Health Update

I went to my first session of physical therapy today. My therapist, A is a very fit and handsome gentlemen who was very thorough and helpful (well, I did pay over a hundred bucks out of my own pocket for it...). He diagnosed where the problem area was and broke down what was going on with my back and leg. Basically, I have a herniated disk (L4 and L5?) in my spine and that has affected my nerves on my left side of my lower body that stems from my buttocks (yes my bum) all the way down to my left leg. Basically, my left leg is a heavy log I lug around. I have a major muscle spasm on the lower left side of my back (a 4 out of a 5 scale) and so I couldn't do much of the exercises needed to aid in a speedy recovery. He did teach me some exercises to help strengthen my core (stomach area) so I can protect my spine. He does not recommend me to go back to teaching yet, but I asked if next week would be doable and he said it should be ok. I made an appointment next Monday afternoon so if I do student teach I will leave right after to go to my appointment.


Earlier on in the summer I had saw a postcard from a site a friend recommended me (Postsecret.com) where people anonymously send in secrets written on postcards. There was one from a teacher and it made me scared and nervous about my future profession as a teacher. But after experiencing this medical situation, I think its even scarier for me to think what would I be doing if I could no longer teach. Yes, I am extremely nervous about graduating and anxious about finding a job and having my own classroom. But from my own experience being idle and bored, I love working with children even if there are some unpleasant situation/remarks that sometimes happens. I'm sure there will be bad/slow/hell/exhausting days, but everyone one of those negative ones, I will have many more positive ones to "overwrite" them. Sure there might be some traces of the negative ones, but I will never forget the nice ones. I will never forget the moment the third graders from last semester who piled around me to hug me and say farewell. And the little kinders from this semester who come up to me randomly to give me a hug. Those moments and memories and priceless. Even the kid who asked me why am the size that I am, he randomly threw out another remark how he loved I was his teacher. Teaching is one of those professions where you give a lot, but you also get back a lot. It's not gonna be the big bucks (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA) that reel people into teaching as a lifelong career. But it's definitely one of those jobs where you will make a difference in many peoples' lives forever that will trickle down like water down a neverending drain. My own experience with teachers, good and bad have shaped what I am today. I was fortunate enough to have many wonderful folks who cared enough to care about what they were doing and take an extra step to help me out when I needed a little push or encouragement.