To PC

Happy Birthday!!! Thanks for being by my side. I love you. Mac

Quick Getaway

Last weekend, PC and I went on a last minute weekend trip about 5 hours from home. We made our plans as we went along. I like those trips... no expectations just make it up as you go! The funniest thing that happened was on the way there... PC kept waiting on the "perfect" place for a bathroom & finally he just took an exit. We passed a Ri.te Aid and I told him there had to be a bathroom in there & he disagreed but was getting desperate! So we went in, made a lap around the store & I've never seen him look so aggravated & walking so fast & I'm still trying to convince myself that every Ri.te Aid has a bathroom- well, they don't. You had to be there, but I couldn't stop laughing... pure funny moment at PC's expense. Then... the payback... so on the way home I have to go & I'm hungry. We stop in a rough-looking part of the country (but we borrowed a GP.S and that was so cool) in a Mc.Donalds. I was fixing a drink & felt something tickly on my leg... the biggest roach I've ever seen ON my leg & I yell and kick it off with my other foot & everyone's seeing this & getting grossed out, including me. Except PC- he gets the laugh. While we were actually at our destination, it was pretty much event-less & relaxing... just what we needed. BTW, went for acupuncture yesterday. I want to continue that while we're not going to the RE right now. I asked Dr. C for an estimate of how long he thought it might take to regulate my cycles and his response was- [for most, anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.] I am seeing progress with acupuncture. Even though I skipped 2 cycles, the past 2 that I've had have been 5-7 days... maybe long for some, but it's improvement to me. OK- I've put it off long enough, supper dishes aren't washing themselves:[ But blogging is much more fun!

"Ouch" Results

News was good that the biopsy ordered by the RE came back clear of atypical/abnormal pre-cancer cells. Whew. However, it did confirm something that has been noticed in many of my IF tests in the past... mild hyperplasia. It adds to my body's out of whack hormones, but it's not a reason that I can't get pregnant. I found another blog today with someone who has a very similar background to mine & we both took the de.po prov.era shot in the past. She's about to go through her first IVF cycle. I've always had suspicions that this shot has a lot more to do with my lack of ovulating than any doctor will admit. In fact, one nutritionist said to me that he wished he could throw out that shot & that I had come to him years ago with my cycle issues. I wanted to say- You and me both!!!
Something exciting for me to think about... PC & I are going to take a baby-step (not IF related!) and meet with a builder tomorrow to get some ideas & input on building a house. We've been enjoying this rental house & not thinking about it, but we're also not getting any younger- why does everything remind us of this- and need to think about our future home:]

Little Boys

I recently baby-sat for one of my best friends and met another friend and her son for the two of them to play. They were the cutest 3 year-old boys ever and I went crazy taking their pictures. "Jr" (the cutie I was in charge of) ran up to me & accidently called me "mama." He knew, but just went on with his conversation & I didn't correct him-- I stole a little "moment" for myself. And I'm such good friends with his mom that she wouldn't care. I always told PC that if we only have one chance I "hope it's a girl:]". But of course I'm just kidding and really just hope we get the one chance! I must say, these two boys provided lots of smiles & fun!

TTC Naturally

In this time between treatments, of course there is always the hope for one normal cycle & the chance to conceive without IF treatments. I've had 2 friends lately, one deals with IF due to severe endo, to email about something they have heard. I'm always open to trying things... what can it hurt? So, the first piece of advice was to purchase pH sticks from any pharmacy and use them (POAS) to test your body for acidity/alkalinity &, depending on results, change your diet to reach a state of alkaline. The second was to have a test for celiac disease for an intolerance to wheat, again depends on results, that requires a gluten free/casein free diet. I'm still finding out more about this. So, here are my goals for this time of TTC naturally...
1- get more exercise
2- try to eat healthier & check into above tests
3- continue acupuncture
4- take vitamins
5- ovulation monitoring
and...put some fun back into it!

Funny Dog

C got another summer cut yesterday. I didn't get home until late & had a Dr. appt. this morning so I went to check out his new do this afternoon. I snapped the funniest picture. I must have caught him in action mode & with his ears back he's kind've looking like a rabbit with a rubber duckie! The other dog is our neighbor's dog who comes to our house every morning & only leaves to eat & sleep at their house. I have no clue exactly what mix she is- australian shepherd maybe- anyway, as much as C irritates her, I think he provides some daily entertainment. She is old & moody & very dramatic but can be really sweet. He's young & full of energy & a bit goofy. They are an odd pair, that's for sure!

Ouch!

Had a day 5 endometrial biopsy today as part of the final tests before getting the greenlight for IVF. OMG. On the infertility pain-o-meter, this would be 2nd only behind the tubes test. When I first started IF treatments, I dreaded the needles... now I'm like... "wish it was just a shot!" The results from this will come in next week. I wrestle with why I'm going through all of this when I could be pursuing adoption... & don't have a great answer except for it always comes back to those darn "I wonder/what ifs!"

IVF= Internal Vanishing Funds!

Everything is so expensive right now. I need to make extra money through this year to help towards the Mac & PC IVF fund! Our insurance won't pay for any of it:[ My problem is not wanting to change our lifestyle or not wanting to get another job. Yeah, those are big problems when you need additional income. Posting a few things on eB.ay here and there doesn't solve it. We are doing some little things. Like- we're trying to stick to a supper & food budget and downsize where we can. I have this conversation with PC sometimes and he wants to know how I think I can make a lot of money without a lot of effort... I answer "the lott.ery!" But we don't do that either & what are the odds? I really get ticked off when I think about the whole insurance thing. I mean, are they comparing IF procedures to a nose job or tummy tuck!? Do they really understand that putting my feet in stirrups is not a hobby that comes with a saddle? I sent in all of my receipts for IUIs & tried anyway... even wrote a letter! I was still denied but not for lack of trying. Stay tuned to see if I can figure out a creative (but legal) way to finance an IVF cycle:]

AF & July 4th... irony!

I have been trying to slow down this summer & soak in the sunshine... putting infertility on the backburner & finding distractions for awhile, even though that's not really possible. I usually have signs that AF is coming... but this one just kind've "boom!" happened today... ironic that it's a day to celebrate freedom but AF (in a sense) takes that away in the world of IF.
So, what happens to me? Why was my last cycle April 13-17 and now July 4 to ??? Obviously, I'm still not ovulating, but is there a chance with each cycle or is my body just not capable of it? Sigh. Too many questions & no one has the answers. I'll call Dr. H on Monday to schedule the day 5 endometrial biopsy and then (I think) there's not many tests left. My RE wants this one done before she'll start an IVF cycle. Even though we're putting that on hold, I'd like to check this test off of "the list."
On a bright note, PC & C and I had a good time taking the Jeep & watching some fireworks near home and spent some time with family on the lake earlier today. Happy 4th!!!