Happy News

 After a summer of schlepping to and from the hospital, today is Scott's final cardio rehab session. He has been giving the therapy his all and the results are showing his efforts. He has dropped both weight and cholesterol levels and gained strength and endurance. He plans on continuing his fitness routine at a local gym that is much closer to our house (and not affiliated with a hospital.)  While I know that we will continue to live with cardiac issues and the omnipresent threat of another event, graduating from cardiac rehab is a huge step in his recovery.  

In more good news (which has been in short supply), Scott finally received the much anticipated call for an interview for the new position. He will interview Tuesday morning at 7:30. I am hoping that he is selected for the role. Not only will the students benefit from his experience, but he will be so much happier. Have I mentioned the depths of his misery in his current role?

 

Happy and Sad

 Timmy had an amazing first day of school. For the first time in his educational career, neither of us shed tears on the first day of school. Talk about an accomplishment! After the obligatory "I don't want to go to school" laments, Timmy and Friend happily settled into their school day routine. Within moments of his logging on I heard laughter and giggles coming from the classroom. Compared to the wailing and tears from previous years, I felt victorious.

Unfortunately Scott continues to struggle to reach 'tolerable' when describing his new job. The details are scant simply because he refuses to communicate about the school or his new charge. I'm at a loss, but I know that we can't go the entire school year with him this miserable. I'm still holding onto hope for the other position, but at this point I need to start considering alternatives.  

Adulting is not fun!

 

Cheering

 I spent the entire day cleaning and prepping the 'school' room for the new academic year. I wanted Timmy to have a completely fresh start in a new space curated especially for him. It took me all afternoon, but I am proud of the results and excited for him to use it in the coming months. This is the first time has a completely decorated room just for school, and I think he is going to love the autonomy!

 Unfortunately, the desk that I needed for his room was still in the basement. Undeterred, I set out to move the it myself. Timmy, eager to help, asked what he could do to assist. I asked him to help me steer the desk as I pull it up the stairs. It took me about 30 seconds to realize that Timmy had misheard me. Instead of steering the desk, he set out to cheer me on. He began to clap, laud praise and encouragement as he watched me schlep his desk up two flights of stairs.  He was the best little cheerleader, offering the highest praise as being "almost as strong as Aunt Sheri." 

Today Timmy begins his new academic adventure. The teachers and many classmates remain the same, but the technology and the name of the school have changed. He is nervous but I know that he is going to thrive. Out of all of our 'first days' so far, this one has me the least stressed.

While I'm not worried about Timmy or Robby, my heart continues to hurt for Scott. He is absolutely miserable at his job. We haven't heard about the other positions, so we are trying to remain optimistic. 

Fingers crossed!

 

 

School

Robby is settling into his room and the new school year. His roommate never materialized, allowing him more room to spread out. Talk about a lucky kid! He has a double room all to himself. I think we are going to make another run to visit him this weekend to take him shopping for supplies to turn the spare bed into a study zone/ lounge. 

While Robby is enjoying school, Scott is definitely struggling. Returning to work after retirement is difficult and exhausting. Everything is compounding because he is still working through his cardio rehab program and recovering. He is swirling in a whirlpool of misery, and I am helpless to lend any assistance or help. I am hoping beyond hope that he is selected for a position he was approached about last week. ( I recognize that this is cryptic, and I apologize.) If he were to be offered the other position, I believe that his mood would instantly shift. 

Today Timmy and I are focusing on cleaning up his classroom for the upcoming year. It is going to be a herculean task. Thankfully I have a new audio book and hours of time.  Wish me luck!

 

Updates

 The past few weeks have been difficult. While Scott is doing well in cardio rehab, the more practical and emotional sides of living with a cardiac issue became all consuming. After much thoughtful deliberation and a lot of tears, the decision was made for Scott to return to work in an aide position at the local high school.  We need to maintain good health insurance and the easiest way to accomplish this is to work for the school system.

Returning to work, in a part time capacity for insurance, was always the plan after his official retirement. The heart attack and move have delayed our plans, but it is time to get back on track. He began his new position last week. While it isn't teaching so he does not have the paperwork requirements, the change in schedule has been a difficult adjustment.  

Scott does not love his current placement. He is working one-on-one with an autistic boy whom the school promised was not aggressive.  The bruises covering Scott's arms tell another story. Hopefully there is an opportunity for him to change his placement into a position that is much more suited for his skill set. He would be so much happier in the other job, so please send good wishes and all the luck you can afford.

Scott started his job last week and over the weekend we moved Robby into his college dorm. Year number 2 starts today! This summer has been difficult and stressful. I know that he is happy to be back with his friends and away from the cardio chaos that has consumed our summer.  A huge thank you to my sister who came down to help us move him into the dorm. I really don't know how we would have managed without her!

I also want to thank everybody for sticking by me over the past few months. I am going to get back to blogging because it is good for my mental health. I need to remain connected despite my desire to hide under my bed from the world.