35 week update

Can.not. believe that we are at week 35 already!  It is amazing how quickly this pregnancy has gone by.  Sad and exciting all at the same time.  :-)

I had my final progesterone blood draw at the lab yesterday.  Level was still just below level 2 (see chart at top) but NaPro doc says I can go down to 100mg for 2 more injections and then be done.  Hooray for no more needles!!!

Home visit with the midwives is this Friday so I am furiously intending to clean the house the next few days.  Ha ha!  We'll see what I actually get done.  I have had a lingering cold for almost 6 weeks now and am just starting to feel a bit better.  I tell ya - it is no fun to have sudden, intense coughing fits while having a 5# baby squishing your bladder.  I also pulled a belly muscle during one fit, thankfully that healed up quickly as it was rather painful.

Otherwise, I am feeling good.  Very little swelling, blood pressure still fine, blood  glucose readings have been good, urine stick readings are all good, baby is moving lots.  Little monkey still likes to go breech and transverse often, but seems to be starting to settle down in a good position.  I am still visiting the chiropractor weekly for adjustments and that keeps me walking at least.  I have regained all the weight I worked so hard to lose last year, but that is just how it goes.  It's been hard to exercise the latter part - especially with this cold.

All birth supplies are gathered and ready to go.  It's amazing to imagine birthing our baby.  I can't wait!  I love birth - yes, it is hard work but it is such an incredible process and the reward is like none other.  Prayers for all to go well are much appreciated.

Birth story will likely be when you hear from me again - in the next 6 weeks or so, unless something exciting happens in the meantime!

Plans (occupying my mind)

Hanging in here!  I am trying very hard not to look for signs, but it's hard!  8dpo and nothing exciting to report, my lp is 12-13 days normally.  We'll see.  I try to use this time to consider the cycle and what worked and what changes, if any, to make for next cycle should it come (that way I have something to look fwd to if af shows).  I am thinking that I will take the soy isoflavones again at 150mg days 5-9 and I also will commit to getting maca in me.  I really, really dislike the taste of maca and just cannot get it down in smoothies or by just guzzling it in a bit of water (that was about disastrous).  I am planning to capsule it and commit to taking 4 capsules a day which should equal 2 tsp.  Starting Monday, I also plan to exercise for 30 min daily whether af comes or not, and work more on eating well - low carb whole foods.  I did get a menu made for this week and did grocery shopping based on it yesterday so that shouldn't be too hard!

Oh, one thing to make note of is that I have had the sciatica pain on my right side and that strange itchy nerve pain in my right hip for the past 4 days.  It seems to be subsiding today.  Very annoying, painful and frustrating!

Blessings and update

Thought I would do a quick update here.  We are now on day 23 of charting with CrMS and all is going well so far.  We can tell there is definite low progesterone happening so far.  We meet with LaDean again on Thursday and will learn some more parts of the charting and evaluate everything so far.  I really look forward to our visit, she has blessed us in immeasurable ways already.

I am currently searching for a local care provider that would be willing to work via Dr. Yeung so that we don't have the expense of traveling to see him in NC.  I have some leads, but nothing definite yet.  Hoping to talk with a couple more possibilities tomorrow.  We will make the trip if we have to, but he has offered this as a way to reduce our costs and I am so very thankful.  Please pray that someone would be willing to work with us in this way!

Another unexpected blessing was a LadyComp given to us by our very good friends along with their prayers for our fertility.  I had lots of fun getting it set up this afternoon and can very easily temp my bbt each morning and the computer tracks and evaluates it.  Since my cycles are irregular, it will take a while for it to be able to predict ovulation and menses, but it should help to confirm my other charts and eventually as I stabilize my hormones it should be very helpful.

I have been feeling pretty well.  Thankful my cycle was not longer than 41 days this time.  I have been eating well for the vast majority of the past 6 weeks and have lost a few more pounds, but seem stalled.  Tom and I had decided to start running on the Couch to 5K program and really enjoyed it, but I ended up with a knee injury a couple days after our 2nd run.  :-(  I spent about 10 days in bed but am much improved now.  I was able to walk 1/4 mile this morning while Tom ran and will build up to longer distances eventually.  I am planning to get back to T-Tapp on the other 3 days a week.

So, that's about it for now.  I have some studying to do before our next class and many other pressing matters about the home here.  I will update again in the next week or two.  Thank you for your prayers and support.

General update

Almost 3 weeks now since starting our new eating plan. It has been very easy and fulfilling to eat this way. I have lost almost 10 lbs in the past 3 weeks. I have days when I have a bit more energy, but am still fairly tired - though able to accomplish more throughout the day and not noticing the 3pm slump quite as much. I have not had issues with anxiety, difficulty breathing or heart palpitations recently, but am still taking SAM-e. I have not had severe endo pain, though some minor pain (not debilitating) in the past 3 weeks, but I also have not had a normal cycle since Nov 28. :-( I have not had a migraine in a while either, nigglings that I could get one but nothing serious. I have not any trouble with the tonsil stones for the last few weeks, my scalp has much improved, no thyroid pain. I have had itchiness on my face which I am working to figure out if it is an allergy to nuts or yeast growth, either way may need to cut them out of my diet. All in all, some good improvements.

My cycle is puzzling me for sure though. Have not had a menses since Nov 28 and have had 2 sessions of spotting for 2-3 days, now am spotting again. I get moody and achey and tired beforehand but then only spot. Need to figure that out. I have not used the pro cream since the end of December so it's not that. May need to consider another hair analysis and hormone panel soon.

Tom has mentioned that he has not had any heart burn for the last few weeks - hooray! The kids are doing very well on the plan. They are not complaining much, they are looking healthier. Rose said the other day that her lettuce tasted like candy - they were eating big wedges of it plain! Heather's attitude is much better the last few days, I had to stop in the middle of her grammar and tell her how much I liked seeing her smile and having her cooperate, she said that she felt happier - hooray!

That's it for now...

Update on last couple weeks

A quick update... my cycle started again this past Friday, 29 days since the previous one - that is improvement! I was pretty tense the night before and very tense the morning of, but once started I felt much better. I don't know how my family lives with me some days. It was only about 12 hours this time with the horrible pms - that is a bit of improvement too. This cycle has been very light so far, not sure what that is about. No migraine - woo hoo!

I have had some pain in my thyroid over this weekend, Fri - Sun. Not sure if it was hormonal due to the cycle starting or what, but it has gone away now.

Two weeks ago (Oct 7-12) I had some very bad sciatica pain. It started out the first day in both sides and I was taking it easy, but able to function - the next day was in my right side, horrible pain and pinching and tightness - I could not sit up at all and being upright made it spasm. I was bed-ridden. The next day I forced myself to take the kids to classes, I took tylenol and got through the morning (though near tears for most of it) but was back in bed all afternoon once I got home. It improved quite a bit by Sunday and Monday I was pretty close to normal. I remembered Friday night that a homeopathic blend had been a help to me in the past for relaxing the muscles and allowing the nerve to move out of it's pinched position. I think that helped get me on the mend.

In other news, I am feeling pretty good about the weight loss so far, but definitely need to step up and exercise to get it moving a little faster. I am having very little to none of the panic/anxiety and have started taking 400mg of the SAMe and 1 tsp of the maca. I do think both of these "new additions" are helping me.

Need a booster

Only lost one pound this past week, so time to start making some changes to speed things back up. Shall I drink more water and exercise or cut out beans and nuts from my diet? Hmmmm, think, think, think...

In other news, the SAM-e does seem to be helping my panic attacks/ breathless / heart palpitations. I am managing well currently.

My smoothies have been giving me a bit of nausea right after drinking. The maca seems to give me a headache when I started and when I upped my doseage - only for a day though and not a bad one.

Feeling pretty good overall, been a bit moody this week but starting the progesterone cream seems to have helped some.

Update

I have had a couple busy weeks, went to mom's for a few days last week and have had school, classes, soccer, etc... but wanted to update a bit here.

I have had quite a bit of improvement. In mood and coping abilities and weight loss mostly.

* Anxiety - still dealing with this a bit, depending on the day, usually worse in afternoons and evenings.
* Back Pain - not bad
* Cycle - a week overdue ???
* Exercise - not last week but back to it daily this week
* Food - doing very well with my food choices, digestion and bloating improved
* Migraine - none since Aug 5
* Sleep - when having a bad anxiety night it is hard to fall asleep lying down, but sleeping pretty well otherwise
* Supplements - Pretty consistent, feel like what I am taking is helping, considering adding a couple things soon
* Thyroid - swelling seems to be going down a bit, still wear down quickly but it will take time
* Tonsil stones - pretty much gone, not an issue right now - yeah!
* Yeast - detoxing with diet is causing some itchy skin/scalp, I need to do more brushing and salt water soaks.

I have been feeling better about my attention span, ability to have conversations without losing track of what I was saying/hearing, also doing better with patience with the children and hubby, I find I am able to manage my time better also - don't get stuck doing one thing without being able to see the other things that need attention and how to accomplish them.

Symptoms today

I had a frustrating day. Frustrated with myself because the week had been going so well but I woke up this morning and just didn't have any motivation. I laid in bed too long, I didn't stay on schedule with the kids, didn't stay on top of meals or clean-up, didn't take my supplements or exercise. So... just kinda down this evening. Not feeling horrible, but need to pick myself up and get back to it Monday. We will be gone much of the weekend and are having company Fri/Sat, so will start afresh on Monday.

Breathing is more difficult in the evening as usual, but not too bad. My heart was racing before I even woke this morning. Tom could feel it and asked me about it. I have no idea what I was thinking about or dreaming about, but it was pounding. Stopped after a bit. Other than that... not much else to report for now.

Symptoms today

Had another better day today. I was feeling really quite good this morning, didn't take my supplements until around 4pm though and I was feeling really, really tired by then. I think it was helping me to take them earlier in the day, to not get that exhausted 3pm thing. I woke up with a stiffness in my right shoulder and right side of my neck, not horrid but it's been there all day. I have a bit of discomfort in my throat, and am slightly constipated - and today I noticed that the patch of dry skin on my scalp seems to be returning. That is a yeast symptom for me and went away after my yeast detox diet over a year ago... it stayed away quite a while too. I am back on the diet now, so I hope it doesn't get bad. The evenings seem to be worse for me with the breathing issues. I need to do better with water still - need to get out a pitcher and fill it in the morning and pour from it through the day so I can see how much I am actually drinking and force myself to finish it. I did exercise today. I know that others are praying for me and I so appreciate it. Good night!

Symptoms today

I had a good day today. More relaxed and I am actually in a pretty upbeat mood tonight - yeah! I slept well last night thanks to a great relaxing massage from hubby. Up early again this morning and got school and chores done before heading out to a friends to babysit. I so enjoy all the children playing together, 9 kiddos for the afternoon and it was fun and relaxing! :-)

I had a bit more trouble with the tonsil stones, some mild breathing issues late afternoon and some pretty strong heart palpitations after dinner but didn't last long. I took all my supplements and ate well. I did not do my T-Tapp due to being gone all afternoon, but will get back to it tomorrow. I did not drink enough water and am having some mild constipation returning, need to work on that. I picked up a book from the library today to read at night... that may help me get to sleep without fretting. Off to bed now!

Symptoms today

Had a better day today. Tom agreed to take the phones in the mornings for me, the afternoons the kids did independent study/reading. I am tired, not used to being up so early, but it did help to get more accomplished during the day. Hoping I sleep better tonight.

Let's see, an update on symptoms...
*My anxiety/breathing was better during the morning, worsening through the afternoon and is pretty bad again tonight.
*Back pain is pretty much gone.
*Constipation has been much better for a couple weeks now.
*Cycle - felt a bit crampy in the belly and legs today, but nothing so far...
*Exercise - have been pretty consistent for 2 weeks now with some form of daily exercise, woo hoo!
*Food - vacation was pretty bad, just ate more frequently, though not horrible foods.
*Joint pain - not too bad right now.
*Migraine - none since last bout.
*Sleep - was doing pretty well until anxiety started, now tossing and turning but once I get to sleep I seem to do fine.
*Supplements - taking daily per list
*Throat - still get a bit hoarse and feel some tightness upon swallowing.
*Tonsil stones - greatly decreased, what has helped is more frequent brushing, including tongue and gargling with mouth was once a day.
*Water - working on drinking more, got down probably 48 oz today?
*Weight - uggh.... working on that, I started today with my strict diet again! :-)

There we go, a good run-down. Off to bed now.

Calendar above

I am adding a calendar which will show details about how I am feeling.

Here I will record my...
- supplements
- how I slept
- foods I ate
- how much water I drank
- exercise
- how I was feeling/ changes in symptoms

Hoping if I track symptoms and other details that more of a pattern will emerge and help me with figuring out changes I should make, what is and is not helping, etc...

Monday Update

Well.... okay, so missed an update last week and obviously haven't done so well sticking to my healthy eating and exercise. I am gearing up to get back to it though. Our life has turned topsy-turvy and I have been living in "survival/crisis mode" lately. I have gained 3lbs in the last 2 weeks and also gained some inches. However, that bloating should be going away very soon thanks to AF and I am not too discouraged. I hope to give a much better report next week! :-)

Week 4 update

I lost 2 lbs this week and an inch from my waist. I am surprised, since I have been pretty much laying/sitting around all week trying to recover from illness. I was hoping to just maintain - so hooray!

I ate well, no cheats. I still have not been able to start my exercise routine, and only did maybe 2 hot baths this week? Been horrible with my water drinking.

I don't have a new recipe to share, if you have one, please send it to me! I did pick up a new kitchen toy from Target this week. It is a chopper that works fabulously! We eat lots and lots of fresh fruit salads, so this makes the chopping fruit a breeze. My sister-in-law Kerry has one and I got to use it while we were at her house, and I loved it, so spent the $ on one. :-) The kids can do this safely and easily too!

Send me a note and tell me how you are doing. :-)

Monday Check-in

My week went pretty well. My husband was very sweet and caring bring home a boquet of tulips and some steaks instead of chocolate! :-)

I was pretty sick with bronchitis much of the week, but feel almost brand new today! I got in 4 steamy hot baths and ate well all week. I was not able to exercise due to the coughing but plan to get started today. I lost 2 lbs and my waist stayed the same. I need to do better with my water still. I know that if I add exercise and water - next week will show more loss in lbs and inches.

One of our fav meals this week (besides the delicious steaks) was burgers with homemade french fries. Here is how I made them (see attached pics): Using a knife (or wavy chopper is extra fun), slice raw potatoes into thin strips. Spread onto ungreased cookie sheet. Get out your coconut oil and place "pats" of oil (using a butter knife) randomly on top of fries - probably 8 or so "pats" for a large cookie sheet. Sprinkle seasonings on top of fries... we like salt, garlic, paprika, oregano and a bit of cayenne. Place under broiler in oven with rack in highest position... do NOT walk away. Watch and listen, once the oil has melted and fries are sizzling a bit - stir on pan with a flat spatula, put back in oven and again stay close... you will want to stir once more and watch for the doneness you desire. We like them to get soft and then crispy and golden. It doesn't take long, so don't leave the kitchen or they will burn! These are yummy with burgers (grilled with liquid aminos, salt and garlic) and a veggie - we had carrot sticks and grapes. Enjoy, and I'd love to hear how you are doing!!

Day 8

Much better today, thank you! :-)

I ate well. Cream of Rice (yum!) for b'fast with coffee, rice cake and tuna with grated cucumber for lunch, salmon and rice and butternut squash and fruit salad for dinner - delicious!

I drank almost a full gallon of water, exercised, brushed and took a hot bath.

Read my Bible.

Took melatonin and was alseep before midnight.

Day 6

I had a small cheat today. Tom wanted to buy some beef jerky, and wanted us all to taste it so that he knew we would like it before he bought a few pkgs... so he got the teriyaki kind and it had sugar, and MSG and I think even corn syrup solids. Now, I did have only 3-4 small crumbs, not even really a piece... but had to fess up anyway.

Okay, that feels better...

B'fast - my darling husband made chopped burgers, fried potatos and fried eggs combined with some fresh salsa I had made a few days ago... sooo yummy!

Lunch - a banana and a rice cake on the run (church mtg this afternoon).

Dinner - burger, baked potato, corn

Not great on my water, but I did drink a few glasses. I also pulled out my half-gallon jug from behind all the canned goods in the cabinet this evening, so should start to get at least one of those down daily now.

We (except Tom who is sore, wimper, wimper) all did T-Tapp Ladybug first part. I took a SUPER hot bath, really sweat in there and feel good now. I forgot to brush before I got in though, oh well.

I read my Bible reading this AM. All in all, not a bad day.

Day 5

Today was a busy day, but I did fine. Meals were a little boring... we had cold rice for b'fast, leftover cold chicken with cucumber slices and rice cakes for lunch (packed), and taco salad for dinner. I made a dessert while we were watching a family movie, took the leftover rice and added a can of coconut milk and some cinnamon and a dropper of stevia - warmed in oven for "rice pudding"... everyone seemed to enjoy it.

The whole family did the first segment of the T-Tapp Ladybug routine tonight. I was going to take a hot bath, but am falling asleep (before 10pm!!!), so will skip tonight. I drank several glasses of water today, but not as many as yesterday.

I did complete my Bible reading today also. G'night!

Day 4

I did well today. Scrambled eggs for b'fast with my coffee, baked potato with coconut oil for lunch, chicken leg quarters with brown rice and broccoli/carrots for dinner. I had a banana for snack at some point, don't remember when. I did much better with my water today! I drank probably 72 oz, not quite what it needs to be, but better!

The whole family did the ladybug standing routine tonight. Rose pushed me to do a litte more, we had been stopping after the first segment. Tonight she and I got up to the "thread the needle" and then I was done. My muscles feel much better and I am so glad we have been consistent so far.

I got my skin brushing and hot salt bath in tonight, ready to climb into bed... oh, noticing that I am getting tired a wee bit earlier, and my mood is improving -hooray!!!

I also have started a plan to read through the Bible chronologically this year - got caught up on that while in the tub. :-)

Day 3

I am super sore today. I did T-Tapp Ladybug workout (designed to help with hormones, primarily menopausal women, but should help me too). It felt great, but afterwards I had trouble walking - my thighs are super sore while everywhere else feels just a bit stretched.

I have done great with my eating, my energy is up a bit still. I needed a little motivation today, so stepped on the scale - down 2 pounds so far! I still really, really need to dig out my water bottles and start drinking at least a half gallon a day to start. I know I would start to feel better and be less hungry.

I dry brushed and took a hot salt water bath last night, felt fabulous and my skin still feels good today. I woke up with a headache and shoulder/neck tension - a sure sign that I am detoxing. Got better early afternoon.

That's it for today!