I was just over at JoggingInCircles, Kim’s Blog, and I thought I would join in on the Scrolling Saturday Meme created by  Melissa at SuchSimplePleasures and Coleen at MannersandMoxie.  

Make sure to stop by those three blogs if you haven’t already…guaranteed you will be a regular once you do! 

So here it is: 

Just a thought- 

I was doing some Christmas shopping on Amazon and was looking for traction spikes to buy for my brother.  For those of you that don’t know what these are, they are spikes that you strap onto your shoes when you’re fishing out on the rocks at the beach; to avoid slipping and falling.  In my search for these spikes, the following item turned up:

 Is it just me, or does this look like it could do more harm that good?  Just a thought.

Cycle day 35 and still no sign of “Aunt Flo”.  Although I could probably do well starring in a “Girls Gone Wild” stint, and really rake it in, with the size of my boobs at this point.  So I’m thinking it’s pretty close.  Either that or I’m preggers :-)  But remeber…we are not getting our hopes up here.

Random thought: Speaking of “Girls Gone Wild”, is Joe Francis still in jail?

Photo courtesy of TMZ.com

Anyway, I was wondering…Is it just me, or does anyone else out there hate that reference, “Aunt Flo”?  It’s your flippin’ period, just call it that.  That’s what forum sites are well known for.  (Do me a favor and don’t ream me…I enjoy many pre-pregnancy/ pregnancy forum sites out there, I think they are a great place to find other women in similar situations to talk to…I just don’t care to use all the lingo that comes along with them)  For example:

“DH and I bd’d on cd14, 16, and 18, so now I’m 10dpo and the 2ww is just impossible!  I hope af doesn’t show b/c I just can’t wait to finally get that BFP!”

Translation:

“Dear Husband and I did the baby dance on cycle day 14, 16 and 18, so now I’m 10 days post ovulation and the two week wait is just impossible.  I hope Aunt Flo doesn’t show because I just can’t wait to finally get that big fat positive!”

OK.  But I think this can still be simplified:

“We had sex on days 14, 16, and 18 and it’s been 10 days since I ovulated.  The 2 weeks you have to wait to be able to take a pregnancy test lasts forever!  I hope I don’t get my period because I can’t wait to finally have a positive pregnancy test!

Better, right?

OK, I have been super lazy so far this morning and have yet to shower…I’m meeting a friend for lunch and really need to get my ass in gear here.  We here on Long Island had crazy thunder storms what seemed like ALL night!  Something I don’t think I’ve mentioned is that I am P.E.T.R.I.F.I.E.D. of thunder and lightening!  I cover my head with the covers and stick my fingers so deep into my ear that they touch somewhere in the middle!  (I bet you didn’t know that was possible, did you?)  Needless to say…I didn’t sleep well from about 2am – on.  And then I didn’t get out of bed until 9am!!  Who does that??  Not me!  Not even on weekends.  My husband I are normally up around 6:30 or so on Saturday and Sunday.  So yeah, I am a bit off track today.

More later!

UPDATE:   I have reposted yesterdays post about our consultation with the Fertility Specialist, after somehow deleting it from my site!  If you didn’t get a chance to read it, go and get yourself caught up before reading todays post!  No, no, now, not later!  Go…What are you waiting for??

OK, so my husband and I were supposed to go for our blood work last night but the poor guy didn’t get home from work until around 9:45, so we will go tonight once he gets home, pending it’s before 8 (that’s when they close)…that will be step 1 complete!

Something I forgot to mention yesterday was that I have to make an appt to go in for a Clomid cycle IUI information session.  I called yesterday afternoon to schedule that.  That will be on Monday 1/14 at 10:30am.  Step 2 complete!

I love checking things off.  Accomplished is the word that comes to mind

As I mentioned yesterday I had blood taken and they would be calling with the results.  I am anxious to start the Provera so I can get my period and start my next cycle in preparation for the IUI! 

Well, they called with the results and told me I have to wait another 2 weeks to see if I get my period, NOT TO TAKE THE PROVERA, because the results say I ovulated this cycle!  YAY!  So if after 2 weeks I still do not get my period, I have to call them and go in for more blood and an ultrasound to see what’s going on.  Do they think I may be prego??  JK.  Of course that’s a possibility if I ovulated but I’m not getting my hopes up…like I said, my boobs are beyond huge and sore and I feel like I will get my period any minute.  I’m complete with breakouts on my face and everything!  So only time will tell.  Why is everything “2 weeks” when we are dealing with pre pregnancy things?  Did God know how long “2 weeks” were when he thought this whole thing up?  Something tells me he didn’t!

So I wait…and keep myself busy with plenty of learning and creating!  My friends have all been wonderful through this whole process too; offering advice from their own experiences as well as those of others.  A special shout to Kim over at JoggingInCircles…She helps me pass the time.  Thanks Kim!  Kudos to you…thanks for making me laugh DAILY!

Hope everyone has a terrific day!

As you know, my husband and I met with the fertility specialist for the first time yesterday.  In both mine and my husband’s minds, the only way this visit could have gone better is if he would have told us I was pregnant.  To be honest, I knew what to expect but at the same, I didn’t.  After all this was a specialist, so there should be more involved, right?  I had read through the enormous packet of info they sent me immediately after scheduling the consultation and read each page carefully.  Most of it was the patient info I had to fill out, the rest was information regarding IVF and their success rates, and then a tiny paragraph about your first visit.  In that paragraph they let you know that your doctor would sit with you and review your history, at which time I would have to spew out my story for the 1,749,025 time, and I could also expect to have a transvaginal ultrasound.  OK.  I can do that. 

So we get there 15 minutes early, as asked, and sit in the waiting room with All My Children buzzing in the background.  I am nervous.  I am anxious.  I am freezing!  I don’t think the heat was on at all!  (The nurse said it had something to do with the embryo lab upstairs, I don’t know…makes sense, kind of.)  Immediately I am called in so the nurse can take my vitals- weight, pulse, blood pressure, all that good stuff.  Then I am directed back out into the waiting room to find my husband involved in a magazine article, where I proceed to annoy him with questions he can not answer. 

Out of nowhere came a distraction. An acupuncturist playing “Pimp My Practice”.  She didn’t work for the specialist; she instead has an office about 15 minutes from there.  She came in, as if she were a patient, put her baggage down and came over to introduce herself.  My immediate thought was “Are you kidding me, I don’t want to make friends right now, not under the stress I am under for this initial appt.”  Then she handed me her business card and started talking about acupuncture and its benefits to fertility when used in conjunction with the Western approach.  (Notice how I say ‘fertility’ as opposed to ‘infertility’- Have you read The Secret?  If not I highly suggest you click on the link, purchase it and read it from cover to cover immediately upon receipt!)  I do think acupuncture is quite interesting and have spoken to my husband about possibly sessions.  It works by increasing blood flow within the uterus and spleen, amongst other body parts and organs, and helps redirect the flow of energy within.  It totally makes sense to me.  We will see.  I digress, as usual.  So after about 25 minutes and wishing she would find someone else to pimp herself out to, she went to speak with one of the specialists.  Phew!  I didn’t have anything else to say to the woman! 

We waited for about 45 minutes before being called in to meet with the doctor.  He apologized for the wait and led us into his office. There we sat and started our visit with a photo taken of my husband and I, which I thought was cute.  We went over the basics; he reiterated some of the info I had filled out and asked a few additional questions of both my husband and I.  We had a few laughs, which was fun and put me at ease a bit.  He is super nice and I am very happy with him! 

After about 25 minutes he sent me to empty my bladder and then head over to exam room #2, where I would have my ultrasound.  I undress fro the waist down and then the doctor, the nurse, my husband and the UPS man come into the exam room and the ultrasound starts.  NO.  Of course the UPS man didn’t come into the room but everyone else did so it really wouldn’t have made a difference if he had.  All we would have needed then would have been a video camera and we could have made some serious bucks “leaking” that onto the web!  Something I thought kind of funny was that the doctor started asking me about what I do for a living and how I got into it…can we say distraction?  I wanted to say, come on buddy…I have had so many of these done in the past year; they really aren’t a big deal.  Anyway…I won’t bore you with all the details like I already have; I’ll just get down to the plan of treatment:

- My husband and I have to go for some blood work; they need to make sure we do not have any life threatening diseases.
- They took blood from me to see if I in fact ovulated this cycle.  They will call with the results today before 3pm and depending on those results, I can start Provera to bring down my period since today is now cycle day 34 and nothing (although I have serious symptoms- HELLOOOOO Boobage!)
- Once I get my period I have to go down for cycle day 2 or 3 blood work, to start my treatment cycle
- I will then start Clomid 100mg (up from 50mg the past 2 months) days 5-9 and then be monitored via blood and ultrasound constantly to see if I am responding to the meds and detect my LH surge.  NO more peeing on sticks…You were right Nola!
- Upon surge detection, I will be scheduled for an IUI (for those of you who don’t know what this is I’ll explain later)
- We will go 3 rounds this way, Clomid cycles with IUI.  We will decide if trigger shots are needed to release the egg(s) once the action starts.

Without getting all technical on yo azzzzz…I will explain an IUI

IUI- Intrauterine Insemination.  Basically all this is, is putting the sperm right at the ‘finish line’.  They will take a sample from my husband, and pick out the strongest swimmers.  They will then proceed to wash the sperm to get all the fluid off of them.  Then they will load them into a catheter and insert it.  Placing the sperm right at the fallopian tube takes away the distance they need to normally swim, and takes the possible hostile mucus out of the equation.  Often times Clomid can turn the mucus hostile and the sperm can not survive the journey.  Seems simple enough, right?

I have to say that I knew my husband would be amazing throughout this whole journey, but he has even exceeded any expectations I had.  He has been my rock for the past 4 years and continues to get stronger every day.  He is always there for me and for that, amongst many other reasons, he is the best!

Thank you to everyone who has sent well wishes!  Please know that it means a lot and it is greatly appreciated!

So there you have it!  What do you think?  Yeah you, all you people who I know read this blog but don’t comment…how about it?  Show some Love and leave a comment, it’s really easy!

Today is the big day!  Yep, 2pm is my consultation with the fertility specialist.  My mind and body are consumed with so many different emotions right now…I’m anxious, fearful, hopeful, and excited- just to name a few.  Last night my anxiety got the best of me and I was having a hard time breathing, that happens sometimes when I’m overly stressed; whether I’m conscious of my stress or not.  The only thing I can try and compare the feeling too, is having a cinder block sitting on my chest.  Of course I have never had the experience of having a cinder block on my chest, but you understand what I mean.  If a cinder block where ever to be sitting on my chest, I’d imagine it would feel similar to my difficulty breathing.

So I laid on my couch reading the latest issue of Revenue Magazine, listening to SoundScapes on cable….Dork.  But it worked!  Before I knew it I was feeling better.  However, I can definitely feel that feeling coming back again today, and am trying everything in my power to keep it at bay. 

I heard that this place gives complimentary massage while you wait as well.  Yippee!  If this is what it takes to get a “free” massage, then OK. I’ve seen pictures of the facility and it is HUGE!  It’s like a small hospital.  They do everything there.  They even have chiropractic care, yoga, acupuncture and massage; besides the typical therapy, counseling and the obvious- the embryo lab and IUI and IVF departments. I’m hopeful that we will be able to make this work with medication only, but we will not rule out IUI or IVF if those were our only options.

Also, something I thought was pretty neat…a friend of ours that initially had a hard time conceiving their first child, is in the hospital being induced with their third today (their 2nd boy)!  I thought it was just kind of coincidental, as she even brought up, me seeing the specialist for the first time today while she is in the hospital giving birth.  It’s like we are both hitting 2 major milestones.  Did I lose you there?  As you will start to notice, I tend to think a lot more into things than ‘normal’ people.For anybody else who has gone this route of seeing a specialist, or for those whom it took longer to conceive naturally than would have thought, I would love to hear from you!  How were you feeling during the process, what emotions consumed you?  Did you discuss it with family or keep it to yourselves?  I look forward to hearing from you!

Wish me luck!

I have a quick question for everyone…

Who has had, or knows anybody who has had, Invisalign braces?  I ask because I met with an Orthodontist today to discuss a method to straighten a few teeth (LOL…no snaggle teeth or anything, just a bit self conscious about 2 teeth that are not perfectly straight as I would like them to be). 

I could easily read reviews all over the web, but I thought I would ask you first.  After all, you never know just how much marketing went into those success stories, you know what I mean?

Thanks for any feedback you have to offer!  It is highly valued.

Good Morning!  I have been an absentee blogger for the past few days and I do apologize.  This past weekend was a whirlwind and things are finally now getting back to normal after the busy extended holiday season.

Friday night my husband had the sinus headache from hell, so bad that he was nauseous from it.  He gets them pretty often, but nothing like this.  He’s not a complainer and it doesn’t show through when he’s not feeling up to par, so to see him laid out on the couch with his hands on his face is very out of character for him.  I ended up spending most of my evening on the computer looking up natural remedies to help relieve the pressure in his sinuses.  I came across one that called for a paste, made from dry ginger and milk, to be spread on the forehead.  After a little convincing he agreed to be a guinea pig and I applied the terrible smelling paste to his forehead and sinus area.  He said it stung like hell, but he endured.  At this point, he just wanted to feel better.  About 20 minutes later I cleaned the gunk off his face and moved onto an herbal pack I got him for Christmas.  It’s got a ton of herbs in it to help relieve everything from sinus pressure to muscle soreness to menstrual cramps to you name it; it can be used hot (warmed in the microwave) or cold (cooled in the freezer)!  I chilled the pack and applied it to his face, covering his forehead and cheeks.  He laid like this for about an hour before we decided to go up to bed and he said he felt some relief…Great!  I hate to see him not feeling well 

So that was my Friday evening.

Saturday we went into Manhattan to see Cirque De Soleil!  It was fantastic!  It was truly amazing to see these actors and actresses performing these stunts…just unbelievable!  Memorizing!  If you have never seen this play, and have the opportunity, go for it!  You will not be let down.  We received the tickets from my mother-in-law at Christmas and it was a wonderful gift.  After the play we walked over to 36th street between 5th and Madison (I think) and popped into this place called Ginger Man.  It is basically like a Starbucks (tons of couches all over with small tables here and there) but instead of serving coffee, they serve beer…beer from around the world, everything you could possibly think of.  They also have a small selection of wine. You can order anything from hotdogs to Reuben sandwiches to baskets of chips.  Definitely a cool place to lounge.  Afterwards we headed over to this little Italian restaurant, Fino, that was like walking into a time warp.  The review stated it needed some updating…but I say they needed a complete overhaul!  But the food was good and the service excellent, so we couldn’t complain.  Besides, who doesn’t enjoy a little…ehem…a ton…of pink formica and being surrounded by so much mirror you feel like you’re in a 1970 porn!  I do, I do!!

We capped off our night by hitting Starbucks in Penn Station and reading on the way home on the train.

Sunday afternoon I had a baby shower…allllll Sunday afternoon!  Overall it was nice.  She is having twins, a boy and a girl, conceived via IVF (yes they have been through a lot to have these babies).  They are truly blessed and I am extremely excited and happy for them.  Although I can’t help but to be selfish saying that I can’t wait until it’s my turn to have a baby shower. 

Sunday evening my husband and I hit the local bookstore and spent the night being nerds…I love that though, so it’s all good!

Today I have a dentist appt and tomorrow is the big day folks!  I have my first appt with the Specialist!  Wooo hooooo!!  It will also be cycle day 33, unless of course I get my period today which I highly doubt.  Although my boobs are huge, and I AM L.O.V.I.N.G. T.H.E.M.  I just wish they wouldn’t hurt so fucking bad!  Anyway, this works out well because I should be able to start any kind of testing he wants to start with almost immediately, because I should be starting a new cycle sooooooon.  YAY for us.

Sorry for the ridiculously lengthy post folks…but I knew you would be going out of your minds wondering where I was and what exactly I was doing at every second of the past weekend…careful what you wish for…I can go on for DAYS!

Tootles.

I’m sure you’ve come across many “Hey, It’s OK…” type write- ups in magazines.  Actually I think most Glamour type magazines have them.  I personally haven’t read many other magazine besides those related to Fitness- Fitness Rx For Women, Muscle and Fitness Hers, Oxygen and Women’s Health and of course those pertaining to Pregnancy- Conceive and Fit Pregnancy in a while (all of which are phenomenal, personally faved in the above order).  But you get the gist here.  I digress, I thought it would be fun to do my very own “Hey, it’s OK…”  So here it goes.

Hey, it’s OK…

…to feel compelled to watch A Baby Story on TLC

…and then cry your eyes out every single time you do

…to think you’re too nice sometimes

…to feel compelled to leave a great tip even when the service was less than mediocre

…to wish you could afford to bring your dogs to the groomer every week when you clean your house (OCD= clean house, clean dogs, Happy me!)

…to eat the same boring things day after day if it’s the easiest way to lose/maintain the weight

…to send calls to voicemail.  It’s not always the most opportune time to take a call from your mother-in-law people, that’s why there is voice mail.

…to flip through a magazine and only read those articles that have lots of bullet points and interesting pictures

…to be excited to go see the fertility specialist b/c you know they will perform your 2,874th trans-vaginal u/s and you secretly believe they will tell you you’re pregnant (I never said I was sane, did I?)

…to sit at Starbucks for an hour and communicate less than 30 words with your husband (it’s very possible to enjoy each other even in silence )

…to actually enjoy drip coffee from Starbucks instead of the Grande 8- pump nonfat sugar- free vanilla latte with whip (how is it that you figure out your pump number anyway?)

I know there are many many more, so I will add them later.  Right now my dinner is done and my husband should be walking through the door any minute now.  Besides the fact that since I’ve been sick I can only stare at the computer screen so long before I feel like my eyes are protruding 5 inches out of my sockets.  Not pretty. 
Later!

Happy New Years Everyone!  I wish all of you and your families a Happy & Healthy 2008…May all your dreams come true!

Last night was spent with our friends and their two little guys; enjoying delicious food, drinking good wine and having wonderful conversation.  To my surprise I actually stayed awake until 1am (Have I mentioned I’m the neurotic, have to be in bed by 10pm type person?).  Then crashed immediately upon hitting the sheets, shortly after arriving home.  I still can’t believe yet another year has passed us by. Normally by this time of year I have had about 2 visits to the doctor due to sore throat, sinus infection and all that good stuff.  I have prided myself over the past 4 months that this hasn’t been the case this season…until now that is.  I should’ve known better than to be so proud because this morning I woke up (at 10:30!!  I haven’t slept that late since I was probably 21!) with what feels like golf balls in my throat.  My head is killing me and my sinuses feel like they are forcing my eyes closed.  Yep…I’m getting sick.  I’ve gargled with warm salt water a few dozen times already and will most likely be making a call to my GP tomorrow morning to see if this warrants antibiotics.  I don’t like to be so hasty in jumping on the antibiotic bandwagon, especially given my current status of “trying to conceive”, but my past experiences have led me to have a month long illness if I don’t go that route.  Maybe this is just a slight cold?  We will see how I fell tomorrow.  C’est La Vie.     Last year has definitely been the all time record for doctors visits, and I have a feeling 2008 isn’t going to see less, but instead many, many more.  Hopefully because I will finally get pregnant versus a million fertility specialist visits!One week from today is my consultation with the specialist and I am SUPER excited!  You know it’s kind of funny…With all the Gyn appt.’s I’ve had over the past year, I always get so excited to go, because I’m always hoping for good news and it’s also kind of like being one step closer to our goal.  Who would have known that going to the gynecologist would be such an exciting event!  Hahaha!