After our visit with the infertility doc here in Texas, I've never been more serious about losing weight.
It's not about being thin and looking good in clothes for me; it's about being able to have a baby. If losing 20-30 pounds will put me one step closer to that goal, shame on me for not giving it my all.
To date, I've lost 17 pounds and 18 over-all-body inches. I know, I can't believe it either! I had to reweigh myself twice this morning and take a picture of the scale to make sure my morning eyes weren't deceiving me.
I'm really proud of myself. I've been working out (2-3 long walks with the dogs, running 3 miles, 30 minutes on the elliptical I bought myself when Chris left, sit ups, kettle bells, squats, planks, push ups an ect) and eating clean and paleo. To be honest, the exercise helps, but eating paleo and eating cleaning are the keys to my success.
I, and we as a culture, have been conditioned to eat the way we do. Everything is covered in flour, fried and comes between two pieces of bread and served up with taters. Trust me, giving up gluten, fried food and potatoes is not my idea of living it up in this one life that I have, but it's working! I don't miss that stuff as much anymore and my cravings for it have diminished the deeper into this I get.
I used to be in the mind set of, "what can't I eat!?" But now, i'm like, "What can I try next!"
I managed to stay on track when I visited my Godson for his second birthday (through the airport and a layover from hell thank you very much) and when a friend from the ECCC in FLW visited me. I ordered smart at restaurants (No buns, no fries (or if you are like me and they don't listen, just have your friend pour mustard on 'em), extra veg) and at the birthday party I picked up stuff at the grocery store I could have so I could participate in the party (gluten free buns, gluten free treats, already boiled eggs because when you are visiting with friends who wants to waste time boiling eggs, salads and ect).
Go me! I can almost feel how good those red bottom shoes are going to feel on my tootsies!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Sunday, April 21, 2013
New Business!
After hosting a trunk show for a girl friend and falling in love with what I got, I decided to start selling it myself!
Never in a million, billion years did I think I would be that military spouse selling something like Stella and Dot. However, crazy economic times and having too much time on your hands during a deployment will do that to ya.
I want to work full time in journalism again but with all the things I have going on back on the East Coast (my leetle seestors COLLEGE graduation, a joi-sey wedding, my Biffles bridal shower, a hubby coming home from war, a texas staycation to celebrate a successful deployment and me turning, gulp, 28, and my biffles wedding) who is going to hire me now anyway? Once my life calms down in August, i'll really start looking for full time.
But for now, I am enjoying sharing my addiction with my friends and scoring some new stuff!
PLUS I am making a concerted effort into putting myself together these days. I really feel I let myself go after we got married (gaining weight, not caring what I look like cuz I already gots me a man...). With out FIVE year coming up I need to get off this crazy train and check myself before I wreck myself. Now that I am starting to feel better about myself and how i look, 17 lbs off your ass will do that for ya, I am taking the time to put myself together.
Chris will be taking command soon and I want to look more presentable, have more confidence and have people say to themselves, "she's got it goin' onnnnn!"
With that being said, I did my hair and makeup, got dressed and threw on a fab statement necklace and hit the grocery store and I looked fab-u-lous hunny!
Here is to gettin' my grove back!
Insert Shameless Self Promotion here: http://www.stelladot.com/sites/vanessalynch
Never in a million, billion years did I think I would be that military spouse selling something like Stella and Dot. However, crazy economic times and having too much time on your hands during a deployment will do that to ya.
I want to work full time in journalism again but with all the things I have going on back on the East Coast (my leetle seestors COLLEGE graduation, a joi-sey wedding, my Biffles bridal shower, a hubby coming home from war, a texas staycation to celebrate a successful deployment and me turning, gulp, 28, and my biffles wedding) who is going to hire me now anyway? Once my life calms down in August, i'll really start looking for full time.
But for now, I am enjoying sharing my addiction with my friends and scoring some new stuff!
PLUS I am making a concerted effort into putting myself together these days. I really feel I let myself go after we got married (gaining weight, not caring what I look like cuz I already gots me a man...). With out FIVE year coming up I need to get off this crazy train and check myself before I wreck myself. Now that I am starting to feel better about myself and how i look, 17 lbs off your ass will do that for ya, I am taking the time to put myself together.
Chris will be taking command soon and I want to look more presentable, have more confidence and have people say to themselves, "she's got it goin' onnnnn!"
With that being said, I did my hair and makeup, got dressed and threw on a fab statement necklace and hit the grocery store and I looked fab-u-lous hunny!
Here is to gettin' my grove back!
Insert Shameless Self Promotion here: http://www.stelladot.com/sites/vanessalynch
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Chase Turns Two!
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| Welcome to the world Chase Mark Hoffmann! |
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| I can't believe I am holding something just a few hours old! |
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| The ONE year old! |
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| At one year's old, he hated cake and getting cake on his hands and face... |
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| At two year's old, he housed that cupcake without a care in the world! |
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| I can't believe you are TWO! |
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| I love this lil dude and his momma and poppa for giving me the best gift ever: Being his Godmother! |
Saturday, March 30, 2013
The Hardest Goodbye
Chris and I have been together for nine years and this year we will be married for five years and I have been doing the Army wife thing for six years so I am used to saying, "see you soon."
Chris has gone to different countries (Thailand, Korea) and different states (Arizona, New Mexico, The Big Island) for various amounts of time. Before we were married and he had just embarked on this Army journey he would be gone one weekend a month and two weeks a year for National Guard Drills.
Then he had to spend a few months or weeks at Fort Benning, GA; Fort Lewis, WA; and Fort Leonard Wood, MO. At the time, man, it was tough. I cried, a lot. But it got easier. Not easier to deal with his being gone, easier in the fact that I knew how to fill the time until he came home.
By the time we got to our first duty station in Hawaii, I was a pro at being separated from him.
However, saying "goodbye" during a deployment is something different. My eyes are filling up as I type this and my stomach hurts.
In a way I am glad we missed the big send off and it was just us in the battalion parking lot at 5:30 am.
Thank God it was dark because the entire way there, tears were staining my face and my eyes were puffy and red. For whatever reason I wanted to drive and he held my hand the entire drive. Chris isn't an emotional person so I knew him holding my hand meant that he was feeling a barrage of emotions.
When we pulled up I jumped out of the car and popped the trunk and started unloading what I could while he talked to the Rear D commander and another officer who was going with him. I needed to stay busy because I could feel myself about to lose it and I promised myself I would fall apart. I didn't want that to be the last thing he saw before getting in the HUMMVE. I wanted to keep it together until I drove away. I wanted him to see and know that I could be strong and that the only person he had to worry about was himself and that the only thing he had to worry about was coming home, on time, in one piece and the same way I left him in the parking lot at 5:30 am on 18 Feb.
All I can remember from our last embrace was the shutter I could feel in his chest and the trembling I could hear in his voice.
Chris has gone to different countries (Thailand, Korea) and different states (Arizona, New Mexico, The Big Island) for various amounts of time. Before we were married and he had just embarked on this Army journey he would be gone one weekend a month and two weeks a year for National Guard Drills.
Then he had to spend a few months or weeks at Fort Benning, GA; Fort Lewis, WA; and Fort Leonard Wood, MO. At the time, man, it was tough. I cried, a lot. But it got easier. Not easier to deal with his being gone, easier in the fact that I knew how to fill the time until he came home.
By the time we got to our first duty station in Hawaii, I was a pro at being separated from him.
However, saying "goodbye" during a deployment is something different. My eyes are filling up as I type this and my stomach hurts.
In a way I am glad we missed the big send off and it was just us in the battalion parking lot at 5:30 am.
Thank God it was dark because the entire way there, tears were staining my face and my eyes were puffy and red. For whatever reason I wanted to drive and he held my hand the entire drive. Chris isn't an emotional person so I knew him holding my hand meant that he was feeling a barrage of emotions.
When we pulled up I jumped out of the car and popped the trunk and started unloading what I could while he talked to the Rear D commander and another officer who was going with him. I needed to stay busy because I could feel myself about to lose it and I promised myself I would fall apart. I didn't want that to be the last thing he saw before getting in the HUMMVE. I wanted to keep it together until I drove away. I wanted him to see and know that I could be strong and that the only person he had to worry about was himself and that the only thing he had to worry about was coming home, on time, in one piece and the same way I left him in the parking lot at 5:30 am on 18 Feb.
All I can remember from our last embrace was the shutter I could feel in his chest and the trembling I could hear in his voice.
Deployment Goals
Deployments suck no matter how you shake it.
No one wants to be separated from his or spouse and no amount of un taxed, hazard duty pay or family separation money can fill the void of your loved one being a world away and be working in a hostile and dangerous area.
However, i'm trying to look at this differently. I won't let it own me. I plan on using this time to empower myself, strengthen my marriage and get my shit together.
I promised myself that I would do things that terrify in some way or another during this deployment:
1. Run a Half Marathon (COMPLETED! More on that later)
2. Lose 20 lbs, dr's orders, and get my body ready to make a baby! (So far, i'm down 10 lbs and 6 body inches)
3. Get my hoo-haw, under arms and legs waxed.
4. Buy lingerie, I actually don't own any and I have never bought any, I know, shocker.
5. This one I will announce after I have done it, ya never know who actually reads this....
6. Go Paleo- no dairy, no gluten, no carbs (Been going strong for almost a month).
Time to kick ass and take names!
No one wants to be separated from his or spouse and no amount of un taxed, hazard duty pay or family separation money can fill the void of your loved one being a world away and be working in a hostile and dangerous area.
However, i'm trying to look at this differently. I won't let it own me. I plan on using this time to empower myself, strengthen my marriage and get my shit together.
I promised myself that I would do things that terrify in some way or another during this deployment:
1. Run a Half Marathon (COMPLETED! More on that later)
2. Lose 20 lbs, dr's orders, and get my body ready to make a baby! (So far, i'm down 10 lbs and 6 body inches)
3. Get my hoo-haw, under arms and legs waxed.
4. Buy lingerie, I actually don't own any and I have never bought any, I know, shocker.
5. This one I will announce after I have done it, ya never know who actually reads this....
6. Go Paleo- no dairy, no gluten, no carbs (Been going strong for almost a month).
Time to kick ass and take names!
D Day
From the moment we started the Green Pages process, we knew a deployment was in our future. There was no escaping that ugly monster, it comes with the territory.
Although now-a-days most deployments, ugh I shutter whenever I hear, say or type that word I feel like I am cursing, are shorter (9 months instead of a year plus) I feel deployments start as soon as the word comes into you life.
We knew we had to go to a place that was deploying ASAP so Fort Hood, Texas it was. Chris had to report 10 January and we knew he would leave shortly after we arrived but we didn't know the exact date. We were under the impression that his new battalion was deploying in February. Wrong! They were already gone and had been down range for a few months, both a blessing and curse. It was a blessing because that meant Chris would be joining them for the remainder of the deployment and I count my lucky stars that translated into less than five months. Not knowing when he would actually be leaving was the curse because we had just bought a house, were in the process of unpacking and we had just gotten to a place that neither of us has ever been before.
Chris had to do his in processing to the new post and to his new battalion before we would know more about when he would be leaving. Usually, when an entire battalion deploys the entire group travels to NTC for a month for training, families get pre deployment briefs (what to expect, establish the FRG, get emergency contact info, create CARE Teams, get a phone list), you and your spouse have time to get the correct paper work in order (THE hardest part for me, hands down. I mean c'mon what other couples do you know of that have to have a living will, make sure the life insurance policy is squared away, discuss a "What if" scenario pertaining to IF they don't come home (where they would like to be laid to rest, cremation, ect, or something happens to them and you need to leave the country (so making sure your passport is up-to-date), going over how to pay the bills, squaring away finances and ect.
None of that happened for us. As soon as he in processed, he was off getting various vaccinations, collecting his gear, packing his gear and bypassed all the predeployment training. That made my head spin. I mean they have this training in place for a reason right? Now I feel like he is ill prepared and he's going to a unit where he knows no one, so who will have his back!?
We did get the house set up and unpacked, we did get our paperwork together, including tax stuff but in terms of the pre deployment brief and FRG support, I got nada, zilch. He's been gone over a month and I haven't gotten one phone call from the BN commander's wife, FRG leader, FRSA, no e-mails, no coffee invitations, no olive branches. Big. Fat. Goose Egg!
Maybe I am spoiled from having such an amazing support system in Hawaii, but this is Fort Hood Texas. This is the biggest post in the Army and they deploy units like its nothing. This should be a routine, right?
The one part I like about the Army is the sense of family and community and the coming together when spouses are gone. That's what makes being a spouse manageable. Being surrounded by like minded people going through the same thing as you to pow wow with. I don't have that. I don't have any unit support and my ass is chaffed about it. Really puts a sour taste in my mouth.
So what did I do about it? About a week into the deployment I emailed the FRG contact I had been given. After not hearing back in over a week, I called up the Rear Detachment Commander and he told me that person had stepped down and he just appointed a new person (the least she could have done was respond to my email saying she was no longer the leader for crying out loud) and he gave me her number. So I called her and of course I got her at a bad time, story of my life, but she indulged me and admitted she had no idea what she was doing but she was going to meet with the Rear D Commander on Monday and she would call me/email me when she wrapped her around it and let me know how I could help her out.
It's been three weeks and I have heard nothing. At this point I'm over it and i'm lucky that I have a friend from FLW that only lives a few miles away, and two familiar faces from Hawaii locally as well.
I consider myself to be a pretty strong and independent person. I also knew what I was getting myself into when I married someone with the sense of service to their country. I've got my big girl panties on and I am facing this monster head on and have lots of things planned to get me through this.
Although now-a-days most deployments, ugh I shutter whenever I hear, say or type that word I feel like I am cursing, are shorter (9 months instead of a year plus) I feel deployments start as soon as the word comes into you life.
We knew we had to go to a place that was deploying ASAP so Fort Hood, Texas it was. Chris had to report 10 January and we knew he would leave shortly after we arrived but we didn't know the exact date. We were under the impression that his new battalion was deploying in February. Wrong! They were already gone and had been down range for a few months, both a blessing and curse. It was a blessing because that meant Chris would be joining them for the remainder of the deployment and I count my lucky stars that translated into less than five months. Not knowing when he would actually be leaving was the curse because we had just bought a house, were in the process of unpacking and we had just gotten to a place that neither of us has ever been before.
Chris had to do his in processing to the new post and to his new battalion before we would know more about when he would be leaving. Usually, when an entire battalion deploys the entire group travels to NTC for a month for training, families get pre deployment briefs (what to expect, establish the FRG, get emergency contact info, create CARE Teams, get a phone list), you and your spouse have time to get the correct paper work in order (THE hardest part for me, hands down. I mean c'mon what other couples do you know of that have to have a living will, make sure the life insurance policy is squared away, discuss a "What if" scenario pertaining to IF they don't come home (where they would like to be laid to rest, cremation, ect, or something happens to them and you need to leave the country (so making sure your passport is up-to-date), going over how to pay the bills, squaring away finances and ect.
None of that happened for us. As soon as he in processed, he was off getting various vaccinations, collecting his gear, packing his gear and bypassed all the predeployment training. That made my head spin. I mean they have this training in place for a reason right? Now I feel like he is ill prepared and he's going to a unit where he knows no one, so who will have his back!?
We did get the house set up and unpacked, we did get our paperwork together, including tax stuff but in terms of the pre deployment brief and FRG support, I got nada, zilch. He's been gone over a month and I haven't gotten one phone call from the BN commander's wife, FRG leader, FRSA, no e-mails, no coffee invitations, no olive branches. Big. Fat. Goose Egg!
Maybe I am spoiled from having such an amazing support system in Hawaii, but this is Fort Hood Texas. This is the biggest post in the Army and they deploy units like its nothing. This should be a routine, right?
The one part I like about the Army is the sense of family and community and the coming together when spouses are gone. That's what makes being a spouse manageable. Being surrounded by like minded people going through the same thing as you to pow wow with. I don't have that. I don't have any unit support and my ass is chaffed about it. Really puts a sour taste in my mouth.
So what did I do about it? About a week into the deployment I emailed the FRG contact I had been given. After not hearing back in over a week, I called up the Rear Detachment Commander and he told me that person had stepped down and he just appointed a new person (the least she could have done was respond to my email saying she was no longer the leader for crying out loud) and he gave me her number. So I called her and of course I got her at a bad time, story of my life, but she indulged me and admitted she had no idea what she was doing but she was going to meet with the Rear D Commander on Monday and she would call me/email me when she wrapped her around it and let me know how I could help her out.
It's been three weeks and I have heard nothing. At this point I'm over it and i'm lucky that I have a friend from FLW that only lives a few miles away, and two familiar faces from Hawaii locally as well.
I consider myself to be a pretty strong and independent person. I also knew what I was getting myself into when I married someone with the sense of service to their country. I've got my big girl panties on and I am facing this monster head on and have lots of things planned to get me through this.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Hope
I was in an awful head space during our PCS move. I had just undergone the final test in our infertility work up, the HSG, and got the news that we couldn't have a baby naturally. We would need medical intervention.
Once I got into the TRICARE system here at Fort Hood, my new PCM gave me the referral to see a specialist to find out out next steps. Usually I go to these appointments solo, but this time Chris and I were being seen together. How novel, an apt to see both of together seeing as how it takes two...
Well let me tell you, I was both elated and angry all at the same time. I learned more in the first 5 minutes from our new dr than I got from being in MO for 6 months!
Here is what went down:
I already knew I wasn't ovulating and all we knew about Chris's sperm count is that the number of his viable sperm were low and slow. What we didn't know is that he has lots of sperm or why his count was low. When I asked the quack in MO if anything causes this he said "nah, this isn't a fluke, it is what it is, nothing affects them."
Well, apparently if a man is taking supplements, herbals, protein, vitamins and or anything from GNC at the time of the test those things can affect the sample. As does a diet high in caffeine and salt.
I was floored! Chris was taking vitamin supplements and protein from GNC!
Why didn't the doc ask Chris if he was taking any of those things before he made his deposit? I mean every time I have anything done the doctors ask what meds I am taking, if I am taking anything OTC and instructions like don't take x, y or z before this test and no eating after midnight and ect.
If the doctor asked him Chris would have said yes, and we would have rescheduled the test. Why didn't the doc offer the above as a possible reason behind the results?!
Now we have hope!
My new dr gave me a 5 months supply of the Progesterone all at once (this is a Godsend in and of itself! In MO I had to wait until day 38 of not getting a period, call and leave a message for the nurse/dr, wait for them to call me back to order a pregnancy test, go in and take the test, wait for the dr to read the results, wait for him to call in the Rx, go pick up the Rx and then take the pills, wait to start bleeding, and then repeat all over again) which saves so much time!
It's not healthy to not have a bleed every 5 months, because it can cause the lining to build up which leads to cervical cancer, pelvic inflammatory diseases and implementation issues, just to name a few things. Now, if I don't get a period every 5 weeks I just need to take the pills. I don't need to take a pregnancy test every 5 weeks because Chris is deployed. Once he gets home, I will have to go to the dr's office to take a test before taking the medication.
The dr gave us both homework during the deployment. I need to get my BMI down to 24-26, eat more fruits, veggies, drink lots of water and work out like a mad woman. Bringing my BMI down can jump start ovulation and all that coupled with the Progesterone can also jump start it. If I do all the above and i'm still not ovulating, which happens to a lot of women, I can take Clomid.
Chris has to also lose weight, eat more fruits and veggies and has to go cold turkey on caffeine. Hopefully his sperm will be super charged and we can be a deployment statistic =)
If we don't have luck naturally she shed some light on what our other options are. She said there is a clinic in Austin where we could have the IUI done for $800 and that the clinic in San Antonio could do the IVF for between $5-$8,000.
Our new dr feels really confident that we can have a baby naturally and that we will be pregnant before the end of the year!
Fingers crossed!
Once I got into the TRICARE system here at Fort Hood, my new PCM gave me the referral to see a specialist to find out out next steps. Usually I go to these appointments solo, but this time Chris and I were being seen together. How novel, an apt to see both of together seeing as how it takes two...
Well let me tell you, I was both elated and angry all at the same time. I learned more in the first 5 minutes from our new dr than I got from being in MO for 6 months!
Here is what went down:
I already knew I wasn't ovulating and all we knew about Chris's sperm count is that the number of his viable sperm were low and slow. What we didn't know is that he has lots of sperm or why his count was low. When I asked the quack in MO if anything causes this he said "nah, this isn't a fluke, it is what it is, nothing affects them."
Well, apparently if a man is taking supplements, herbals, protein, vitamins and or anything from GNC at the time of the test those things can affect the sample. As does a diet high in caffeine and salt.
I was floored! Chris was taking vitamin supplements and protein from GNC!
Why didn't the doc ask Chris if he was taking any of those things before he made his deposit? I mean every time I have anything done the doctors ask what meds I am taking, if I am taking anything OTC and instructions like don't take x, y or z before this test and no eating after midnight and ect.
If the doctor asked him Chris would have said yes, and we would have rescheduled the test. Why didn't the doc offer the above as a possible reason behind the results?!
Now we have hope!
My new dr gave me a 5 months supply of the Progesterone all at once (this is a Godsend in and of itself! In MO I had to wait until day 38 of not getting a period, call and leave a message for the nurse/dr, wait for them to call me back to order a pregnancy test, go in and take the test, wait for the dr to read the results, wait for him to call in the Rx, go pick up the Rx and then take the pills, wait to start bleeding, and then repeat all over again) which saves so much time!
It's not healthy to not have a bleed every 5 months, because it can cause the lining to build up which leads to cervical cancer, pelvic inflammatory diseases and implementation issues, just to name a few things. Now, if I don't get a period every 5 weeks I just need to take the pills. I don't need to take a pregnancy test every 5 weeks because Chris is deployed. Once he gets home, I will have to go to the dr's office to take a test before taking the medication.
The dr gave us both homework during the deployment. I need to get my BMI down to 24-26, eat more fruits, veggies, drink lots of water and work out like a mad woman. Bringing my BMI down can jump start ovulation and all that coupled with the Progesterone can also jump start it. If I do all the above and i'm still not ovulating, which happens to a lot of women, I can take Clomid.
Chris has to also lose weight, eat more fruits and veggies and has to go cold turkey on caffeine. Hopefully his sperm will be super charged and we can be a deployment statistic =)
If we don't have luck naturally she shed some light on what our other options are. She said there is a clinic in Austin where we could have the IUI done for $800 and that the clinic in San Antonio could do the IVF for between $5-$8,000.
Our new dr feels really confident that we can have a baby naturally and that we will be pregnant before the end of the year!
Fingers crossed!
MIA
Where in the world and what in the world have the Lynch's been up to?
Allow me to break it down:
We PCS'ed from FLW to Fort Hood, Texas (That's right we moved 2x in a year!)
Spent Christmas and New Years Eve in the Happiest Place on Earth, WDW
Signed the closing docs for our first home while on vaca in WDW
Ate our way through WDW to the tune of 7 lbs gained EACH
Chris turned 28
Drove cross country, first from MO to CT then CT to TX in TWO SEPARATE cars and with TWO dogs
Currently in the process of making our house into a home
Chris Deployed Jan 18=(
I ran my first 1/2 marathon Jan 24 (Princess 1/2 in Walt Disney World, yupp i love that place)
Did my first Epcot Crawl aka drinking around the world
Just got home from the most epic girls weekend everrrr
Allow me to break it down:
We PCS'ed from FLW to Fort Hood, Texas (That's right we moved 2x in a year!)
Spent Christmas and New Years Eve in the Happiest Place on Earth, WDW
Signed the closing docs for our first home while on vaca in WDW
Ate our way through WDW to the tune of 7 lbs gained EACH
Chris turned 28
Drove cross country, first from MO to CT then CT to TX in TWO SEPARATE cars and with TWO dogs
Currently in the process of making our house into a home
Chris Deployed Jan 18=(
I ran my first 1/2 marathon Jan 24 (Princess 1/2 in Walt Disney World, yupp i love that place)
Did my first Epcot Crawl aka drinking around the world
Just got home from the most epic girls weekend everrrr
Friday, December 7, 2012
Results
My doctor didn't sugar coat it so neither will I.
We cannot have a baby without medical intervention.
Saying it, then typing it and then reading those words makes me weep.
Test Results:
Blood work:My hormone levels are fine and my parts look good. The problem with me is I'm not ovulating and they don't know why. If you don't ovulate, you don't release an egg, hence you can't concieve.
Semenalysis:Chris's sperm are slow and low. A normal percentage is 25% and he's at 8%. Me not ovulating coupled with his low, slow sperm count is "troubling."
We are both essentially broken.
So my options are pretty slim right now and I have to wait until we get to Fort Hood, Texas in January for me to even begin to explore my limited options, if they even have an infertility specialist. If they don't I may have to drive to San Antonio to see someone. I will make that trip.
My FLW OBGYN recommended for me to go on Clomid. Clomid stimulates the release of hormones necessary for ovulation to occur and it's mainly used for treating female infertility.
If I take Clomid to help me ovulate and after three rounds if that doesn't work on it's own, i'd have to take Clomid and have the doctors inject his sperm into my cervix, aka IUI.
If that doesn't work, remember Chris has a low and slow sperm count, our only option for children is the painful and expensice IVF treatments.
Did I mention IUI and IVF are all out of pocket and they are not cheap?
Atleast we are still young right?
TRICARE does not cover non-coital reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination, in-vitro fertilization or other types of assisted reproductive technology (ART) except under special circumstances for some severely wounded warriors.
Some Military Treatment Facilities may offer assisted reproductive technology services as part of their graduate medical education training programs.
From the get go, adoption for the both of us has been off the table and I am against using a surrogate. I want to experience all of it or none of it. Chris and I are also in agreement about not putting ourselves into debt over procedures that are not guarenteed (the average IVF cost is $12,000, but it can be as much as $15,000 per round).
I'm just numb. All I have ever wanted was to get married and have a family and I can't. We can't, naturally which is so defeating.
To make matters worse, Chris is deploying as soon as we get to Hood, which means we can't even start Clomid until he comes home in July/August. The doctor said perhaps weight loss will jump start my ovulation but that's still a long shot.
I went into this testing wanting answers, and I got them. Now I have to deal with the consequeces of opening Pandora's box.
I don't know who out there in cyber space reads my ramblings, but if you are a mom or dad, hung your kids for me. They are precious miracles. If you are the praying kind, pray for us.
We cannot have a baby without medical intervention.
Saying it, then typing it and then reading those words makes me weep.
Test Results:
Blood work:My hormone levels are fine and my parts look good. The problem with me is I'm not ovulating and they don't know why. If you don't ovulate, you don't release an egg, hence you can't concieve.
Semenalysis:Chris's sperm are slow and low. A normal percentage is 25% and he's at 8%. Me not ovulating coupled with his low, slow sperm count is "troubling."
We are both essentially broken.
So my options are pretty slim right now and I have to wait until we get to Fort Hood, Texas in January for me to even begin to explore my limited options, if they even have an infertility specialist. If they don't I may have to drive to San Antonio to see someone. I will make that trip.
My FLW OBGYN recommended for me to go on Clomid. Clomid stimulates the release of hormones necessary for ovulation to occur and it's mainly used for treating female infertility.
If I take Clomid to help me ovulate and after three rounds if that doesn't work on it's own, i'd have to take Clomid and have the doctors inject his sperm into my cervix, aka IUI.
If that doesn't work, remember Chris has a low and slow sperm count, our only option for children is the painful and expensice IVF treatments.
Did I mention IUI and IVF are all out of pocket and they are not cheap?
Atleast we are still young right?
TRICARE does not cover non-coital reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination, in-vitro fertilization or other types of assisted reproductive technology (ART) except under special circumstances for some severely wounded warriors.
Some Military Treatment Facilities may offer assisted reproductive technology services as part of their graduate medical education training programs.
From the get go, adoption for the both of us has been off the table and I am against using a surrogate. I want to experience all of it or none of it. Chris and I are also in agreement about not putting ourselves into debt over procedures that are not guarenteed (the average IVF cost is $12,000, but it can be as much as $15,000 per round).
I'm just numb. All I have ever wanted was to get married and have a family and I can't. We can't, naturally which is so defeating.
To make matters worse, Chris is deploying as soon as we get to Hood, which means we can't even start Clomid until he comes home in July/August. The doctor said perhaps weight loss will jump start my ovulation but that's still a long shot.
I went into this testing wanting answers, and I got them. Now I have to deal with the consequeces of opening Pandora's box.
I don't know who out there in cyber space reads my ramblings, but if you are a mom or dad, hung your kids for me. They are precious miracles. If you are the praying kind, pray for us.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Our First Home
I still can't wrap my head around the fact that we are home buyers!
So far everything is going well. We passed the credit portion (they look over all of your financial records to determine how responsible you are) and the appraisal (A lender won't lend you money if the home is valued less than the offer price) and our loan is at the final stage of underwriting.
All we need now is for the title work to come through. We've purchase our home owner's insurance and scheduled all of our utilities to be turned on and, just to be safe, ordered a home inspection.
Fingers crossed we can close on Dec. 26. Did I mention we will be signing of docs while we are in WDW?! What a place to create such an awesome memory =)
Judgement Day
Tomorrow is the big day.
I (we) finally get the results back from all of the testing (three rounds of blood work, a semenalysis, and the HSG).
The Doc could simply just say we are not "connecting" at the right time because i'm not ovulating due to a simple and fixable hormone imbalance.
OR he could deliver the worst news of my life, that Chris and I will never be parents.
Part of me thinks that if the tests revealed anything serious they would have notified me by now but then another part of me thinks that they haven't even looked at them yet since the doctor said they needed to see all the test results before he can tell us anything.
I've had a knot in my stomach all week about this visit. I NEED to hear the results. Even if what he says is bad news, I need to hear the words so we can move on with our lives.
To make this doctor's appointment worse is I have to go solo because Chris will be tied up with his ECCC graduation that I will probably miss. My appt. is at 9 and his graduation is at 10.
I hope we are not broken. I really want to be a mama and get to experience everything that comes with it, getting huge and all.
I (we) finally get the results back from all of the testing (three rounds of blood work, a semenalysis, and the HSG).
The Doc could simply just say we are not "connecting" at the right time because i'm not ovulating due to a simple and fixable hormone imbalance.
OR he could deliver the worst news of my life, that Chris and I will never be parents.
Part of me thinks that if the tests revealed anything serious they would have notified me by now but then another part of me thinks that they haven't even looked at them yet since the doctor said they needed to see all the test results before he can tell us anything.
I've had a knot in my stomach all week about this visit. I NEED to hear the results. Even if what he says is bad news, I need to hear the words so we can move on with our lives.
To make this doctor's appointment worse is I have to go solo because Chris will be tied up with his ECCC graduation that I will probably miss. My appt. is at 9 and his graduation is at 10.
I hope we are not broken. I really want to be a mama and get to experience everything that comes with it, getting huge and all.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
The home buying process --3
When I woke up the next day, I was over it. I threw my phone on the bed, I usually took it every where I went, and took a nice, long, hot shower. As I was getting ready for the day, first stop on our agenda was IHOP to have pumpkin pancakes, I noticed that I had three text messages from my realtor.
Wrapped in just a towel and still a little bit drippy, my hearted started racing. In my offer I said we wanted to close in early January but the builder wanted to know if we would consider closing on Dec. 31. Intrigued, I called my realtor, my hands were too shaky to text her back, I asked her what that meant.
Basically she said if we closed before the end of the year the builder wouldn't have to pay an inventory tax. That's about $4-5000 big ones. I had myself a bargaining chip!
Now that I had some leverage, I told my realtor to say if he wanted to close on that day he would have to agree to my terms. I felt like such a bad ass! From my perspective, he wanted me to do him a solid favor and we have never met AND if I would be saving him a substantial hunk of change the least he could do was give me what I wanted. In the grand scheme of things, it wouldn't cost him nearly as much to meet my demands as it would for me to purchase these things on my own.
My realtor told me to stand by while she got a hold the of the builder.
In the mean time it was pancake time!
I was about to dive into my pancakes when my phone rang and we had a DEAL!!!!
All I had to do now was head back to her offer and sign the offer putting us offically under contract.
I.Was.In.Shock.
We.Just.Bought.A.House!
Wrapped in just a towel and still a little bit drippy, my hearted started racing. In my offer I said we wanted to close in early January but the builder wanted to know if we would consider closing on Dec. 31. Intrigued, I called my realtor, my hands were too shaky to text her back, I asked her what that meant.
Basically she said if we closed before the end of the year the builder wouldn't have to pay an inventory tax. That's about $4-5000 big ones. I had myself a bargaining chip!
Now that I had some leverage, I told my realtor to say if he wanted to close on that day he would have to agree to my terms. I felt like such a bad ass! From my perspective, he wanted me to do him a solid favor and we have never met AND if I would be saving him a substantial hunk of change the least he could do was give me what I wanted. In the grand scheme of things, it wouldn't cost him nearly as much to meet my demands as it would for me to purchase these things on my own.
My realtor told me to stand by while she got a hold the of the builder.
In the mean time it was pancake time!
I was about to dive into my pancakes when my phone rang and we had a DEAL!!!!
All I had to do now was head back to her offer and sign the offer putting us offically under contract.
I.Was.In.Shock.
We.Just.Bought.A.House!
The home buying process-2
I had anxiety all night long because I didn't want to piss of this builder by pointing out a flaw in his work.
On top of that, my Realtor shared that an offer fell through on this very same house six weeks earlier because of the builder's attitude. In a nutshell, the couple asked for routine things in there offer and when the builder countered, he came back $5,000 above asking. Obviously the buyers told him to go sit on a field and they moved on to another home.
I don't know if I was glad she shared this detail with me or not.
Now I was hoping that the builder had come to his senses since he screwed his pooch earlier and since the end of the year is coming up that he would need to get these houses off his hands more than I needed to buy this house.
My anxiety kept me up most of the night so I was ready to get this offer written. I met my realtor and she said that he would indeed fix the wall and he would fix it with poured concrete and not rail road ties aka wooden beams.
Whew! Now we could officially write the offer!
Even though the builder scoffed at the laundry list of things the first couple brought to the table, I figured I'd ask for the ceiling and figured the worst he could say was no or pick between one thing of another. My realtor is aggressive, which I liked, and said the things I am asking for are not outlandish:
For him to pay a portion of the closing
Include and install a stainless steel, french door refrigerator with ice and water in the door to match the rest of the appliances
Wooden blinds in all the windows
Install a garage door opener
Maintain the yard and security of the home until we move in
Frame the mirrors in the bathroom
Place light fixtures above said framed mirrors in the bathroom
Fix the retaining wall
If push came to shove, and he would agree to everything but made me chose between the blinds or the fridge I'd pick the blinds, since this place has a ton of windows and they are pain and often costly to put in, and I could probably score a sweet deal at a scratch and dent place, risk my life during Black Friday or take advantage of a military discount at Lowes or Home Depot.
I signed the offer and we submitted it at noon and I expected to hear back from him by dinner time or sooner.
Man, this is nothing like what you see on HGTV.
My home buying companion and I met some of her friends for dinner but I could hardly eat. My eyes were fixated on my phone. I did ask them in advance if I could leave my phone on the table and explained I was waiting for an offer to come through.
Still no movement from my phone. I am pretty sure I even slept with it on my face.
I went to bed, even more anxious!
On top of that, my Realtor shared that an offer fell through on this very same house six weeks earlier because of the builder's attitude. In a nutshell, the couple asked for routine things in there offer and when the builder countered, he came back $5,000 above asking. Obviously the buyers told him to go sit on a field and they moved on to another home.
I don't know if I was glad she shared this detail with me or not.
Now I was hoping that the builder had come to his senses since he screwed his pooch earlier and since the end of the year is coming up that he would need to get these houses off his hands more than I needed to buy this house.
My anxiety kept me up most of the night so I was ready to get this offer written. I met my realtor and she said that he would indeed fix the wall and he would fix it with poured concrete and not rail road ties aka wooden beams.
Whew! Now we could officially write the offer!
Even though the builder scoffed at the laundry list of things the first couple brought to the table, I figured I'd ask for the ceiling and figured the worst he could say was no or pick between one thing of another. My realtor is aggressive, which I liked, and said the things I am asking for are not outlandish:
For him to pay a portion of the closing
Include and install a stainless steel, french door refrigerator with ice and water in the door to match the rest of the appliances
Wooden blinds in all the windows
Install a garage door opener
Maintain the yard and security of the home until we move in
Frame the mirrors in the bathroom
Place light fixtures above said framed mirrors in the bathroom
Fix the retaining wall
If push came to shove, and he would agree to everything but made me chose between the blinds or the fridge I'd pick the blinds, since this place has a ton of windows and they are pain and often costly to put in, and I could probably score a sweet deal at a scratch and dent place, risk my life during Black Friday or take advantage of a military discount at Lowes or Home Depot.
I signed the offer and we submitted it at noon and I expected to hear back from him by dinner time or sooner.
Man, this is nothing like what you see on HGTV.
My home buying companion and I met some of her friends for dinner but I could hardly eat. My eyes were fixated on my phone. I did ask them in advance if I could leave my phone on the table and explained I was waiting for an offer to come through.
Still no movement from my phone. I am pretty sure I even slept with it on my face.
I went to bed, even more anxious!
The home buying process-- 1
For me, the best part of a PCS move -- I know I am crazy for actually enjoying part of this thing -- is looking up houses in our new area and looking up things to do, places to see and of course things to eat.
When we found out we were going to Fort Hood, Texas that was the first thing I did. I looked up houses to rent. It was during this initial search that we found out we couldn't really "afford," and by that I mean we would be at our BAH limit and would pay out of pocket for utilities, to rent in the area we wanted to live in BUT we could afford to BUY!?
Kina crazy right?
So we switched gears and started making a list of what we needed in a home and what we wanted in a home and that fueled our search and gave us a price point.
Originally we decided to get preapproved for $200,000 and in the area we wanted to live in, that could get you a pretty decent, pretty good sized home. By pretty decent and pretty good size I am talking 4 bed rooms, 2 full baths, two car garage, fenced in yard and 2,000 square feet.
Even though we could afford the mortage on a house at the price point, once we started utilizing USAA's mortgage calculator, which adds in property taxes (yeah we forgot about those) and home owners insurance (didn't phase us since we already have renters insurance) we realized we would be house poor and needed a more "responsible" ceiling.
With that being said, we marked our favorites on a website, which we had to sign up for (free) because it would only allow you to browse so many houses without doing so.
We started hearing the same Realty group over and over again from friends in the course and its funny because the day we registered for this website someone from that brokerage called me. Instead of being obnoxious and car salesmen like the woman on the other end of the phone made me not want to hang up on her. Even funnier is she worked for the firm that many people in the ECCC recommended. To put the cherry and whip cream on top they were a firm that USAA endorsed and if we used this preferred Realtor we would get a check, in the tune of $950, back at the end.
Double, triple ice cream sundae with all the toppings score!
I told her what we were looking for, where we were looking, a pricepoint we were comfortable and gave her an approximate timeline and set up a time when I could come down to Texas to house hunt with her.
I can't believe we could be buying our first home at the ripe 'ole ages of 27.
I made the 11 hour trip down to Texas with a friend here at the ECCC and lucky for me she grew up in Waco, Texas and just spent the last few years stationed at Fort Hood. The trip down flew by and I was anxious to meet our Realtor. I was kind of bummed I had to do this trip Chris-less but we both agreed that if I didn't find anything I LOVED that we weren't desperate to buy and atleast we tested the waters and learned something if I left without putting an offer in.
When I turned the corner to enter the door of the realty company I noticed a sign on the door that said "The Shine Team Welcomes Vanessa Lynch." I swear its the little things that matter.
Then I met my Realtor, Amy, and instantly liked her and knew she was the perfect match for us.
We were able to knock a lot of houses off my 22 house list for various reasons: price point, already under contract, not move in ready until Feb. or March and we need something by the first week of January or just bad design/location.
People always say don't buy the first thing you see, but the first house she showed me was the one. I just had that feeling when I walked inside. But, for good measure, we looked at lots more but nothing compared both asthetically and for the price. We saw some pre-owned homes that were $20,000 more than this brand new, never lived in number.
I wanted it!
However, once my agent told me that we would never share a fence line on one side of our house because of a runoff drain I had to investigate the backside of the property. Enter Army officer's wife's limited construction knowledge: I noticed the boards along the retaining wall were warped and I knew that was no bueno.
I showed the realtor and she agreed that this needs to be fixed so we headed back to her office, it was around 6 pm, to write an offer (umm is this real life?!) and she wrote in a prelimiary contigency stating I wouldn't write a full offer until he addressed to fix this.
This was a very productive and informative first day of house hunting. I have only been in Texas for two days (the first day doesn't really count since we got in at 7:30, checked into our hotel, ate dinner and hit the sack), and I have already found a house I loved and put an offer in!
Again, is this real life?
When we found out we were going to Fort Hood, Texas that was the first thing I did. I looked up houses to rent. It was during this initial search that we found out we couldn't really "afford," and by that I mean we would be at our BAH limit and would pay out of pocket for utilities, to rent in the area we wanted to live in BUT we could afford to BUY!?
Kina crazy right?
So we switched gears and started making a list of what we needed in a home and what we wanted in a home and that fueled our search and gave us a price point.
Originally we decided to get preapproved for $200,000 and in the area we wanted to live in, that could get you a pretty decent, pretty good sized home. By pretty decent and pretty good size I am talking 4 bed rooms, 2 full baths, two car garage, fenced in yard and 2,000 square feet.
Even though we could afford the mortage on a house at the price point, once we started utilizing USAA's mortgage calculator, which adds in property taxes (yeah we forgot about those) and home owners insurance (didn't phase us since we already have renters insurance) we realized we would be house poor and needed a more "responsible" ceiling.
With that being said, we marked our favorites on a website, which we had to sign up for (free) because it would only allow you to browse so many houses without doing so.
We started hearing the same Realty group over and over again from friends in the course and its funny because the day we registered for this website someone from that brokerage called me. Instead of being obnoxious and car salesmen like the woman on the other end of the phone made me not want to hang up on her. Even funnier is she worked for the firm that many people in the ECCC recommended. To put the cherry and whip cream on top they were a firm that USAA endorsed and if we used this preferred Realtor we would get a check, in the tune of $950, back at the end.
Double, triple ice cream sundae with all the toppings score!
I told her what we were looking for, where we were looking, a pricepoint we were comfortable and gave her an approximate timeline and set up a time when I could come down to Texas to house hunt with her.
I can't believe we could be buying our first home at the ripe 'ole ages of 27.
I made the 11 hour trip down to Texas with a friend here at the ECCC and lucky for me she grew up in Waco, Texas and just spent the last few years stationed at Fort Hood. The trip down flew by and I was anxious to meet our Realtor. I was kind of bummed I had to do this trip Chris-less but we both agreed that if I didn't find anything I LOVED that we weren't desperate to buy and atleast we tested the waters and learned something if I left without putting an offer in.
When I turned the corner to enter the door of the realty company I noticed a sign on the door that said "The Shine Team Welcomes Vanessa Lynch." I swear its the little things that matter.
Then I met my Realtor, Amy, and instantly liked her and knew she was the perfect match for us.
We were able to knock a lot of houses off my 22 house list for various reasons: price point, already under contract, not move in ready until Feb. or March and we need something by the first week of January or just bad design/location.
People always say don't buy the first thing you see, but the first house she showed me was the one. I just had that feeling when I walked inside. But, for good measure, we looked at lots more but nothing compared both asthetically and for the price. We saw some pre-owned homes that were $20,000 more than this brand new, never lived in number.
I wanted it!
However, once my agent told me that we would never share a fence line on one side of our house because of a runoff drain I had to investigate the backside of the property. Enter Army officer's wife's limited construction knowledge: I noticed the boards along the retaining wall were warped and I knew that was no bueno.
I showed the realtor and she agreed that this needs to be fixed so we headed back to her office, it was around 6 pm, to write an offer (umm is this real life?!) and she wrote in a prelimiary contigency stating I wouldn't write a full offer until he addressed to fix this.
This was a very productive and informative first day of house hunting. I have only been in Texas for two days (the first day doesn't really count since we got in at 7:30, checked into our hotel, ate dinner and hit the sack), and I have already found a house I loved and put an offer in!
Again, is this real life?
Monday, November 19, 2012
HSG
I purposely did not Google this procedure in advance because I can do a pretty good job of working myself up by myself. After canceling and rescheduling (when you don't get a period and need to rely on Progesterone to get one coupled with the fact the test can only be done between days 7 and 11 of your cycle and your body doesn't cooperate with the doctors time line, you get the idea) this critical test three times, I was just relieved that I could finally get it done.
Here is the skinny of the procedure:
A hysterosalpingogram, or HSG, is an X-ray test that looks at the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes and the area around them.
An HSG is done for a couple of reasons:
1. Find a blocked fallopian tube. The test often is done for a woman who is having a hard time becoming pregnant. An infection may cause severe scarring of the fallopian tubes and block the tubes, preventing pregnancy. Occasionally the dye used during a hysterosalpingogram will push through and open a blocked tube.
2. Find problems in the uterus, such as an abnormal shape or structure, an injury, polyps, fibroids, adhesions, or a foreign object in the uterus. These types of problems may cause painful menstrual periods or repeated miscarriages.
3. See whether surgery to reverse a tubal ligation has been successful.
I would have loved for Chris to be there holding my hand and talking me through it but with his ECCC graduation around the corner and the last critical event happening this week, he wasn't able to go with me. This is the life I agreed to and I am just thankful he is here with me versus down range.
Anyway, I put on my big girl panties and was about to drive myself when a girl friend offered to be my support. I was hesitant to accept her offer, but I just knew having a familiar face in the room would relax me.
Before the actual test could be done I had to go to the lab and have a pregnancy test done. I would consider myself a pro at 1. taking them and 2. failing them (I've got 15 under my belt) so this didn't phase me. What got me all worked up was when my nurse started going over the procedure and what I could expect. My palms started to sweat and for those of you know what happens to my body when I get anxious/nervous, that was throbbing.
She left the room to gather the items we needed which left me and my support system alone in the room with the model of a vagina. In hindsight looking at the Mirena diagram probably made matters worse, but my friend showed me where they would insert the catheter and then the dye.
Ay carumba, all the way up in there!?
We walked down the hall, took the elevator down to radiology and I stripped down from the waste down and covered myself in a blanket and sat down on the x-ray table.
Now I was really begin to freak out and the reality that I was actually having this test done became very real. The nurse assured me this would be fast, and that once the dye was injected it would be less than a minute.
Here is how it went down, and yes I cried the entire time. Not because I was scared of the procedure per say, more so because I didn't know what to expect and I had mixed emotions about 1. actually being able to finally have this done (sense of relief since this is the final part of the workup and then I can get the results of all my tests, which will give me some answers and the big picture of whether we can have kids or not), 2.what this test could tell me on the spot (am I willing to walk down that path and how will I handle the results, be them good or bad). 3. the fact that I needed to have this test done finally hit me....
My doctor suited up, gloves and the xray protection gown donned, and put the metal speculum in, along with copious amount of lube. Man I hate that thing and that stuff.
Then he swabbed me with Iodine to prevent infection. That stuff smells.
This next part was the worst part. He inserted a small, thin catheter with a balloon tip all the way through my cervix, where they would place an IUD. The cramping was immediate. Then he added air to the balloon at the tip. Even more cramping!
I have never felt cramps like that before and I have never been that uncomfortable before (read: a strange man between my legs looking at my cashlapas, a speculum and a catheter all up in me, two nurses, a good friend and a radiologist in the same room).
The radiologist came in, set up the xray machine and then the doctor started inserting the dye inside. WOW! That's the only way to explain it. I wanted to bear down but that would have pushed the dye and the catheter out, but he nurse was right it was less than a minute in length.
I heard the doctor say that my uterus looked perfect and the tubes looked clear, then I covered my face and started to hysterically cry. I almost wanted to feel the "pop" the nurse mentioned because atleast that would mean I had blockage that the dye was able to open and push through. Atleast that would have given me a reason as to why we are having a hard time try to get pregnant. Instead I don't know why. I do know my "parts" look normal which is a good thing but then my mind starts to race. Is there a bigger problem or is this a quick hormone fix. I hate when I can't turn my head off.
I. Lost. It.
All my emotions came to a head. I was really in this room having this procedure done because I am an infertility patient. I can't have kids without medical intervention. Shit just got real.
I won't know what the big picture looks like until I can schedule a follow up appointment (for all you military spouses out there you know what a challenge this is in and of itself). I told my nurse that we are PCSing Dec. 14 and they need to fit me in somewhere. I don't care if they give me my results in a bathroom, I NEED to know what's going on and what options I have ASAP and before we get to our new location.
I am not starting 2013 without answers.
Here is the skinny of the procedure:
A hysterosalpingogram, or HSG, is an X-ray test that looks at the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes and the area around them.
During the test, a dye is put through a thin tube that is put through the vagina and into the uterus. Because the uterus and the fallopian tubes are hooked together, the dye will flow into the fallopian tubes. Pictures are taken using a steady beam of X-ray as the dye passes through the uterus and fallopian tubes.
The pictures can show problems such as an injury or abnormal structure of the uterus or fallopian tubes, or a blockage that would prevent an egg moving through a fallopian tube to the uterus. A blockage also could prevent sperm from moving into a fallopian tube and joining an egg. A hysterosalpingogram also may find problems on the inside of the uterus that prevent a fertilized egg from attaching (implanting) to the uterine wall.
An HSG is done for a couple of reasons:
1. Find a blocked fallopian tube. The test often is done for a woman who is having a hard time becoming pregnant. An infection may cause severe scarring of the fallopian tubes and block the tubes, preventing pregnancy. Occasionally the dye used during a hysterosalpingogram will push through and open a blocked tube.
2. Find problems in the uterus, such as an abnormal shape or structure, an injury, polyps, fibroids, adhesions, or a foreign object in the uterus. These types of problems may cause painful menstrual periods or repeated miscarriages.
3. See whether surgery to reverse a tubal ligation has been successful.
I would have loved for Chris to be there holding my hand and talking me through it but with his ECCC graduation around the corner and the last critical event happening this week, he wasn't able to go with me. This is the life I agreed to and I am just thankful he is here with me versus down range.
Anyway, I put on my big girl panties and was about to drive myself when a girl friend offered to be my support. I was hesitant to accept her offer, but I just knew having a familiar face in the room would relax me.
Before the actual test could be done I had to go to the lab and have a pregnancy test done. I would consider myself a pro at 1. taking them and 2. failing them (I've got 15 under my belt) so this didn't phase me. What got me all worked up was when my nurse started going over the procedure and what I could expect. My palms started to sweat and for those of you know what happens to my body when I get anxious/nervous, that was throbbing.
She left the room to gather the items we needed which left me and my support system alone in the room with the model of a vagina. In hindsight looking at the Mirena diagram probably made matters worse, but my friend showed me where they would insert the catheter and then the dye.
Ay carumba, all the way up in there!?
We walked down the hall, took the elevator down to radiology and I stripped down from the waste down and covered myself in a blanket and sat down on the x-ray table.
Now I was really begin to freak out and the reality that I was actually having this test done became very real. The nurse assured me this would be fast, and that once the dye was injected it would be less than a minute.
Here is how it went down, and yes I cried the entire time. Not because I was scared of the procedure per say, more so because I didn't know what to expect and I had mixed emotions about 1. actually being able to finally have this done (sense of relief since this is the final part of the workup and then I can get the results of all my tests, which will give me some answers and the big picture of whether we can have kids or not), 2.what this test could tell me on the spot (am I willing to walk down that path and how will I handle the results, be them good or bad). 3. the fact that I needed to have this test done finally hit me....
My doctor suited up, gloves and the xray protection gown donned, and put the metal speculum in, along with copious amount of lube. Man I hate that thing and that stuff.
Then he swabbed me with Iodine to prevent infection. That stuff smells.
This next part was the worst part. He inserted a small, thin catheter with a balloon tip all the way through my cervix, where they would place an IUD. The cramping was immediate. Then he added air to the balloon at the tip. Even more cramping!
I have never felt cramps like that before and I have never been that uncomfortable before (read: a strange man between my legs looking at my cashlapas, a speculum and a catheter all up in me, two nurses, a good friend and a radiologist in the same room).
The radiologist came in, set up the xray machine and then the doctor started inserting the dye inside. WOW! That's the only way to explain it. I wanted to bear down but that would have pushed the dye and the catheter out, but he nurse was right it was less than a minute in length.
I heard the doctor say that my uterus looked perfect and the tubes looked clear, then I covered my face and started to hysterically cry. I almost wanted to feel the "pop" the nurse mentioned because atleast that would mean I had blockage that the dye was able to open and push through. Atleast that would have given me a reason as to why we are having a hard time try to get pregnant. Instead I don't know why. I do know my "parts" look normal which is a good thing but then my mind starts to race. Is there a bigger problem or is this a quick hormone fix. I hate when I can't turn my head off.
I. Lost. It.
All my emotions came to a head. I was really in this room having this procedure done because I am an infertility patient. I can't have kids without medical intervention. Shit just got real.
I won't know what the big picture looks like until I can schedule a follow up appointment (for all you military spouses out there you know what a challenge this is in and of itself). I told my nurse that we are PCSing Dec. 14 and they need to fit me in somewhere. I don't care if they give me my results in a bathroom, I NEED to know what's going on and what options I have ASAP and before we get to our new location.
I am not starting 2013 without answers.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
MY "RedNek" wine glasses
When Chris and I first moved to Missourah, as the local yokals call it, I stumbled upon these lil gems and thought they were the funniest thing.
What's even funnier was the price tag...
$16.95 for ONE!
I eventually caved and bought one for my mom as a birthday gift. I'm kind of kicking myself now because I WAY over spent and could have made her an entire set for the price I paid for ONE.
Intrigued?
Whelp, on a recent trip to the mecca of crafting stores, Hobby Lobby, I scored big baby.
I bought a mason jar that retailed for $1.79 and it was on sale for 50 percent off: .89 cents.
Then I bought a candle stick holder that fit nicely underneath that retailed for $2.99 that was also, score, 50 percent off: $1.50.
I had some Super Glue at home and woila!
Grand total:
$2.38!!
What's even funnier was the price tag...
$16.95 for ONE!
I eventually caved and bought one for my mom as a birthday gift. I'm kind of kicking myself now because I WAY over spent and could have made her an entire set for the price I paid for ONE.
Intrigued?
Whelp, on a recent trip to the mecca of crafting stores, Hobby Lobby, I scored big baby.
I bought a mason jar that retailed for $1.79 and it was on sale for 50 percent off: .89 cents.
Then I bought a candle stick holder that fit nicely underneath that retailed for $2.99 that was also, score, 50 percent off: $1.50.
I had some Super Glue at home and woila!
Grand total:
$2.38!!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Texas Show Down
So we just got the RFO, or request for orders, so hopefully we will get the official golden ticket, aka the orders, some time early next week.
In the mean time, Chris and I have been busy looking at houses online, comparing layouts, price point where are comfortable (figured in taxes and insurance), features we want vs things that are must haves and have narrowed down an area where we want to live: Harker Heights.
We also picked a Realtor that many people have recommended which reassured us and the Realtor pointed us in the direction of a VA lender who has 34 years of experience writing VA loans.
I am road trippin' it to Texas in a few days to house hunt with a friend in the ECCC that is not only from Austin but just came from Fort Hood, double score.
Did I mention she is a good time?
I just hope we actually do some house hunting while we are down there, hehe.
Our first stay is shot since it's our travel day and after 11 hours in the car, we will be beat, so that leaves us with three full days and our agent said we could probably see a dozen houses in a hour, good deal!
Chris and I discussed with our agent that we aren't desperate to buy. If we don't find something we love in our price range we aren't signing on the dotted line and we will start our search for a rental property.
Fingers crossed, y'all.
In the mean time, Chris and I have been busy looking at houses online, comparing layouts, price point where are comfortable (figured in taxes and insurance), features we want vs things that are must haves and have narrowed down an area where we want to live: Harker Heights.
We also picked a Realtor that many people have recommended which reassured us and the Realtor pointed us in the direction of a VA lender who has 34 years of experience writing VA loans.
I am road trippin' it to Texas in a few days to house hunt with a friend in the ECCC that is not only from Austin but just came from Fort Hood, double score.
Did I mention she is a good time?
I just hope we actually do some house hunting while we are down there, hehe.
Our first stay is shot since it's our travel day and after 11 hours in the car, we will be beat, so that leaves us with three full days and our agent said we could probably see a dozen houses in a hour, good deal!
Chris and I discussed with our agent that we aren't desperate to buy. If we don't find something we love in our price range we aren't signing on the dotted line and we will start our search for a rental property.
Fingers crossed, y'all.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Giddy 'up!
So where is the Lynch family heading next...
Here are a few hints:
Give up?
We are going to the place where they saying everything is bigger....
We report in January but I am making a trip down with a friend this month to house hunt! Get ready Texas, here we come!
Here are a few hints:
 |
| They rock these year round |
 |
| These are a common accessory |
 |
| They worship these bad boys |
 |
| Typical past time/weekend event
|
Give up?
We are going to the place where they saying everything is bigger....
Friday, October 26, 2012
Coffee Group Round Two
For our next "Coffee Group," we all went bowling at they alley on post. It was such a fun time!
Ironically there was an even number of us, 6, so we split up into two teams for a friendly competition. My team, obvs, was on a roll (did I mention one of my team mates was 9 months preggers?!) until our lane broke, not once, not twice but three times. That seriously put a damper on our momentum and we lost our mojo.
We ended up having to move lanes but that still didn't help because our new lane wasn't cooperating either. Just our luck right!?
How did I solve this problem? Lunch time and cocktail time of course. We all took the opportunity to grab a bite to eat from the concession area and do what ladies to best, chit chat =)
Before we all left, I pitched the idea to have a Pinterest Party where we make crafts and everyone brings a Pinterest inspired dish to share. I am so excited I can't wait to host it!
Ironically there was an even number of us, 6, so we split up into two teams for a friendly competition. My team, obvs, was on a roll (did I mention one of my team mates was 9 months preggers?!) until our lane broke, not once, not twice but three times. That seriously put a damper on our momentum and we lost our mojo.
We ended up having to move lanes but that still didn't help because our new lane wasn't cooperating either. Just our luck right!?
How did I solve this problem? Lunch time and cocktail time of course. We all took the opportunity to grab a bite to eat from the concession area and do what ladies to best, chit chat =)
Before we all left, I pitched the idea to have a Pinterest Party where we make crafts and everyone brings a Pinterest inspired dish to share. I am so excited I can't wait to host it!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Girls Day Out!
Chris informed me that the Small Groups voted to have a Dining Out, which means spouses are invited, so I went digging through my hanging space bags to see if I had any dresses for the occasion.
Luckily I had three, but two of my options were from several Dining Out's past (read from our college days) and there was no way I was going to fit into them (read they were sizes 8 and 10) and the one I had wore to the 130th's Ball in Hawaii in 2010 wasn't my fav to begin with (read I only had two weeks notice to find a dress and get it altered and being busty and short that's a tall order so I was already very limited to what I could get). So I called up my friend Nina from Hawaii and asked if she wasn't to take a day off from being a mom of two and venture into STL with me. Of course she said yes, who else would say no to my offer?
Anyhoo, I extended the invite to two of the ladies I met at the coffee and originally they both said yes but since we were leaving early, my pregnant new friend had to pass because she was experiencing morning sickness. So the three of us loaded up into my lil zoom and we headed into STL.
The 2 hour + trip went by pretty fast because of the great conversation and before we knew it we were at out first stop, The West County Mall. We went to Dick's first because I needed some cold weather running gear and the girls entertained my spandex filled fashion show.
Our next stop was Nordstrom to start our dress hunt but they had nothing, a big shocker, but then we magically found ourselves in the shoe department, oops, but I hit the jack pot. I finally found not one but two pairs of boots that actually fit me! Woohoo! I was amped. My eight year search finally came to an end. On that note, a celebratory drink was in order, so we picked up some Starbucks and continued our hunt for dresses. Turning up nada, we were off to the Galleria mall to continue our search and to have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.
Before we left, I made a pit stop into AE to entertain the idea of potentially buying skinny jeans. Boy did I score again! I found TWO pairs of skinny jeans that not only fit amazing they also were very flattering and I scored 20 percent off.
By now we were famished so we had to eat before any more shopping could carry on. Lunch was yummy and filling and we all walked around, food babies in tow, on a mission to find dresses. FINALLY Nordstrom had a dress for me (and I found a sweet black blazer) but nothing suited Elizabeth's fancy so we continued on our hunt. She eventually found a stunning purple number that ironically was the long version of the black, lace cut out back dress that I wore in my friend's wedding!
By the time it was all said in done, the mall was closing (the day went by so fast!) so we loaded up our spoils and made the drive back home.
This was a very successful day =)
Luckily I had three, but two of my options were from several Dining Out's past (read from our college days) and there was no way I was going to fit into them (read they were sizes 8 and 10) and the one I had wore to the 130th's Ball in Hawaii in 2010 wasn't my fav to begin with (read I only had two weeks notice to find a dress and get it altered and being busty and short that's a tall order so I was already very limited to what I could get). So I called up my friend Nina from Hawaii and asked if she wasn't to take a day off from being a mom of two and venture into STL with me. Of course she said yes, who else would say no to my offer?
Anyhoo, I extended the invite to two of the ladies I met at the coffee and originally they both said yes but since we were leaving early, my pregnant new friend had to pass because she was experiencing morning sickness. So the three of us loaded up into my lil zoom and we headed into STL.
The 2 hour + trip went by pretty fast because of the great conversation and before we knew it we were at out first stop, The West County Mall. We went to Dick's first because I needed some cold weather running gear and the girls entertained my spandex filled fashion show.
Our next stop was Nordstrom to start our dress hunt but they had nothing, a big shocker, but then we magically found ourselves in the shoe department, oops, but I hit the jack pot. I finally found not one but two pairs of boots that actually fit me! Woohoo! I was amped. My eight year search finally came to an end. On that note, a celebratory drink was in order, so we picked up some Starbucks and continued our hunt for dresses. Turning up nada, we were off to the Galleria mall to continue our search and to have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.
Before we left, I made a pit stop into AE to entertain the idea of potentially buying skinny jeans. Boy did I score again! I found TWO pairs of skinny jeans that not only fit amazing they also were very flattering and I scored 20 percent off.
By now we were famished so we had to eat before any more shopping could carry on. Lunch was yummy and filling and we all walked around, food babies in tow, on a mission to find dresses. FINALLY Nordstrom had a dress for me (and I found a sweet black blazer) but nothing suited Elizabeth's fancy so we continued on our hunt. She eventually found a stunning purple number that ironically was the long version of the black, lace cut out back dress that I wore in my friend's wedding!
By the time it was all said in done, the mall was closing (the day went by so fast!) so we loaded up our spoils and made the drive back home.
This was a very successful day =)
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