Took the train to the city for business today. It was a beautiful day - sunny, low humidity. Bob and I went together to tag team at the client ... it's been a long time since we did it and it's always fun and entertaining.
This morning, there was a black gentleman that asked me for the time on the platform in Poughkeepsie. I gladly gave it to him and we exchanged smiles. What I didn't notice was both his arms seemed to be prosthetic. Bob pointed it out to me once we were on the train. 'Did you notice that guy's arms?', he said. Me being the nosy busy-body that I am had to check it out when I had the opportunity getting off the train. No wonder I didn't notice - there were beautiful black hands protruding from the long sleeves of a white shirt. I was surprised Bob could even tell they were false! I looked closely and yes there was a type of plasticity to them. They seemed to start at elbow and made arms look unusually long. He was carrying his shoulder bag in his hand and looked to me again and smiled.
On our way home now and 6 rows in front of me is an oriental family - I know I'm supposed to use Asian or something, but it's hard to get used to. They are split across 2 rows. It's about 7:45p and the train is crowded with business people and the occasional tourist. On these peak trains, the rule of the day is quiet - sleep and work abound. But the man on the right is smiling and guestering to the pair in the seat across. It looks funny to see such an animated face with no noise coming out of it! I can only see them from the neck up. Finally, I realize what's happening - they are talking in sign language! Having a perfectly acceptable 'train' conversation between them!! Hands and arms are flying as the conversation now looks more like an argument!! Curiosity has me now - are they still speaking Chinese to each other or is this sign language universal? If so, could I jump into the middle of the conversation? I might have to break up this fight!
On our way to the train today I had to stop at the Dyson Center for my radiation treatment. I had them move my regular time for me so we could make today's appointment with the client. Dan and Maggie were nice enough to come in 15 minutes early to take care of me before 8am. For my outfit today, I purposely wore a shirt with a collar to hide the redness of my chest and shoulder on the right. I've got this whisper of a hairdo that calls enough attention to me, I didn't need to show off my 'sunburn' to start the initial meeting with a conversation about my bout with breast cancer and what it's done to me. So, we didn't. I walked in, shook hands, exchanged pleasantries and went to work.
The man with no hands, the family with no hearing and me all have something in common. We strive to just be ok with what we have, or have not. To find a way to conduct our day as easily and comfortably as we can. To live a life that's full and interesting and joyful. To understand those that feel pain and feel less of themselves, but not to pity them for they wouldn't have it that way. Comfortable in your own skin ... lemons and lemonade ... all in a day's work.
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Catch-up time!
Sunday is good day to look back at the events of the week and see if they fall in line with expectations.
Work - While I did work every day this week, there were plenty of customers that I just didn't do enough for. I talked to some, emailed others, installed, updated and fixed computers, but it never seems to be sufficient and I never catch up. This is nothing new. It's the nature of my business and it brings plenty of stress. It's how I handle the stress that makes a difference for me. Before breast cancer, I would work until late late into the night or even early morning for a customer. Why? To solve their problem, to make them happy, to finish the job. Now, I just cannot do that any more. I'm lucky if I can string 4 hours in a row together. I juggle 3 and 4 customers at the same time and puts a mental strain on me. Even though I'm sitting at a desk, I need to rest from time to time. I feel a heaviness in my chest, an ache almost, that tells me its time to lay down even if I don't sleep. So, that's what I do. I rest in the afternoon and then get back to work. I've had to be candid with those customers that work with me and tell them my situation. They've all been very supportive and understanding, but I can feel they are growing frustrated with me. I'm learning to get others involved and pass off the work that I cannot handle in a timely manner. I'm still learning to rest when I need it to be more effective during the day.
I'm figuring out how to split my time at the office - physically. I spent the week at home and can remote into my office but I'm missing a few key components. This week I'll be sure to set up the balance so I can do my entire job from home. Most of my employees have been with us for over 10 years now. There is some complacency in being in a small company for many years, so this week I deliver the reminder of how things must progress in the future. How I need to handle things from here and use technology to my advantage to do that. A little look at the past, a reminder of what our company is based on and how we need to move to a prosperous future.... I've even pumped myself up!!!
Dance - I chose to stay home this week because of the impending neutripenia and it killed me. I'm sure life at the studio went on without me, but life at the Ritter house on that night was depressing! Plus, I missed the week before because of the snow and it looks like we're having another storm this Tuesday too - ugh! I left them in the good hands of Jackie and as she reported back to me all went well. The Intermediates were a little chatty (12 y.o. surprise, surprise!) and Workshop reviewed the 3 dances we were working on before the snow day. I also have Workshop working on a choreography assignment with a partner or within a group and they spent some time designing that. Jackie tells me I'm going to be pleasantly surprised. I'm excited to see what they come up with! Finger's crossed there's dance on Tuesday....
Family - On Monday, Alex and Sarah went back to Albany and Pittsburgh respectively to continue on with school. That alone makes me feel like life can go on with some normalcy. Dawny stopped by later that day and ended up with a bent fender and quarter panel! (no guilt here - sure) Insurance is a wonderful thing.
We saw Denise and Bill at Bill's Improv show on Saturday night, my first night out all week! I did have to take a couple hour nap beforehand so I could get to it at 8pm, but I'm so glad I did! It was staged in a small little black box theatre - the type you'd find in Manhattan - but on Broadway in Newburgh. It was very VERY funny and entertaining! It was a late night, but well worth it!
Friends - This week I heard from friends from Boulder to Pittsburgh to Poughkeepsie! Lots of emails, blog comments, voice mails, texts, facebook messages, chats and visits. It's overwhelming and heartwarming to have this support and contact from all over the map. I'm working hard on getting back to everyone, but it's bigger than me. This blog is my connection to everyone, I hope.
Chemo - no doctor visits because Dr. Rubin was sick and rescheduled me for tomorrow. But, I did find out my wbc was 1.8 which meant my choice to stay home was a good one... and no fresh fruits or vegetables, blah blah. My skin is very dry and I'm battling that as best as I can.
New this week is this heartburn and lump in my throat - oh yay!! It started a couple of days ago, now that I think of it, but tonight is pretty strong. Took a couple of tums but will mention to dr. tomorrow.
Let's see .... anything more? Nah, just the usual - snow
Work - While I did work every day this week, there were plenty of customers that I just didn't do enough for. I talked to some, emailed others, installed, updated and fixed computers, but it never seems to be sufficient and I never catch up. This is nothing new. It's the nature of my business and it brings plenty of stress. It's how I handle the stress that makes a difference for me. Before breast cancer, I would work until late late into the night or even early morning for a customer. Why? To solve their problem, to make them happy, to finish the job. Now, I just cannot do that any more. I'm lucky if I can string 4 hours in a row together. I juggle 3 and 4 customers at the same time and puts a mental strain on me. Even though I'm sitting at a desk, I need to rest from time to time. I feel a heaviness in my chest, an ache almost, that tells me its time to lay down even if I don't sleep. So, that's what I do. I rest in the afternoon and then get back to work. I've had to be candid with those customers that work with me and tell them my situation. They've all been very supportive and understanding, but I can feel they are growing frustrated with me. I'm learning to get others involved and pass off the work that I cannot handle in a timely manner. I'm still learning to rest when I need it to be more effective during the day.
I'm figuring out how to split my time at the office - physically. I spent the week at home and can remote into my office but I'm missing a few key components. This week I'll be sure to set up the balance so I can do my entire job from home. Most of my employees have been with us for over 10 years now. There is some complacency in being in a small company for many years, so this week I deliver the reminder of how things must progress in the future. How I need to handle things from here and use technology to my advantage to do that. A little look at the past, a reminder of what our company is based on and how we need to move to a prosperous future.... I've even pumped myself up!!!
Dance - I chose to stay home this week because of the impending neutripenia and it killed me. I'm sure life at the studio went on without me, but life at the Ritter house on that night was depressing! Plus, I missed the week before because of the snow and it looks like we're having another storm this Tuesday too - ugh! I left them in the good hands of Jackie and as she reported back to me all went well. The Intermediates were a little chatty (12 y.o. surprise, surprise!) and Workshop reviewed the 3 dances we were working on before the snow day. I also have Workshop working on a choreography assignment with a partner or within a group and they spent some time designing that. Jackie tells me I'm going to be pleasantly surprised. I'm excited to see what they come up with! Finger's crossed there's dance on Tuesday....
Family - On Monday, Alex and Sarah went back to Albany and Pittsburgh respectively to continue on with school. That alone makes me feel like life can go on with some normalcy. Dawny stopped by later that day and ended up with a bent fender and quarter panel! (no guilt here - sure) Insurance is a wonderful thing.
We saw Denise and Bill at Bill's Improv show on Saturday night, my first night out all week! I did have to take a couple hour nap beforehand so I could get to it at 8pm, but I'm so glad I did! It was staged in a small little black box theatre - the type you'd find in Manhattan - but on Broadway in Newburgh. It was very VERY funny and entertaining! It was a late night, but well worth it!
Friends - This week I heard from friends from Boulder to Pittsburgh to Poughkeepsie! Lots of emails, blog comments, voice mails, texts, facebook messages, chats and visits. It's overwhelming and heartwarming to have this support and contact from all over the map. I'm working hard on getting back to everyone, but it's bigger than me. This blog is my connection to everyone, I hope.
Chemo - no doctor visits because Dr. Rubin was sick and rescheduled me for tomorrow. But, I did find out my wbc was 1.8 which meant my choice to stay home was a good one... and no fresh fruits or vegetables, blah blah. My skin is very dry and I'm battling that as best as I can.
New this week is this heartburn and lump in my throat - oh yay!! It started a couple of days ago, now that I think of it, but tonight is pretty strong. Took a couple of tums but will mention to dr. tomorrow.
Let's see .... anything more? Nah, just the usual - snow
Monday, December 27, 2010
Oh the weather outside is frightful
This is when it sucks to be good at what I do!! I can connect to my office from home and also connect to my client's offices any time. Which is a good thing today since we are snowed in and I have an installation with a client who is out in Arizona and won't really understand the 6 foot drifts outside. So, I have to work today despite the snow.... gotta pay for the iPad's!!!
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