Tater Tale

My garden is producing  food finally.  I planted two purple and one Yukon gold potato early this spring.  Last night I saw a few potatoes popping above ground and just had to snatch them up.  This is what they look like washed.  Hey, its a start.

So I had to tattle on a neighbor today.  I didn't want to but I had no choice.  Seems as though my neighbor left his housing with no one in it for two months now.  We aren't supposed to leave it vacant for more than two weeks without giving notice.  The weeds in the front of the house and the back yard are enormous!  We mow our own backyards here and weed our own flower beds.  Newspapers, and flyers decorate his flower beds and door step.

There are rules in place for a reason.  He could have informed housing even from the road if he had to leave in a hurry.  He could have asked someone to house-sitt.  He did neither.  No one has entered or exited his house in two months or quite possibly longer.

I'm afraid it could be a fire hazard to the neighborhood if there is a power outage, which does happen often enough around here, caused by it coming back on and causing a short.  I'm afraid of food contamination of epic portions if he left crap lying about in his house.  Hell, the sneakers have been left on the patio for two months...they left in a hurry.  Something just isn't right.  For all I know the owners of the sneakers could be dead inside...active imagination here.

But I called the housing office.  They said it was the right thing to do.  We get notices in our flyers all the time to report suspicious activity, empty housing, and other possible offenses.  I stay to myself as much as possible since I don't like drama.  I have enough drama with my infertility.  And now of course I feel bad for calling it in.  But I did what I had to do.

Infertility Beads

During my researching today I found a few things that I thought I would share with my infertile friends.

First off is the website listed in the photo.

Second is this site: http://www.loves-journey.com/infertility-awareness-symbol

And last is the one with the beads.  http://www.loves-journey.com/fertility-beads  which of course is just a subset of the second one and probably also quite closely related to the first as well.

Just some neat things to spread the word.  Wearables.  I have a bracelet of which, since January, my spouse and I have been adding beads from all over to.  Now that I know there is some representation for what I've gone through I'll be sure to add a few more.

By no means is this a plug for any of these weblinks.  I know I can find the beads for way less online or even in the local bead store I go to here.  But I just thought it would be nice to share the symbolism behind the beads with all of you. 

I shared the weblinks with my spouse and he was happy to see that there was meaning behind particular beads, and said he was more likely to get me those because of what we have gone through together.  Hopefully soon I'll be adding one for a frozen embryo transfer through the donor egg program.  Fingers crossed that it will happen early next year if not sooner.

More About The RE Visit Yesterday

After I got home from the RE appointment yesterday I had some cake and got sick.  I think perhaps I had a bit too much sugar as I was the only one that got sick.  Oh and I stayed sick all day and night.  I didn't go out for dinner.  Today's plans for the Highland Games were cancelled. But that is okay because my bestie and her family, and my cousins had to cancel too.  No fun going with just my spouse as for clan gatherings we like to huddle together under the tent marked with our clan name.

Back to the rest of the RE update.  First off I forgot to mark the weight loss on the blog yesterday.  I've lost 6 pounds since my last weigh in on the 17th.  Nothing to sneeze at since it was only 10 days I lost that in.  I'm far from starving myself.  I am confusing the hell out of my stomach by varying the caloric intake vastly every three days and its actually working.  For about three days I take in about 2500-3000 calories then drop back to 1200-1500 calories for three days.  I lose weight with either amount of calories I take in and have proven it to be so already.  Maybe I found something that will finally work for me?

After the post yesterday the blood work results were in.  My Estridol level was about 150 if I recall clearly.  I forgot to write it down.  But still its down considerably since the first measurement on the 17th.  The HCG beta, of course, was negative.  I started the Provera right away.  I'm now on day 2 of that drug.

The uterine lining was 2 mm less than the 17th.  Funny, but I didn't bleed.  The RE said it can vary daily without a bleed.  I didn't know that particular bit of information.  It is now measuring 10 mm.

Lt.Col. B. was informed, by me, that my TENS Unit died.  I think its the battery.  My work comp insurance supplied it to me for an injury sustained at work in NY back in 2006.  Now that I'm out-of-state no one wants to deal with NY state work comp insurance claims here in WA.  I guess they want their money right off and NY likes lots of red tape.  So the likelihood of me getting a new battery or the machine fixed through work comp without having seen a doctor for the injuries, other than an Army doctors of which refuse to testify or supply medical records for work comp cases though they will treat me for the problem, is close to zero.  However, the TENS Unit is for pain control and often used for those that suffer from adenomyosis and endometriosis besides the other reasons why its prescribed for like torn muscles.  With all that said, Lt.Col. B. is putting in a referral for me to the Pain Management Clinic here at Madigan.  YAY!  I might just finally get some help.  My PCM is an idiot, good bedside manner, but alas an idiot that refuses to refer me to anyone other than the initial appointment to GI but that was already in the computer from years ago, before he was my PCM, so he had to let me get re-referred to them.

Okay enough blathering.  To cut to the chase, I'm going to get my pain taken care of at last!  Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Next week Friday I should be able to call for an appointment with the Pain Management Clinic.  It still might take a while to get the appointment but I'll be on the list to be seen.  Its a start.

The Big Reveal

Its no joke.  I've been waiting a long time for another one, a year to be exact.  I really needed this too; especially today.

Let me start off by the visit to the RE today.  Lt.Col. B. has some mixed news for me today.  He is excited about J and I wanting to pursue donor eggs but understands that we will only do so if he is able to re-enlist.  If he can't re-enlist then there will be no children for us.  Sorry but we can't afford to fork over almost 20k and have no income.  We need to have our nest egg if he gets out.

So yes, I still have a cyst.  It did shrink a little.  I've been trying to follow a good diet and maybe its helping to reduce some of estrogen in my body because it shrank to 5 x 5 cm...maybe its not a cyst but a wooden building block?  I guess I'll forgo getting a puppy since the tennis ball is deflating.

The nice doctor is however worried.  I shouldn't have the cyst.  It seems that the next step in the process, if I don't respond to the chemical treatment, is going to be surgery to remove my ovaries.  Well and good if I weren't still wanting to have children!  Lt.Col. B did agree that we might still have a slim chance with the Femera but its doubtful considering how my ovaries are now performing.

Now I'm waiting to hear back from the RE office as to the blood results on the HCG beta and Estridol.  If the first is negative I'll be starting the Provera today.

Fun side note:  Provera has another brand name called AMEN.  I kid you not.  I think perhaps a female waiting and waiting, its CD 92 for me today, for her AF to start might have had a say in naming that particular brand name.

Without further to-do here is the big reveal.....

From Harry Potter...the Monster Book of Monsters cake!  Now I just need to decide where to put the candle.  Just one this year.  Its a special wish too.  Last year I picked out a design for a Tardis Cake this year I searched long and hard to decide what I wanted my cake to look like finally deciding on one I saw on a search engine query.  I love Harry Potter and I love Doctor Who.  Now time for cake.

Last year's cake.

Soup From Scratch

Last night I started to gather up all the ingredients I needed to make a batch of Chinese Sweet Corn Soup only to find out that I was missing one ingredient; creamed corn.  Oh joy!  I had on had a package of frozen corn.

Being resourceful I found a recipe to make my own creamed corn.  I have to say it got the approval from my spouse in the taste department and I had to surrender the last of the pot and scrapings for his own cleaning with fingers and spoon.  I have to admit I've never tasted such good creamed corn before.

The recipe calls for chicken stock, creamed corn, crab, organic free range egg whites, white wine, corn starch, salt, pepper, sugar and rice.  Well the rice doesn't go into the soup but the soup does get poured over the rice.  Today I'll make the main body of the soup up including the stock as I had only 4 of the 6 cups of it on hand.  Chicken stock is relatively easy to make but can be quite time consuming.  Thankfully I can cut back on the hard labour with my rice cooker.  I detest having to watch the rice pot to prevent it from bubbling over.

Oh last night I splurged with a day away from the MREs.  I had three slices of pizza and lost 1.2 pounds overnight.  I guess I need to shake up my diet more often.  I've heard of muscle confusion so I'll call it stomach confusion.

If any one wants the recipe let me know.  It can easily be modified for those following the Endo Diet.

P.S. Tomorrow is my special day.  Tomorrow I get my cake too!

Recovering

J had his 1 week follow up today and the doctor had only good things to say about his recovery.  I did the best I could by him but we all know that he likes to be babied, he is a man after all.  (yes I realize that not all men are like that but the majority of the ones I've know are indeed wanting extra special treatment for every cold, boo-boo, or chore)

J was worried, didn't listen to me telling him that he is quite normal, and feared the worst because his incision sites still hurt.  Yes, that is okay too.  Now that the pretty female doctor told him he can now lift 25 pounds but still not push or pull things for another two weeks he is set.  This means he can help me out around here but no vacuuming as of yet.  I'll do it slowly maybe a room each day.

J stressed out yesterday, acted like a jerk too, in anticipation of his appointment today.  If only he had listened to me.  Really I swear that we never listen to those close to us.  Maybe I should have had my friend S talk to him as she went through surgery in January.   His behaviour really is quite typical considering he has been blessed with good health for many years so that he doesn't quite know what to expect and the fear the unknown eats at him as it can with anyone.

Today I got copies of my surgical report from the records room.  I found out a few things when reading it through today.  First they have me listed as hispanic.  Okay that is new to me. I know I'm a mutt but as far as I've been told I have no Spanish or Hispanic blood in me....maybe a drop of Portuguese because of the black Irish but not Hispanic.  Second, I have a fibroid on my uterus.  I think the doctors neglected to tell me this tidbit.  Because its less than 1cm as of June 6th they didn't remove it.  From notes: Small (less than 1 cm) subserosal fibroid on the anterior wall of the uterus not excised.  Last I found out through the notes that I had three surgeons working on me.  Dr. P., Dr. B. and Lt.Col. B scrubbed in as well.  Nice to know I was in such good hands.

Oh heck I'll just share their findings with you all. 

Operative findings:  Normal uterus/cervix.  Left adnexa notable for approximate 7 cm cyst.  Cyst wall interrupted upon initial manipulation, and clear fluid evacuated with suction and irrigation.  Cyst wall removed.  Small left ovarian endometrioma also noted.  Adhesions noted between the left ovary to the left sidewall and pericolic adipose as well as in the posterior cul-de-sac.  Implants of endometriosis on the right uterosacral ligament and bladder were present.  Small (less than 1 cm) subserosal fibroid on the anterior wall of the uterus not excised.

Oh and further on they in the description of how they did stuff I find that they used Endoshears to remove a section of the peritoneum for biopsy.  All is good there no cancer.  YAY!

Some how included in the surgical report was a copy of my appointment last week with the RE.  I don't mind having it as now I know the full dimensions of the cyst on my right ovary.    My newest play toy is 6.32 cm x 5.07 cm with an EMS of 12mm ( I believe they are talking about the endometrial stripe there but I could be wrong though it was the same number they gave me when I asked about the lining thickness at the appointment)

So with my smallish sized tennis ball perhaps I should get a puppy and we could play fetch.  When the dog loses the tennis ball I could, or though it seems, provide an endless supply of them since I'm so good at growing them even without the use of hormones!  HaHa!

In two day or so I'll blog with photos, I hope, of the birthday cake I had made by the commissary bakery.  I just didn't feel up to making a cake this year for myself.  My endo diet book arrived yesterday,  thanks mom for the birthday gift, and I'll be starting up the real diet when the cake is gone from the house. 

Two days til the next RE appointment.

A Little Bit Too Much Pain

The pain is radiating down my right thigh today.  I hate having ovarian cysts.  Unfortunately I am unable at this time to hit my supply of percocet and take care of my spouse.  Mind you he was told to not be a burden to me but guess what?...yup he is.  I realize he had surgery last week but seriously I could do for myself by this many days from surgery.  Heck the first day I was taking care of myself including fetching my own meals.  J is wearing me out and I just let into him about it.  His weight lifting limit is 20 pounds while mine is only 10 pounds so why is he making me break my back?  Why?  Well because I'm letting it happen.  How can I be so stupid!