Forced to leave work early

So things have been super busy with school moving full speed ahead.  I have NOT been working my proper duty day.  I haven't been a very good leader of my new movement #workyourproperdutyday.  However, this week, I've done a pretty good job of evacuating the building close to contract time, even if I'm going to a different establishment to complete my to-do list.  (Preferably housing friendly chatter, music, and hot caffeinated beverages.)

I saw my surgeon on the 19th and she gave me the low down on my official pathology report from surgery:
3 lymph nodes (two were side-by-side) removed and they were negative for disease.  The tumor was removed with clean margins.  They did find DCIS pre-cancerous changes around the actual cancer itself.  But it was all removed, with negative margins.  (Negative = awesome in cancerland).  I am evidently now allergic to the surgery glue they use on incisions.  "Contact Dermatitis"  It can be developed over time, because my biopsy and my port surgery produced no skin reactions at all.  But now I am allergic.  So no more glue for me (and hopefully no more surgery, so it won't even matter!!)  My incisions were super red and itchy.  I didn't know one way or the other.  I assumed it was the natural healing process.  But no.  I was breaking out, and I just needed to gently scrub the glue away to solve the problem.  Two weeks later, I'm doing fine and its all cleared up.  They want to give me a chance to heal fully from the surgery and the allergic reaction before starting radiation.  4 weeks of buffer time.

That same day, we went down to radiation oncology and met my radiation doctor, nurse, and radiation therapists.  They talked us through the process:  what radiation does, the risks, possible side effects, made a schedule, did a CT scan, did a simulation, and tattooed my skin with teeny-itsy-bitsy marks so they know where to line me up each time.  I start on Sept. 8th, attend everyday, five days a week, until Oct. 22nd.  Its a 15 minute appointment.  They were able to schedule me for the latest possible time for most of the 6 weeks so that I will miss minimal work.  Basically, I will leave school at the same time as my students leave at the final bell, to book it to the hospital.  (Making up for working past my proper duty day this month)  However, for 4 days, I will have to leave 20 minutes before my final class ends.  That will be a pain, but because I have the #bestprincipalever , it will be covered by someone else in house.

The side effects I can expect are skin changes (color, peeling, texture, etc) and fatigue towards the end, which will clear up after treatment ends.  Otherwise, its painless and you don't feel a thing.  I plan to take care of myself (sleep, eat, be happy) and follow their directions completely, and hope that my side effects are minimal.

I went to yoga last night for the first time since surgery.  Oh man, 3 weeks is too long.  I've decided that I need to prioritize the yoga.  Two times over the weekend.  And MAKE TIME for a minimum of one class during the week.

There's a an anonymous teacher blog that I subscribe to, who is super awesome, smart, and funny.  "Love, Teach".  I wish I was her.  She posted something the other day about healthy choices during the school year, and it was ME, exactly.  However, I'm determined to break the pattern:

My progression of health-related thoughts at the beginning of every school year:

1. This year I'm going to stay on my healthy summer kick all the way through back-to-school! THIS IS THE YEAR!
2. Okay, I'll just eat terribly today since it's the first day of professional development. When else will I get the chance to take an hour lunch with my work buddies?
3. Oh no, I stayed at work until seven! Guess I'd better eat ALL OF THE THINGS
4. After this first crazy week I'll be back on track. Starting Monday.
5. Starting next Monday.
6. Okay, baby steps. I'll start working out this week.
7. Why the heck would I work out when I'm on my feet ALL DAY?!
8. Literally the only way I can relax right now is if I eat a brownie the size of my face.
9. IT'S TOO HARD TO PACK VEGETABLES IN MY LUNCH
10. I'm going to buy this compartmentalized lunch container so that it's easier to pack vegetables.
11. I would like to fill all of these compartments with cheese.

I had a good chuckle over that.  And I'm super proud of myself that I got my lesson plans done friday night, and now I'm enjoying a whole 48 hours of free time from work.  Filling it with blogging, reading, hanging with Superman and the dogs, trip to the library, watching movies, cleaning the house, etc.   Ahhhhhh, the weekend.  :)