The world might be ending; I like teaching teenagers

I met my goal today!  Today I went back to Marion to let the students know what was going on with me, and I managed to do it without crying!  A couple times students teared up, but once I let them know that I wanted my hair to grow back blond or neon green they giggled and were okay.  The sixth graders seemed to be in shock, the seventh graders just seemed worried, and the eighth graders wanted to know when I would be teaching science again.  The best questions I was asked:  "How does hospital food taste?"  That was sadly very easy to answer.  I am also happy to say that all the boys thought my staples were cool.  Teenage boys are apparently tougher than adult men.  It was also wonderful to be able to see other staff members.  Here lately the only adult interaction I've had has been with the NCIS marathon on television.  However, I will happily put up with the adults in Castle tonight.  (Sorry, but no pictures today.  I'm not a huge fan of putting kids pictures up online.)

In the mail today we also received our very first bill associated with my James Dean.  The bill is for my very first visit that ominous Friday with Dr. O.  The bill ended up not being the death of us, which was a very pleasant surprise.  My insurance paid  $90.42, so we only need to pay $22.60.  I can do that!  The insurance classified my visit as "neoplasm unspecified", which has got to be the most broad based explanation that exists, but I'll take it.  I'll take any payment under $100.  Now to wait for the hospital bill.  I'm betting that it will be at least $700,000 without insurance included.  Any guesses?  I promise you bragging rights if you get it correct. :)

I also got the biggest envelope I've ever received in the mail today.  My oncologist (Dr. Wagner) that I'll be meeting on Wednesday sent me the biggest set of medical history papers that I've ever seen.  Twelve pages!  Double sided!  Two of the pages are just questions for women, while the men only have one extra question.  Sometimes I wish I was male.

Well, it is off to today's NCIS marathon I go.  I'll make sure to let you know how my appointment with Dr. Wagner goes after I have it on Wednesday.  Hopefully he is more personable then his twelve page report.