The Saga Continues

I had my appointment today with the Reproductive Endocrinologist. Here are the really simplified results:
-Re-confirmed PCOS
-Insulin levels were high after glucose test, but already doing enough so no real change needed here. They weren't super high either, just 1% above where they should be. Glucose levels before nasty sugar were fine.
-Thyroid, pituitary and something else were normal. (Mine always have been normal)
-Tyler's swimmers like to go in circles, not straight like they should.

Where does that leave us? Well, the doctor said it was really up to us. But in reality if we want to give ourselves the best chance that would involve IUI (intra-uterine insemination), femara (the same drug I was on before), and a "trigger" shot to release the egg. Perhaps more injectibles than that if the egg is not maturing.

I HATE needles. And that medicine makes me nauseous. So the blog posting may get a little spotty.

Without any treatment our chances are about 4%, just with femara it's about 8%, with femara and IUI it's about an 18% chance. As a point of comparison the average person has a 20% chance each month.

I think we're going to give it a try next time there's a chance of ovulating. That'd be in 5 weeks (or more due to my unpredictable nature). Why not? My head says this is the right thing but my heart has been scarred so many times thinking there is a chance it's hard to get a good read. But I'm not going to quit. If we were to adopt it'd run about 30 K, and IVF runs 10 K. This will be the cost of some new granite countertops that I've been wanting, but let's give it a go. Entrepreneurs wives should not have such issues. Just one more try. Just one more little face, just one more little nose. Just one more little snuggly face, just one more times to try to get those two little pink lines on a stick.

tears..   I knew all along this was going to be a long road. I may need your support.

Worms and quilts

Worms and quilts do not go together. But they do make for some pretty amazing photos.

Ava's school class has a worm farm. It is estimated they have about 10,000 worms. So naturally Ava is obsessed with worms and goes out in the back on a regular basis and digs for worms. This was even a homework assignment. Daddy was home and they got to digging in the compost pile. And stumbled upon a huge, big, fatty worm. Ava just picked it right up like it was no big deal. Then she started collecting some and counting how many they got.










And I finished my first quilt with actual squares for our friend Scott who is in remission from brain cancer. It turned out so beautiful. Never underestimate the power of a good old fashioned patchwork quilt! He should get it on Tuesday. I mailed it off as quickly as I could so it wouldn't get wrecked here by some loving children.









All the fabric was donated and my grandma (who is turning 95 in a couple months) and aunt guided me through the process. It will be a fabulous memory that I cherish.

Last Sunday I also got called on spontaneously to bear my testimony of service during ward conference. Service is something I never thought I was very good at. It is SO easy for me to just stick close to home and think of a million excuses why I could not do something. But over the course of the past few years I have learned to love service. Here are some reasons why:
-You meet really nice people
-You build friendships that have an activity associated with them - something you can always talk about like "that time I dumped your casserole all over my floor" yeah, that'd be me dropping the casserole someone made for me after I had North right in front of their face.
-If you insist, people will always let you do nice things for them
-Because you serve, let others serve and bless your life
-Service is a lifestyle. Almost never say no to an opportunity to serve.
-The moment when you make a dinner then drop it off and tell your girls why you are doing this, and let them help you in the process is priceless. Although they are young, they will always remember how it feels to drop off something, or go to the store for someone else.

Here are some of the things I enjoy doing as of late:
-cleaning a friends house till midnight when she was in the hospital
-making a freezer dinner
-driving people places (even though the A/C is out in our van - the ride from hell! haha)
-scheduling drivers for a friend who has epilepsy
-going to the store for people

I don't say these things to brag, just from a very humble place in my heart. Tyler's family really inspired me as to how to serve and the attitude one should have about service. You just do it. And it is awesome.

When we first moved into the Rochester Ward in August it was hard. Although we had lived here before, virtually none of our old friends remained. It was so isolating, and one of the things I wished dearly I could do was help throw a baby shower, or make a meal for someone, or know how to help people so I could make friends. Pretty selfish, huh? Wanting to serve so I could feel wanted and make friends. But it's finally happened. I know the needs. I know kids' shoe sizes and who would like some frozen meals or extra fruit that may go bad. I only wish I had more to give.

Detroit River Walk

Last Saturday we went to Detroit and enjoyed the River Walk. It is a sidewalk that basically goes right along the Detroit River. Parking is free if you park in the lot right by the carousel, otherwise you'll park in the GM/Marriott structure and pay a few dollars. No biggie.  Anyway, they have a carousel, playground, covered picnic tables, a fountain with beautiful music playing, trees, etc. It was so nice.

Here is the classic "Ren Cen" picture you get while playing at the playground. This is where GM's headquarters are.



Turning slightly to the left, there is the concession stand and covered eating areas.



Violet. She is growing like a weed lately. I can't believe how tall she is getting!



And here are the fountains. I love this picture because Ava is running toward the water, a couple is getting engagement photos taken, and people are walking happily along. You can also see the Windsor, Ontario casinos across the river. Pretty cool how close we are to another country.



Shady steps for sitting and playing.



While we were there I got to see my friend Abby. Our husbands are were in school together and they used to live in Detroit and were visiting for the weekend. I babysat her son, Isaac, so we have a special connection.



Look at Isaac before and him now:

 

He is such a sweet boy.

It was a wonderful day. We all left hot and a little sunburned.

Health Update

Just as a side note to all these posts. I had another Dr. appointment this week. I had 4 vials of blood drawn, drank the yucky orange sugar stuff, met with a dietician, Tyler got tested, then I had another 2 vials of blood drawn. I was at the dr.'s office for 3 hours. That is a loong time.

I have been on the Paleo diet for officially 3 weeks. I feel super healthy despite all these crazy dr. appointments. AND my cycle was shorter than it has been in any of my recent memories without taking any medication. When I'm on the breast cancer drug that induces ovulation my cycles were 31 days or so. This non-medicated cycle was still long - 37 days - but I'll take it! It has gone upward of 60 days before and is NEVER predictable. The diet has stretched, and is stretching me to a new "normal," not eating grain, carbs, sugar or dairy. (which the dietician couldn't believe that I was actually not eating, and thought I was pretty crazy) but it seems to be working! The internet cure was right! (haha) The cravings for sugar and carbs were bad - and kind of still are. Super bad, especially around the 14 day mark. My goal is 4 months, and I think I can make it. I really want a milkshake. Have to figure out a decent replacement. No milkshake or smoothie is technically paleo.

I think my biggest issue is not wanting to be judged for my weird diet. We all know "those people" that can't eat stuff for one reason or another and go on and on about their health. But this is very real to me. Why the heck did it take me 16 years to find a doctor to tell me that a low carb diet may solve all my problems? WEIRD and FRUSTRATING.

My only advice is that if there is something amiss, find a doctor that may specialize in what you are experiencing. It is so comforting to look around the waiting room at my doctor's office and see faces of women who are experiencing the exact same thing I am. And it is so nice to find someone that won't look at you like an alien when you tell them your ailments, or just try to mask the symptoms with a pill.

No results to report until the 29th.

Mother's Day 2012

My loves and the beautiful hat Ava made me.

 


The book Ava made me at school. Click on the pictures if you can't read what she wrote. It's really cute. Spelling is definitely on the list to work on this summer.

 

Crain's Detroit 20 in their 20's

Crain's Detroit Business is a business magazine in Detroit that is kind of a big deal. Tyler got nominated by one of their board members to be recognized as one of Southeast Michigan's 20 in their 20's, and he filled out tons of info, and he got it! Although when something like this happens you tend to think, "It's no big deal," 'cause you know the ins and outs of receiving an award like this, it is really neat. Definitely something fabulous to put on a resume or bio.  Here are some pictures. Didn't have time to do my hair that day.




Can you find Tyler? Click on the pictures to make them larger.






The event was at a beautiful place in Downtown Detroit called the Colony Club. It is so beautiful they said they are booked every weekend for the next 5 years! One had to wonder with a menu of tacos and sliders and background music of the top 100 pop hits if they were catering to that "20's" generation. It was pretty funny. But all in all a really neat night. Tyler did not have to give a speech BTW. I would have reported that in detail if he did. He was glad.

Time for a Date

Tyler and I had been gone a lot, so I suggested Tyler take the girls on a date. One of the nights previously Ava gave Tyler a letter in an envelope which he did not open. I suppose he was too busy on the computer.

Anyway, there is a fair in the K-Mart parking lot down the road. I always call it the Trashy Fair. But anyway, Tyler took one girl, drove down the road, rode two rides for $4 each, then came back and picked up the other and did the same. Violet had a blast and Ava was terrified to ride even the ferris wheel. (Although she did)




AFTER Tyler got home he opened this letter (the letter Ava had written him days prior):



So cute. Good thing Mom pushed the date night idea. Poor little thing missed her daddy.

Outdoor Time!

If you've never seen a sheep being sheared you have to. It is so amazing. What struck me is how many times in the scriptures we are talked about as "sheep." I understand sheep to be tame, and go with the flow, but watching this you realize how they are truly obedient to their masters. The sheep-shearer literally flipped the sheep into a human sitting position and started with the intimidating shearing. Not a flinch. He did about four other turns/flips to the sheep so the fleece was in one giant piece and the sheep didn't even "BAA" or squirm or anything! Wow, I could take some notes from that sheep. If only I didn't make a peep when going through a difficult or uncomfortable experience!

 



I love the eyes in this picture.

 

 Can you make out the sheep and the fleece?

 

 While Grandma was in Utah and mom was running errands on a crazy day Grandpa, Dad, Spencer and Riley decided to teach a 6 year old how to ride a go cart. Yeah. Scary.

 

 She did crash once into a tree because the thing is really hard to turn. But she had a blast.

And last, but certainly not least, we went to a spur-of-the-moment Detroit Tigers game. The seats were seriously awesome and the tickets were free! Tyler bought a pizza and nachos to eat, but I couldn't eat either. So I had to stretch the Paleo diet rules and get two hot dogs without the bun. Tasted exactly like the hot dog I make at home only these cost $10.

.

 There was a large family sitting behind us. The quote of the night from one of the little boys was, "Mom, can I take my pants off? I'm hot." I turned around and smiled at the mom with a knowing look. Hilarious.

My first 5K

I did my first 5K! I can't believe I did it to be honest. I have never classified myself as a "runner." I get winded easily, super sore, I have short legs, my face turns bright red, etc., etc. But running really isn't that bad once you start. See the girl in the second picture? The blurry one in the pink shirt? She's a runner, and she did the race with her husband in the blue.

It was at Cranbrook, a beautiful private boarding school and museum on gorgeous grounds. It's very close to where the Detroit LDS temple is on Woodward.



Cheese!


The course was hilly, on dirt, pavement and woodchips. Very pretty. But I really wasn't enjoying the beauty but it did give you a change of scenery.


The three of us. Tobey, myself, and my workout partner Michelle. Michelle and Tobey grew up together in Kayesville, UT, and just happened to move here into the same ward!


My time was decent. My goal was 30 minutes or less, but I ended up coming in around 31. My watch died (thanks kids), and then I lost track of what K I was on, but passing people who were near puking was a great feeling. Not gonna lie.

Dear Tooth Fairy

Appointment

I finally had my Dr. Appointment yesterday with the reproductive endocrinologist. Here are the details of what happened.

He had all my records, ultrasound and bloodwork reviewed prior to the appointment so he sort of knew what we were going to talk about. Highlights (or lowlights). Although I said a lot, I'll just put what he said.
-confirmed PCOS diagnosis
-said it was genetic
-said I had all the symptoms of hypoglycemia
-said I was insulin resistant
-with too much insulin in your blood and PCOS even if an egg is released the egg can be killed or die because of the hostile environment
-hoping all it will take is metformin (a drug for diabetics), exercise and a low carb diet
-gave me a 1-hr medical school lesson on ovulation, ovulation with PCOS, and history of PCOS and its treatments (which I loved)
-drew a fabulous Ven Diagram (remember those? the three overlapping circles?) one circle with PCOS, one with diabetes, and one with heart disease. This totally freaks me out because I have all three in my family. Obviously I am in one of the circles, let's just hope it's not the center.
-hinted that I had undiagnosed gestational diabetes that's why North was so big. huge lightbulb moment.

He was great, and has 4 kids himself, the last of which was difficult to conceive. He didn't even bat an eye when I said we wanted 8 kids when we were first married. The only thing he made sure of was that we didn't want all 8 at the same time. Which is very true. My "number" has since been lowered to 6, but even then, we'll see where this journey takes us. I can't fight biology forever. It is exhausting and doesn't work. Trust me! He sees all sorts of couples come in. Including couples that want gender selection. Couldn't imagine that...

Here are some of my thoughts coming out of the appointment. Some of them are just me being dramatic.
-no more sugar ever. sad.
-no more carbs ever. double sad
-Tyler's blessing was right. This was not caused by anything I did to myself previously or currently.
-His blessing was also right that this is a protection for us. My diet changes may prevent me from getting diabetes.

-this may explain small family size going back on the Culver side for my grandma, her sister, and her mother
-I'm trying to convince myself that this is a GOOD THING, even though it hurts, to get this diagnosis. It's NOT for lack of trying and it's NOT just all in my head.
-if you think you may have issues check with your employer if you have an infertility rider, or if your state mandates infertility coverage - CA mandates FYI.
-I hope I can find an answer and Ava and Violet don't have to deal with all this. I would easily sacrifice my health for theirs

 Next steps:
-Tyler's testing. haha.
-my glucose test
-hormone test
-meet with nutritionist

Follow up appointment: May 29