Going to the gynie

Last Friday I had an appointment with my gynecologist. Going through the usual procedure (taking blood pressure, weight, etc.) the nurse noticed that my last appointment was December of '06. I can not believe it had been that long. I guess because we did our iui in Nov of '07 and had appointments pertaining to that that it slipped my mind about my yearly exam.
I told my gynie about my irregular periods (I have bleeding before I get my period. I call it the period before my period) and having extremely painful cramps. She ordered an ultrasound, blood work (she's concerned with my thyroid and progesterone levels) and a laparoscopy to find out what's going on. She also said the lap would be good also to see if my parts are in working order. I asked her if the bleeding could be a sign of short luteal phase and she said it's possible. She also asked about our plans to have a baby. She mentioned donor sperm and adoption. I told her that we will be doing ivf because it's not like we don't have any sperm. Of course if there's something wrong with me we will have to have discuss another course of action.
I mentioned not being able to lose weight also. I've been eating healthy and exercising for an hour every day and I'm not seeing/feeling a difference. It's just so frustrating. The whole if thing and now we are starting year five with no baby. I hope to get answers after the tests and surgery.

Show and Tell -Donor

No, not a swimmer donor but a bone marrow donor. A little boy named Liam, whose mother is from my area, has a very rare blood disorder. The family set up a bone marrow registry at a nearby hotel. I went this morning and found out that I was already in the registry after having done so many years ago at the Red Cross. I got bracelets for me and E. Walking into the hotel I started to cry. I kept thinking how terrible it is that this little boy is going through something so horrible. The registry started at 10 am. I got there at 9:50 and the parking lot was quite full. I'm glad there was such a tremendous outpouring of support. They were also selling baked goods and there was a Chinese Auction. I pray that they find a donor soon.
You can read more about Liam here: news story.
All they do is swab your cheeks. Have you thought about being a donor? Find out more here.
Find out what the rest of the class is showing at Mel's blog.

My body

I get a period before I get my period. I'm such a lucky girl. I have shared this info with my gyno and she never really addressed it. I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility and I now believe that I have short luteal phase. I'm seeing my gyno on June 5 and I hope to-- A. have answers and B. have a solution. It certainly doesn't help our situation if I can't even give an embryo an endometrium lining to burrow into. I'm going to get my progesterone checked and also my thryoid so that when I go to my appointment I'm armed with information and none of that, "I'm sending you for blood work and we'll make another appointment." I'm tired of waiting. Anyone who knows me is familiar with me and patience--we're not on the same page when it comes to my body. I just want to get the ball rolling. If I can't have another baby I want to know now so we can go in another direction. We have talked about adoption before. Maybe that's the plan.

No cords for you

Saturday I graduated from college with a 4.0. My degree will read "summa cum laude" but I was not allowed to wear honor cords. Why you may ask? Because prior to the semester in which you are graduating you must have 45 credits. I had 39. "Wait," I asked the provost lady--"what about this semester?" "It doesn't count." That's crazy--I had 12 credits for student teaching which were not free and this person tells me it doesn't count. I should have ordered the cords online. I did attend the ceremony, certainly not for me, but for the people who love me and support me--my family. I still can't believe that I worked so hard, at times had two jobs and a family and I was not recognized as an honor graduate. That is terrible.

Sunday, sunday

My Mom gave me all the books to the Twilight series and I just completed book # 2 last night. Oh my word are they good!! Exciting and fast paced I'm hanging on every word about Bella and Edward. The teacher in the room next to mine read the series also. I had to laugh when she told me her husband would come home on the weekends after working away all week and want to catch up. "I have to find out what's going on. Edward is in trouble", she would tell him. The author Stephanie Meyer is so descriptive with the character's feelings and happenings that you feel as if you are in the book right along with them. I highly recommend the series.
Speaking of books, I'm reading Taking Charge of Your Infertility . I'm pretty good about being in tune to my body and I thought I would chart some cycles and see if that helps. Anything to give the swimmers a chance. Has anyone used this book to help them? Specifically to help with low number of swimmers. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
I'm going to take my puppies for a walk and go for another long walk myself. I have to bake brownies and get ready for a baby shower. It's for a good friend of mine that I love dearly. It will be hard for me to go but I would do anything for her.

How's it going?

We took a lovely trip to Jim Thorpe today. Why you ask? For wine. Yes, we traveled 45 mins. one way for wine. Let me explain about this nectar-it's delicious, sweet, fruity, hints of apple pie a la mode wine. We bought three varities: La Brusca, Apple Raspberry and Spicy Apple. And the best part: it's $8 a bottle!! I know!!! Good times! We are having Easter dinner here because mil had knee surgery (she's doing really well, thank you) and we thought we should be prepared.
I feel bad that in the way of preparations we aren't really doing much. Sil is making the ham, stuffing and sweet potatoes, mil is making bread, my Mom is making ricotta cheese cookies (soooo delish!!) and regular potatoes (because, omg, my Dad has to have regular potatoes), we are making tilapia, salad and homemade fudgy brownies.
I, of course, am going to clean like a crazy person. I like things to be neat, clean and orderly when we have company. I'm going to straighten up tonight and tomorrow will be cleaning.
I also have to shop for Easter baskets. Last minute Annie, that's me. But I do get everything done. I work better under pressure.
How are things on your end?

Time goes by so fast

I can't believe spring is here and I'm almost done student teaching. My days are so packed that time is flying by. I'm with my students all day, after school I am getting things ready for the next day of teaching and/or hanging up students' work, go home and do house stuff, i.e. - vacuum, laundry and all that other good stuff. Student teaching is going well. My co-op teacher does team teaching which is nice. She has almost 30 years of experience and she gives me lots of good ideas. The kids are funny. I did a lesson on how a seed becomes a plant. I started the seeds on moist cotton balls so they could see the transformation. They thought it was cool. Soon it was time to transplant the seeds into peat pots I had gotten. One boy came back and asked what the peat pots were and I told him the name. Another boy came back and asked the same question. The first boy said, "Those are peacocks." Omg! Too funny!
E keeps getting boo boo belly. We had her in the ER a couple of weeks ago for severe dehydration. We could not keep any fluids in her. She has a little boo boo belly again.
M was operated on Friday morning. His shoulder had been hurting him for quite some time. He had bursitis and a small bone spur. The orthoped shaved the bone and cleaned everything up. Hopefully M will have relief. My Mil had surgery last Monday--a total knee replacement for her right knee. We joked that with three family members there should have been a discount. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they are on the road to recovery.