7 Quick Takes- Medical Edition

I finally had followups with Dr. LaSalle and the Napro doctor.  I haven't started anything yet, just trying to digest the information. 

-1-

Vitamins and Minerals

I'm low in all the Bs (except 6 because I was taking a supplement), magnesium, iron and zinc.  Dr. LaSalle wants me to take a high quality supplements and a probiotic. 

-2-

Progesterone

Low progesterone throughout post peak.  Dr. LaSalle thought it was fine and Napro said it was "less than optimal."  Suppositories here we come!

-3-

Thyroid

Again, Dr. LaSalle said it was fine and Napro doc wants me to take temps for 10 days out of cycle (Days 5-9 and then Peak +5- Peak +9).  If the temps are below 98.2, they will give me T3 since I have too much RT3.  I've already taken temps for 5 days and not one has been above 97.5.  Hmm.  No wonder why I'm cold all the time. 

-4-

Adrenals

Looking good!!

-5-

Food Allergies

Lots of very mild allergies so Dr. LaSalle recommended a rotation diet where you only eat a food every four days.  I have to wrap my head around this one after all the changes I've made with my diet.  I tend to eat the same thing everyday until it's gone.  I'll make a pot of soup and eat it everyday for lunch.  The big difference will be stocking up on a variety of foods. 

-6-

Sleep

Napro doc wants a sleep study done.  She said that all the hormone supplements in the world won't help if this is a sleep issue.  I made an appointment to meet with a doctor in town who supervises them and then inadvertently missed it yesterday.  Got caught in traffic.  We are on vacation next week so my new appointment is the week after.  Guess the sleep study won't be done before school starts.  Oh Well. 

-7-

Weight

I've lost about 10 pounds now.  Several weeks ago, I gained a few and I'm losing 1/2 pound a week so it's took me a month to get back to where I was.  It's been a little frustrating, but I think I found my groove.  The five vegetables a day are key.  Adding fat like butter or bacon to the veggies help them go down.  I'm making veggies like my grandma used to!  I'm exercising in two 20 minutes sessions a day.  I find that I can get my tired self to do 20 minutes.  In the morning I do yoga or weights and a run once a week.  In the afternoon, I'll bike, swim or run.  Once a week, I'm doing an hour run.  Yesterday, I did a 20 minute run and ran  2 10 minute miles which is really fast for me.  It felt great.  I'm also trying to make each day consistent in weight watcher points.  They give you a certain number of points per day based on your weight (I have 29).  Then you have 49 extra point each week to use however you want.  I found I was using those 49 points in 2 or 3 days.  That meant I was eating a whole lot (aka binging) on those days.  Now, instead, I'm shooting for 35 points a day.  I haven't binged in several weeks now.  If I know that I want to splurge on a particular meal, I can eat low points for the other meals of the day and really go all out for one meal. 

Praise God for such great medical care!  Hope everyone has a great week.  You are in my prayers!

Heartland

Thanks for all the prayers on the last post- they were working over here.  My hubbie and I have had lots of chats about the topic and all is well.  He has a fondness for Peter and feels a kinship with him especially when Peter falters.  So, he's always comparing his own life with Peter's.  The thing about my DH is he has a lightheartedness in his faith that I lack.  He easily admits his faults and mistakes and is able to move on pretty quickly.  He accepts God's forgiveness and mercy much more openly than I do.  He has more to teach me than I do him.  Even though we are still working through the feelings, there is a sense of peace in the house.  Thanks for listening. 

Last Saturday, we went to The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in New Franken, Wisconsin.  It was a long drive, but completely worth it.  The grounds were delightful- well kept and humble.  It reminded me of my grandparents pristinely sweet garden.  The crypt marking the place where the apparitions occurred was so completely breathtaking that I  forgot to pray for all the intentions I planned.  There were so many candles burning that it was well over 100 degrees in the actual shrine.  There weren't even any candles left to light.  I was so overcome with awe that I was only able to pray for two intentions that were heavy on my heart.  I have two friends that are in crisis situations and needed immediate prayers.  As I fell asleep that night, I prayed to Mary for all of us infertile gals.  I'm hoping she understands.  We went with DH's cousin's family and had a lovely time.  I forgot my camera- these pics are from my DH's cousin's wife. 

Fatima garden

Stations of the cross

The Crucifixion

Sr. Adele's grave

Guitar Man and I

The statue in the Crypt- right above the apparition site.  Rows and rows of candles lined the entire room.

Today, DH, AJ and I drove the back roads to Peoria for my NaPro follow up.  That is another post in and of itself ;)  During both of our drives, we saw blue sky, fluffy bright white clouds, golden corn tops, bright green corn stalks and dark green soybean plants.  I love living in the breadbasket of the world where every piece of land is touched, cultivated and worked.  Whatever I feel about corn and soy and how they are used, this part of the world feeds the world.  It's done mostly by hard working families who love the land and are dedicated community members.   God Bless all the farmers and their families! 

Didn't see this one coming

For about six years, I prayed for my dear husband to find his vocation and that if it was God's will, that more children would be included.  There were difficult moments, but overall, God gave me the grace to embrace my life with one child even though I longed for more.  Then, two years ago, Guitar Man was open to having more children.  Now, here we are not able to conceive.  Last night, he opens up to me that maybe all those years of not wanting children were really him not putting faith in God.  And that if he had faith, maybe we would have more kids.  This is all in light of this week's Gospel.  He said that he was like Peter, he was following without wholehearted faith.  Oh Lordy.  You see, I've been under the impression all this time that we were following with faith.  My husband is a musician and writer.  He has produced beautiful work during the past 8 years.  Art that is touched by Christ.  As with any art, who knows if it will ever have a large audience.  But, even if only one person is influenced by it, it is worth it.  So, you see, I didn't think this was coming.  I responded HORRIBLY to him.  Horribly.  I told him I could not handle his regret.  That I handled his not wanting children so well- that he could not expect me to handle this well.  I had just returned from a Creighton followup.  Never fun being reminded of infertility in a fertile world.  Plus, it was CD2.  I say this not to excuse my behavior, but to explain it. 

I'm now realizing that I need to support him through this realization.  I have lots of experience with handling what-ifs and regret.  Thank God for Abigail's post on not being scandalized by the cross.  It has given me strength today.  The only good thing I said last night is that at least he was always honest.  He was honest all those years about children.  He's being honest now.  I just have to be open and forgiving.  St. Joseph, pray for us.