I just have to chime in here having been a substitute teacher every day for two years (thank god it is over). I was sick at least one week out of every month if not more. I had kids come in with globs of green from their nose to their chin and much, much worse. When the teacher was out sick I usually got what they had soon after (it is hard to sanitize a teacher's desk).

As for the rude kids and their rude parents, they're everywhere. I had the principal call me in to his office after he had a complaint about me from a parent- apparently asking their "highly gifted" third grader (who couldn't/wouldn't shut up all day) to "zip their lips" was offensive. I thought I was being rather reserved as I really wanted to tell this child to "shut the *(&^%$# up". And then there are the teachers who don't leave lesson plans and expect the day to go smoothly... Ahhh, I don't miss it one bit!

Feel better soon.