Tuesday, September 6, 2011

happy new year...

Jean has talked about how her life has tended to revolve around the school-year as opposed to the calendar year. And it's prompted me to just embrace the notion. I mean it is the truth, after all. So today marks the start of the new year!

I'm not sure who was really "happy" about it though. :P

Rich simply couldn't muster up a smile for me as he headed off to start a new semester of classes. (Honestly though, he was just teasing--he actually loves teaching with a passion.)

Annie wasn't happy that her sleeping-till-noon days were over, but she survived. And she even put on an adorable back-to-school outfit despite the fact that this was an at-home day. This semester she has biology and civics here at home and college algebra, literature of horror, and German III at the community college. Not hard to guess what class she's most excited about, is it? :)

Max doesn't head off to 4th grade until tomorrow. And Gray is starting his homeschooling tomorrow as well. Figured it was easier to stagger Annie's and Gray's start days. And as Annie will be off at MCC all day tomorrow, Gray and I will have an uninterrupted day to get started. Well, except for a trip to the doctor to have his stitches removed, that is. :P

In other news, I got to start my "new year" with a visit to the rheumatologist and an official diagnosis of fibromyalgia. While I was still holding out a bit of hope that I was going to get an easier answer (as in something curable), I think I've really spent the past two months coming to terms with it. No, I'm not happy that I have a chronic condition. But if I try to look at the bright side, there *are* some things to be thankful for. For one thing, while some days it might not physically feel like it, there are far worse medical diagnoses out there. This is not life-threatening. Something else I have to be grateful for--I got to live a lot of years before developing it, and many people with fibromyalgia don't get to say that. Anyway, I'm not trying to be all Pollyanna or anything--I know that my life has changed, and I know that there will continue to be some really, really miserable days, but...I'm really trying to stay positive about this. After all, being anything else won't change it, right?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm sorry about the diagnosis. :-( You have the right attitude,though. I believe that alone will make all the difference in how you live with it.

Amanda said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the diagnosis too. I was hoping so badly that it would be something else, something fixable. :( But I agree with the previous commenter - you have a great attitude about it and I hope that will help you in the harder days.

Eva said...

*hugs* I shall be e-mailing you tomorrow! Swear! Right after my water therapy. :o

Loved the first day of school photos; I tend to think of the new year as either fall w school or spring w the seasons...January 1st just seems like such a weird time to reboot! lol

chrisa511 said...

I'm so sorry that you got the "official" diagnosis my dear :( I was hoping it might be something else too though I found I was preparing MYSELF for you being diagnosed, lol. So I know you've been preparing. I'm SO hoping for more good days than bad.

That picture of Rich just slayed me!!! So funny, lol. Hope all of the kiddos enjoy school this year :) You included! Love you!!

Kailana said...

I am so sorry to hear it wasn't better news at the doctors. I was holding out hope that everything would be better for you. I am glad to see you are remaining positive about it.

I hope the kids have a great year back to school. :)

DesLily said...

oh Debi.. sorry about the diagnosis. i know 3 others with it and I have to say they are doing very well with it. And yes, it takes time to wrap your mind around the fact that it's here to stay rather than something you can take a pill for and it goes away. But there are better days and many of them..so keep that in mind.

hmmm, i don't ever remember having a teacher that looks like Rich...back in "my day" (stone tablet days) men teachers had to wear "suits"!. Tell him he can smile at that fact! lol

Jean said...

Happy New Year back at you! While I am sorry that you got fibro as an official diagnosis, I feel good about the way you're viewing it. I know a couple of people who manage theirs fairly well with medication. It took them a while to get to that point, but they made it. I hope you and Gray are enjoying your first school day together and that Annie is enjoying her first day of a new college semester. You guys all rock, ya know!

Leslie @ This is the Refrain said...

Happy New Year! Oh, Debi. I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I was recently diagnosed with something equally mysterious and life-changing. It's both comforting and disarming. At least you know something is actually going on and it has a name, but on the other hand, you really have to face it, you have to admit that it's real. You're outlook is wonderful and I'm sure it will get you through when times are especially tough. And we are always here to talk about it. <3

kreed said...

Bwahahaha! The picture of Rich gave me a good laugh. And the start of the new year is always the school year for me...I can't make my mind think of it any other way

You are very right...being negative about your diagnosis won't change a thing. But remember that it is OK to be pissed as hell sometimes. Just as your body has good and bad days, so will your mind. I have learned that although I do have a modicum more control over my mind than my body, my mind does not always do my bidding either. I am sorry it is now "official"... please know you can bend my ear anytime.

Lots of love and hugs and wishes for pain free days...

Kara