5 Weeks and counting.

So it's been 5 weeks since brain surgery and today is has a couple of other significant achievements as well. Today I will be discharged from physical therapy. I remember going to the first appointment when I couldn't hold anything in my left hand without dropping it, my balance was suspect and the left side of my face was virtually paralyzed. I had little muscle tone and overall, felt very weak. Today, I have all feeling and strength in my left hand and arm, my face muscles are progressing and overall I feel much stronger. Endurance is still an issue, but I will continue to work out to regain this.

Tonight is also our spring concert. Following my surgery, I had accepted the fact that I would not be able to conduct them at the concert and someone else would have to do it. I had set a (what I thought was ambitious) goal of coming back for the first time at the Memorial Day Parade. I wasn't convinced that I'd be ready for the parade, but it was a goal to shoot for. Little did I know that I would start working one period a day on May 4 and that I would be able to conduct the Wind Ensemble in their concert. Pretty good achievement! I hope the students are proud of all that they have accomplished this year.

The benefit concert that took place on Tuesday was very nice. It was great to see some of my co-workers perform! It was very hard to sit there and listen to everyone say what they did about me. I felt like I was retiring or dead! It was also hard but encouraging to talk to a few parents who shared their personal stories of their battles with cancer. As I've said, it's amazing what people have to endure in their lives every day. It's like God is helping me not to focus on my own problems, but to focus on others who are dealing or have dealt with a lot worse than I currently am. I am learning so much from this experience. The benefit raised nearly $3000 in a very short amount of time! I applaud all of the students, teachers and parents who made this event possible. I hope to continue this in the future.