Another step closer...

Several things on my mind! First, vacation was wonderful. It was busy
(hint, hint) but it was a much different kind of get-away-from-everything-and-have-fun type of busy. I was content just soaking in the warm temps, people-watching, and holding PC's hand... good food and thrill rides and fireworks were just icing on the cake! When we got back, I had 3 days to complete a 400 page reading log (I did have about half of it done before we left) and a 15 page research paper so the rest of the vacation was spent right here, although a million miles away from blogging!

SO- today was back to routine, but anything but normal. I had my first acupuncture appointment & that's what I really couldn't wait to share! I've had some experience with Eastern medicine and herbs and really enjoyed the book, The Infertility Cure. My mind/heart have gone back and forth-- some things make sense, some seem better left for Western medicine or, even better, Celestial medicine. But today's appointment was convincing and actually more encouraging than most of my IF adventures. The things that this acupuncturist said today just fit with my total state of health. Western medicine diagnosis is anovulation... Eastern medicine diagnosis is poor Spleen Qi. Here's the interesting part of that-- he thinks my reproductive system is right on track (this is a first)-- but the problems have come from my digestive system! That seems like a crazy thought but it really felt like this experience added more pieces to the IF puzzle and is getting me closer to egg + sperm:] More than half of the symptoms of Spleen Qi problems are a definition of me right down to the cold hands and feet. Oh yeah, this explains why I can't remember a thing and my mind never slows down but my body can't catch up (finally, the ultimate excuse). Some may be interested to know about the needles... my tension and fear of the unknown (I think) made the sensation a bit more than it should have been but I would not call it painful. A few slight stings here and there but deeper into the treatment I started to relax and I would compare it to the feeling after a good massage. I do plan on doing it again and following some herbal/diet recommendations. All in all, a positive experience in the depressing world of IF!

Vacation

PC and I head out in the morning for an anniversary trip. We have to make one stop in the morning for an important business deal (trading a bike frame... real important stuff). I'm going to try and convince my mind/stomach not to get motion sickness so that I can do some reading along the way. Here's a list of 10 things that I must pack on every vacation in addition to the usual.
1. PC
2. candy (sour, even better)
3. Good tunes... Gary Allan in the CD player right now.
4. Camera
5. Sunscreen... which we usually forget & have to pay $$$ for one in a tourist shop.
6. Blanket & pillow
7. Baggies... usually come in handy for something
8. Flashlight... PC has a fettish & I (secretly) have come to like having one close by
9. Soap with a pump
10. Emergency car kit & atlas
So- now I'm leaving the World Wide Web for a few days (no free Internet where we're staying) and making some time for FUN! See you in a few days!

Mac and PC anniversary

This week, PC and I will celebrate 3 years of marriage. One of the songs in our wedding said "When God made you, He must have been thinking about me." So true. Especially today... I really lost it and PC was on the receiving end of a royal hormonal hissy fit. Which he never deserved. And he was forgiving & I'm very lucky. So- this post is an extension of "I'm sorry" and a reminder of why I'm so thankful for a wonderful husband & the past 3 years.
He cranks my car every morning so that I have a warm ride to work...sends a mid-day I love you email... and always has a hug for me at the end of the day. I'm very scattered in the morning & often have to call PC to ask if he can bring something that I forgot from home to my job... he always comes through. He never complains about my lack of culinary or cleaning efforts. He often brings home flowers "just because." When I'm working a longer hours than usual, he'll offer to come hang out with me. He keeps me updated on politics, weather, astronomy, sports, bicycles, food facts (relates to his job), 80's music (no joke, he can name every artist & the year of the album!) to name a few. And lastly, through all of the IF ups & downs, he holds my hand & stays strong & tells me that "life's not so bad- we have each other." Thanks, God, for sending your very best my way! Happy Anniversary Week, Prince Charming! Can't wait to start the next chapter...

Infertility Vent 2

Yesterday I had 5 vials of blood drawn for various tests, had 1 orange drink to test Glucose, had to wait 2 hours to get 1 more vial of blood drawn. Then, I had 1 ultrasound where 1 cyst was seen & 1 additional vial of blood was drawn and the end results: 1 pack of birth control pills! Good Friday didn't start out so great! BCPs put the whole IF process in neutral (or reverse) but the intention is to regulate hormones for one cycle and try to reduce the cyst. On the bright side, the day was spent with PC and later in the evening with a good friend and... we're one weekend closer to a much needed vacation!

Next steps...

Today had its good/bad with our second opinion visit. The bad first... the whole atmosphere of this hospital is depressing... I mean, I realize there are sick people there, but that's where people need a smile the most, right? The registration desk... the waiting room... everything felt "cold". This is different than the other RE office where they work hard to remember your name, everything is clean, the nurses smile etc. Now the part that I liked- first, a resident student went over my whole medical history, asking questions and seeming genuinely interested. I was glad someone could try to make sense of my history- I can't even do that! Then, Dr. S. came in. Her mood matched the tone of the hospital- no "hello, how are you" but more like "you must be "Mac"... okay, here's the deal...". However, I do fine without the small talk and like to get to the point too. So here's the deal... the other RE did not test me for PCOS because I didn't fit the typical appearance. She wants to do that anyway. Basically, more blood (that needs to be a post... how much blood does a IF patient "donate"?)
and after that she wants to do an ultrasound to count/check my egg quality. Hello!? Why has no one offered to do this before? I didn't know you could see/count them! Her thoughts were very sensible and PC and I agree to go through with these tests and then make additional decisions. My mom was great company and didn't ask a lot of questions since I was able to tell her that they were going to run more tests to get to the bottom of my issues. Those appointments will take place in the next 3 weeks & I say- let's go!!!