Pennies for Patients and/or Pasta for Pennies

Our school is hosting a donation drive/service project for Pennies for Patients and/or Pasta for Pennies (I've heard both ways) sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The class that gets the most money, gets a pasta party provided by Olive Garden. Oh...and it benefits cancer patients, like me. But really...that's beside the point. We want PASTA! This is the first year our school has done this and I'm their "honored hero". There's even a whole bulletin board by the cafeteria dedicated to me. I know what you're thinking...me, me, me! Oh, no wait. That's what I'm thinking! I always said the world would be a much nicer place if it revolved around me. Kidding! (Though probably not according to my brother!) Anyway...the project and bulletin board were coordinated by our counselor, Tore. I'm going to take a picture of the board tomorrow and post it then. My sister-in-law, Melony, wrote the bio for me. This is what it says:

Kimberly Riggle has been teaching children with autism in Grand Prairie for the past five years. Teaching students with special needs takes a very special person and that is exactly what Kim is. To take words directly from her, "I don't teach ordinary kids...my kids are the most amazing kids ever. They struggle through day to day activities, never giving up. In our class, we don't celebrate test grades or well written essays. We have small victory parties and tears over tying shoes for the first time or swinging by yourself on the playground without help." You can hear the passion and love she has for her kids in her words, her attitude and her actions. Teaching students with this kind of passion in itself makes her a great candidate for honored hero for the Pennies for Patients campaign. This commendable feat is enough for any person to receive commendations for. The fact that Kim taught the past year with this kind of energy and passion while also battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma makes her a true hero. Kim was diagnosed with Hodgkin's on July 16, 2008. She took this news just like any other challenge in her life - head-on and with a positive attitude. Kim is a true fighter. The fact that she came to work each day while undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and many sleepless nights is a true testament to her fortitude. We are all so blessed that Kim won her battle against Hodgkin's on December 8, 2008. If you ask Kim today about the diagnosis and her battle she will answer you in her ever present positive attitude - I am stronger for having this disease...I am even stronger for beating this disease.

She did good, eh? :) If you're interested in donating to our class, go here: http://campus.gpisd.org/mos/GradeLevels/SLC/tabid/680/Default.aspx -there's a link to donate online. Thanks!

Tonight was the Teacher of the Year reception. My whole family was there as well as some of my co-workers! Though I didn't get chosen as a finalist for the district (therefore avoiding the whole interview process...yea!), I'm still beyond honored to be chosen for my school. I'll post pictures of that soon, too.

Speaking of pictures...I posted the ones of my cousin, Lindsey, cutting her hair for Locks of Love in the same album as Shelley's. I also added some more of Light the Night that I finally got from our art teacher. I made a note of where those start so you don't have to weed through all of them.

Okay...that's it until the pictures are taken. Thanks and goodnight!

The long road ahead...

Phew! I've been overwhelmed and extremely busy since starting back to school. I've had 2 trainings (one online and the other was for 2 full days), 3 parent meetings (ARD's), and my teacher of the year portfolio was due. Lots of paperwork. Hopefully after this week things will calm down and I'll be able to think again...

Even though I'm done with treatments, and have been for a month now, I've still got a lot of work cut out for me. I'm still not caught up on my sleeping...I guess catching up on 6 months lack of sleep will take longer than the 2 weeks I was anticipating. My nightmares have not totally gone away...they still creep up more often than not.

Matt and I started walking again last week. Boy...what a blow to my self-esteem. Before chemo, I was able to walk a long time-at a fast pace-and didn't tire easily. I am my mother's daughter. She's the queen of speed walking. My job kept me in pretty good shape as well. I could run the hallway after kids and still not be out of breath. Don't believe me? You should check out the video of me chasing a kid around the whole school. Yeah...caught by school cameras. Funny thing is...he wasn't even in my class! Unfortunately, that's not been so lately. Chemo took it's toll on my body, especially my lungs (thanks, bleo).

The first night of walking (Thursday) I was already out of breath before we hit the end of the street. My heart was racing and I was panting. Seriously. Total walk time=5 minutes. Walked again Friday night, skipped the weekend, started again yesterday. I'm walking every night. Already we've gone farther and longer. Each time I progress a little more. My goal is to be able to walk down the hallways at school without getting winded. I believe that working full-time helped me to not deteriorate as much as I could have. I still remained active throughout treatment. I gained minimal weight (due to steriods) and it kept my lungs and heart working almost up to par.

My next appointment is February 11th with my radiation oncologist. I'll post more about it then. Also, I posted some more tattoo pics. Mainly just the final tattoo pics.

For now, I have a friend going into surgery tomorrow to correct her scoliosis. I know she'll pull through without skipping a beat! Good luck, Megan!!

Thanks for reading and goodnight, folks!

New year, new me.

Now that the craziness of the holidays are over, I've finally had a chance to cogitate on this past year. My family, friends and I have been faced with many adversities. Most are publically known...some are not.

I've been truly impressed by the strength and support I've received from family and friends. When faced with something like this, it's amazing to see who your true friends are. I lost a lot of friends in these past 6 months. There are people I've known for a long time that knew about my "illness" who I didn't hear from once. And then there are those whose bond has forever been tied and knotted and those are the people who will be my friends for life. I am eternally grateful to come out of this adventure with that insight.

One thing is certain...I will never be the same girl I was 6 months ago. I can't explain the change...not aloud. If you were in my head, it'd be a whole lot easier. :) So...I've closed that chapter in my life and am moving on.

I have faith that this new year will bring happiness, peace, new life (from my niece/nephew), and better health. Happy New Year.