Just an update to let you know things are going well…
Radiation burns have subsided and my skin is returning to it’s normal color and feel, with just some slight discolorations left. What was surprising was that the radiation actually went all the way through my body and affected the surface of my skin on my upper back between my neck and shoulder. Nothing too dramatic, but there was a definite difference in my skin. As long as it zapped what it needed to zapped… I’m good!
Still have the same lingering side effects mentioned from the last post.
And you can see my hair is still short, curly and has a mind of it's own!
I started my hormone therapy a couple weeks ago (which is a daily pill)… and so far I haven't experienced any side effects.
I’ve been a little more tired than my normal self, which is a common side effect,
but not sure it’s to blame with so much going on lately.
Which leads me right into my next topic… so much going on with work!
I haven’t mentioned much about it lately because it’s been sooo busy… long 10+ hr days, and some weekends. School started Aug 4, and it’s been the busiest start ever, without a doubt! The craziest as well!
In addition, for those who didn’t happen to read the Westside Union School District Board Report of Feb 16, 2021, my retirement was announced, with my last day to be Aug 31, 2021 (I could've left earlier, but chose to stay as long as the agreement allowed so I could help get the year started)
Then at the Board Meeting on Aug 17, 2021 my Retirement Resolution was presented to me (virtually) so it’s posted on our (their) website if you’re interested in watching it.
So as you can imagine these last few weeks were even busier than the usual busy times…
...training, transitioning, and cleaning out 30 years of accumulation!
I’m now retired! August 31st was 2 days ago!
As my granddaughter said in her sweet little voice when she was 3...
"Yiayia, I want you to 'atire!"
Well, Paislee... I did it... I've 'atired!
FYI, in case you haven't figured out by now, this post is dedicated to Westside, and my Westside friends who are like family!
And as excited as I am about retirement and all I have to look forward to spending lots more time with my family and friends, and traveling, and whatever else I can think of, it’s bittersweet leaving something I loved… and for whom I worked for and with. I’ve shed lots of tears leading up to Tuesday, and a few since. However, I know it’s the right decision. I will miss the daily contact with those closest to me, the camaraderie, the ‘family’ we have at Westside, the amazing leadership we have, the excitement of starting a new school year, being the PowerSchool and CALPADS administrator, even working on and certifying the plethora of reports, and of course helping my colleagues with whatever was asked of me. I will miss all of that!
And for our family, it truly was ‘our’ District...
My 30 1/2 years as an employee, plus 8 years as a student at Valley View (go Vikings) and Joe Walker (go Jets)
Bret was a student at Del Sur (go Hornets, yep they were Hornets long long ago) and Joe Walker (go Jets)
Aaron and Kelsey were students at Rancho Vista (go Rockets) and Hillview (go Hawks)
And on top of all of that, my dad was a Board Member many years ago!
... so adding all that up... it's over 65 years!
Thank you all for the awesome party, the gifts, the flowers, the cards, the notes, the emails, the texts, the phone calls, and the hugs... you mean more to me than you'll ever know!
So many beautiful gifts, from some of the kindest people I know...
...I love you and will miss you!
Thanks for all the memories!
I will continue to keep you posted on how I’m doing, but since treatments are over, and appointments are much less often, the updates won’t be as often either. Remember you can always send me an email via this portal, post a comment, or sign up to be notified when I do post, if you haven’t already.
In the meantime, I will be shifting into retired mode, whatever that means, and excited for what’s ahead.
As the post says… don’t look back ~ you’re not going that way
Stay safe, stay healthy!
Congratulations Suzanne! I'm so happy for you all around! You look great! I love the curls. Enjoy what you have worked so hard for, the time to do anything YOU want to do. I can't wait, 9 months and 20 days but who's counting? Love you friend!