seattle that I cannot imagine we could pick up the same level of support if we reject the agreement. It’s not perfect, by a long shot, but we definitely got some wins. I’m still pulling my cancer/heart failure card to stay home from the assembly. In normal times I would get there early, bring snacks and be prepared for the long haul. I’m just not up for it these days, not with 26 6 and 7 year olds to look forward to in the morning.

So, school…phewsh! It’s not easy being a first grade teacher, though I do know how much easier it is than being a kindergarten teacher and I’m filled with gratitude that Jessica spent that year with these little ones. It was a busy and very full first 2 days. Officially I only work in the morning, but for the first 2 days, I stayed all day so Hillary and I could work as a team. I can’t say enough good about Hillary. She is very positive and upbeat. There were times I was flailing on Friday and she just propped me up so I could continue. I’m a little rusty! And she knew just what to say to keep my confidence up and keep me going. She is a master teacher that is clear. She’s “got it” and I am so grateful to know I can just leave half way through the day and the kids will be in such capable hands!

And we have Mary Cook as Ian’s 1:1 instructional assistant! Mary is there primarily to support Ian, but she cannot spend all her time with him as that would limit his opportunities for independence, so she is everywhere! Mary sees what needs to be done before I do at times. I am so grateful that she is in the Salmon Clan with us everyday. And how great for the all of us to have the consistency of Mary all day!

Crissy (our reading interventionist) has also been helping out a great deal with my class until she gets her schedule in place. She has been a huge support and always has a positive, upbeat attitude!

Normally I am alone with 26 kiddos. Most of the time those first 2 days there were 3 and sometimes 4 of us in the room. Thank you all! I definitely needed support to get through those first days!

It was a very emotional time for me, as you might imagine. I cried a few times Thursday morning as people came in to see me, finally I put my hand up and said they had to wait, I couldn’t cry anymore! I made it through the day! At one point one little guy said to me, “You had brain surgery.” Another chimed in immediately with, “No, you had cancer.” Followed immediately by another, “Cancer is not contagious.” I took 2 minutes or less to fill them in and then we moved on. On Friday I was asking the kids to draw a self portrait and was drawing an example on a piece of paper. When I came to my hair I gasped and said aloud, “Wow! Last time I did this I had long hair, oh well. I think I’ll use white and silver and yellow, I still like to think that I am blond!” And that was the end of that. So, I made it over some emotional hurdles.

My most emotional time was during recess and taking kids to buses on Thursday. I saw lots of my former students and they just shouted “Janet!” and their faces were so open and happy. I was getting hugs from all sides and realized my liver was finally feeling better (thank goodness!). 

After school Thursday I was out in front of the building and had to just let the tears flow as I saw so many of my families and another hug fest ensued! What a great feeling to be back. 

My heart is healing.

My liver feels better…only hurts when i press on a couple of spots.

My cancer is gone-ish, maybe.

I’m back to work, even if just 1/2 time for now…with 26 adorable first graders and a whole community who has welcomed me back with great joy and open arms.

I am so grateful!

I wish you hope, health and happiness.

with love,

Janet

PS As if it could get any better…kids are on their way over for Sunday night dinner and the Seahawks game…go Hawks!

Here is a picture Mike Delcamp took of me and Conor (second grader!) on the first day of school. I’m wearing my skirt from Senegal and a t-shirt a former student, Willa decorated for me with a ballerina and a poem.

Still on Strike

Greetings,  

Today is the fourth day members of the Seattle Education Association have been on strike. This is to my benefit, you know. It is giving me more time to take it easy, relax, build my stamina and strength and get better! I am doing that step by step, day by day. Initially I was very greedy wanting this strike as I knew it would benefit me. Now I have to let that go. There are too many people in the city struggling with childcare (though many great people and organizations have stepped up to help) and too many people who don’t make enough money in this organization and do not know when their next pay check will be or how much it will be. So, I can no longer hope for this strike to continue…I just have to put that out there into the world.

Last week I joined my fellow Pathfinder staff folk a little bit each day. I went up to school to walk the line for some time on Wednesday and Thursday. We have tons of parent support and the energy was good. On Friday the SEA directed us, in honor of 9/11 to do service projects instead of marching. My staff decided to clean up some of the public stairwells and streets that we use around our school neighborhood. There are 2 especially long stairwells from Delridge up to school that get used frequently for walking field trips or when we walk down to Delridge to catch the city bus. Staff cut back blackberry and other shrubberies and cleaned up trash along the way. I can take no direct credit for any of that work! Friday afternoon the teachers and families joined a “read-in” at Alki beach. That was awesome and something I was definitely up for…more my speed. We all sat around on the 80 degree afternoon reading to the kids and chatting with each other. It was a lovely sea of red t-shirts on the grass near the beach.

Because of the strike I was able to get a jump start on my cardio rehab. I had my first 2 appointments scheduled for this week. I was able to get them in on Thursday and Friday of last week. The first appointment was about an hour, with a nurse, going over lots of information and gathering up some medical information and data. The second one was with a personal trainer type, Cara. She took me through the paces of what will be my cardio workout class. Because I was able to get those completed last week I was able to start my class this morning. I went from 9:30-10:30 along with our old friend Jim Black! Small world!

First they take your weight and hook you up to a 3 point lead. Then you sit for a few minutes and they take a resting blood pressure. At that point you get to select from a wide variety of machines to do a warm up, to work out according to your own individual goals and then a cool down. This is followed by the entire group, (maybe 8 altogether) led by one of the staff, doing some work with hand held weights and then stretches. The whole bit lasts about a hour. While on the machines, Cara would check in with me asking about shortness of breath and exertion level. She would report to me my heart rate that is monitored in the back of the room because of the leads that I wear the whole time. It is a great program and I feel really fortunate to have this level of support to bring my heart back up to speed. I’ll be able to stay in the class as long as we are on strike or as long as I am 1/2 time. Once I’m back to work full time I’ll have to do this work on my own…yikes! I’m savoring this support and time to heal!

My liver is also healing. I can still feel stress, inflammation and pain in my liver, though it is definitely getting better. After the hospital I only took pain pills at night to help me sleep through the pain, I’ve been off those about a week now. So, it is definitely better. That procedure was 4 weeks ago today. I was warned there would be pain…but man! I did not think it would last this long! I look forward to the day I am not aware of my liver! Seems like a simple request!

This weekend Eva’s mom and dad, Betsy and Bob, were in town. I think I’ve only met them once before at Eva’s graduation. We had a great day together yesterday with breakfast followed by a thorough trip to the Locks (which suits me just fine…I love the Locks) and a stroll through the Ballard Sunday Market. If you are one of my out of town friends, next time you are here, we shall go to the Locks! You can goggle Hiram Chittenden Locks if you can’t wait for a visit to Seattle. And some time in Ballard has something for everyone, that is for sure! What a great neighborhood!

A few posts ago I mentioned a book about a woman with 2 young children who was battling breast cancer at the same time her dad was battling cancer. The book is The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. I enjoyed it quite a bit as I especially enjoy sad stories…books or movies…I always have.

There was a line from the author’s note that I wanted to share. She is talking about when her book was first published and she was driving up and down the East Coast selling her book and doing readings here and there. At the end of every reading, she says, people would pull her aside, share their own story and at times ask for advice…here is what she said:

If they asked for advice, I’d try to sell them on sharing the whole thing—the anxiety, the pain, the work—with people around them. Because that’s what made being very sick something I’m glad to have experienced. That lean-and-catch thing people do, that’s the good part, and you owe it to yourself to get the good part.

I’m crying just typing that up. And, I’m not sure I’m at a point where I can say I am glad to have experienced this, but, she is right, all of you who have caught us so many times in this last year…you are the good part and I thank you!

I am ready to go back to school tomorrow if that is in the cards and I’m certainly ready to march the line with my peers and hold out for a decent contract if that is what the future brings. I’m feeling stronger and healthier each day. 

I hope this post finds you well…

Love, light and laughter to you all

Janet

Here is a random picture of me and my little June-bug next door neighbor....they are in Austin for awhile and we are missing them! How cute is she? This was from our going away pizza party.

Labor Day Weekend

I’ve been going through the “one year ago” phase lately. Not checking back on the dates, exactly, but knowing that one year ago things were pretty sucky around here. I do believe it was one year ago this weekend that we put our little Rudy down. She had malignant melanoma. She was the absolute easiest dog we’ve ever had…not the sweetest or best…but easiest for sure. Now with our little Wilson, absolutely the most high maintenance dog we’ve had, we know just how easy and low maintenance little Rudy was. We miss you Rudy. You were a good girl.

One year ago I had been through maybe 3 chemo treatments by now…maybe just 2…I could fact check, but it doesn’t really matter. This was the time I started to get sick from the Xeloda. I went into the hospital early September last year, not to come out until three and a half weeks later, the first week of October. 

It’s been quite a year. I remember that time in the hospital thinking that the school buses are going back and forth every day, kids are coming and going and I’m not there. I’m one of those people who think my world just simply cannot operate without me…how can Pathfinder possibly still be standing…it defied my personal logic. So there was a lesson learned; life really does go on. 

Going back to school last week was overwhelming, to say the least. Wednesday was the first day we all met together as a staff. I walked in the room and had to go find a corner to get my shit together. I was overwhelmed and simply could not stop crying. There were so many people, just so many! Many whom I know and love and many others complete strangers. Then there were the people that weren't there any more! We have a huge staff as we have many kids with autism and other special needs in our building so we have a large staff of Instructional Assistants to help with the kids with special needs. Our school is K-8, so we have lots of teachers and support staff as well. Anyway, I think there might be 60-70 or so on staff…it’s a lot!

I finally got it together, and kept it that way for the most part. Our work was good, positive, energizing and as usual I’m so proud of the work we do as a staff to improve our school for the kids. As a whole, we are a thoughtful, heartfelt, hard-working group. New staff were quite impressed. I am happy to be back and to be a part of this group.

That night, my liver hurt more than it had for a while. I’m pretty sure it was from my emotional day and so much sitting all day. It was hard on my body. I had to just down all evening and work on breathing and relaxing.

Thursday we met again and did more heartfelt and thoughtful work as a staff. That night was the strike vote. I knew I could not go sit more and I knew it would take hours. Against my better self but protecting my physical self I went home instead of going downtown to vote. As it turned out, it was ok. A fairly unanimous SEA voted to strike. The district has not taken the negotiations seriously, they have not brought their best selves or intentions to the table in the negotiations since May, and now here we are ready to strike. Our strike does not officially start until Wednesday, Sept. 9, the first day kids are scheduled to attend school. So, the negotiating teams may come to an agreement this weekend and we’ll start on time. Or we may be striking. The strike would buy me some time to heal, so I’d be ok with that. I’ll also be ready to go to bat on the 9th, if there is an agreement reached.

Friday I went in for a bit and Mary Cook and Maria Callahan joined me to help put some finishing touches on the room. Mary, Maria and I all worked together years ago…back in the day when Michael and Maggie were at Pathfinder. We had a little reunion and a great time. Thank you both so much! It was great to catch up and to see you both!

I’ve had so much help getting the room ready! Thank you Mary and Maria, thank you Maggie, thank you Jenni and Emily and Angie, thank you Emma and there may be more who pitched in while I was in the hospital…I thank you, too! 

Enough about school…here is a little update on the kids.

Maggie is quite settled in her little house in Fremont. It is adorable and in such a great location. Her birthday was just 2 days ago, she turned 24!! How is that possible? We all went to a spot in Fremont for dinner and then back to her place for cake and ice cream. She and Eva and I’m sure a few more are spending lots of time this weekend at Bumbershoot.

Michael and Eva are settling into their apartment (formerly Jennifer’s apartment!), 4 blocks east of Maggie’s house. The troll is literally 1/2 way between their homes. (If you are not a Seattlite, google the Fremont Troll, this is their neighbor!) 

Eva just finished up her work in Portland, working from here, and has a new job in the Sodo neighborhood starting in a couple of weeks. Her parents will be up to visit next weekend for just a couple of days. I look forward to seeing them again.

Michael has had some time between jobs and has found Mike's lathe. He has taken to making bats and he does a great job! Oliver Bat Co. is a new and upcoming business and passion. Yesterday Michael rode his bike from Fremont to here to make a bat...he's got the bug. He and Mike can literally spend all day downstairs in the workshop...what lucky boys to have each other and to have found something they love to do together. 

Michael is almost ready to turn in his application to the Seattle Fire Department. It is due later this month. It is our understanding that they need to hire quite a few new recruits so we are hopeful that he’ll make the cut. However, we know it is very competitive and sometimes people have to apply 3 or 4 times before they are accepted. So, here he goes…try #1.

In the meantime Michael is working with Maggie at APL (Academy for Precision Learning). They are both working in the kindergarten/first grade classroom as 1:1 aides for kids who are highly impacted by their autism. The school is in the U district so they ride their bikes to work together 4 days a week (on Mondays Maggie has to drive as she works with one student at their home after school). Their school started last week, there are some bumps that are getting ironed out, but they love their kids and are full of stories just like they heard growing up. It warms my heart to hear them talk about their kids. 

Heart update…

Friday Mike and I went to see Dr. Mignone. I just can’t say enough good about that doctor. Like I’ve said before, he is a great teacher. He uses a white board and is very clear and easy to understand and he describes what is happening and what we want to have happen. The bottom line is things are going well. My meds are more stable, my BP and weight are more stable. I’ve only had to take one particular med, once (the day after Zippy’s) and not again and he said that was a good sign. He was happy with how things are going and said unless I have any problems I don’t need to see him for 6 weeks! Awesome! I will be starting cardio rehab the week after next, but if we are striking next week, I’m going to try and shift my appointments to start sooner. My heart will heal, I have no doubt about that.

Cancer update…

None really…I see Dr. Kaplan next week, and I think we’ll probably schedule a scan for November. I hope my liver pain goes away, like today…but that ablation really pissed my liver off, big time. We’ll see what the good Doctor has to say. In the meantime, I’m walking the fine line of living as if I have no cancer and making sure that come time for a scan I’m not blindsided if there is cancer. It is a balancing act…but for now, there is no reason to believe cancer will win. I have every reason to believe that I will.

I can’t believe I’m going to try and tell you a dream I had the other night… I’ll try to be concise…

I was in some kind of neighborhood where they had simply cut away the land and we (me and one person…a stranger) were walking along what was like a cliff. It was a sheer drop, maybe like 2-3 stories high with hard dirt sides and hard dirt at the bottom. 

I fell and just caught myself by the fingertips. I was screaming for this person to help me and then realized they had pushed me on purpose. They were trying to kill me. I looked down and knew I wouldn’t die. I yelled to them, “I’m just going to break my ankles, I’m not going to die!” I wanted them to know that I was going to live and then come after them. 

I woke up and knew immediately that the stranger was cancer. It was just going to break my ankles, not kill me.

Now that dream doesn’t really mean anything, but it makes me feel empowered. And for now, I’ll take that.

Hope you are all having a little fun, a little relaxation, or what ever it is you need this Labor Day Weekend.

I’ll keep you posted on the strike.

Love to you all, 

Janet

Happy Birthday Maggie!

How about a few photos from one of the most amazing parts of our Ireland trip, to Turbot Island just off the West Coast near Clifden. This is the Island where Granny and Grandad (Kay and Ed) have a cottage. They lease some of their land to a cattle farmer for their cattle to graze. No one lives full time on the island. There is no way to the island except by private boat. We spent one night here with Kay and Ed, Eamonn and the kids. It was a unique and very Irish experience...so beautiful!