Rising from the Ashes....?

 I shared with many that I viewed this school year as my re-birth.  Like a Phoenix I'm rising from the ashes of breast cancer and hysterectomy surgery, and 6 years of WEA co-presidency ready to start anew.  As it turns out...many things can be true- I can rise from the ashes and still have some junk to deal with.  Going from 0-43 overnight just isn't realistic.  So, here's my update since 4/10/25.

🔥I have a new nephew! George Micheal Masters is adorable and squishy and we LOVE him!

🔥Nolan had a good baseball season with favorable weather, he also participated in the school musical.  It is a joy to see him participate in things he enjoys!

🔥Jason turned 43 and Nolan turned 14! Last year the birthday week was marred by my lumpectomy.  This year we had an ICubs box with our families and a few of Nolan's friends. We've been spoiled and never want to go back to normal seats!

🔥SUMMER. KICKED. ASS. So much ME time, and time with Nolan.  I drummed, rowed, read, organized, spent time with friends the list goes on. Our family vacation was to Canada (less than an hour over the border) and was truly rejuvenating.  A trip to Nashville for a WONDERFUL conference and an opportunity to get to know my new administrators and colleagues was a highlight for me.

🔥6 month MRI and a meeting with Dr. Torstensen at the beginning of July, everything looks good breast-wise! I had a very sweaty summer...perhaps aided by hot flashes, weight, exercise, etc.  

🔥I turned 43!  I've told many people that 43 is my re-birth year, like a Phoenix rising from the ashes.  I am reclaiming myself and the things I can control.  On my birthday Amanda took me for my first tattoo with Nolan's former art teacher. She knew I had been talking about getting a tattoo since I was marked with the 4 dots for radiation (one on each side and 2 on my sternum).  I reached out to a couple artists in the last year and just hadn't followed through...I knew it would be off of the dot on my right side (where the cancer was) I'd toyed around with several things, but the clearest thought had been a Northern Flicker Tail feather.  I found a feather during recess duty that I honestly thought had come from Hobby Lobby the color was to brilliant and beautiful.  I brought it to my former-biology-teacher dad to see and he identified it as a Northern Flicker Tail feather.  Google then shared some amazing meaning behind it:

                In Native American traditions, Northern Flicker tail feathers hold symbolic meaning, often representing fire, renewal and healing. They are used in ceremonies and headdresses, with some tribes believing the flicker's feathers carry healing energy. The flicker's association with fire stems from it emergence from fire in some creation stories, like a phoenix. 

🧊My mom hates tattoos, I was VERY nervous to tell her.  We (both) survived.

🧊I've discovered several new ailments and I wonder if any could be related to my lack of hormones-

  • Plantar Fasciitis- I can't recommend a cortisone shot in the bottom of your foot.  
  • Eyes. I always wanted glasses growing up...now-not so much.  Progressives.  Ugh.
  • Warts. COME ON. I am a wimp when it comes to that freezing spray.
  • Sleep Apnea. This has me in the dumps, but I know taking care of it is important.
  • Arm tingling. Cording from lymph node removal. New relationship with an occupational therapist.

🔥Nolan started 9th grade and I started year 22 of teaching, my 16th in Waukee.  

🔥Nolan finished all of his Eagle Required Merit Badges (Cycling was hanging over our heads- thanks to Aunt Kiley for helping him finish!) Nolan also started his Eagle Project, painting and repairing 24 structures at the baseball complex he's played at since he was 6.  He also started Driver's Ed. 🧊Which means Jason and I did a lot of scraping and painting while Nolan was in class. We all put in MANY hours, and it wasn't fun. 🔥We're done! 🧊Now Nolan has to do the paperwork, and surely that will require NO prompting.

🧊Taking care of myself has been a challenge with the painting and driver's ed shuttling. 🔥After this week our lives will get back to normal!

🔥The ISEA President, Waukee Superintendent, RAD Coach, my Principal and Assistant Principal, and an Intro to Ed Student have observed and participated in my classroom in the first 6 weeks of school. Great things are happening in the music room! I'm working on being comfortable sharing those wonderful things!

🔥September Christmas in Lanesboro, family pictures, Iowa Safe Schools Gala, a wedding of Jason's colleague- while the Eagle Scout project and Driver's Ed have taken a TON of time, we've managed to have some good fun! Driver's Ed ends this week, and it will feel like we can finally live our REAL schedule!

This was a good reminder of all of the wonderful things that have happened in the last 6 months! Of course my mind focuses on the ailments and the yucky stuff. Rome wasn't built in a day. Taking back my body and life will take time. Surely even phoenix have bumps in the road.












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