School is out - MRI tomorrow!

Whew! I finished my first year at Winter Park High School and I must say, "It was great!" I really do love this age group and I still love teaching TV. It is an added bonus that the school (Administration and Faculty) are terrific! Even though school is out for summer, I can't seem to stop thinking about next year. After getting through a whole year, I have a ton of new ideas from organization of my studio, set design, projects and our News Show. It is so nice to really love what you do.

Can you believe my boys will be in 8th grade next year? And my baby girl will be in 5th!!! Ahhh! How do they keep getting older while I stay so young? ( tee-hee ) Justin got braces the day after school was out. All three kids are happy to be out for summer and so far, don't mind helping me in my classrooms and studio. I have been blessed with lots of help this week. My Aunt Kay and Uncle Jim, along with my kids and one student, helped us build shelves and organize my storage room. This was HUGE!!! My cousin Loren's boyfriend Josh, moved all the big heavy furniture around as I kept changing my mind on how I wanted it arranged. He was awesome!!! I will go in a couple of days next week to finish organizing stuff and cleaning up for the summer. This extra effort now will really pay off in the fall when school starts back.

Since last week, I have gotten a call back from the MD Anderson Cancer Center and they have a Neuro-Oncologist who has reviewed my medical records, including the letter from Dr. McClain in Texas (with the treatment plan) and he is willing to see me. Unfortunately, he is going out of town and my appointment isn't until July 14th. David and I decided that we want to be sure we are happy with the treatment facility since I will be going for a year and we don't want to start the Chemo with the Florida Hospital Doctor until we have had a chance to check out the famous MD Anderson first. In the meantime, I am getting an MRI of the brain and spine Saturday, June 12th and I have a Lumbar Puncture scheduled for June 17th. The following week is an endoscopy and biopsy. Don't worry...they still think this is slow progressing, I am in the mild category and let's not forget Dr. McClain said we have caught this early. I am actually, doing OK. I get used to my disorientedness (if you will let me make up that word) and find ways to compensate for my right hand fine motor skills deficit. It is most obvious when I start to rush. I fumble and drop everything. I am also having more trouble opening things but I just ask someone else to get it for me and that seems to go over just fine.

Finally, Jimmie came home from the hospital Tuesday, June 8th and is doing remarkably well. We go over once everyday and are trying to help out where we can. He wanted to eat dinner at the table with us tonight and so we did! Heart surgery sure has improved since my Uncle Jim had his 17 years ago!