It’s now half term and I have completed a few weeks back at work full time. January was used as a phased return building up my hours. It felt like it went really quickly, but I guess that shows I am definitely ready for full time teaching. The phased return was great for me getting back into the classroom and building relationships with my new class. My HLTA has been amazing, as has the new teacher, who has been working alongside me.

One of my worries on the return to work was fitting in to the staff and being part of the team. At first it was a struggle. I was only in for an hour a day and was not able to speak to anyone as we were all so busy. However, as time went on and I was starting to teach full days, they understood I hadn’t changed that much and was myself.

This week is half term for my school and work never stops! Marking is all done, assessment too. Now I need to focus on planning for the rest of the term and rest. Rest being the key word. 

So with the mindset of ‘rest’ I headed out for a bike ride. I’ve entered a cyclo-sportive in the New Forest at the start of April, so I need to start training. Off I went on the cross bike down the trails (I should really say up the trails as the first 3 miles are all uphill). At the top of the trails I found a mini circuit. A laptime of about 2 minutes meant I could take it easy one lap and push myself the next whilst all the time improving my handling skills. I look forward to heading up there again soon.

Whilst I was in hospital many of my friends came to visit. Two of my closest from church came and I told them I was craving a beer, burger and fries. This was a meal I had been banned from since I got my official diagnosis of UC back in May. 1st Saturday of half term was the perfect time. We drove to a nearby town which had a fab restaurant. Here two of us ordered the 1/2lb burger with bacon and cheese. One on the otherhand had ‘The Beast’, a wide 1lb burger in a large bun. He demolished it before I’d even got halfway through mine. I had been warned off coleslaw, but it looked so good with the sweet potato fries, I had to have some. There was no come back either, my stoma coping with this new food – I was over chewing my food to help.

Now the rest of half term needs to be used productively and sort as much planning as I can do. This will help to lower the pressure during the next few weeks. Overall I’m feeling good and my stoma is looking healthy – the Stoma nurse confirmed this for me and soon I’ll be able to try some new vests they’ve ordered me.