Radiology report

NaPro Dr kindly forwarded me the radiology report so I could read for myself all the details (fitting, since they ARE my ovaries - why we don't get them automatically is beyond my understanding!).

Here we go - FINDINGS:
"Examination shows endometrium to be normal for age with the uterus measuring 8.5 x 3.1 x 4.9 cm. Calcification is suggested adjacent to the cervix which could be seen secondary to prior inflmmation or delivery. The right ovary measures to 3.7 and the left to 3.4 cm in size. Multiple cysts are seen bilaterally within the ovaries with the largest on the right measuring 2.3 cm and the largest on the left measuring 1.9 cm. No free fluid is identified. Small nabothian cyst is noted which may reflect earlier inflammatory or post surgical change."

My NaPro doc said that the larger cysts are consistent with physiologic follicles (follicles preparing to release an egg). He also said that he can't tell from this report whether my ovaries are consistent with PCOS or not. The cyst and calcification on my cervix was not mentioned to me by either doctor, but is a bit alarming to me.

So... now what? I don't know. My NaPro Dr. has moved to MO and requested that I find local care. :-( The family doc here offered me a referral to the ob/gyn in their practice and I may take them up on that for further testing and treatment. Planning to sit down with my hubby tonight for some R&R and discussion.

Reflecting back

I was looking through old posts and came across this post where I listed all my current symptoms and ails. I am amazed at how much I have improved over the last couple of years. The biggest thing has definitely been diet and weight loss. A great motivator for sure! Sometimes, over time you forget where you've been and this was a great reminder.

NaPro Dr appt update

Hi everyone!  We are sitting outside Duke having ice cream and I
thought I'd send an update.  The appt went fine - quick, but Dr Yeung
did a good job answering our questions and concerns.  I have a script
to get lab work done to check on my kidneys and liver and cholesterol
and if they check out fine then I have a script for Metformin which
will help with insulin resistance and weight and lowering
testosterone.  It may help me to ovulate.  He said my cervix looks
fine and I have great CM.  :-).  He did give me a script for an
antibiotic too to see if that clears up some of the continual CM.  He
said he does not suspect endo based on his exam.  He reinforced the
fact that there is no cure for PCOS and the 3 options for treatment if
one wants to conceive are Met, Clomid and Femara - the other 2
stimulate ovulation and he admitted are less of a long-term help and
more of a band-aid fix.  We were clear about wanting my long-term
health to be top priority but that we would love to be fertile also!
I am to stay in touch with LaDean and to send Dr Yeung my chart and an
e-mail every 3 months or if anything changes.  If I become pg, I need
to notify him right away so he can order a lab for a progesterone
test.  I think that's it!  Let me know if there are any ?s.

Test results at last

I finally got copies of my blood work from the PCOS / Acupuncture study done at the UVA in 2008.  These blood draws were taken on April 8, 2008 which is day 53 out of a 77 day cycle.

Vitals
Blood pressure - 137/81 and later 99/67 (normal 120/80))
Pulse - 95 and later 80 (normal 60-80)
Respiration - 18 and later 16 (normal 12-18)
Temp - 95.7 and later 98.1 (normal 98.6)

Oral glucose tolerance test
Fasting - 87 (normal 60-100)
1 hour - 128 (normal less than 200)
2 hour - 129 (normal less than 140)

Hemoglobin A1C

Click word to go to wikipedia definition.

Result - 5.0% (normal 4-5.9%)

DHEAS
Result - 287.0ug/dL (normal 35-430ug/dL)
Women with PCOS often have levels over 200.

Testosterone
Result - 93 (normal 6-86)
Women with PCOS have elevated levels of testosterone.

17-Hydroxyprogesterone
Result - 149.00 ng/dL (normal follicular phase is 15-70, luteal phase is 35-290)
Since I have no idea which phase of my cycle I was in or whether I ovulated that cycle, this seems difficult to understand how it my relate.


TSH
Result - 1.64 uIU/mL (normal 0.4 - 4.0)
PCOS women usually have normal levels, this was tested to rule out a thyroid problem - very good news!)


Prolactin
Result - 5.0 n/mL (normal 2-29)
PCOS women usually have normal levels, this was tested to rule out a pituitary tumor or other problem).


That's it!  I was hoping there was an FSH/LH reading in there somewhere and maybe some more hormone levels, but good to finally get these!

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...

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! :-)

Weekly check-in!

Hello! Happy Monday. It has been a very snowy one here! We have had a great time playing and making a snowman and taking pictures, of course. :-)

I did my weigh-in this morning and lost 1 pound and 1/2" from my waist. I had a pretty good week, though still slacking in some areas - I am eating right and that makes a big difference!

I wanted to share a recipe with you for mayonnaise - that's right, completely legal mayonnaise!!! I was craving deviled eggs, so found this one on-line. I made a batch twice this week and we have enjoyed it in egg salad, chicken salad, and deviled eggs... yummy!

Mayonnaise
1 whole eg
2 egg yolks
1 T mustard powder (to taste)
1 T fresh lemon juice (I left this out)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup olive oil

*I don't like the taste of olive oil in my mayo, and have not liked other recipes I have tried that had the olive oil in it - so I used a whole cup of coconut oil and liked it very much.

Directions:
Put eggs, mustard powder, lemon, salt and pepper into food processor or blender. With processor on/blender running on low speed, start adding oil very slowly. Start out with drops and then work up to about 1/16" stream. It should take about 2 min to add the oil. Continue blending until there is no free standing oil. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

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!!

End of Week 1 Update

I was very surprised this AM to step on the scale and calculate a total loss of 11 lbs this week - woo hoo! I didn't expect that. I know it won't all go off that quickly, but it certainly helps. I also lost an inch from my waist too.

I have done very well with my eating plan, following that easily. Confession time: I have not done well with getting the sweating baths in. I just am not making it the priority it should be! I took ONE this week - uggh. I can feel the negative effects of not doing it, itchy skin and tense, achey, heavy shoulders (I have come to recognize that as toxin build-up). [To qualify this, I am showering regularly - it is the 30 minute HOT bath for detox that I am doing poorly taking the time for.] I also have done very badly with my water drinking... I should be doing at least a gallon a day, and I am doing well to get a quart down lately. Also... as if that wasn't enough... I am not exercising. So, those are areas I am working to improve this week.

***I changed my ticker to reflect my total lost, including the last time I did the Plan. I lost 50 lbs in 2008, and regained 25 because I did not stick to any kind of plan for food choices and exercise. I have 15 more to go to get down to where I was at the end of that cycle and start working on the next 50. So, that is why the ticker changed. :-)***

Day 2

I have started back on the yeast detox diet - now called the "McCombs Plan". Today is day 2, the whole family is doing it for the most part, though I am stricter by far. I am feeling better already, seriously! It is amazing. I went for groceries last night and we are now well-stocked on meat, rice, potatoes, fruits and veggies. I stopped by to tell dad Happy Birthday last night and was able to resist the Cold Stone Creamery cake and the offer of Sloppy Joe's. I ate when I got home, meatloaf, baked potato and corn. I had eggs for b'fast and meatloaf, rice and peas for lunch. Today we had fruit salad for b'fast with coffee (tea for kids), and burgers and rice for lunch. Tonight we will have chicken and rice and broccoli.

Oh, the kids and I T-Tapped yesterday also. My legs are sore, amazing what that little workout can do for my muscles, strength and energy. I am getting ready to go load the DVD up again today.

I need to get better about my water intake!!! I added a ticker up top - more motivating to see it in my face! :-) I feel like a wimp, not putting my actual weight there - but NOBODY knows that, not even dh. Last year this time, the number of pounds to lose said 99. I am glad that it is less, though not as much less as I had hoped. I pray I can make great strides in this.

A New Year

I have been stuffing down my dealing with dissapointment this New Year and finally allowing myself to feel it this morning. Very emotional as my cycle began last week and was hard and painful, landing me in bed for several days with extreme back and kidney pain, and now getting hit with a cold - yuck!

I know that my goals for myself this year were not what God is waiting on - His timing is perfect and His Will will be, whether I reach my goals for myself or not. However, I want to be a vessel that is ready and the best I can be - a healthy me that is ready for whatever God calls me to, physically AND spiritually fit. Right now I am so NOT either of these, been very neglectful these past 6 months.

So, new resolutions with more understanding, slightly different outlook, growth and stretching happening always. As I reflect on this year, it has been a major one for us - not in ways I anticipated (is it ever?) but lots of positive growth especially with the two men (one grown, 1 little) in my life. Time to move on and look forward to 2009 and the plans God has for us... promises to be an interesting year for sure in many arenas.

Starting again, same goals...

It's not worth it!

While I was traveling I started out pretty careful, we took our food and didn't stop to eat at all - but once we got to my sister's, I gradually let myself eat things I shouldn't. I gained 8lbs back all said - not too bad for 3-4 weeks of eating poorly, but now I have to work at that again.

I have been back on my strict diet for 5 days now and have lost 4lbs so far. I need to get into exercising again as the weight seems to have all settled in my rear end and my skirts aren't fitting the same. Exercise is much needed to smooth and tone.

I started my cycle right before we left on our trip - was quite heavy and a bit long, but not too bad. Right before I left, I started spotting again and that has continued for the last week and a half. It's driving me crazy!!!

So, with all that, I was feeling pretty bad the last couple weeks. I was not sleeping well, felt exhausted and moody, had major breakouts, itchy face, joint pain, got slapped with several migraines in a row, was constipated, etc... After starting back on the diet, I began detoxing. It was worse for several days, I had lots of pain at the base of my neck and shoulders. I did some salt bath soaks and that pain got better but it went into my thyroid which hurt for a couple days but is now feeling better also.

My spirits are lifted today and I am ready to tackle the housecleaning that got behind. Looks like we might get some much needed rain! A good day to be at home.

The moral of the story is: It's not worth it!!! The pain and trouble and moods and pounds - not worth a few cookies, cake, icecream and soda... really it's not!

Long overdue update

Okay, been so busy and haven't taken the time to post here. Nothing real exciting going on, I completed my yeast detox diet and have struggled since with my eating. I've gone from taking little cheats to full-blown s'more's Sat night. I had hoped to slide into low-carb and continue losing weight, but that didn't go so well... so then I decided to re-start the yeast detox diet, and that has gone even worse. I haven't gained any weight, am holding steady at 44lbs lost, but really need to get losing again to reach my goal by the end of the year.

I have not done well at all with exercise in the last month. I finished the T-Tapp challenge with over 19" lost, but could have done so much better had I been as consistent the 2nd 30-days as I was the first 30-days. I would like to do the 15-min Basic Workout each morning and get the Instructional #2 done a couple times in a week also... gotta just do it!

My cycle has not started again yet, so it's been 53 days now... grrr.... my acupuncture treatments are done now. I think I was getting the placebo after all is said and done. I have a few months of collecting urine samples at home and then go back for the final tests one last time. I am still glad I did it, was a good experience overall.

I have been waking early and having coffee with Tom, spending time in God's Word and prayer. That has been good. I've been kinda moody and down the last few days though. Will be better soon, pray for strength and self-control for me!

Doing so much better!

I just had to write about how much better I am feeling! I have been doing much better on feeling rested in the mornings and getting up for my quiet times. I've enjoyed sitting outside on the porch in the cool mornings with my Bible and a cup of coffee. A huge praise - AF arrived on Friday and has been completely painless! Also very normal in every way, the length of time has been especially impressive. I am so excited!!!

Inches lost!!!

This is me happy dancing! :-) I measured last night and I have lost 3.5" from my waist and 3" from my hips/buttocks. Hooray!

Update

I have been sticking to the eating plan quite well. I am pleased! I have lost 25lbs now total, I think a few more are about ready to shed - they tend to tease me for a few days, popping off and on before staying away.

I have not been doing as well with my water drinking for 2 weeks now. I am going to work on that this week as I am sure it will help. I also am not getting my hot baths in each night. I'd like to start exercising soon also, still haven't figured out the DVDs and how to do it.

Otherwise, I think we are just chugging along... my clothes are starting to fall off of me, which is great - but not sure how to go about getting new or altering what I have. Need to think on that before I have nothing left in my closet.

I need to remember to take some measurements and add a waist loss ticker. Tom also wanted to do some pictures along the way and we haven't taken any yet (do NOT expect to see them posted - at least not yet, lol).

Why Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis?

Hair analysis measures the levels of 21 minerals and toxic metals in a sample of hair. Hair contains minerals that are deposited as the hair grows, though the hair is dead the minerals remain. The body uses the hair for storage and elimination of minerals.

An analysis like this one reflects the long term metabolic activity as it measures an average of mineral accumulation over a three month period of time. This is an advantage as the test results are not affected by day-to-day variations in body chemistry due to stress, diet or other factors. The results can identify mineral patterns that can be associated with several different health issues.

I was absolutely astounded when I received my first analysis results. It lined up perfectly with the issues I knew I had, symptoms I was having, and problems I suspected. In my experience it has been very accurate and informational.

Hair Analysis Results

I got my results in last Thursday. I have had basically no change since I did the test 2 years ago. I am surprised it isn't worse, honestly, based on how poorly I have eaten/rested since our business opened. However, it was kinda hard to see all of it in black & white again. Here are the levels, first is my level and second is the level I had last test, and third is the level I should have.

Nutrient Minerals
Calcium - 13.0 - 14.0 - 40
Magnesium - 2.0 - 2.0 - 6
Sodium - 2.0 - 2.0 - 25
Potassium - 1.0 - 1.0 - 10
Iron - 1.3 - 1.5 - 3.5
Copper - 1.9 - 1.9 - 2.5
Manganese - .015 - .015 - .04
Zinc - 17.0 - 16.0 - 20
Chromium - .097 - .101 - .12
Selenium - .057 - .053 - .18
Phosphorus - 14.0 - 14.0 - 16.0

Toxic Metals (all should be 0)
Lead - .047 - .053
Mercury - .018 - .010
Cadmium - .003 - .001
Arsenic - .007 - .012
Aluminum - .62 - 1.29 - 0

Additional Minerals
Nickel - .032 - .029 - .10
Cobalt - .001 - .001 - .04
Molybdenum - .002 - .003 - .11
Lithium - .001 - .001 - .2
Boron - N/A - N/A - .2

Significant Mineral Ratios
Ca/Mg - 6.5 - 7.0 - 6.67
Ca/K - 13.00 - 14.00 - 4.00
Na/Mg - 1.00 - 1.00 - 4.17
Na/K - 2.00 - 2.00 - 2.50
Zn/Cu - 8.95 - 8.42 - 8.00
Ca/P - 0.93 - 1.00 - 2.50

I am a SLOW Oxidizer on both reports.

Oxidation Rate

My analysis says that I have "Significantly Slow Oxidation" - what does that mean?

"Oxidation Rate" refers to the burning of foods in the body or how the body converts the foods you eat to energy. A slow oxidizer is an individual who metabolizes food at a rate slower than that required for the production of optimal energy levels to adequately perform basic body functions. In slow oxidation the activity of both the adrenal and thyroid glands is less than optimal. Slow oxidizers often experience some degree of fatigue, lack of energy, sugar cravings, low blood sugar levels, constipation, weight gain, dry skin and depression.

Four Low Electrolytes

This mineral pattern occurs when the electrolytes, calcium, magnesium, sodium and pottasium are all less than the ideal values. Dr. Paul C. Eck determined that patients with this mineral pattern did not respond as well as other patients. This mineral pattern is often associated with chronic fatigue and sometimes allergies. It is a chronic stress or 'burnout' condition that necessitates a special approach to balancing body chemistry.

This mineral pattern is analogous to being on a treadmill you can't get off or in a car with its wheels stuck in the mud. This results in using up a lot of energy, but accomplishes little. These individuals are often used to working hard and are rather compulsive about work or physical and mental activities.

The most important recommendation for someone with this mineral pattern is to rest the adrenal glands. The recommended diet and supplement program will provide the necessary nutritional support. However, correction also depends on getting more rest, reducing both excess activity and compulsive/negative thinking and avoiding or limiting stimulants such as coffee, cola drinks or excessive exercise.