What's Up April

     Happy Wednesday Thursday, Y'all

Today, I'm joining Shay and Sheaffer for their What's Up Wednesday link-up. Only, I’m a day late. Oops. Oh, and I also just realized I missed last month's link-up. But that's because it was a week after surgery and I still had both arms totally bandaged up so typing wasn't happening. That's for sure.

Anyways, here we are.

Every month we answer the same list of questions based on how things are currently going in our lives.

So let's get started...

What am I eating?

My Mama treated me to a steak lunch after my doctor’s appointment the other day. Ruby Tuesday did not disappoint! That is for sure!

What am I reminiscing about?

My dad… This month marked 11 years since he passed away. I so miss him! I wrote more on my thoughts/feelings on this on the anniversary of his passing. 

What am I loving?

I’m loving the report I got from my surgeon earlier this week, releasing me to return to work soon. Boy have I missed my people and this school!

What have I been up to?

Me after my first appt with my surgeon just 3 days after I fell.

Recovering from wrist surgery. 6 weeks ago, I fell, badly breaking my left wrist. I knew instantly that it was broken. It was that bad. Anywho, a week after that, I had surgery to repair that - He inserted a plate and I believe it was 8 screws. He said it required a longer plate than usual because of how bad the break was. And on top of that, when I first fell, I also fractured my right elbow. Thankfully, it wasn’t as bad and after a few weeks, it was back to normal with that one. But still… Recovery has been rough! I’m left handed, so there’s that little wrench thrown in the plans. And while I began to rely on my right hand more, at first it was also fully wrapped so for the first week, I wasn’t able to write, feed myself, take care of any personal hygiene by myself, etc. By Week 2, when the right arm was unbandaged, I could do far more but I still couldn’t fully straighten my right arm until into Week 3. And through all of this, my left arm was completely immobilized (basically useless). In fact, I’d been told to not hold or pick up anything bigger than a glass of water. And because of the severity of my break and the seriousness of the repair done, and knowing the level of needs in/hands on support required of me to teach my class, my surgeon told me I would need to stay out of work for at least 6 weeks, if not longer, to allow my body time to fully heal. He said that one wrong move, one accidental hit could completely destroy the work that had been done. Thankfully at my appointment this week, he said it was healing so well, that he would release me to return to work on the original planned date of 6 weeks. I can’t pick up children or change diapers, and I have to continue wearing my brace for a couple more weeks, but other than that, I’m set. 

So yeah… Recovery has been a long, extremely painful process. I would not wish this on my worst enemy. It’s been bad. 

But, I’m good now. And my teacher heart is so very grateful to be returning back to the classroom in just a few short days.

What am I dreading?

Y’all, the arthritis brought on by rain this week has made me have another reason to dread the rain. Oh my word has my wrist been so achy!

Look at that hardware in there!

What am I working on?

Thinking more positively :)

 What am I excited about?

My mom and I had already planned to go visit family during my school’s Spring Break. So we kept those plans… My aunt had a medical procedure done that week, so we were able to be at the hospital to support her. We were able to spend some time the next day out, having fun with her and two of my cousins too. And then, we were able to spend a few days with my brother and his family as well. It was such a nice time with all of them!

What am I watching?

Nothing on TV … But I did get to watch both of my nieces perform in their school musical a couple weeks ago. That was such a special treat for me. I appreciate times like that far more now than I think I would have because for so many years, I lived overseas and missed out on so many moments in their lives. So now, if it’s within my power to do so, I will be at events like this. 

What am I reading?

A friend recommended Remarkably Bright Creatures a while back and I added it to my Amazon cart last month. Then I just, finally, got around to reading it. So far, so good.

What am I listening to?

I’ve had this one on repeat a good bit lately. Such a good song!

What am I wearing?

This brace :)

 What am I doing this weekend?

I've got nothing big scheduled. I'll be catching up on some paperwork for school since I'm finally cleared to go back to work. I mean, technically, I won't be back officially 'til Tuesday as I have an appointment Monday. But still... Back to the grind. Right? :) 

What am I looking forward to next month?

May brings with it one of my niece's birthdays so I'll get to go back up for that. It also includes Mothers Day and the opportunity to celebrate my sweet Mama. It also brings the start of Summer Break, too. 

But the biggest thing of all... On May 5th, I go back to work and that brings immense joy to this teacher's heart. I am so very ready to be back in the classroom with my people. Oh my word have I missed their sweet little selves!

Favorite recent Amazon find?

My Amazon purchases have been a bit random lately… Pencil grippers to help me be able to write better, a new teacher shirt, birthday gifts for my niece, a book…

What's new this month?

I’ve had to learn to depend on people more in the past month (well, 6 weeks) than ever before. And I am so incredibly grateful for all of the ways people have shown up and helped me… So many people graciously and generously donated sick days to me so I didn’t have to lose pay while out of work this whole time. We’ve had my amazing Paras (aides), various subs, and others at my school picking up the slack with my students while I’ve been out. My brother and his family drove down to help Mom and me when I first got hurt and then my brother came back for my surgery, too. Countless people have been praying and encouraging me throughout this process. And then this lady… Y’all, my mom has gone above and beyond for sure. She has done so very much for me and I will never ever be able to repay her for all she’s done. I can, with 100% certainty, say that I would not have made it through this had it not been for my mom. She has been such a true blessing!

And that's what I'm up to this month.

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?