Stayed home from school today. Went to the ER last night as I couldn't take the coughing anymore. Got angry with the nurse when she asked what was wrong and only let me get out, "I'm couging really hard." Then she said, "You came in for a cough?" This totally angered me and I lit into her when she came back. Then I felt so stupid and nasty as I am usually not like that. Doctor said I had bronchitis. Nebulizer breathing treatment ordered and helped me feel better. Doc sent me home with perscriptions for prednisone, nebulizer vials, antibiotics, and cough medicine. Told me NOT to go to work today. So I guess I really was sick. Too bad the PA I saw didn't catch this before it got so bad!!!! I think it created an exacerbation to boot. I'm not completely sure. Thought about not going to school tomorrow but don't know what I'd have a sub do! That's the negative part of teaching--sub plans! So, despite knowing that I really should stay home tomorrow, I will be going to school. I want the students to be productive and learn, but to be perfectly honest, if I can find a 'fill' activity, I will use it as I feel pretty lousy.  I am trying not to be a perfectionist anymore. You know what-one class period of below par teaching really shouldn't affect any student's life to any great extent--if at all. I need to realize that I can make a difference in a student's life, but often the difference I make is in the relationhship I have with the student...not in how or what I teach. Rather ironic, but very true. As teachers, we are responsible for more and more each year and I really don't know if I can keep up with all of it anymore. Anyone who wants to become a teacher today and is good at it is insane and a workaholic. Sometimes I wonder if my dedication to my job and the excessive hours I have given to it didn't bring about the MS? I was told too many times by doctors, that if I didn't slow down and take it easy and not work so hard that I was heading for medical disaster. And so I did. Self-fulling prophecy? Quite possibly. Went to eye doctor and had my eyes totally examined. Thank goodness, no problems with the optic nerve, blood vessels, cornea, or perripheral edges. So vision is good and even seems to have improved somewhat according to th eye chart. (Although I don't feel that my vision has improved.) I am tired and feel really rotten so will lie down on the couch and take a much needed nap. No school work tonight--I was so determined to keep on top of correcting and planning and now it will have to slide. Right now I don't give a ****#$%#@%#@. Tommorw I will. But I'll face it then. To sleep.