My visit to the gynie

I saw my other gyno yesterday. My blood tests were normal (I so thought my progesterone would be out of whack) so I'm having a lap done on Wednesday. A lot of prep goes into getting ready for a lap. I did not know that. On the down low, he's going to shoot dye and comb my ovaries, to see how things are from a fertility stand point. Maybe it's just what we need to make this baby happen.
M and myself have off today and I'm not sure how we are going to spend it. We talked about taking the puppies for a walk and going to the drive-in. We can also visit Chachi out at the campground. Maybe not-she's supposed to be studying for her comps on Monday.
I started to do the T.otal Bod.y Mak.eover by Op.rah's trainer Bob Gr.eene. I am good with doing my stretches and weights. I do have a hard time getting motivated in the morning to do my cardio. Also, breaking my eating in front of the tv at night. There are five simple rules: eat breakfast, no alcohol, eat consciously, have cut off time from eating 2-3 hours before bed and drink 6 8oz. glasses of water. Exercise isn't too bad either. Stretching and aerobics 6x a week for 30 mins. I am not a morning person so that doesn't help. Any advice?
I'm off to get ready for the day. If I don't get to post tomorrow, please have a happy and safe 4th of July!


Kissing puppies

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?