Tuberculosis

I have tuberculosis! I had to get a TB skin test for student teaching in Philadelphia and so I went to Community Health on Wednesday and returned today to get my test checked. The nurse wasn’t sure about the results, but decided to call it positive because there was a slight induration. I then went to the hospital where my mom was working and she grabbed a pulmonologist to check it. He confirmed that I do have TB and that I will need a chest x-ray to make sure that it’s not active. He then recommended that I see a doctor to start on a drug therapy for nine months. What a surprise! I knew I would learn a lot about myself when I joined Teach For America, but I never thought I would find out that I had a dreadful communicable disease because of this great program.
In other news, I opened a charge account with my new bank today so as to build up my credit rating – a real adult move in my opinion. I also did a lot of my sorting and packing and think that I will soon be ready in that department. My grandmother is making me some wonderful new teacher clothes that I will cherish these next few years. We picked out the fabric and the patterns together at JoAnn’s and I think they’ll turn out great. She’s making two skirts and a dress with a jacket. Mare’s a great seamstress. Anyway, despite the negative and a bit disconcerting TB results, life is great and everything is just moving along.