The Woe of a Teacher

Last week, I had a bout of fever. No vomiting only fluctuating fever and bone aching. I was on medical leave for two days - Wednesday and Thursday. Just when I thought the episode has closed, two days ago, Rb's teacher called me to inform me that Rb had vomitted in school. His papa took him home to consult the doctor. He was at home resting for two days and today, his health bounced back and he returned to school. Closure yet? Nope! Today it was back to me again. I woke up puking three times. I couldn't decide if I should be on sick leave again at 6+ am.  It was already 7 am when I felt that I really needed a rest after throwing out my Milo. Too late to inform school to arrange for relief duties. So I've to grit my teeth, crawl to work and complete my 8 periods / 4 hours of lessons at one shot. I couldn't eat anything at all coz whatever went in would be vomitted out. There was fire drill today and I had to quickly move away from the drill assembly point to the canteen to puke into the trough. Total puking: 6-7 times for the whole morning. One of my P1 boy told me, "Mrs Ong, you looked like you're going to throw out!" I was taken aback by his observance and sensitivity! 

At almost the end of the day, I really had no more energy left. I told papa to pick the kids from school and I went home to nurse my fever, aching body and vomit explosion. 

The dilemma thing is that although we are so genuinely sick, being a teacher means that when you're on medical leave, the learning of the pupils will be slowed down or even halt. 30 little minds / children per class in my hands and today I had 2 classes = 60 children with me. And the tricky thing is that, we cannot call in after 7 pm to declare sick. We must call in before 6.30 am but I definitely understand the rationale of calling in early so that the teacher has ample time to arrange for relief duties. Sigh... Last week I had 2 days of medical leave, if I take another day of medical leave, will people frown upon me, thinking that I'm trying to skive? 

I'm also a parent. How would I feel if I know that my children's teachers are frequently on medical leave? 

Falling sick makes me depressed, philosophical... The woe of an ill teacher.

I've been drifting in and out of sleep since 12.30 pm, my head is thumping now. 

I hope the episode will close with me. It's enough! God have mercy.