Acupuncture- Before IVF

My acupuncture plan throughout IVF is to go once before, during and after the procedures. Today was my before visit. I don't know all the correlations with acupuncture and IVF success rates but my main reason for going is that it relaxes me more than any massage or glass of vino!
It is also always interesting to hear what Dr. C has to say. His main goals for me from this visit were 1. I need to exercise more and "break a sweat" were his exact words and 2. Spread out the multi-vitamins, especially while going through IVF.

About the exercising... he said "you know when someone cuts you off in traffic and your body tenses up? Your body is like that all the time and you need to get rid of some pent of energy." He also said, "I realize you have a job that can be really stressful but you are going to eventually end up with ulcers & gallstones if you don't manage it better." (Lovely, all I could think about was how Cesar Milan imitates the dogs with pent up energy and scolds rehabilitates the owners for not giving them enough exercise). Remember this post? Nothing has changed and I sure don't want to decrease my chances during IVF because of all this extra tension I carry around. So I guess I need to get moving and do that belly & butt busters DVD that I so loathe!!!
Breathe in, breathe out.

The multi-vitamins... I kind've got lost in the explanation but something about how our bodies stop doing what they are meant to do through eating a healthy, balanced diet. PC says it makes sense but I've got to think over that a little more. That's the one habit I'm really good at!
And good news... from the Eastern medicine viewpoint, my hormones appear to be in balance!

organizing for IVF ???

Calling all Type A :] (or not) bloggers out there who can share advice about how you organize for/during IVF? Anything in relation to preparing meds, doing the injections, keeping on schedule... ??? I'm feeling so overwhelmed & haven't even got past financial clearance yet!!!

2010 Recap

Since I took a one year hiatus from blogging here, I wanted to recap the (mostly non-IF) low/highlights of the year (besides the usual day to day routine):

We enjoyed our first year in the home we built! 1 year of payments behind us and only 20+ more to go, ahhhh the joys that come with it! This pic was taken two days ago when 6-8 inches of fell across many parts of the Southeast.

Puppy #1 and Puppy #2 grew... and grew... and grew!

PC totaled his truck, one and a half flip. It was scary. I don't want to post a pic because it still makes me sick to think about. Truly a Blessing that he walked away from it without a scratch.

I also took a year hiatus from graduate school, and I'm not proud of it. This year is now-or-never with my degree plan. Sigh.

I canned green beans with the MIL in the summer! This work makes me appreciate every bite a little more.


I learned a little more about the stock market, couponing/budgeting, cooking, landscaping, property laws, editing pictures and... (still thinking)

We camped a few times, always fun. Then we sold the camper. And used the money to put in a half bath in our basement. Um, I hesitate to add this but PC is really proud that the half bath comes complete with a urinal. Compromise...

We decided on Jan.-March 2011 for IVF. Got all of the pre-tests, including trial transfer, out of the way in the fall of 2010. I need to share a funny about that later!

I had an MRI because of a spot on my right breast and family history of breast cancer. Right was fine but a place showed on the left. Went for a biopsy and they couldn't find anything... Blessing!

PC and I celebrated 5 years together:] PC has become a 95% MAC supporter (in this case I'm referring to the computer, since hopefully I get 99.5%). It won't be long until he c.r.o.s.s.e.s o.v.e.r!

Read a few books, watched a couple of movies and went to a couple of concerts. My favorites- The Hunger Games Series, Tangled and Gary Allen (that's a diverse list!)

We went on long weekend trips in March, June and December as budget-friendly as we could.

MIL was sick to the point of being admitted to the hospital the week of Christmas. Another Blessing that she came home Christmas Eve and has slowly been regaining strength day by day.

We still have our same jobs although we lost some income due to the economy. Our families are healthy and well despite a few setbacks along the way. Infertility still sucks but life is still good!

And we wrapped up 2010 with snow on Christmas Day! High expectations for 2011...

2011- IVF, Here we come!

I am stepping back into the blog world, one year later, to document a new chapter of the infertility roller coaster ride. Our first IVF cycle! Right now... waiting on financial clearance so that our nurse can get the meds ordered. Since insurance covers nothing, we're paying for the cycle with a loan and for the meds with savings. We're getting a little discount by participating in the Ferring Heart program, we'll take it! Hope to connect with some New Year IVF'ers and for many BFP's!

100th post and last day of 2009

I thought it was fitting to give this blog a temporary "good-bye" with the 100th post and on the eve of a new year. I'm going to re-direct my attention and focus on some other life goals...besides becoming a mom... in the coming months.

I have a lot of faith in 2010. I hope to accomplish several things in my world and see positive change in our country too. I want to soak up every minute with family and friends and not take anything about those relationships for granted. I want to work hard, pray hard, play hard and put others first. These are not resolutions or goals (I'll just stick to the same ones as 2009 since those are still a work in progress:) but the way that I want to live.

I'll still be a blog stalker until a few little miracles are born to those in my blog roll that I've followed their "story" and look forward to a happy ending... or rather, beginning.

Happy New Year everyone... Make it Count!!! Miss Mac