I was going to start by saying nothing too much is new, but then realized that is inaccurate. I feel like a new person! Lets see how many fertility friendly additions I've added to my life... Aaaaand, go!
- I've been back at work for 5 weeks, in the operating room for 4. The transition from Bremalow couch potato to basically full time nursey on my feet all day has gone smoother than I anticipated. This transition has also fed my weight loss efforts. :). (What's a Bremalow, you ask? Search YouTube for sir mix-a-lot, it's a hilarious song about where we were stationed in the PNW.)
- I've added regular yoga back to my schedule. I quit back in August because I was too afraid to move during the IVF 2WW. Then moving, job, etc... It had been awhile. I'm back at it and continuing my search for a studio. One I like is closing, the other only has classes at 530pm... Anyone have thoughts on the Corepower chain? Thinking of trying them out next week.
- I've been to acupuncture 4 times (3 with Lori, the lady I decided to go with) and love it! I'm excited to see where it leads and how it affects my cycles. At Lori's encouragement, she also has me trying out a dairy & gluten free diet. Multiple people have mentioned to me gluten free for fertility. I figured it can't hurt to try it. Apparently my yin & yang are out of balance causing my kidneys to be unbalanced and dampness in my chi which can block pathways or something... Dairy, which makes mucous, can cause this dampness. So it only makes sense to cut it out, right? Again, it can't hurt to try. In addition to fertilaid, I'm also taking an herb called Resolve Lower to help warm me up and keep away cyst formation. Along with this "warming up" process, I can't drink cold drinks I.e. anything iced and I eat EVERYTHING heated or cooked. Even my apple. Yes, it's nuts. I don't care. I'm dedicated.
- I drink fertillty smoothies every morning for " breakfast." A combination of rice protein powder (gluten & dairy free, you see, no whey protein allowed!) super greens, Acai berry, maca root powder, royal jelly, bee pollen, and a load of liquid omegas. Royal jelly is what the hive feeds the queen bee enabling her to lay hundreds of eggs each day. Give me some of that fertile egg power!
- since I got so fat in Bremerton (see point 1, Bremalow), I'm trimming down. A 20lb gain on my little frame meant I was over 30 BMI, the cut off for most fertility clinics to treat. Dun dun dun! Of course working and eating so healthy have attributed to my weight loss effort. My first goal was to lose 15 lbs by Christmas, followed by 8 more by Valentines day. Welp, I'm pleased to say that 4 weeks in, I'm already down 8 pounds. High fives!
I'm hoping all these efforts get us to a really, really fertile January. J is up in Washington until March. :( :( :(. I will see him about 1 weekend a month. None of which coincide with fertile days. However he is coming home for 10 days at New Years. This happens to line up PERFECTLY with my fertile window. I am focusing all my energies to be in tip top fertile shape my then.
Of course given our history, I can't deny the doctors and RE's. My OBGYN here in San Diego is ... Not so good. I saw his PA for an appointment last month. Even though I have a clear Luteal phase defect, she saw no point in testing my progesterone. Oh, and Dr Sucky does IUIs, but only on Mondays & Thursdays. Ugh, tardvision. My plan is to use all angles to get finally get that BFP. As part of this, I was hoping to get into the military treatment facility (MTF) here through Balboa so they could pay for, like, everything. unfortunately, apparently here (unlike in WA where the waitlist was giant but we could have done it) they only deal with Tricare prime, not standard. Why, oh why! So we're screwed and will have to pay out of pocket. Again. The only good news is I had Dr. Sucky refer me to someone who is Tricare covered and he's an RE! Yay! I see him Nov 8. Hopefully he's really good and really creative and can offer some suggestions & solutions. I'm currently checking out IVF clinics in the San Diego area. There are sooo many!! I have no idea how to choose one as they all boast pretty great stats. Any pointers or recommendations would be GREAT!
I can't leave out all the wonderful efforts J is doing. After hearing I take 13 pills a day (herbs + vitamin) he no longer complains about his fertilaid & count boost herbs. A sailor's blood runs thick with coffee & caffeine, but my sailor has cut his down to less than a pot a day. I know, its still is a ridiculous amount of coffee but considering how much he drank before, it's a win! More veggies, more exercise, and slowly but surely I think I'll have him dairy-free in no time. The part I'm most proud about? Even though he thinks its witch doctor shit, he is going to visit my acupuncturist. No questions asked. His words: " babe, after seeing what you went through with shots and IVF and doctors and how dedicated you are now, I'll do whatever you want." Its official, he gets the hubby of the year award. <3
Alright folks. This fertile turtle is signing off. I'll leave you with my latest & greatest find: a yoga poem. (Warrior II, Virabhadrasana II)
" Here there is nothing to fight except willfulness.
Some lean too far in the past.
Others stretch way out into the future.
The true warrior stays in the moment,
burning deeper into whatever comes,
And sometimes with even more difficulty,
What doesn't. "
