Fuck Cancer

This is not an original opinion by any means, but I hate cancer. I hate it more then anything else in the world. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemies or anyone in their families. I've seen it close up, I've seen it far away. And no matter how you look at it it's ugly and heartbreaking.
It was a little less then 4 years ago that I was naive. Life was on track, cancer was something that I heard about on TV and radio. It wasn't even something that happened to other people, but not to me. It just didn't exist in my life at all. Then in January 2008, BAM. Everything changed and it will never go back. My dad was diagnosed with Stage 1 esophageal cancer. Turns out it was an incorrect diagnoses and we found out a few months later it was Stage 3 gastric cancer. While this was going on a distant cousin who was only a few years older then me was diagnosed with tongue cancer and passed away 6 months after being diagnosed. 18 months after my dad was diagnosed he passed away. The next year one of my childhood friends mother was diagnosed and passed away in a matter of weeks. That year my 13 year old cousin was having back pain, and you guessed it, it was cancer.
But this year, this year has been a complete free for all.
December 2011 - My great aunt diagnosed with melanoma
March 2012 - My grandma diagnosed with lymphoma
Summer 2012 - My grandma's sister diagnosed with breast cancer
September 2012 - Two of my very good friend's parents diagnosed, and a co-workers husband.

Every time I hear the news, my whole body just starts to shut down. I remember the moment that I found out about my dad, I remember the surgeries, I remember chemo, I remember the radiation, I remember the moment they told us he was in remission, I remember the moment they told us there was nothing more they could do, I remember hospice, and I remember the moment he died. Cancer has stolen so much from me and the people I love. It's stolen smiles, laughs, life moments, and nights of sleep. It's brought my family closer together, but it's also torn us apart. I just don't want anyone to have to go through this, and yet they do everyday. If we are not doing anything to actively fight cancer then we are letting it tear more families apart.

I was involved in Relay for Life when I was living in Geneva, but since my dad died I haven't done anything. So I want to get back involved. I want to get involved in Relay for Life again, and I also want to do the 3-day walk for the cure. I also want to make sure I get myself checked again for the early stages of the cancer my dad had. I need to do this for myself, for my family, and for everyone that's been affected by this horrible disease that I feel is taking over my life.

When my dad was sick I bought some things for this store because they made me and him laugh. So if you know someone with a decent sense of humor consider supporting the cause by shopping here: http://www.stupidcancerstore.org/Default.asp

1 down, 36 to go

Well week one of the 2012-2013 school year is in the books. All in all it could have gone worse.

The first week of the school year for you non-teachers is all about pure survival. If you make it through without a complete mental break down it's a success. I did in fact make it through, and only a little worse for the wear.

One of the posative things about this school year is that in most of my classes I have students I have already had at least once before. This takes of the immediate stress of learning lots of names, and establishing yourself as "the teacher" in the first few days. As a very young looking 28 year old female, whose only 5'2" this has actually been pretty stressful for the past few years. In case you don't believe me there are still teachers in the building that mistake me for a student all the time. Whenever they tell me this they think it's funny, or that they are the first person to ever do it. It gets old pretty fast.

One big change I am going through is that for the first time ever since I start teaching I am not teaching any math classes. To some people this may sound great, but to me it's been difficult for 2 main reasons. The first is that I actually love teaching math. I mean I really love it. And not to "toot my own horn" but I'm pretty darn good at it. I've been trying to pick up some tutoring jobs on the side to keep this part of my life, and also to supplement my income a little. The second reason this has been a weird transition is that the math department at school are my closest friends and confidants at work. Once you don't teach the same classes as they do you start to lose a little of that close relationship. I already feel "left out" for lack of a better phrase. I guess it's just something I have to adjust too and create realistic expectations about. 

But what's great about this year is I have some amazing potential opportunities in front of me that I can't wait to take advantage of. I am in the middle of starting a new part of our robotics program at Greenville using VEX robotics. It is a new adventure for me that comes with a lot of stress. Failure is not an option. For me or for the district. Part of this new adventure is hosting a VEX regional at the high school. While I am not in charge of his effort (thank goodness) I am definitely going to play a big role in the organization of the event. I just want this program to offer an outlet to the students as a way to get introduced to engineering and robotics without the major stress and commitment of the FRC program.

On Friday night we had our first varsity football and game and the robotics team was there in full force fundraising like crazy. I had a bunch of new students come out and it was great to start to get to know them!