I found out today that I go through five distinct stages when I am coming down with the flu or a cold. And I wonder if this is specific to teachers? Or do all people go through them?

1. Stage One

Denial. Sneeze. That's strange. Allergies in November? And in the pouring rain? And we just vacuumed, it can't be a dust or a dog hair issue in the house. Well it probably is related to my eyes watering. I guess there are stranger things than allergies in November, plus I'm not a doctor, I shouldn't self-diagnose.

2. Stage Two

Excuses: I can't get sick. I don't have time. This is the last week before grades are due for first quarter. I'm just tired, I'm not sick. Yeah, that's it, I didn't really sleep that well this weekend. I'm exhausted. I need to catch up on my sleep and I'll be fine. And sleep cures everything. Sleep is like a miracle after all.

3. Stage Three

Acceptance: I'm sick. I have a cold. I am sneezing, my head hurts and my ears are plugged. It's not allergies. I probably am tired, but that's not my main issue right now. I have a cold. I probably need to stay at home at least one day from work for a couple of reasons: not spreading my germs, and resting so maybe this stays a cold and doesn't get worse, or it goes away altogether.

4. Stage Four

Calling In: Our system is set up so that the teacher must make the decision to not come into work and sign in to the computer sub system by 5:30 a.m. My thoughts on this are simple; everyone feels sick at this ungodly hour. But you feel ten times worse when you're actually sick. I did my sub online sign in and requested a sub. I was so out of it though, I forgot to type in which parking spot my sub should park in (mine). The poor substitute is going to have a hard enough day, and now he/she has nowhere to park.

5. Stage Five

Lesson Plans: Now is the time (5:30 a.m.) we write the simplest lesson plans possible, because I don't know who I'm getting as a substitute. And I have been a substitute and there is no harder job. I type mine up quickly, emailed them to the appropriate people and headed back to bed, knowing I had done the right thing (with the exception of forgetting to put my parking space number in the plans).

Sometimes I think it's easier to come to school and just teach when I'm sick. It's so much emotional work when I'm out (not to mention feeling horrible), and I am so behind when I come back. But since I went through the stages and everything, I figured I may as well take a day and try and rid myself of this cold. And a day of watching "The Golden Girls" doesn't sound too bad either.