Guardian Angel

Well we are almost done with week 6 of unemployment. We still have not received any, nor have we been able to get any answers, let alone speak to anyone. I have even emailed them. Troyce will hopefully be able to go back to Freightliner in the next couple of weeks. The state opening back up means that their hiring freeze will end soon.

“I’m tired,” the nurse said to the teacher as she plopped down on the couch. “I’m exhausted,” the teacher said to the grocery store worker. “I’m beat,” the grocery store worker said to the mom. “I’m worn out,” the mom said. The four ladies kicked back on the couch, propped up their legs, and closed their eyes. They took in the quiet and took deep breaths. No job was inessential. They worked day and night, barely stopping to eat or sleep. The only thing that gets them by is remembering that they are changing lives. Every aching bone and lost hour of sleep was worth it to them.

See...there was this boat. And it was sailing, all like "Hey, look, I'm a sailboat!" Except, you know, it wasn't a sail boat. It was a cruise ship that was sailing across the seven seas. It was a marvelous cruise ship. Pearl white in color with flags hoisted from the top. The red, white, and blue flag ripples in the wind as the radiant ship tore across the blue water. People of all kinds swarmed the tri-deck ship. Conversations and laughter flooded the air. Just for a second, all was well in the world. Smiles and happiness set the mood. Little did they know, the extraordinary cruise ship was about to be turned upside down...literally.

Oh y’all. So yesterday Dawson slept on my chest until about 12:00. Then he bounced back and was his normal self. His fever was down in the 99’s by 1:00. I had my eye follow up at 2:15. Got an all clear! He sealed the hole in the retina. I go back in 2 months to check to make sure the excess fluid is draining as it is supposed to. We went to the doctor this morning to get an all clear on Dawson to go back to daycare. Then he was at daycare for almost 2 hours before they texted and said his fever was back up. When Troyce got there 10 minutes later, it was back in the 99’s, so he stayed at daycare. Someone told his temp right when he woke up from a nap. We have finished week 5 of unemployment. Monday starts week 6, so hopefully we will start seeing that money soon. This mama has been stressed and stretched thin, but I’m staying strong in my faith. A scripture I read the other night told me to wait. That’s what I needed to hear.

Well, Dawson has presented with what seems to be another fever virus. He barely slept last night? So he has been sleeping on my chest just about all day. I had a telemedicine call with the doctor this morning. I’m going to watch him today and if he presents any other symptoms then I will take him in tomorrow. The good news is that they haven’t seen any fevers this high with Coronavirus so that is out of the question. He also has no other symptoms. I just hope my baby feels better soon.

We finally got to speak to someone at unemployment yesterday. She wasn’t the most pleasant person. She wouldn’t explain things to Troyce when he asked questions. She said that the person who told him 2-4 weeks lied and it takes 6-8. We have started week 5 so hopefully it won’t be much longer. We are trying to hold on with everything we have. This has taken so much strength and faith. We are still waiting to hear from Freightliner about the hiring freeze. In the mean time, we have taken to hiking and biking. We have to find some outlet. I have also been working out now that I am almost 5 weeks post op. I have another follow up on Thursday. Hopefully that will go well!

Oh y’all. My heart is heavy today. This is week 4 of Troyce filing unemployment, and he’s STILL awaiting a decision. He hasn’t gotten it yet. It would have been easier if he would have gotten laid off due to COVID-19, but since he wasn’t he isn’t as important. How messed up is that? We are patiently waiting for Freightliner to release their hiring freeze. This has been the most stressful time, but each night I open my bible and I spend time with God. We will make the best of it. None of this is ideal, but it is our new normal. I’m so ready for churches to open back up. I’m ready to go back to school. I hope everyone is staying positive during this time.

Last week, Troyce's new neurologist cleared him to go back to work! We contacted his old employer, and as soon as their hiring freeze is off in a month or so, they are going to take him back! God is so good! We are so grateful that this is turning back around. It has been very stressful and now we can finally see some light.

Well, we have finally made some progress with unemployment. They have processed Troyce’s information and we are awaiting a decision. We have already filed a claim for the week of 3/23. This is all so crazy to me. He went to our PCP for mood swings. Sometimes he wouldn’t remember. He has a family history of bipolar disorder. He has also had seizures in the past. Never did we ever think they could be related. He had an MRI and an EEG, which let me tell you are not cheap if you are uninsured. The neurologist can’t exactly pinpoint seizure activity, but she could see a slow part in his brain with a posit damaged nerve. I won’t go into details as to how that nerve got damaged, and there’s no way to know for sure that was the cause. I have to let that go. Anyway, he was put on a medication that treats both bipolar disorder and seizures. Monday, March 16th, he has a seizure at work. It was a seizure like he has had. He felt sick and passed out. He seizes when he passes out. This was not what ...

Today, I posted my first ever online assignment. I had to create videos for these lessons and give them an assignment. It is SO hard to teach on a video! For my juniors, I had to try and explain misplaced/dangling modifiers. For my freshmen, I had to analyze literature. That was easier than the modifiers! This has got to be the craziest first year of teaching ever. I'm hoping we get to go back to school this year. I miss my kiddos and my classroom. I also hope this gets easier!

Well, school is going to online instruction. This is a challenge not only for me as a first year teacher, but for everyone! Troyce has had some interviews this week. Unemployment hasn’t even processed his application yet. This is a crazy time we are living in. My eye is doing great! The swelling is completely gone and the redness is almost gone as well. I have a follow up tomorrow to check on it. It is still pretty blurry, even with glasses. But he said that could last up to 4 weeks and it may not get back to normal. I’ll need another eye exam when this COVID-19 is over. I do want to start writing again, even if it is short blurbs. Y’all give me some ideas! I’m trying to stay positive in all of this negative.