How dumb can my student get?

I work on a campus of over 40,000 people. I suppose one of my students was counting on me NOT running into him hanging out with his friends today. I received an email from him yesterday saying that his brother got in a bad car accident and he was currently in the airport waiting to fly out to go help him. . . therefore he couldn't take the quiz, and could he make it up after break.

BUSTED!!! Oh, he makes me so mad, but I"m laughing hysterically because I just sent him an email saying #1 - I presume he wasn't actually at the airport going home since he said hi to me on the street today. #2 - He will receive a zero on his quiz. #3 - he is over his absence limit and I will lower his grade like the syllabus says. #4 - I will not tolerate deception and this kind of behavior in my class, so I suggest he gets his ass in gear (ok, I didn't use the word ass, but you know what I mean). DUMBASS kids!!!! Wow - so busted!!!!

Home Sweet Home

I can't believe it. We are closing on our first home tomorrow!!!! :) Woo hooooooo. I have moved countless times and honestly have not felt like I've had a real home since my teenage years. My husband and I are so excited to have a home to create a nice, loving, safe space. I'm not looking forward to actually moving though. Obviously I will not be moving anything heavy. We have about 7-8 people helping us to move. I have a cold right now and when I started coughing this morning, I threw out my back. Ouch. Gotta love scoliosis!

List for the hospital

As promised on the forum, here is the list I compiled for the hospital. I would greatly appreciate any advice on other things I'm forgetting. . .

Things to bring to the hospital:
chapstick
robe
slippers with grips/flipflops, slipper socks
teeth cleansers (those disposable ones), toothbrush and toothpaste
complete medical history and medication list
loose fitting clothing for the way home and some for the hospital if possible
i-pod
phone list
glasses
cell phone
a few bendy straws
my own pillows
pictures and other mementos that will help me feel better
hairbrush
body lotion
feminine supplies
lots of pillows for the ride home
journal for family to write when I get my pain meds, which ones, and names of nurses and doctors

teaching

So, I'm a graduate student. I've been teaching my own class of undergrads for the last two years, and next year I'm a TA for some class in the music history department. However, the TA the faculty assigned me requires 4 hours of teaching in a row and my advisor is concerned for my physical well-being at 3 months post-op. Now I feel like I'm causing all these problems in the department even though I know having surgery is not my fault. I hate being a burden and making people readjust their schedules. I'm frustrated. I know I would do it for someone else if they were in my position, but it is safe to say that people have a lot of misconceptions about scoliosis and don't understand the size of this surgery.

Of course, I think I can teach for 4 hours in a row, but my mind has always been stronger than my body - that is one of the ways you live with constant pain.

why the pain?

Today was our inspection for our condo. Very exciting . . . except the fact that it took 1 1/2 hours and my back really really hurts. I was trying to be professional and walk around, but I ended up sitting on our new living room floor. Usually I can deal with the pain everyday, but once in a while the pain becomes unbearable. I came home, took a bath, and am sitting with a heating pad, but I still can't move very well or bend over. I guess that's why I'm having surgery, huh?

Facing reality?

I may be slowly coming out of denial. I made surgery purchases this weekend. I bought bendable straws (woo hoo), a raised toilet seat (who would have thought I needed one of those in my late 20s), and a grabber. I already started chasing my husband around the house with the grabber - hee hee, just preparing him for things to come. Hmm - probably not, but nice idea.

So, I'm going to start putting together a list of things I will need in the hospital and after, and I will post it later, and hopefully some of you can tell me what I missed or give me other suggestions.

It is finalized

I have a date: June 5, 2007.

Now I've started crying again, but I suppose that is a natural reaction. Surgery workup is May 21st - I wonder what I should expect???

Feeling a little blue

I went for my echocardiogram today. Honestly this is one of the least painful parts of pre-op procedures. I don't really expect that a cardiology department would know a lot about scoliosis, but the woman's first question was, "What did you do to your back?" UHT! Nothing - gee, isn't that funny. Ok, enough sarcasm. Then she did not know what to say about my upcoming surgery. I find most people don't. So then she asks the question that I just absolutely love (note sarcasm again): "So, does your back hurt?" Maybe if my career fails I will go around the world informing people about scoliosis and back pain. Honestly now!

I'm feeling a little blue today. Perhaps it is because I did not get enough sleep and ran out of English Breakfast Tea, which I rely on to get me going in the morning. (I'm British) Some of my colleagues are also being very cautious around me, which to an extent I appreciate, but I also feel like they are expecting me to be more "down" than I am. Today someone asked me, "How are you?" (with a concerned look). I replied, "Fine thank you," to which he then replied, "Are you sure?"

Perhaps my 4am mini-panic attack about surgery still showed on my face. Oh well. I hope to get a good night's sleep, and hopefully a BEAUTIFUL 60 degree day tomorrow will perk me up. I must go get some tea as well!

Surgery

Well, I'm having surgery. I actually don't feel like writing about it right now because I'm exhausted, and let's face it . . . in denial. However, when I was home over Christmas and sorting through old stuff, I came across this letter from my grandfather. My grandad is my guarding angel, and this is what I found from 1993:

The card itself reads:
Sometimes it seems that life is most difficult when we're the most vulnerable - when pulling through and sorting things out seems like an impossible task. And yet, when we do, our sense of accomplishment is great - giving us new hope and courage to continue. Take heart that brighter, happier days are in store and that others care about you very much.

My grandad wrote inside:
I am so sorry to hear about your various ailments, especially problems with your back and the nuisance of wearing a brace. But knowing you, you will grit your teeth, grin and bear it, and as time passes you will be "fit as a fiddle." Bless you darling.

Ok grandad, I'm ready to be "fit as a fiddle" now. This card will go to the hospital with me.

Will write more later when I feel like talking about surgery.