Uncertainties

I wasn't sure how I felt about blogging about this process but I have been reminded that there are so many people that have gone through this scenario before me and have lifted me up with their experiences that I would like the opportunity to do the same for someone in the future. I feel like that's one of the reasons that God has put me here on earth.

A short back story...I have had painful periods for as long as I can remember. My doctor originally put me on birth control to make it ease up and for years I was fine. After JGIII and I got married and we decided to start a family, I was no longer going to be on these pills. I began having worse and worse pain every month but thought it was something we (as women) just had to live with. I refused to ever let that be a reason for missing work or not being able to do something. Fast forward to 2 years ago. In a routine visit with my endocrinologist about bmy thyroid issues, she discussed with me the possibility of having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). No one had ever mentioned that to me before and after a simple blood test for my hormone levels, it was determined that I did in fact have that. I was put on Metformin (a diabetic drug) that has been shown to help with PCOS. After being on that for only 2 months, I ended up being in the hospital diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (a whole 'nother ordeal lol). While I was there, they confirmed that I didn't have quite a few cysts surrounding both of my ovaries. I got the UC under control and was seemingly fine. However, I was still not able to get pregnant and having those painful cycles. Each month that went by was more frustration and heartache that it hadn't worked.

Fast forward to 1 year ago. I was at home with the flu (the real flu-it'll teach me not to get a flu shot) and of course started my cycle at the same time (Murphy's Law). I was having such bad pain that I finally had to go to the emergency room. They decided it was my appendix which they removed but made sure to tell me that the cysts that had been on both of my ovaries were now abscesses. I left the hospital from the surgery and returned right back the next week because the pain had actually increased. Turns out those abscesses were causing high fevers and LOTS of pain.

My ob-gyn finally saw me and did an ultrasound. Something had to be done immediately. I was admitted for my 3rd hospital stay within a month and placed on high intravenous antibiotics. They also attempted to drain the abscesses around my ovaries. This was all the doctors combined efforts to save the ovaries as I was still trying to get pregnant for the first time. The procedure worked on my right ovary but not on the left. They successfully got the infection under control and happily I've had no fevers since then. However, in the past 2-3 months, the pain has been coming back with a vengeance. Some days I can go with only taking Advil/ibuprofen at bedtime other days I have to be on it every 6 hours or I can't function.

Because of the problems with the abscesses, my ob-gyn said I will have to see a fertility specialist to assist in our getting pregnant. I had my first appointment with a local clinic that many people I knew had used and were successful at. I met with the doctor on the first visit who told me there would be nothing they could BUT in vitro fertilization. I was totally not prepared for that. Because of the damage that was done by the infection, much of the area surrounding and including my ovaries is damaged. My fallopian tubes are at least partially blocked and the fluid that is supposed to be absorbed by your body is instead cycling around through my tubes, uterus, etc. This fluid will be instantly toxic to any egg or sperm that encountered it. The doc wanted to perform a sterilization procedure on me to seal off the tubes and keep this fluid out of the uterus. Wow! Imagine going in thinking they would go over the several steps you could take before in vitro but being told they wanted to "sterilize" you. Needless to say I was shaken up. I had been at this appointment alone because JGIII couldn't leave work and I was falling to pieces. I honestly felt hopeless at this point. To top everything off, before I left I had to meet with the financial person. I felt like they were just there to take my money.

As I am not one to relinquish control on anything, I decided to get a second opinion. I had several other people who recommended UNC Fertility. I did some online research and decided to give it a try. My meeting with Dr. Fritz was awesome. He spent SO much time with me and made sure I understood everything that he was talking about. He didn't rush or act like he had something else to do. He was totally honest with me that my body is really failing me in this area. He told me the same things that I had been told at the other clinic but I didn't feel like all hope was lost.

We are taking everything one step at a time.

Today is the first step. I had my AMH (Ovarian reserve) levels tested to see what my total number of egg storage is like. As long as it's good, it means that if we go through with the in vitro, the stimulation would be able to produce eggs. I'll be meeting in a short little while to get these results.

I'm saying lots of prayers today that things work out. I know this is in God's hands and I need to, as they say, "Let Go and Let God". Easier said than done sometimes.

Homemade Healthy

Since February, JGIII and I have been part of a challenge to lose weight. Of course things have gotten in the way over the past weeks (his being in the hospital for one) but we are both back on track and more than ready to keep losing. I am happy to say that I have lost about 10 pounds total and he has lost more than that so far. Our challenge ends on April 15 but I'm hoping we can keep it up past then.

In order to maintain this lifestyle, I've been looking for healthy/low-calorie recipes to make for dinner every night. I didn't post some of the other's I've made but last night's was SO easy that I had to share it here.

Enjoy!

Pesto Flatbread Pizza
Original link: http://crunchyfrugalista.com/flatbread-pizza-weight-watchers/

8 Weight Watchers Points

the ingredients...

1 Flatout Light Italian Wrap

1 tablespoon pesto spread

1/3 cup pizza blend cheese

Veggies (JGIII had just mushrooms and black olives, mine had mushrooms, black olives, green pepper slices and roma tomato slices)

Before it went into the oven...

Preheat oven to 350F. Spread pesto over entire surface of flatbread. Arrange veggies on your pizza, and top with cheese (I used a little more than it called for only beacuse I wanted the cheese to hold the veggies on the pizza). Bake for 10 minutes, and follow up with the broiler on high. I don't time this part-I just watch it until it's as brown as I'd like it.

the finished pizza...

What a great and easy dinner right?!? They were really good (I ended up eating 1 1/2 of them but it was totally worth it). I don't have the calories on this but the wrap is only 90 calories so it can't be too high since I only added pesto, cheese and veggies. 

I've got dinners lined up for the rest of this week so if they turn out as good as this one-I'll let you know.

Practically Perfect in Every Way

Last week, on the 13th, I went to Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) to see the touring production of Mary Poppins. One of my all time favorite movies, especially Disney movies, is Mary Poppins with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. This play, while produced by Disney, shares some similarities but apparently draws many extra characters and themes from the original books by P.L. Travers. I must confess, I've never read these books although now I want to find copies and read them.

There were some really amazing elements to the show like the large dance numbers for "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocius" and "Step In Time". The "Supercal...." dance number was so fun that when I got home I looked it up and found a tutorial on You Tube (Yes, I'm a dork). I've made it through Super-calif. Not sure I could ever get it as fast as those performers in the show though.

The dance tutorial

 

The actors from the original Broadway production

My favorite part was during the "Step In Time" number when Bert (SPOLIER) "walks" up the side wall of the stage and "tap dances" on the ceiling/upside down. Amazing work. The actor that play Bert truly stole the show for me. Mary Poppins herself lived up to the character but didn't "wow" me. Bert on the other hand was funny and likeable and nailed the songs and the dances.

Bert "walking/dancing" up the proscenium is at the 5:19 mark

Like I said, this show was quite different from the movie. There were several charcters that I had not heard of; "Queen Victoria", "Mrs. Corry", and I was disappointed that the audience waan't given more information about them. They appeared in some dance numbers and were listed in the Playbill but I really didn't know who they were.

The music from the show really is what makes it what it is. Most of the songs from the movie are kept in the play as well, some are moved around to different scenes and some are rewritten slightly but the overall feeling is still there. There are also some new songs that were written for this show. One of my favorites is "Practically Perfect In Every Way". Just about sums me up. ;)



 Going to the show was a girls' night out for me and one of my favorite people. We love to see shows together. We've been to the production of Hairspray from the NC Theater at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium before but this was better. There really isn't a bad seat in the DPAC. Since we both love Mary Poppins and we both love shows-she made us buttons to wear that told everyone about our true nature. Love them!! I even wore mine at work so my co-workers could be reminded. hehehehe

Loved the performance even if the show wasn't one of my most favorites. Still super excited that I can add it to my list of shows I've seen. Now-if only the Disney production of "Newsies" can go on tour!

Here's a shot of me before we left.



Happy Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

(OK-day after Valentine's Day)

Valentine's for JGIII and I isn't a terribly big deal but we do celebrate the holiday. We started, a few years back, ordering sushi take-out and eating dinner at home. Saves us the headache of waiting for a spot in a crowded restaurant-and I can put on comfy pants to eat dinner. BONUS!

Here's what this year's dinner looked like:

(This was after JGIII took it out of the takeout boxes and put it all on one platter)

My gift ideas this year were (AGAIN) inspired by Pinterest. While I spend WAY too much time on there it really is full of wonderful and new ideas. The real gift I gave JGIII was an engraved money clip. Don't know if he'll have money to put in it but it looks pretty cool.

These are the other ideas I did for him this year:

This is a mason jar filled with Reese Pieces that says "I Love You To Pieces"

There is 1 balloon for every year that we've been together. At the bottom of the string I put a card that had 1 thing I loved about him.

The bear that JGIII gave me in the morning before work is on the nightstand in the background.

I stopped at the store and put together an assorted six pack of beer. Mostly ones that JGIII hasn't tried before. Then I put all these cute sayings around them.

This was the homemade card I did. I came up with the number of days since JGIII and I met and made this card.

JGIII gave me the most wonderful gifts. In addition to the stuffed bear I got in the morning, I got a copy of Peter Pan on blu-ray. I had asked for that so it wasn't a surprise but I can't wait to watch it! When he got home from work (with the sushi) he presented me with a beautiful bouquet of pink roses. So pretty.

He also got me a new Coach Purse! It's gorgeous-way too much for a V-Day present but I still love it!!

I can't wait to start carrying it. I think I'll wait until March 1 so I can start a new month off with this pretty thing.

How was your Valentine's Day? Hope it was all that it's cracked up to be and you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Game Day!

It's time for a rematch!

After getting beat in Raleigh back in January...it's time to show those wolfies what it's all about over in Cameron Indoor. Bring on the game.

To celebrate-I had a project in mind that I wanted to do.

One of the ideas that I got from Pinterest it refashioning some thrift clothes. I found this shirt at the Salvation Army store here in Raleigh. It's a cute Ann Taylor Loft black shirt and it was perfect.

               

I got the shirt for about $5. Brought it home and washed it. Then I layed it out on newspaper (just so I didn't get paint all over the kitchen table) and put wax paper inside the shirt between the two layers. This helps to keep the paint from seeping through onto the other side.

Here's the shirt before....layed out and ready to start.

I used Tulip fabric paint from Michaels and a foam brush with a round tip. Then I just went to town making the dots on the shirt. I tried to keep them somewhat evenly spaced so that it looked organized but I didn't measure it out or anything. After letting it dry overnight, I did the back side of the shirt and made sure I had gotten the sleeves as well.

You are supposed to let it dry for 72 hours before washing and I thought it would be better if I washed it before I wore it so I didn't smell like paint.

Here's the final product!

And here was my inspiration from Pinterest just for reference.

As I have a list of projects that I've found on Pinterest that I want to try, I should be busy for the next several months. Can't wait to see how they turn out.

In the meantime...GO DUKE!

New Year...New Look

I got new glasses!

For the first time since 2004 (I know...I know) I finally got a new pair of glasses. Usually I let my vision insurance pay for my contacts every year. This year I have "double" insurance with JGIII covering me through his work so I went for it. Maybe now I won't relegate my glasses to only at bedtime so I can see the TV before I fall asleep. What do you think of the new look?

I've Only Found HOW Many Ancestors??

So one thing I haven't mentioned on here is my LOVE of family history research/genealogy/ancestry. My grandmother and her sister kept great family records and had MANY pictures passed down to my mother and I that has always interested me. Several years ago, to help out this new found hobby of mine, mom gave me a subscription to ancestry.com for Christmas. I don't think she anticipated having to continue to give that gift every year but the most important thing I've learned by researching my family history (and some of Jamie's as well) is that you are never finished.

I read about an exercise with statistics that gives you an idea of how far you really have left to go in your research so I decided I would try it out to start out the new year.

WOW!! I've been working on this for several years and I only have 3.19% of my family discovered???Just goes to prove how much more work can be done-I've only scratched the surface.

Here's my family tree for the first 5 generations: