back to the gym…

So today K and I hit the gym.  We have had a gym membership for ever…but neither of us has gone in a VERY long time.  I think that it has been about a year and a half since I last went.  So, it has been a long time coming (the return to the gym).  I guess we finally came to the point where we both decided that we are both too overweight and unfit.  Neither of us can take it anymore! 

 Also, my acupuncturist has been suggesting some “activity” for a while.  “Just a little more activity than you are used to,” he said, “it will be very effective.”  I have been using the excuse of the bad winter weather…and the fact that it is too dark before & after work.  The TCM belief is that infertility is caused by ”patterns of disharmony,” (which are different for everyone) and are conditions that affect the kidney, liver, spleen, uterus, and others.  Of course, the treatments are different, but the goal of TCM is all the same, to restore the body’s natural balance.  Apparently, a balanced spleen likes activity.  Yet another good reason to get my butt moving.    

It felt good to go.  I was proud that I finally got off my big butt, drove to the gym, and huffed it out on the elliptical.  Even if it was only for 35 minutes!  It was a good place to start back.  I plan to go each morning before work…so that if I have to work late in the evening, it’s no excuse. 

My body is sore now.  The muscles in my legs, back and arms are burning…but I still feel good. 

Now, the thing to do is to keep it up.  Of course, I need to eat well too.  That’s my next project.  Although, we did pretty well today.  A bagel for breakfast and a salad bar for lunch…no dinner yet, but that should come soon.

So, here we go!  One day at a time, right? 

 Happy 2008!

My Uterus Hates Me

No kidding. How is it possible that I have two 35 day cycles in a row, followed by a 25 day cycle? That is unacceptable. How the hell am I to know when I am supposed to lure K into “babydance” action? And, to make matters worse, I can’t even turn an OPK (ovulation test) positive. I don’t know if I am peeing at the wrong time or what my deal is.

I had acupuncture today and complained to my acupuncturist about this whole thing. He was super supportive and gave me some ideas – foods to eat, foods to avoid, and he also suggested some light exersize.

Exersize.
That bitch.
I hate her…

Oh, by the way, I am going to gracefully ignore the fact that I haven’t posted in a month.

Halloween 2007

I am a halloween scrooge.  K was working late on the big night, so I came home to spend the evening with my doggie.  The evening consisted of four action items:

• Come home
• Lock door
• Turn out all the lights
• Duck all kids looking in the windows
• Turn on the TV
• Turn on my computer
• Crash on the couch

No halloween candy.  No trick-or-treating.  No kids at my door.  It was a huge relief.

Earlier in the evening, I took Macy to the vet.  The pumpkin splint came off and the stitches came out but a new bandage went on the foot to cover over the toe.  Apparently, there is a small spot left where three flaps of skin come together…it is the last spot that isn’t completely healed.  The vet was happy enough with the healing process and I am relieved.

The highlight of my day was my acupuncture.  I went in the middle of the day and it was beautifully soothing.  Monday and Tuesday were absolutely crazy at work so my stress levels were all maxed out when I arrived into B’s office on Wednesday.  He is great at getting me to take a couple of deep breaths and calm myself.  Once I lay back and B begins to insert the needles, I feel like I am almost in a trance of relaxation.  This time, I was so relaxed that I fell asleep…and awoke to a big honking snort of a snore that came out of my mouth!  Mortifying.

I have to say, even if I don’t get pregnant from the acupuncture, it is worth every visit!

A Whole Week?

Goodness, has it been a whole week since I last posted? It seems much more recent… I will give you some high points of the week since I know you are dying to hear it all!

Friday: I took Macy to the vet’s for a bandage change. They removed the bandage and brought me back to the back where they had her laid out, relaxed on the floor. It wasn’t the most beautiful wound that I have ever seen. But at least it wasn’t a big gaping hole! The vet took a look at it and appeared less than pleased with her healing progress. It was a bit pink and was somewhat swollen. Duh! They removed two toes!!! Anway, he suggested that she was using the foot too much … more dopey drugs for Macy!

Saturday/Sunday: We accomplished a lot of little things this weekend. Somehow, we have this problem with completing our “to do” list on a weekly basis. It is because of me, I am sure. This was a good one though – we got to Trader Joe’s, Costco, did the laundry, etc.

The low point of the weekend was when Macy ripped off her bandage on Sunday (late afternoon). I went outside to call her to come in when K and I left for the store…to find her licking her foot and wagging her tail, with shreds of bandage strewn all around her in a semi circle! I couldn’t see bringing her to the emergency clinic for a re bandage when we had one scheduled in the morning, so we made do with what we had – pantyliners, cotton balls, and tape. No joke. Bring on the puppy-cone. We now have a cone-head walking around the house torturing us with constant knocking into our ankles, shins, and knees.

Monday: I brought Macy to the vet’s with her pantyliner bandage. Luckily I didn’t get laughed out of the place. The nurse was very sweet and explained that she had seen worse. The good news is, we got the big thumbs up from the vet! The bandage is to come off & stitches are to come out on FRIDAY! Personally, I feel like that is too soon, but he reminded me that skin heals quickly and I would be surprised on Friday when I saw it. So, I made the appointment for Friday & K can go! Yay!

Wednesday: Acupuncture again. This is fast becoming my favorite day of the week. This was cd13 for me and I forgot to ask B if there was anything different I/we should be doing during my “peak” time. I need to email him about my appt next week because he can’t work late on Wednesday…its Halloween! And he needs to be home to be with his kids trick-or-treating. How cute is he? Although, it does cut into my acu time…but I can share!

Okay, time to sign off and go to work. I seem to have many grumbles at the moment so you may hear from me shortly again. Cheers…

Acupuncture #2

Tonight was acpuncture #2.  It was just as fantastic and relaxing as the first time.  B (the acupuncturist) explained each point as he inserted the needle.  This time, he used two other points, on my hands…but didn’t do the one on my head.  He admitted that the most important points were the ones in my feet.  Apparently, they are the ones that make the blood circulate back up to the uterus/ovaries. 

I asked him if he had any other advice about what to eat or things that we should do or not do.  He said that he could give me a list of things, but if I was interested, I might prefer a book that he wanted to recommend.

I have already reserved at Borders and will go pick it up tomorrow.  I am dying to get reading as I have heard wonderful things about it from others. 

Working From Home

Today, I worked from home.  I couldn’t leave Macy for the day.  Luckily I was able to finagle a second day working from home.  After seeing these doped-up eyes, there was no way I was leaving.

Working from home rocks.  I get so much done with no one bothering me.  I wish I could do it every day!  Um, I do have to admit that I was slightly distracted by my whining dog.  But that doesn’t compare (at all) to the constant flow of craziness in and out of my office on a daily basis.

Oh, also, today was the first day of my Herbs.  CD5.  Took the first dose this morning and will take the second dose tonight.  So far, I don’t feel anything different.  

Speaking fertility stuff, I made a calendar for the kitchen so that K and I are both on the same page…knowing when the important days are.  We both think it will be helpful so that we are both ”in the know” about what will be expected.

Okay, I am done with this tonight.  Tired of the computer.  Here’s one more photo of Macy for a laugh…this was from last night when she was still doped up on the anesthesia as well as a cocktail of other drugs.  Check out the tongue action – she couldn’t keep it in her mouth no matter how hard she tried!

Acupuncture-O-Rama

Tonight was my first acupuncture appointment.  It was phenomenal!  I am ready to go twice a week because it was so relaxing…Here’s how it went down:

I left my office on time/earlyish (well, early for me), to make sure that I arrived on time and unstressed.  As I drove, I realized that the direction I thought I was supposed to be going in was not correct.  Damn it…I realized that I hadn’t printed directions.  Somehow, I thought that my miniature memory would come thru for me.  How is it possible that I was able to find the place when driving from home, but when driving from work, I got lost? 

Somehow I found my way there but ended up getting there about 10 minutes late.  I ran into the office flustered that I was late.  The acupuncturist greeted me and was very sweet.  I was all apologetic about being late and he had no issues.  I was told to relax and not think about it again.  He showed me into the treatment room, told me to lay down on the treatment table, and that he would be right back.

Once he left the room, I had a momentary panic set in.  What does one do in this situation?  Every time someone leads me into a room with a treatment table, I am told to strip down.  There was no such discussion here…but how can you be sure?  At that moment, I turned and saw a hospital gown hanging on a hook behind the door.  That pretty much made it as clear as mud for me.  Needless to say, I decided to keep safe and remain clothed.  With this decided, I slid off my flip flops and hiked myself up onto the table…head on flat pillow and roll-pillow under knees.

With a great of relief, I was correct.  When the acupuncturist came in, he asked some questions and got started immediately.  The first needle went into my arm, at my left elbow.  I felt a tap on my arm and it was in.  Amazing.  Each needle came out of a little package of paper and plastic.  I laid still as he moved around my body in a fluid motion, like a warm breeze.  I closed my eyes and listened.  First, the rip of plastic from paper, then, a krinkle, and finally the thump of his fingers tapping against my skin.  There was one in each arm, at the elbows…one in my left ear…one in the tip top of my head…one in each of my feet, at the top of my foot near where your shoelaces touch…and finally, one in each of my legs, above my inner ankle on my calf.  Only two hurt.  Well, hurt is too strong of a word.  They were the only two that I really felt.  Kind of like a mosquito bite…the one on my right foot and the one above my right inner ankle.

When he finished, he told me to lay there for a while, about 20-25 minutes.  As he left the room, he turned down the lights and turned up the plinky plunky music.  I closed my eyes and was able to breathe deeply and relax.  The next thing I knew, he opened the door again.  I didn’t even realize that the time had passed.  He pulled out all of the needles, one by one.  There were a couple of drops of blood on my foot which he dabbed away with an alcohol swab.  And, that was it.

He sent me home with two sets of herbs to take.  Chaste Tree and Tribulus.  I am to take two of each of these tablets twice a day from day 5 through day 14 of my cycle.  At this point, I am just waiting for day one to arrive…