Got Her!!

It worked! We got Mrs. Buckley! Big time. :D

Thursday I took my class to lunch, sign in hand and all our fingers crossed. Her class was in the hallway, getting ready for lunch, too. I held up the sign, walked past them, and my students began coughing and hacking on cue.

Jo got a puzzled look as she squinted her eyes a bit to see the sign I was holding. You could see the comprehension dawn in her expression, and then she threw back her head and began laughing LOUDLY.

Her students looked at her, shot puzzled looks at us, and then a few who could see the sign began laughing, too. Gradually her entire class got the joke, and Mrs. Buckley exclaimed, "All right, Speedy! I deserved that!" and she laughed some more.

Jo loved the prank so much that she told everyone in the faculty lunchroom, and then the office staff, too. And we were delighted that finally, after three days of trying, we finally played our joke on Mrs. Buckley.

Lisa Makes a Difference

Lisa emailed me the other day and shared an experience she had had and what she had learned about service from it. It is something I believe we all wrestle with at one point or another, and I was so pleased as I read how she handled a situation where many others would turn aside.

With her permission, I copy some of what she wrote here in my blog. A few parts are cut out in as they were too tender to post and I did not want to embarrass her. And, Lis didn't want it to "be about me." (Trust me, it's not!) It's a very beautiful story. I am very proud of what she did. You made a difference, Lis!

Hey Mom and Dad,

I had an experience tonight that I wanted to share with you two.  There is a man and his dog who sometimes stand with a sign by our local WalMart.  According to his sign, he's homeless and doesn't have any money.  Sometimes people stop and give him money or food, but he and his dog are almost always there when I stop in.

It was snowing tonight as I pulled into WalMart to get an alarm clock, and I saw the dog and the man sitting with their sign, shivering. As I walked into the store, I decided that I would get them something small- a can of dog food and a knit hat or something.  I didn't know if he was really homeless, and I was afraid he would just return the stuff at the WalMart counter and use the money for drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes.  I was thinking about how I couldn't tell if he was homeless or not by his appearance, and then I had a little voice in my head say, "Well, if he looked at you, he wouldn't know your situation, either".

I had just come from work, so I was dressed nicely.  To him, I probably looked like I had a lot of money or was situated well.  I was judging him by the stories I had heard from my friends of panhandlers and what they do with the money they were given.  There was no way to know his situation.

I walked through the store and grabbed a few things: a Lunchable, Gatorade, and knit hat for the man, a bone and a can of food for the dog.  I put these all in a bag and stuffed the five bucks from my wallet in there as well.  As I was walking out of the store, I decided to put my purse and other bag in the car first, and unwrap the bone so I at least knew the dog would have to eat it.

When I walked up to the man and gave him the bag, he put down his sign, with one hand he grabbed his dog so it wouldn't jump all over me, and the other he took the bag I offered him.  He saw the Lunchable kind of poking out of the top of the bag and said, "Thank you so much.  I haven't eaten in two days."

He thanked me again and I told him he was welcome, and I turned around and walked away.  When I got in my car, I saw him go to a nearby bush, with the dog jumping all over him.  He sat down on the ground, gave the bone to the dog, and then peeled open the Lunchable.  The dog was so excited that he ran around, occasionally dropping the bone and laying down to lick it for a second, then jump up and run to another spot and do the same thing.  I'm not sure if he was looking for a good place to sit down with it or what, but I just started crying.  I knew that the man at least got something small to eat and drink, and that the dog had a treat to last him a little while.

I was crying as I drove away, because I knew that I can still do little things to serve those around me. I can do what I can to help those who need it, even if they are small things. And when I was thinking about the 'small things', I remembered something our Stake President said at Ward Conference two weeks ago.  He said, "Those aren't 'small things', they are the HUGE things."

I am glad that I had the chance to do something to help.  

Knee Fun

Fun with my knee - that's what we are having at school. I am pretty slow when I walk, at least compared to pre-replacement when sometimes I out-walked my class and would tease them about letting an old grandmother show them up! (They'd get the message, and quit dawdling as we went places.)

I am not nearly as fast now. In fact, once in a while I stop to rest. Of course, I tell the students that I am stopping for THEIR sake, and that they should catch their breath, and then when THEY are ready, we'll continue. The kids smile and pretend to gulp in large amounts of air, fanning themselves as though they were overheated, and mimic being worn out. And then off we go again (when I am ready.)

Jo Buckley often observes us as it is usually by her classroom where I need to take a break. Her eyes twinkle when she sees us, and she calls me "Speedy." (Jo did ask if I minded; of course not!) So, she's in on our class fun and plays along with us, teasing us and pretending I am just a blur of speed.

Natalie, one of my 5th grade gals said the other day after I was "harassed" by Mrs. Buckley, "We should make you a sign that says, 'Eat my dust.'"  What an idea!! So, Natalie and Kamryn made me one, and we have been taking it with us every time we go pass Mrs. Buckley's door.

The plan is for me to display the sign, while the kids follow behind, hacking and coughing as though they were really getting dust in their faces from my blinding speed. They think this is HILARIOUS (I think it's pretty funny, too) but what's really made me smile is that, for some reason, ever since the sign was made, we haven't encountered Mrs. Buckley! We go past her room and she's not in there! Seems like the joke may be on us.

In the meantime, though, we're going to keep bringing the sign along with us on our hallway jaunts, just in case! Maybe we can play our joke on someone else.

Indianapolis Temple Site Announced

While there hasn't been too much speculation among members in the area, we have been excited about having our own temple close to us, and have been eagerly awaiting the Church's announcement of the location.  Here 'tis!

Site of Indiana Temple Announced

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JAN 24 2011 — SALT LAKE CITY

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the site of a temple to be built in the Indianapolis, Indiana area. The temple will be located in the city of Carmel on the southwest corner of the intersection of W116th and Spring Mill Road.

CAPTION

© 2010 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved

The temple was announced by Church President Thomas S. Monson in October 2010. Currently, there are 134 operating temples in the world, with another 23 that have been announced or are under construction
.

A Mother's Testimony

We had a family here this afternoon from the Spanish branch so their oldest daughter could receive her patriarchal blessing from Craig.

I never stay for the blessings as I consider them very private. This afternoon, the mother requested that I come out when the blessing had been completed and waited for me in the hallway.

"I want to bear my testimony," she said with tears in her eyes as she enfolded me into a hug. Then she looked me straight in the eye and continued, "I know my daughter; the patriarch does not. What he said WAS my daughter."

Pretty humbling.

Around and Around She Goes!

Hey, look at me!!

I know, I know, you shouldn't ride a bicycle in the house, but don't forget, I'm the girl who once brought a horse into the house through the back door. When I was seventeen. And got caught. (I still cannot answer the question, "Why on earth did you do that??" I truly, honestly do not know why I did it or what I was thinking. But, it sure helps me understand my own children or my students when they do something that leaves me scratching my head. Sometimes you do things for which you simply have no explanation!)

Huzzah and hooray, I'm in the saddle on Onyx (who is up on my indoor trainer), and the pedals are turning 360 degrees!! Look at my smile! (If you send a congratulatory card, please include some chocolate. I have lost 15 pounds post op and think I deserve just a smidge.)

 My physical therapist usually has me up on a stationary bike when I see her, and last time I was actually able to pedal all the way around instead of pedaling forward until it got uncomfortable, then pedaling backward until I started hurting and then repeating the process over and over.

This would be the knee that can now flex enough to complete the circle!

To be honest, it was not easy today, and I had to pedal back and forth for a while instead of completing the circle at first. But then suddenly everything felt loose, I ventured letting my knee rise to the apex, and I made my first circle. Around and around I went, getting a little faster and a bit braver with each one.

I am feeling more and more like myself each day.

God is Good

Many, many sayings and quips apply to what I am about to write. One is, God is good. Another, there is a silver lining behind every cloud. (Which doesn't make sense - a rainbow maybe. But I digress.)


I got an email a few weeks ago that took my breath away, made me cry happy tears, and then thank the Lord for His goodness and the way He can make a silver lining out of everything. 

Sarah's birth son turns sixteen soon and his mom emailed us to say that he would like Craig to give him his patriarchal blessing if we are comfortable with that. (Patriarchs are allowed to do their own direct descendants, even if they live in another stake.) Of course, we said yes (after lots of smiles, a little nervousness, and some prayers.) So... he, his parents, his sister, and possibly his grandparents are coming to visit us, have him receive his patriarchal blessing, and spend a little time in our home.

Is that amazing or what? Sixteen years ago at this time, I never could have seen this happening to us. I feel very, very blessed as well as quite humbled to even receive this wonderful gift of time with him and his wonderful family.

God IS good! And silver or rainbow, I'll take it!

It Just Takes a Hug

It just takes a hug to make the world seem right.

In my last post, I wrote about listening to a couple of people criticize public education, with one of the women having no experience in an elementary classroom for the past fifteen to twenty years. She had parroted current jibes that are in the media, jibes that often come from those who either have no experience themselves or who have a political agenda of some sort. I'd left the bookstore pretty disheartened at the perpetuation of misinformation and having been subjected to listening to it.

The next day was my first full day back teaching since my knee replacement surgery. By afternoon I was pretty tired, and so, as I taught, I sat on "the chair of great authority" (my teaching stool, dubbed that after a chair in the comic strip Pearls Before Swine), propped my feet up on the step-stool for bulletin boards, and rolled over a cart with papers, books, etc. I would need so I didn't have to go get anything for my lesson.

When I finished teaching, the children got to work on their assignment. Still feeling tired, I remained on the chair and watched them working. This group of children does not need my supervision during work time - they are very self-directed, value their education, and work hard. But still I sat there, just watching, and not wanting to move too far as I had little energy.

Ellen, one of the identical twins in the class, suddenly got up. She walked over to my stool, and I turned so I could answer the question I expected she was bringing to me. Instead, she threw her arms open, wrapped them around my waist, and gave me a big hug. Without saying a word!

Of course, I hugged her back, but then I said, "Ellen, what was that for?"

Ellen smiled and said, "Just because!"  And she smiled again and went back to her seat.

That simple hug chased away the blues I was still feeling from the previous day, and all seemed right in my little spot in public education.

Dissing Public Education

I took my mother to Borders Books today to buy her the new Mark Twain book and to spend some gift cards from my students. She and I were sitting in a couple of chairs, leafing through some possible purchases when one of the clerks struck up a conversation with a customer.

I could not see either woman, and I was not trying to eavesdrop, but they were speaking quite loudly. The vitriol literally took my breath away. The clerk went on and on about how awful public schools are, and how they "don't teach anything", and how she'd "never put a child in public school" (if she ever had kids.)

The customer was loudly agreeing, and seemed to be a TA at Purdue. Her complaint was how her students came to her unable to write an acceptable paper, and how she refused to spend any of her "valuable teaching time" teaching them how to write. Her reasoning was that we (i.e. teachers) were not doing our job and she would let them find out to write when they got their graded papers back.

It was really disheartening to hear what they said, especially since the one seemed awfully uninformed. I just kept my mouth shut, and thought about civil discourse and how important it is that, whether you are voting or working for change, you KNOW what you are talking about and have a good understanding of the issue and have an open mind and are aware of different perspectives.

Saturday - Spiritual High

Normally Sunday is the day of spiritual highs for me. I either attend my own ward or visit another in the stake, we have an afternoon patriarchal blessing (which brings an incredible spirit into our home), and then we have a family dinner with our mothers and others. The day ends with a phone call from Kyle and sometimes from our other children as well. Love it!

Saturday normally doesn't have that Sunday feeling, but today was different. It was the date of the Stake Relief Society Leadership meeting. I have wonderful counselors and a secretary, and we had a great attendance. Our theme this year is "Put on the Whole Armor of God" and each one of us gave a short talk about "armor" the Lord has provided us to use in our callings in the Relief Society.

To me, the Spirit was very strong in the meeting. And as I looked around at the sisters in attendance, I realized most of them were furiously taking notes from the speakers. A real indication that they were being spiritually fed and that what we had prepared for them was what they needed to hear.

The second hour we had out break-out sessions, and in mine with the presidents, we went over the new handbook, shared ideas that had worked in our individual units, learned how to access the new calendars on the Church web site, and then had a Q & A session. I kept feeling such warm and a unified feeling among the presidents, and it seemed as though what I had planned was what they needed. (That's a relief - Saturdays are valuable, and I never want to waste someone's time, plus since it was a leadership meeting, it appeared as though the purpose of the meeting was being fulfilled.)

After meeting privately with two presidents afterward, I drove home feeling content. But the day was to get even better - my dear friend Bryn's son, Evan, was being baptized at 4:00 PM.

Back to Church I went in the afternoon. Bryn and Eric had both sides of their family there along with many ward members, Bishop Call, and Sr. Clayton, the Primary president. Evan was wearing a white suit and tie, and he and his dad, Eric, were taking pictures in the foyer when I arrived. Bryn looked a bit teary and very, very proud of her son.

The baptismal service was lovely, and I felt uplifted and content as I sat in the audience, watching Evan be baptized by his dad. It is hard to articulate, but I just felt a warm glow as I sat there, and that warm glow has continued on into the evening as we went to dinner with Pat and Lisa Connolly, also dear friends. Who would think you could sit in a restaurant and continue feeling that spiritual high? Perhaps when it is people like the Connollys, then you do.

What a beautiful day this has been. I am going to say my prayers and go to bed, and you can bet I will be thanking Heavenly Father for an extra-special Saturday. I am blessed.

Daydreaming? About What??

One of the teachers I work with also has a son in my class. She stopped in before school today and said, "I have to tell you what happened this morning. We could not get Matthew out of the shower. My husband finally went up and knocked on the door, asking him what he was doing."

Matthew's reply?

"Oh, I was just daydreaming about Science."

(Today is our Earthquake Day. The children have designed and built buildings to test on an earthquake simulator. I also made them an earthquake cake.)

I love my class!!

Joggin' in the Classroom!

Today I have felt the best ever since my surgery December 1. I made the long walk down to the office and back THREE times today - without a walker and under my own steam. A few colleagues were concerned, asking, "Where's your walker? Should you be without it?" (Yes, I just use it because I get tired.)

And while teaching, I did a little jog around the classroom, which made my students laugh. I had told them I would be teaching full-time next week, and to show them how mobile I was now, I did the jog. Now, there's a difference between a real jog and the jog of a 53 year old woman who recently had a knee replaced and has an artificial hip to boot. I guess it was comical, because even though they applauded, they laughed, too.  So, I tagged Erin, a 4th grader who's a little shy, at her desk and said, "You're it!!" and jogged off. She was so surprised she didn't know what to do, let alone get up and chase me, so I got to my teaching chair, sat down, and told her I'd beaten her. We all laughed some more and then went on with our day. (I love how I can play with my class - they know how to have fun and when it is time to get back to work.)

This afternoon I had an appointment with Dr. Daluga. He said I am really doing well - my mobility is back, I have very little pain (although he insisted on giving me another prescription for Percocet even though I haven't finished the first bottle), and I am healing very, very well.

He said to expect the knee to feel hot for another couple of months, and that occasional pain on either side is normal and could last for a year. He also said I could begin kneeling (and showed me how to practice using a stool with pillows on it) and even get in my spa tub! There are no longer any restrictions - I am free to do what I wish. (You can bet the spa tub is #1 on my list!!)

I asked him if he had moved my knee cap to the center. I have noticed that my knee is pointier and that on the outside of the knee on the right, it is tender and swells occasionally. Dr. Daluga affirmed that he had, and said he had tightened up the inside of the knee and released the outside of the knee to compensate. He also mentioned the swelling around it and said that it would go down. (I thought it was just fat. Apparently not.)

While I am not yet to the point where I am excited about doing my left knee in June, I can say I am encouraged and pleased with how things have gone. And, I've lost 12 pounds in the process. My plan is to keep them off, lose some more before June, and then hopefully lose some more during that surgery/recovery. (I lost 17 when I had my hip done - seems to be a side affect of surgery for me!)

"Sarge" - A Beloved Primary Teacher

We got an email last night that Debbie Slaughter, an old and dear friend, had passed away January 6. Apparently they took her off blood thinners for a medical procedure in November and she developed some blood clots. She was hospitalized at Thanksgiving and then later had a heart attack at home (as I understand it.) She was taken to the hospital but they could not revive her.


Debbie Slaughter joined the church in 1981. We used to give her rides to church nearly every Sunday. She was also Kyle's Primary teacher (Lisa's, too, I think.)

At the time she was teaching Primary, a  popular cartoon on TV was G.I. Joe and there was a character named "Sergeant Slaughter." I am not sure if it was deliberate or a mistake, but my kids began calling Sister Slaughter "Sergeant Slaughter" and then simply "Sarge."

Debbie loved that, although the children had to explain to her where they got the nickname. And that nickname stuck, at least in our family. She was always "Sarge" to us!

We never knew Debbie's full story. She was one of the few African Americans in our ward and stake, and although she had family, they were not close and did not see each other. In fact, Deb once told me that they did not know she had joined the church. She lived in a house downtown that had been divided into apartments, but she would not let people in the home very much. (I was only inside once myself.) But she came and she served, and we sure enjoyed our time with her.

Rest in peace, Sarge!!

Debra Slaughter

URBANA – Debra Slaughter, 63, of Urbana died Thursday (Jan. 6, 2011) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 402 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana.

Debra Slaughter was born on Nov. 25, 1947, in Chicago, a daughter of Theodore and Mamie Emerson Slaughter. Her mother survives in Chicago.

Survivors also include her five siblings, Marion Slaughter of Odessa, Fla., Linda Slaughter of Seattle, Wash., Sidney Slaughter of Matteson, Theodore Slaughter Jr. of Richmond, Calif., and Diane Slaughter of Chicago.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Debra Slaughter received a B.S. degree in accounting from the University of Illinois. She worked for the state of Illinois as an accountant and was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Urbana.

Hoosier Hospitality

Folks in Indiana are known for their midwestern values and goodness. Today I was the recipient of that Hoosier hospitality not once, but twice.

I had a 7AM physical therapy appointment before school. It was snowing - no biggie, since I keep my car in the garage and don't have to worry about scraping windows. But when I got to the hospital, I realized I would have to scrape when my session was over. I could NOT find my scraper - not even in the trunk! It may be under my seat but right now I can't reach under there. As I was searching the car, a therapist just coming to work came over and asked if I needed help. I explained that I was looking for my scraper, and she told me to not worry, that they would scrape my car for me!

She was as good as her word. She walked into the building with me, and made sure the receptionist and my therapist knew of my problem. They didn't forget, and after Dusti was done working with me, she called over the intercom for Andy, another physical therapist, to come scrape my car (Dusti had another patient after me or she would have done it herself.) Andy even offered to drive my car to the building so I wouldn't have to wait in the cold! I declined that, but did let him get the snow and ice off the car that had accumulated in only a half an hour.

I left for Hershey feeling loved and that all was right in the world. But another dose of Hoosier hospitality was waiting for me.

About twenty minutes before my half day was up, my phone rang. It was Kim Harris, school treasurer. "Don't you dare go out into that parking lot without help," she said. "We are going to go out with you. In fact, we'll even bring your car to you." And she made me promise I WOULD stop by the office and get help.

Kim walked with me to the parking lot entrance along with Angie, our day custodian. Angie, without being asked, grabbed a broom and swept off my car, then Kim drove it to the door. Both women insisted on helping me (along with my walker) get down the ramp, into the car, and then they hugged me and sent me on my way.

My usual 20 minute drive took me 40 minutes due to the weather, but my heart was warm all the way home. I am truly blessed to associate with such good folks.

The Nutcracker Ballet

This year, the holiday theme in my classroom was "Children's Classics Expressed in the Fine Arts." Even though I wasn't there to teach it, the sub taught the kids about how classic books not only are made into movies, but into operas and ballets, too.

As part of the unit, we did a winter learning trip and went to a performance of The Nutcracker Ballet this afternoon. Since it was a Saturday, it wasn't an official field trip, and parents had to come with their children. Jessica Albrecht, another teacher at Hershey (and a ballerina herself) brought her class along with mine, and we had about 80 people in the audience.

My mother and sisters, Leslie and Jenny, have made this a tradition the past couple of years and attend the Saturday matinee with me. And, since every year the ballet company change costumes and dances, it is always new.

Three former students and one current one danced in the production this year.

 Me, Kathleen Loftus (a 4th/5th grader currently in my class), and Caroline Loftus (one of my 3rd/4th/5th graders, now a 7th grader.) Kathleen danced as a soldier and in Trepak (the costume she is wearing in this picture.) Caroline played Fritz, Clara's naughty brother. In three years in my classroom, Caroline NEVER, EVER did anything except her best, so it was fun to see her pretend to be naughty! She also was on toe as a snowflake, and then played an angel (her costume here.)

 We asked her to show off her wings - her dad teased her and called her the goddess Athena!

Me, Meredith Roberts ( a 2nd/4th/5th grader who is now a 6th grader at East Tipp), and Madeline Roberts (3rd/4th/5th, now a 7th grader.) Meredith performed as a mouse in the battle and then in Trepak (the costume she is wearing.) Madeline played one of Fritz's friends, a soldier, and finally danced in Chocolate (her costume here.) Madeline only began dancing two years ago, but she seems to have some real talent.

Lonely and Quiet

Lisa just left to go home for Utah. I will never be able to thank her enough for coming out here to help me recover from my surgery - she gave up her entire Christmas break for me!

She's gone, Craig is teaching a seminar, and I am home alone. I think this is the first time since Zeus died that I have been completely alone in my home. And, usually when our kids leave us, I have a little cry into the fur on his neck. Obviously that's not an option.

It is too quiet here, and I feel lonely and sad. I miss my loved ones.

Lifelong Friend?

Today during class meeting, one of the students made the comment that he hoped to be a billionaire when he was an adult. Mr. MacLaverty was in my classroom at the time (he works part time as an aide for me) and he said, "Send some my way. Teachers don't make much."

I agreed, but then I said that there were many other benefits to being a teacher such as feeling like you make a difference every day for someone.

Audrey piped up, "And you make lifelong friends, too."

She meant HERSELF and the other children. As MY lifelong friends.

I was quite touched that she considered me a friend (and herself as mine!)

Night and Day

To say Lisa is better would be an understatement. In fact, she is acting like her own self and as though she had never been in pain.

She woke up around 3:30, took some meds, talked with me and then argued with umpteen hundred people (many with thick accents she could barely understand; "Hello, my name is Peggy, how can I help you?") to get her flight plans changed. She thinks she succeeded, and it sure sounded like it from my end, but I guess we shall see.

Lisa then snoozed a bit more until dinner when she popped out of bed, walked into the kitchen, fixed her own plate, and came out into the living room to watch basketball with Curt, her dad, and me. For the first time in five days, she seemed to be pain free, or nearly so!

Poor Lisa!

Poor Lisa! She comes out to help her mama for three weeks, and ends up hurting her back and needing help herself. And it sort of spoiled her birthday celebration, too!!

December 29 her back started hurting although there had been twinges for a couple of days prior. We were serving up dinner and she was walking with her plate, when she cried out, "I'm going to fall! Grab my plate!" And down she went (yes, we got her plate.) She was writhing on the floor in pain - having had back pain since Cole was born, I understood the feeling, and felt helpless to help her.

Sarah's nurse's training kicked in - thank goodness she was still here. She and Craig got Lisa comfortable on the floor and then Sarah asked some questions and assessed the pain. Lisa tried to move, got a few feet, but fell again, crying out loud in pain.

At that point, Sarah called a friend in our ward whose husband is an ER physician. She explained that Lisa had no health insurance and asked if he would mind giving us some ideas on what to do to help her. He was kind enough to proscribe several meds that would help relieve the excruciating pain.

Lisa slept on the floor under the Christmas tree that night, not wanting to move. The meds knocked her out and helped her sleep, but she wasn't much better in the morning. Sarah continued to monitor her sister, and took charge of the meds and making sure Lisa got what she needed. (Thanks, Sarah!)

It wasn't much of a birthday for poor Lise, but she was able to eat her birthday breakfast (JC wanted to make her french toast and surprise her with it in bed; we made do with breakfast on the couch!), and open gifts and eat pie and cake for dinner. She slept on the floor under the tree again that night.

She's been up and down ever since. Sarah left Saturday, and Sunday night Craig and I, concerned about Lisa trying to fly home to Utah in this state on Tuesday, told her we really wanted to take her to the doctor since it had been five days and she wasn't much better.

And that was today's story. She saw Dr. Placik at Med Express(my favorite of the three doctors there) and she said he was very good about working with her pain as well as giving her a discount to make the treatment affordable. She got an intramuscular shot and some Hydrocodone and Flexeril. He recommended she stay here for a few days (as did we; that way we can take care of her) and wrote her notes for work, school, and the airline since she needs to change her ticket.

So, she's been sleeping off the meds much of the day and is now in the spa tub, letting the heat and jets do their work. They always make my back feel good, and I am glad it is helping her. Now we need to change her flight plans and let her work and school know she will be coming in later than planned.

Hang in there, sweetie!