Probing and Photos

Disclaimer:
I was not abducted by aliens. There will be no discussion of anal probes or other things that supposedly happen during alien abductions.
You're welcome.

So. With that covered.

I saw an ENT doc Friday for my no-longer-completely-missing-but-still-not-quite-right-voice.

He listened carefully to me (I love it when they do that!) and told me the following:

I did have a viral infection originally that attacked my vocal cords. The reason it did not heal up and go away is that I have some pretty serious acid reflux going on. Enough that my throat is burned. He said that even with the use of an antacid (which I do use) that the milder acid still gets past that valve into my throat and causes a frequent washing of the cords etc with acid.

And that's why they haven't healed.

Now to get to this conclusion, he had to stick a camera up my nose and down my throat. It was not the best experience I've ever had (I've had the nose cam once before... only the FIRST time it didn't hurt and this time? This time it did. Quite a bit, actually.) I'm actually pretty surprised I didn't run away in a total panic despite the pharmaceutical assistance I had on board to help keep me calm. But the chair had a back and he was in my face and there wasn't really anywhere TO run. This will not go on my list of happy experiences.

Have I mentioned I have a slight, itty-bitty, miniscule case of medical anxiety?

Hey. I kept my dignity. Didn't cry. Didn't kick him. Didn't shake.
And of course finding out that I am NOT dying from some weird-assed vocal cord disease was good.

He prescribed some much stronger acid reflux medication and asked me to come back in six weeks. I was in and out of the office in about 40 minutes, so not too big a chunk out of my day. I am relieved, both that the much worried over exam AND the scary 'what's wrong with me' thing have been resolved.

I am not supposed to shout. I am not allowed to whisper. (How I will whisper innuendos in Eric's ear in public remains a question) and ::waaaaahhh::: not supposed to try to sing until I see him again.

It's funny. I have almost never done any singing with 'my' kids, but after spending the summer doing a lot of it, and having a few kids in my program now that were with me over summer, they've been asking for it.

So when my voice is back, we'll add still another facet to my program. Hope it's as well received as some of the other strange things I've come up with.
Speaking of resolved/my job.

The first time I was allowed to have the camera this year, I only had it briefly before Brashley* called me up and demanded requested that I bring it to her site. I haven't seen it since.

We did take a bunch of photos, and some of them turned out really well. Georgia* has worked out a way for me to order the prints I want and she'll pay for them. I'll pick them up and take them out to my site for the kids. I'm really excited about it. I know, it's just photos... but for my kids and for me, they're really important.

Georgia's* been a pretty supportive manager, actually. Which I definitely appreciate... I have worked for some of the biggest assholes in the universe in the past.

I am glad I don't have to work for one now. :) She doesn't micromanage, is very professional yet warm, and I actually don't have anything bad to say about her.

Oh, and she has adorable kids, too. Which doesn't make her a better manager, but I thought I'd toss that out there.

She uses what leeway she has in allowing me some expenses that aren't in my monthly budget, I never get the idea that my concerns are unimportant to her, and I feel valued and appreciated.

I know that YOU know I'm not allowed to take photos of faces and put them on my computer, but I have found a legal way around that. And because I know you're DYING to see what goes on out there in Mental Land, I am posting a full body/face shot of one of my program attendees.

Shhh. Don't tell. I don't want to get in trouble.

Did I mention we're a country school?

That cow is seriously just on the other side of the fence from the playground. The kids like to go over to the fence and moo.

The cow ignores them.

But I'd have to say the cow really is one of my kids... don't you agree?

:)