Outpouring of Love

Everyone has been so supportive at work! It has been incredible. I have received a plethora of emails from parents welcoming me back, or telling me how glad they are that I am returning, or that they are looking forward to working with me. It's such a great feeling when others validate my going back to the classroom.

My boss was amazingly supportive, as well as a true professional. He called me in for a meeting, just to touch base and see how I was doing. I joked that I thought he wanted me to prove that I was able to get out of the house now. He nodded in agreement, but went on to discuss a movie called, Race To Nowhere. He wanted me to know that he hopes that our school will adopt the philosophy from the movie. This is a philosophy I can stand behind.

When I walked into the main office of our school, I was greeted by one of my best friends with a hugs and love. Even my boss gave me a hug to welcome me back. I felt welcome. During our meeting he described what I had missed, and brought up things I had mentioned in emails about not being comfortable doing but knew were necessary as a teacher. For example, what if someone brings a dog to school in the morning, did I feel comfortable being able to function during a disaster drill, or was I able to take responsibility in an emergency.

It made me realize that I have come so very far. I felt confident when I told him that I could do all of those things, and even talk about my medical problems without encouraging dialogue. I've had lots of practice. I've done the work.

Say what you will about Kaiser Permanente, but they have been with me the whole way. I have had a team of three doctors helping me from the start. Whenever I've needed to talk, or had questions, or needed to discuss my concerns, they've been there. From doctors to technicians, to receptionists, to pharmicists, they've all stepped up when I needed them. Some of them have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Like the time I needed a prescription refill over a three day weekend, and it was pushed through late on a Friday afternoon.

Here I am ready to go back to work, and they've helped me come up with a plan for what will undoubtedly be a successful reintegration too. I hear people complain about their HMO, but mine is wonderful. I highly recommend them.  They even support dog therapy!

I met a woman at the dog park today who disclosed a story about her husband coming down with an incurable cancer and how the dog was therapy for him. She said her husband had now passed, and the dog has become therapeutic for her as well. She also raved about Kaiser. It was nice to meet up with such a kindred spirit. As we sat there and discussed our families, pets, joys, and sorrows, I soon discovered I had found a new friend. She has a sweet Cock-a-poo named Flossy that wasn't scared of me (she said that was rare), and my Roxie and Flossy seemed like best friends.