My Day In the Real World

I went out and had a life today, or something close to it. First I had to deal with the troubles from about 3 to 5 am, and then slept some, and then had a bit more of it when I got up. But when I woke up around 8, I decided that this was it, and I was just going to go about my business as best I could. I ate, and took my pills, and showered and dressed.

The snow, by the way, turned into nothing, a dusting that barely covered the lawn. By the time I went out to warm up my car at about twenty to ten, some of that had melted, too. I left the house before ten, dropped off some mail at the boxes at the post office, and headed for school.

It was very surreal, starting with pulling into the parking lot. Strange just to see the building. My space was taken, but I found a visitors spot easily enough. I toddled into the building with my big bag o' tricks (toilet paper, baby wipes, ointments, and things), by inflatable donut for sitting on (in an oh-so-discreet Target bag), and a folding snack table I picked up in Target yesterday. I was greeted very warmly by the guy at the security desk (aka, The Greeter), who was lovely, and who gave me a space to stash the snack table for a while. Then, upstairs.

The SCM had a lovely, surprised, happy look on his face when he saw me. He knew I was coming in today, but not exactly when. Anyway, being in the library was also surreal, but quite wonderful. It looks like I'm learning to be grateful for all kinds of things these days, eh? Anyway, the SCM and the new secretary were both warm, happy to see me, etc. Media Girl was not there when I arrived, but returned shortly, and she, let me tell you, is just a joy to be with. I know that her mother is just about my age, and that she herself is the same age as my oldest nephew, but I feel much more friend/sisterly with her than motherly, and I am just so fond of her. And another crazy thing too is that her husband, who also works in our building, had just been diagnosed within the last month or so with ulcerative colitis, which is very, very similar to Crohn's, so we're kind of going through this together.

Anyway, I got the main thing done that needed to be, which was set up the support system for the school I.D. cards. I've always done the cards in the library, but now they're kind of going school-wide, and someone needs to be there who can make new cards when needed. I was set to do this in December, but the principal put it off, so I never got to teach Media Girl how to do it, or anybody else how to keep the paperwork on it. But that's all set now; if I'm out again, the system can run without me. Other than straighten up my desk and update my daily planner, that's the work I did today.

Which was fine. I needed some time to go brief the school nurse on my situation, and to feel wonderfully welcomed back by many people. Of course, there were several I saw in the halls or at lunch who answered my "hi" with their own, and who probably never even knew I was out, but it's a big school. I was amused to arrive at lunch and see someone who is rarely there, spread out over three seats (including my regular one), say hi, ask me if I saw The Bucket List this weekend, etc., and then every other single person who came in screamed hello and welcome back when they saw me and gave me a big hug. I wonder if this first babe had any clue what was going on.

After lunch, I sat and talked to my principal for a bit, and let me tell you, he was incredibly nice. He understands that I will need some flexibility and that I will be doing my best to put in a full day's work, and he is good with all that. He asked is there's anything else he can do for me, and like that. A nice human being.

(Oh, my snack tray, which I recovered from the greeter's desk, was for the ladies room, since there is otherwise no other place to put anything down when you're in there. We'll see how long it lasts, although who would bother to steal a six dollar snack tray out of a ladies room, I know not.)

I did leave a little early, about 1:45, but I had put in the full half-day I said I would since I got there earlier than a half day afternoon usually begins. I was very, very tired when I left, I think, in part, from trying to keep my balance on that damn donut perched on my own wonderful desk chair! Anyway, I came home and rested a bit, and then K and I did a bit of grocery shopping. I'm still feeling my way along about what I can and can't eat. For all I know, I'm doing it all wrong, but I have no way of knowing at this point.

Tonight I have to fast from midnight on, all I can have is a sip of water with my blood pressure pills in the morning. I have to be at the x-ray place at 8:15 for a set of upper G.I. x-rays. My only concern is that this could be smack in the middle of my troubles, but hey, what can you do. The bag o' tricks is now going with me wherever I go.

The Hubs just came in, so I'll go give him the report of my day.

WATCHING REBA :: ENTRY #1661