A bad time to look young

Time for an update. I go in for my third tune up next week. Things are moving along. Before I know it I'll be in surgery. I'm ready for it but the whole thing stresses me out. This is just a horrible time to be going through all this, but I choose to, so I guess I shouldn't complain. I just started teaching and looking so young has really made it hard to get respect from the kiddos. I just look so young, they don't see me as an adult, a teacher. I'm working on it. Also, whatever jobs I get, yes I'm still looking, will have to be put on hold pretty soon. I don't know how long I'll be out of commission after the surgery. For everyone out there who has gone through this how much time did you have to take off work? I would just hate to work so hard to find a steady job now only to get fired because in a few months I'll be under the knife. How have you guys dealt with this? Hope everyone is well. It might snow here tomorrow. Looking forward to it.