Monday, March 21, 2011
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Busy, busy
I just finished my cycle with three rounds of acupuncture under my belt. And shall I say, I am concerned. I just had the shortest cycle of my life. I am not kidding. I still had cramps, but then the bleeding only lasted for 2 days. Yes, that is right two days. Mr. Hoo commented that if this were any time than us trying to get a thick uterine lining it would be wonderful. Two days of blood, awesome. Now, I am left confused. Is my uterus just drying up? Is the acupuncture working in the reverse direction? Are the herbs messing with me? I just quit taking them. I am getting more and more frustrated. If anyone knows of bloggers that have had lining issues resolved, I would love to hear about them. I need some hope from somewhere. Heck, I am only assuming that a short period means thin lining. Maybe it means early menopause. I just don't know.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Needles
Yes, I know I have been quite lax in writing, but really there isn't too much to report.
I went to the acupuncturist and dental hygienist on Wednesday. No they are not the same person, I just scheduled both appointments in the same day. What did I learn? I am not too sure I can see the scientific reasoning behind acupuncture. I know that everyone has great success with it and seems to enjoy it, but after I saw where the needles were placed I became very skeptical. For some reason, I thought the needles were placed very strategically at nerve or pressure points. To be honest I just don't see how needles in my legs and feet have any impact on my uterus. Also, it appears that we perform acupuncture all of the time when we give ourselves the hormonal injections. I am sure that I hit some of those same spots in my belly among the 100s of shots. The only needle where it felt like something was impacting another area was the need in the top of the head. It was pretty cool that I felt a twinge in my foot.
The Dr. was nice enough, but then she told me that I needed to take the herbs. Then she said the individualized plan was $5/day. I told her I couldn't do that. Then she said there are some packaged plans that she would prescribe. 32 pills a day. How do I tell her that I don't want to take the herbs? Will it make her have an excuse for the treatment not working? I bought them to not cause conflict, but really I don't want to take them.
She was very concerned that my extremities were cold and asked me if I had low energy. I said absolutely not. That I am one of the most energetic people that I know. Yes, she gave me pills for that, too. Also I can't drink anything with ice in it. (I already forgot about that rule yesterday).
She was very confident and said that I should see results very quickly. ie, my next period should have fewer cramps. She also said that she has seen increases in peoples linings about 70% of the time. That would be amazing.
Now, I need to ask, is this not going to work if I am skeptical. Do I need to just take the leap of faith and do everything she says? My logical side says that lying there calm and relaxed for 30 minutes is probably very beneficial, but I truly find it hard to believe that the needles in my thigh muscle have any impact. Kind of funny. In a way, I am complaining because I really didn't feel the needles. They went in quickly, and in most areas I felt nothing. Would I think it was working better if the needles were deeper and hurt more. What am I some kind of masochist?
I went to the acupuncturist and dental hygienist on Wednesday. No they are not the same person, I just scheduled both appointments in the same day. What did I learn? I am not too sure I can see the scientific reasoning behind acupuncture. I know that everyone has great success with it and seems to enjoy it, but after I saw where the needles were placed I became very skeptical. For some reason, I thought the needles were placed very strategically at nerve or pressure points. To be honest I just don't see how needles in my legs and feet have any impact on my uterus. Also, it appears that we perform acupuncture all of the time when we give ourselves the hormonal injections. I am sure that I hit some of those same spots in my belly among the 100s of shots. The only needle where it felt like something was impacting another area was the need in the top of the head. It was pretty cool that I felt a twinge in my foot.
The Dr. was nice enough, but then she told me that I needed to take the herbs. Then she said the individualized plan was $5/day. I told her I couldn't do that. Then she said there are some packaged plans that she would prescribe. 32 pills a day. How do I tell her that I don't want to take the herbs? Will it make her have an excuse for the treatment not working? I bought them to not cause conflict, but really I don't want to take them.
She was very concerned that my extremities were cold and asked me if I had low energy. I said absolutely not. That I am one of the most energetic people that I know. Yes, she gave me pills for that, too. Also I can't drink anything with ice in it. (I already forgot about that rule yesterday).
She was very confident and said that I should see results very quickly. ie, my next period should have fewer cramps. She also said that she has seen increases in peoples linings about 70% of the time. That would be amazing.
Now, I need to ask, is this not going to work if I am skeptical. Do I need to just take the leap of faith and do everything she says? My logical side says that lying there calm and relaxed for 30 minutes is probably very beneficial, but I truly find it hard to believe that the needles in my thigh muscle have any impact. Kind of funny. In a way, I am complaining because I really didn't feel the needles. They went in quickly, and in most areas I felt nothing. Would I think it was working better if the needles were deeper and hurt more. What am I some kind of masochist?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
B-day
Huh, this year my birthday came and went without much ado. I wonder if this happened because I didn't want to acknowledge that I am now 43. I am old. I am infertile. I may only have two more years even to use donor eggs. This sucks.
No, I take it back. I love my birthday. I love any reason to celebrate. My birthday is even better now because Mr. Who's birthday is just a day earlier. How fun is that? We always get to celebrate together and he should never forget my b-day. I was very bad this year and didn't really get him a present. I gave him a card with coupons but feel like it is a real cop out. Yes, I also did get him a luau, but still I don't think that required that much thought. I pride myself on being a thoughtful gift giver. The down side of this is that if I don't think of something great, I often don't do anything.
I made an appointment with the acupuncturist. How in the world am I suppose to pick one? I usually decide things by ease. I figure, the less traffic, the less stress, the better off I am. But this one wants me to take herbs and I have to pay by cash or check. Yuck. I never have money nor checks on me. I guess there is no harm is in switching if I am completely unhappy.
I had jury duty today. Pretty uneventful. Sat there for three hours, got some work done, didn't get called, went into work. There was like 200 people who had the same thing happen to them. The system seems pretty darn inefficient. I wish they could explain what exactly goes on. I watched Medium last night and it seemed way more exciting.
Finally, I ran 4 miles today. I am finding it very difficult to work out. I can't motivate myself. I don't know why. I really want to take advantage of this time of year. I can get out of work and go running in the daylight. The weather isn't too hot. It is great. Last year I had the goal of having a PR. That didn't work out. Yes, I blame the IVF treatments. I would like to set the same goal for this year. I guess I should be happy either way. I can pursue the PR and if that gets interrupted with an FET so be it. Thats the plan.
Now, should I get up for spin at5:30 tomorrow morning.......
No, I take it back. I love my birthday. I love any reason to celebrate. My birthday is even better now because Mr. Who's birthday is just a day earlier. How fun is that? We always get to celebrate together and he should never forget my b-day. I was very bad this year and didn't really get him a present. I gave him a card with coupons but feel like it is a real cop out. Yes, I also did get him a luau, but still I don't think that required that much thought. I pride myself on being a thoughtful gift giver. The down side of this is that if I don't think of something great, I often don't do anything.
I made an appointment with the acupuncturist. How in the world am I suppose to pick one? I usually decide things by ease. I figure, the less traffic, the less stress, the better off I am. But this one wants me to take herbs and I have to pay by cash or check. Yuck. I never have money nor checks on me. I guess there is no harm is in switching if I am completely unhappy.
I had jury duty today. Pretty uneventful. Sat there for three hours, got some work done, didn't get called, went into work. There was like 200 people who had the same thing happen to them. The system seems pretty darn inefficient. I wish they could explain what exactly goes on. I watched Medium last night and it seemed way more exciting.
Finally, I ran 4 miles today. I am finding it very difficult to work out. I can't motivate myself. I don't know why. I really want to take advantage of this time of year. I can get out of work and go running in the daylight. The weather isn't too hot. It is great. Last year I had the goal of having a PR. That didn't work out. Yes, I blame the IVF treatments. I would like to set the same goal for this year. I guess I should be happy either way. I can pursue the PR and if that gets interrupted with an FET so be it. Thats the plan.
Now, should I get up for spin at5:30 tomorrow morning.......
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Ovaries
Is it odd that I have mice with disrupted ovaries? In fact, I think I have two mouse lines that are subfertile. So yes, over time these animals lose the ability to produce eggs. Unfortunately, there aren't problems directly with the eggs. It is more the supporting cells that are disrupted. One probably has a disruption in the theca cells. The other line is less obvious, but possibly also in the theca cells. What I have found is that there is little federal funding for female infertility. Seriously, I would love to investigate these issues, but nobody cares.
Maybe if I were in Germany things would be different. They are worried that their population is actually decreasing. It seems as if people are waiting much longer to settle down and when they do they have few or no kids. This leads me to question whether they might have more concern over female aging and fertility. It seems that they might want to extend the fertile years to permit their population to grow and maybe there would be more federal funding. I haven't investigated this but am curious if this could be the case.
Maybe if I were in Germany things would be different. They are worried that their population is actually decreasing. It seems as if people are waiting much longer to settle down and when they do they have few or no kids. This leads me to question whether they might have more concern over female aging and fertility. It seems that they might want to extend the fertile years to permit their population to grow and maybe there would be more federal funding. I haven't investigated this but am curious if this could be the case.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Off for awhile
After all the excitement yesterday, I another busy day today. All work related. Plus I POAS and yes BFN. Oh, well we wouldn'twant the free IVF to go to waste.
I talked the acupuncturist today. She did try to sell me on herbs. I told her that herbal tea usually upsets my stomach which is entirely true. I wonder if my insurance will cover it. We will have to see.
I head to an interview in Hawaii tomorrow. Still have to prepare my talk. I guess I will try to do that on the plane ride tomorrow. I really would like to improve my options for a new job. One where I could be in the same city as Mr. Who.
I talked the acupuncturist today. She did try to sell me on herbs. I told her that herbal tea usually upsets my stomach which is entirely true. I wonder if my insurance will cover it. We will have to see.
I head to an interview in Hawaii tomorrow. Still have to prepare my talk. I guess I will try to do that on the plane ride tomorrow. I really would like to improve my options for a new job. One where I could be in the same city as Mr. Who.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't believe it just when I had given up hope. A sign or karma or something has given me an indication that all is not lost. I don't know if I have said this before but I believe in fate. I think everything works out for certain reasons. I can't for the life of me figure out why I am in this IF boat, but today I have had many good signs and I am going to go with it.
1. Because I had that lining check, I know exactly the day I ovulated (along with BBT) Therefore, I know that Mr. Who and I had perfectly timed intercourse. Today is cycle day 26, the never fail start of the period day. No hint of cramps, yet. OK, I know it is a long shot, but my BBT is still high. Soooooooo yeah. I am clinging to straws, but that is also how my luck works. Everything comes together at the very end.
2. I WON A FREE IVF CYCLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This morning at a seminar for infertility. That is right, me the person who rarely wins anything was finally at the right place at the right time. The seminar wasn't that awesome, but it also gave me the hope that there is more than one way to fry a fish and if my current RE is not up for the challenge then I could go to this place. I had even made an appointment for a consultation in July (hopefully after my next FET). Then at the end of the seminar and the very long Q&A session, they called my ticket number. I read the number several times in my head, recited the end digits that the person had called, checked the room to see if anyone else had jumped up and no they hadn't. Screamed a high pitched scream of joy, and ran up to the front stage and tears came streaming down my face. I can't believe it. Now, I know that they only cover the IVF cycle, so that means if we go the donor route it is all those costs, and I still have to pay anesthesia and medications, but still. A free cycle. At the beginning of the seminar the RE explained that the last people who had won it just had the husband coming back from Iraq. They said that they had saved up enough money, so if their cycle worked, they would donate the free one to somebody else. Well, remember how I was saying that I am not a bad person, but I am also not a particularly good person. They are going to have to pry this freebie from my dead or pregnant hand. Whichever comes first, before July. To quote a line from one of my favorite movies, " A major prize. A major prize. I won. I won. I won." The Mr. Parker in the Christmas Story.
3. This RE seems very positive about the Viagra treatment so combined with the acupuncture that I will be starting, those last two blasts are going to snuggle in just fine. That is assuming I didn't get pregnant on my own.
4. This particular group of clinics want to start a donor egg bank very similar to a donor sperm bank. These would be CGH screened eggs, where you don't have to wait for all of the testing, donor picking etc. I will talk more about this later, but right now Mr. Who is home from his marathon and I need to tell him the great news.
1. Because I had that lining check, I know exactly the day I ovulated (along with BBT) Therefore, I know that Mr. Who and I had perfectly timed intercourse. Today is cycle day 26, the never fail start of the period day. No hint of cramps, yet. OK, I know it is a long shot, but my BBT is still high. Soooooooo yeah. I am clinging to straws, but that is also how my luck works. Everything comes together at the very end.
2. I WON A FREE IVF CYCLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This morning at a seminar for infertility. That is right, me the person who rarely wins anything was finally at the right place at the right time. The seminar wasn't that awesome, but it also gave me the hope that there is more than one way to fry a fish and if my current RE is not up for the challenge then I could go to this place. I had even made an appointment for a consultation in July (hopefully after my next FET). Then at the end of the seminar and the very long Q&A session, they called my ticket number. I read the number several times in my head, recited the end digits that the person had called, checked the room to see if anyone else had jumped up and no they hadn't. Screamed a high pitched scream of joy, and ran up to the front stage and tears came streaming down my face. I can't believe it. Now, I know that they only cover the IVF cycle, so that means if we go the donor route it is all those costs, and I still have to pay anesthesia and medications, but still. A free cycle. At the beginning of the seminar the RE explained that the last people who had won it just had the husband coming back from Iraq. They said that they had saved up enough money, so if their cycle worked, they would donate the free one to somebody else. Well, remember how I was saying that I am not a bad person, but I am also not a particularly good person. They are going to have to pry this freebie from my dead or pregnant hand. Whichever comes first, before July. To quote a line from one of my favorite movies, " A major prize. A major prize. I won. I won. I won." The Mr. Parker in the Christmas Story.
3. This RE seems very positive about the Viagra treatment so combined with the acupuncture that I will be starting, those last two blasts are going to snuggle in just fine. That is assuming I didn't get pregnant on my own.
4. This particular group of clinics want to start a donor egg bank very similar to a donor sperm bank. These would be CGH screened eggs, where you don't have to wait for all of the testing, donor picking etc. I will talk more about this later, but right now Mr. Who is home from his marathon and I need to tell him the great news.
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