Good News and........

First off, thanks so much for the continued prayer support for Grumpy's Mom. She's still doing ok, and has one more chemo treatment to get thru (this Thursday). After that, we assume there will be another bone marrow biopsy to see if the chemo did what they wanted it to, and then some kind of planning session regarding either further treatment, or surgery for her spleen. If you can, please keep up the prayers, as we still have a L-O-N-G road ahead.

Had my follow-up appointment with Dr. N yesterday. The good news is that my bloodwork (thyroid & fasting insulin) came back ok, so the odds of it being PCOS are further reduced (altho, not gone entirely, I don't think).

The not-so-good news.... I need surgery. I have a 9cm endometrioma on, around, or near my right ovary. Doc says there is a 50/50 chance that he'll be able to remove it robotically, or laprascopically. Otherwise, full on laparotomy (again) with 6 weeks of recovery (again). He's hopeful that he'll be able to get in there & clean things up, and that I'll be able to keep all of my parts. But, he won't know that until he's in.

Fortunately, he said there's no reason the surgery can't wait until after the end of tax season, barring me becoming uncomfortable or symptomatic, so at least I don't have to mess things up at the office any more than they already are.

I have a follow-up appointment on March 10, just to see how I'm doing, and make sure the surgery can still wait until April. Of course, should I experience any pain or other symptoms before then, I'm to get in to see him asap.

Any advice on things I need to ask at the next appointment? Grumpy & I are putting a list of questions together, so we get everything covered. Sadly, upon the dropping of the surgery bomb, my brain promptly went to mush (including the oh so lovely welling of the eyes), so there was no Q&A yesterday.

Here we go again....

Mental Vacation Day

You Are Fairly Normal

You scored 50% normal on this quiz Like most people you are normal in some ways... But you aren't a completely normal person. You're a little weird too! Why You Are Normal: You think glasses can make someone more attractive If you had to, you rather live without music and still have laughter You find the Macarena to be the more embarrassing dance You prefer a good meal to a good nap When you're in a car, you prefer to be the driver Why You Aren't Normal: You don't keep up with your horoscope You are no longer with your first love You'd rather have cockroaches than rats in your home You would rather be tan than pale If given the choice, you would choose to have more time over more money

What's Normal About You... And What's Not?

You Are a Banana

You are mellow, easy going, and a total softie on the inside. People find it really easy to get along with you. You suit most tastes. And while you're very sweet, you're not boring or ordinary. You have an attraction to the exotic, and you could show up anywhere... doing almost anything! You are spirited, energetic, and a total kick to be around. You're also quite funny. Your sense of humor is on the goofy side, and it fits you well.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

You Are Mostly Virtuous

You are a good person, or at least as good as you can be. You try to do the right thing, and you have ended up with many virtues. While you are virtuous, you aren't a saint. There's definitely a bit of devilishness deep in your heart! Where You Are Virtuous You have the virtue of Sincerity. You are not deceitful, and you always have the best intentions. You have the virtue of Order. You let each thing have it's place, and you keep your life in order. You have the virtue of Humility. You don't boast or brag. Where You Are Not Virtuous You lack the virtue of Industry. You have trouble doing what's important, and you tend to waste time. You lack the virtue of Resolution. You often don't follow through with things you know you must do. You lack the virtue of Chastity. You aren't guarded when it comes to intimacy.

Are You Virtuous?

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

You Have Many Alpha Tendencies

You're not a total alpha female, but you certainly know how to - and like to - get your way. You're forceful without being intimidating. You're confident without being vain. A perfect mix.

Are You an Alpha Female?

A little bit of politics

Who You Should Vote For

Barack Obama: 67% Ron Paul: 53% Hillary Clinton: 47% John McCain: 47% Mitt Romney: 13% Mike Huckabee: 7% Who you agree with on the war in Iraq: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama Who you agree with on the economy: Barack Obama Who you agree with on health care: Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Ron Paul and Mitt Romney Who you agree with on taxes: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton Who you agree with on abortion: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama Who you agree with on gay rights: Ron Paul and John McCain

Who Should You Vote For?

The thing I liked about this little bitty quiz is that it tells you which candidates you agree with on each issue. I don't know if I agree with my results or not, but I did find it interesting.

She's still hanging in there

Just thought I'd give y'all a quick update on my mother-in-law.

She's halfway thru her 4 treatment round of chemo. Next treatment is Thursday, and we should get updated bloodcounts then or on Fri. She's weak, and tired, and very foggy (partially from the pain meds she's on, no doubt), but she's still hanging in there.

I'd appreciate continued prayer support. Even though she seems to be doing well so far, we still have a L-O-N-G way to go before we can consider her health to be stable.

I'll update again when there is news to share.

Thanks all!

New Doc, and an *almost* diagnosis

Had my first appointment with Dr N on Friday, and I'm VERY VERY happy that I chose to go see him. I was there for almost 2 hours, most of which I was being seen by someone. Very thorough initial intake with a nurse, another 15 minutes of conversation with the doc, a quick pelvic exam (of so fun on cd4), and then ANOTHER 10 minute conversation with the doc.

He's entirely confident that I have PCOS. Although I don't have all of the symptoms (who really ever has ALL of the PCOS symptoms?) I have enough that he's confident with the diagnosis. He wants me to come by 1 morning next week for bloodwork, including a fasting insulin. I have an ultrasound and follow-up appointment scheduled for Feb 11. AND, he wants Grumpy to get an SA done between now and then.

He did say that there seems to be "something going on" with my right ovary. During the exam, he noticed that it seemed enlarged, and was definitely tender. So, the u/s will tell us what that is. Possibilities that he mentioned include cysts, or "something more serious". No point in worrying about it now, so I'm trying not to.

As far as the TTC plan, he says that based on my history, I'm an ideal candidate for Clomid. Although I've already done 6 cycles of clomid (3 with the old ob/gyn, 3 with the RE that included 2 IUIs), I think I might be willing to give it a shot for another few rounds, under his watchful eye.

It's very strange for me. I'm relieved to finally *almost* have an honest-to-goodness diagnosis. Someone is genuinely concerned that there is something wrong, and is willing to do the work to figure out what it is, and that - after 4 years of running circles with this "maybe" drug, and that "let's give it a shot" treatment - is very exciting. And yet, the truth that there really IS something wrong with me is a bit of a slap in the face. I've always suspected... hell, I've always KNOWN. But to have it confirmed knocked the wind out of me more than I thought it would.