It is only now, 13 months later that I can sit down and begin to write about a journey. A journey that I know will continue remain with me for my whole life.
To begin, I am originally from Sydney, Australia and for the past 15 years I have been blessed to be working as a Middle School educator at The International School of Kuala Lumpur. I teach Humanities and Information Technology. I love my job, the students and the lifestyle. Over the years, I have had several class blogs, but found it difficult to open up my life to the world.
I'm sure any teachers reading this will understand the emotional ties you have with your students and your school. For me a little over 1 year ago I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. During the summer of July, 2104, I had three surgeries (biopsy, node surgery, followed by a bilateral mastectomy ) was recovering as expected and believed that I would also join the new Middle Schoolers at the start of the school year in August, 2014. In a subsequent follow up appointment with my surgeon and oncologist, they informed me that additional lab tests had revealed two very tiny tumours. I would need to have chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
During my 6 months off on medical leave I resolved to try to keep busy; I completed courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I reflected, strengthened and received amazing support from family, friends, colleagues and even some students. I signed up for a Disaster Preparedness Unit on Coursera, took the plunge and joined an online Divemaster Course with Padi and attempted to complete Google Apps for Education Teacher courses for Certification.
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| The amazing quilt that colleagues sewed. |
I stayed connected with my classes monitoring and commenting on student writing tasks and assignments online through Google Apps, viewed and commented on our team planning calendar and assessments and touched base with colleagues face to face once every 3 weeks.
I knew the curriculum, the resources, the tasks and assessments but was apprehensive about about returning to the classroom. Would I cope being back in the classroom on a full-time basis? How would the kids view me? Would I have the energy that I needed?
In January, 2014 I must admit I was more than a little nervous walking into the classroom after 6 months medical leave. The school year had started, the classes both had their routines. They were used to a different teaching style. I knew that it would take some time for me to get to know the kids, as well as a teaching team that had changed significantly over the summer break.
Now we are in August, 2014 and the 6 months back at school (since January 2014) flew by in the blink of an eye. The kids were amazing, enthusiastic and conscientious, well versed in routine and acquired skills. There was a calmness and serenity, I was back "home", so thankful. Fully recovered, relaxed and ready for action.
In subsequent posts, I'll attempt to reflect back on surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy sessions and hopefully, pass on the valuable knowledge that was given to me during that time.
