Friday, April 22, 2011

Time Warp

Well it's Easter weekend, which always reminds me of my journey to parenthood and everything we went through. It was Easter 3 years ago that I had my IVF transfer and we joked that my fertility doctor "hid" eggs inside me. Little did we know how those three little Easter blessings would change and alter our lives forever. I still remember every tiny detail about everything we went through and every single emotion I experienced. It's as though it just happened and it's been 3 years. When I look at my journal from the day I had my transfer, I wrote that my doctor told me I had a 60% chance of getting pregnant with one baby. I wrote "I hope they all 3 stick and I have triplets".

It's a miracle in itself that it happened and I did have triplets. I was told my egg quality wasn't even that good and that is why he decided to implant three instead of just two as to give me a better shot of even having one.

So I guess over time it DOES get easier...just the little things. Every single month is an anniversary of something. The transfer...the pregnancy test...the ultrasound...the heartbeats...etc. It all starts around Easter time and goes all the way to Christmas..the anniversary of Betsy coming home from the hospital and another Christmas with two less stockings by the tree.

But I have noticed that holidays and anniversaries are starting to focus more on the blessing of Betsy and less on what we don't have. I know it should have been that way all along, we are so blessed to have Betsy, but it's hard when you have lost two of your children. We enjoy every moment we have with her. We know how much of a miracle she truly is and we praise the Lord for that every single day. Grace and Olivia are always, always in our hearts. My three sweet Easter eggs.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Land Run

I know I am late posting this blog but I still wanted to share because the picture is just too cute not to! Last Thursday Betsy had Land Run Day at her Mother's Day Out. They made flags, ran and staked their land. Then they had a hot dog buffet, which Betsy loved as she loooooves her some hot dogs! She was to dress up as a cowgirl and since it's like 80 degrees outside I was having a hard time figuring out how I was going to dress her that day. She had the boots already but I didn't want jeans so I just threw on the jean shorts and a plain white shirt and then went to Michael's and bought the pink bandana as the finishing touch. I think it made the outfit!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Sunday, April 3, 2011

What is PCOS?

The other day while I was getting a pedicure, the nail lady starts talking about how she and her boyfriend have been trying for over 3 years to get pregnant. She overshared a little information with me I'm sure but I did tell her a little about my journey. I'm not shy at all about my infertility and if someone out there has a similiar situation I like to offer support. She asked, for a lack of better words, kinda what my issue was. I told her I had PCOS and she didn't know what that was. I figured there were alot of people who don't know what it is and although I don't understand it fully myself I thought I would share some information about it.

PCOS, also known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is exactly like it sounds. I have many tiny cysts all over my ovaries. The cause of PCOS is not fully understood but genetics could play a factor. Betsy has a 50% chance of developing it. PCOS is a problem in which a woman's hormones are out of balance. It causes problems with periods and makes it difficult to get pregnant. Over time it could lead to serious health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Polycystic ovary syndrome is fairly common, affecting as many as 1 out of 15 women.

For reasons that are not well understood, in PCOS the hormones get out of balance. One hormone change triggers another, which changes another. For example: The sex hormones get out of balance. Normally, the ovaries make a tiny amount of male sex hormones (androgens). In PCOS, they start making slightly more androgens. This may cause you to stop ovulating, get acne, and grow extra facial and body hair. I have all of these issues except extra facial and body hair. Thank goodness. As if it wasn't bad enough lets give you a mustache too. Blah.

So what are the symptoms of PCOS?
* Acne. Even some prescription acne medication doesn't always help.
* Weight gain and trouble losing weight. It is very difficult for us to lose weight because of the insulin resistance.
* Extra hair on the face and body.
* Thinning hair on the scalp. (I don't have this issue either)
* Irregular periods. Often women with PCOS have fewer than nine periods a year. Some women have no periods. Others have very heavy bleeding.
* Fertility problems.
* Depression.

Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful but lead to hormone imbalances.

I was diagnosed with PCOS after one year of trying to get pregnant. It really hasn't caused any problems with me besides the difficulty losing weight and of course the infertility. I have always had regular blood pressure and cholesterol levels which is good.

How to treat PCOS:
Regular exercise, healthy foods, and weight control are key treatments for PCOS. Medicines to balance hormones may also be used. Getting treatment can reduce unpleasant symptoms and help prevent long-term health problems.

How it messes with my fertility:
When the hormones that trigger ovulation are not at the right levels, the ovary does not release an egg every month. And even when an egg is released, most of the time it is blocked and/or affected by a cyst.

So there you have it...my life with PCOS. Sucky, huh?