tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69665938946885743162024-03-14T07:41:17.309+00:00My Life with Endo & InfertilityEndo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-16666195985976348842014-09-22T19:46:00.000+01:002014-09-22T19:46:33.426+01:00Such deep sadnessI have never felt sadness so deep in my soul as I do right now. I have had such tough times over the last six years. Bad news seems to just keep coming. I have gotten through everything that has been thrown at me so far. With the support of my husband we have picked up the pieces and moved forward. Right now though I am not sure how or if I can. In my head I believe that time will of course help but my heart, right now, is broken in to a million pieces.<br />
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I have been married for just over fourteen years now and we were together for five years before that. In nineteen years we were not able to get pregnant then IC.SI changed that and we have our beautiful daughter. By some miracle we recently found out I was pregnant. Naturally. Even though my initial reaction was being terrified due to my heart condition we were both ecstatic. This was the best news ever this was making our family complete.<br />
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Until it wasn't anymore. I started to spot but didn't think much of it at first. I spotted with E I panicked and it came to nothing. This time I was more relaxed. But the bleeding got worse. I ended up going to the hospital. They checked me over and told us that everything I had told them and the checks they had done they were happy that this was still a viable pregnancy. Again I relaxed a bit but had to return two days later for a scan to confirm all was going as it should. When the scan was done they told us that there was no pregnancy in my uterus.<br />
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I returned to see that doctor, taken the back route. The quiet way where I wouldn't have to face other people. We cried, heartbroken. It seemed like a lifetime we sat and waited but it was probably just ten minutes. The report from the scan showed that there was something near my cervix. The doctor offered for us to just go home and leave things happen or she could see if she could help things there and then. I opted for her to check to see if she could see anything. One minute we were pregnant and the next it was all over.<br />
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Right now I am in limbo not sure what I should be doing. This wasn't my journey, not being able to become pregnant was our struggle. I have always said we were fortunate not to have to deal with misca.rraige. How do I move forward from this? If it wasn't for E and my husband I am not sure what I would do. The people we have told which is just immediate family have mostly commented on how at least we know we can get pregnant now. This hurts more than I can explain in words. This may have been a one off it hasn't happened naturally before this in nineteen years who is to say it will again. Plus just to top things off with the scan they found a mass on my left hand side which now has to be investigated.<br />
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Just three more days until the next scan and hopefully more information on where we go next. For now I just need to cry, to be sad and mourn the loss of our baby.Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-43818069189431069572014-08-08T17:40:00.000+01:002014-08-08T19:48:25.184+01:00In six short daysE turns one!<br />
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I have no idea where the last twelve months have gone. They flew by so fast. My baby girl is no longer a baby but not quite a toddler yet. She has done amazingly well and is really flourishing. All the early concerns, so far, have come to nothing. We will continue to watch her as she grows and continues to develop.<br />
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At her 9 month review (which was done at 10 months, 8 months corrected) E was hitting almost all her milestones.the biggest issue, which they were not at all concerned about as she was hitting the corrected age, was visual. Part of this for example is holding a spoon and being able to bring it to her mouth. Everything else scored between her actual age of 10 months up to 15months.<br />
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I have been extremely lucky and enjoyed the full twelve months off work with her. I am stressed out about returning to work in a weeks time. It isn't the work or the job but leaving E. If we could afford for me to stay home that is definitely what would be happening but for now that is not possible so off to work I go. I am sure after a few weeks everything will settle in to place and we will be just fine.<br />
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We were hoping for a second little miracle but so far that is not to be. We have been talking seriously the last few weeks about it though. If I am honest I am not sure that a second pregnancy would be the best for us, or should I say me and maybe the baby. I am very worried about a second premature birth and with my heart condition I also worry if something were to happen to me.<br />
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I have enquired about adoption and we are looking at this as a serious option. If any of you know any blogs on adoption in the UK please let me know. We almost didn't do IVF at all as we were going to go straight to adoption. I guess we needed to try at least once and I am now so glad we did.<br />
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I will probably be back in another six months for an update :0)Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-23673331519082052082014-02-17T20:41:00.001+00:002014-02-17T20:41:28.563+00:006 months later<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I know I left you all hanging so just popping in to say hello. That is assuming you are still reading!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My baby girl is now 6 months old and is doing really well. We have her consultant follow up tomorrow where I will be raising a few very small concerns. I am sure it is just my over protectiveness and she is perfectly fine but a little reassurance can only be a good thing.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I wish I was able to blog about the last 6 months but I just can't bring myself to do it. Every time I start to think about what happened I start to tear up and have to force my brain to switch off. I feel like I might just break and I am not ready to go there yet. Did anyone do the fac.eb.ook video? Mine included a picture of me holding E when she was just days old and and I sat and sobbed! It is ridiculous and even now I have tears welling in my eyes. I am considering asking my doctor about finding someone to talk to about it. I know therapy is readily available in the US but here in the UK I would not know where to begin.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Anyway enough for now, hopefully I will able to update her more often once I get past this.</span>Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-29838371730621870742013-08-23T06:42:00.000+01:002013-08-23T06:42:09.868+01:00October 17thIs or should I say was my due date. Our daughter was far too eager to meet us and arrived nine weeks and one day early. She is the most beautiful and tiny little person I have ever seen and I am so blessed that she is mine and J's.<br />
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E spent six days in the NICU but was well enough to be moved to HDU. Saturday was a tough day and she was edtremely poorly but since then shenhas been thriving. She no longer needs a respirator and is breathing on her own and holding her sats. <br />
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Feeding was stopped due to her stomach issues on Saturday but she was restarted on feeds Monday morning and has built up from 2ml every two hours to 14 ml every two hours. She s a little fighter that is for sure! She also needed Phototherapy for jaundice but thankfully that was also stopped yesterday as her body is now doing what it should all by itself.<br />
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Today we are hoping to get those feeds up even more and to get her off the fluids. Removing the fluids is the next big step for her. Any good thoughts or prayers that she comes off them tonight would be appreciated.<br />
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The last nine days have been the toughest of our lives. Just sitting and watching her. Unable to just pick her up and comfort her when we want to. Trying not to touch even as the less you touch the more they rest which means the heal and grow quicker. Touching them just stimulates them and uses up the little energy that they have.<br />
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We have been able to hold her most days but only at certain times and usually for about an hour. Those precious moments bring a complete sense of calm over my whole body. We know she is getting stronger by the day and are learning patience in a way I never knew was possible. Although there have been many tears shed we are happy with how she is dong.<br />
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I will try and post when I can but we are spending very little awake time a home. I am going back to bed for an hour before it is time to get up for the day and make our way to the hospital for the next 12-14 hour shift with our daughter. I f I could stay 24 hours I would but we know we have to get our rest so that we are able to look after he when she is able to come home.Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-71390140851428340172013-05-30T13:36:00.003+01:002013-05-30T13:36:57.574+01:00It's been a while............I just checked to see what my last post said and I was shocked to see it was just after the very first scan we had done. The one where we saw the heartbeat and found out we were 100% pregnant. That was so long ago! I am 20 weeks today halfway there already.<br />
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March 12th the midwife came to visit us at home to get us booked in. We were asked about a 1000 medical questions. In the end I was laughing, as between the two of us, plus close family members (parents and siblings) the amount of medical issues that came up was just ridiculous! Plus the do you smoke, drink, do drugs questions. It took a while to get through it all.<br />
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Due to family history on my side I have to do the GTT test but that isn't until the end of July. I was given a load of leaflets to read through, most of which were common sense. I will have to have whooping cough immunisation done. I am not sure when that needs to be done but I believe it is pretty late on. I have no dates written in my notes for that yet. I am sure the midwife will add it on to my list nearer the time.<br />
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The midwife took my notes with her to book me in for the 12 week scan. These notes are to be taken to every appointment, along with a urine sample. I would receive the appointment through the post for the 12 week scan and I would be able to collect my notes on this day and then they are my responsibility from there on out. Normally you don't get to see any medical notes here in the UK so it was pretty strange knowing they would be my responsibility. Although I do like having them as I am constantly checking to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. <br />
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My 12 week scan appointment came through pretty quickly and actually landed on the day I would be exactly 12 weeks April 4th. I am booked under OB care due to being high risk because of IVF and Endom.etriosis. The midwife explained that it would just mean that my appointments would be split between her and whichever OB I was allocated.<br />
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Once again the day of the scan I was a nervous wreck. I hadn't had any problems but I can't half work myself up for no reason. My appointment time was 10.45am I drank water as directed and my bladder was nice and full ready to get the scan done. Unfortunately we were an hour late going in and by this time I was in a lot of pain and discomfort (thank you endo on my bladder!). It took all my concentration to relax on that bed while the scan was done. As soon the the u/s probe was pressed on to me it hurt like hell. I closed my eyes and took deep breathes and waited to be told that the heart was still beating.<br />
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Luckily she told us almost straight away and turned the screen for us to look. It was hard for me to open my eyes and look but I did, I did not want to miss this completely. Within 20 seconds my eyes were once again closed to get through the rest of the scan. The measurements were done and we were told we were measuring at exactly 12 weeks, spot on so no worries there. We had some pictures printed out and I was bale to head straight to the toilet.<br />
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Before leaving the next set of appointments were booked in, a follow up with the OB and the GTT test. So we would be back in less than four weeks to find out what happens next.Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-90087537989741915932013-05-09T19:32:00.002+01:002013-05-09T19:32:24.860+01:00Two monthsWow it has been almost two months since I last posted. I have a lot to catch up on but just for today I am here to help a fellow endo sister out. For anyone who doesn't follow her blog already then you really should.<br />
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www.singleinfertilefemale.com<br />
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Leah has had numerous surgeries for her endometriosis and has tried alternative therapies. Leah also did IVF alone and was unsucessful, something many of those within the IF world can relate to. I know I am in the minority with a successful first attempt and I really do appreciate it every day and I know how lucky I am.<br />
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Help Leah out take a look at her blog and buy her recently published book on amazon.<br />
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UK link : <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Single-Infertile-Female-ebook/dp/B00C7H8ZEW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368123555&sr=8-1&keywords=leah+campbell">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Single-Infertile-Female-ebook/dp/B00C7H8ZEW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368123555&sr=8-1&keywords=leah+campbell</a><br />
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US link : <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Single-Infertile-Female-Adventures-Infertility/dp/1483911330/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368124234&sr=8-1&keywords=leah+campbell">http://www.amazon.com/Single-Infertile-Female-Adventures-Infertility/dp/1483911330/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368124234&sr=8-1&keywords=leah+campbell</a><br />
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I won't tell you any more about Leah go read her blog and buy the book and see for yourself. Leah is a wonderful writer and it is so easy to connect with her words. I am sure you will lover her writing as much as I do!<br />
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<br />Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-53730088141049010712013-03-17T09:58:00.000+00:002013-03-17T09:58:55.063+00:00OverwhelmingI haven't known what to write for so long. Every time I check in though my page views are increasing. So I am sorry to those of you who have eagerly been awaiting an update from the scan. I have had so many different emotions these past weeks. I wasn't ready to write them down.<br />
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Anyway the scan went amazingly well! On the drive there I was a nervous wreck. I had been so calm for the whole cycle but by this point the emotions were ready to burst. I kept consciously breathing in and out trying to stay in the calm state I had the whole time. It was hard. We were waiting to find out if the whole ordeal had worked would there be a heartbeat.<br />
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Luckily we didn't have long to wait and were called back for our scan. The nurse checked some information and dates and then it was time for the scan. J held my hand and the nurse first of all turned the screen away which only made me more nervous! But within seconds she turned it around and said there is the heartbeat and everything looks perfect. I just burst into tears and they had to get me the tissues. I didn't hear what was said for the next minute. I was releasing all that pent up emotion and it felt great.<br />
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Once I had calmed down I was able to look at the screen and see the heartbeat. There wasn't a lot to see with it being so early but you could easily see that heart beating. We were able to film it on our phone so we can look at it when we want and show family. I can not wait until our next scan where we will be able to see so much more! We were also given scan pictures to bring home.<br />
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As we hadn't told a soul about starting the cycle we decided to go around and tell our parents and siblings the next day. It was again very emotional. They were all sworn to secrecy until we were ready to tell anyone else. Amazingly they all did keep our secret, even my Nan, who never ever keeps secrets. I bumped in to one of her friends and she didn't say a thing to me I was laughing inside knowing it must have killed her not to say anything.<br />
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It was great to have our family knowing and of course the support. Even if they do ask how I am every five minutes.Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-55343659330492684982013-02-11T21:42:00.000+00:002013-02-11T21:42:57.306+00:00Scan is bookedIt is yet again the two week wait. My scan is booked in for February 26th, which is two weeks tomorrow. I am so nervous but excited at the same time. If anyone has any advice on how to stay chilled out for the next two weeks it would be greatly appreciated.<br />
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For a normal pregnancy the first scan would be at 12 weeks so I am lucky that I am getting an extra scan at 6 weeks 5days. Neither do we have beta's. We test get a BFP then sit and wait. I think if I had to wait until 12 weeks it would drive me insane. I would be an emotinal wreck. Two week increments I can cope with.<br />
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Once the early scan is done it will mean having to wait another 5 weeks for the next scan then the next scan is at 20 weeks so an 8 week wait. Arghhhhhhh...............<br />
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I am hoping to get a 4d scan done but it will all depend on how things progress and of course the cost. I want to spend as much time at home off work as I can so if I have to miss out on the scan to have an extra week or two at home then so be it. I am hoping to be able to take the full year I am entitled to off. Time will tell on that, it is a shame money has to affect such an important part of life.<br />
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The only "sympton" I have at the moment is sore breasts. Seriously every time I take my bra off they ache and are tender. I normally get this sort of pain for a day or two before my period starts so I am used to it and it isn't awful. I just keep my bra on longer when it is on I don't seem to notice the sensitivity.<br />
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If all goes well at the first scan we may tell our families on Mothers Day which is March 10th. I was thinking of getting postcards made up with a picture of the scan and something along the lines of "Due to arrive October 17th" written underneath. We did plan on waiting until 12 weeks. It is all about one step at a time so for now we will just wait and get the scan done and decide from there.<br />
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If anyone has any pregnancy announcement ideas I would appreciate them. Or any links to pages with ideas. Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-5533384551885703002013-02-09T21:58:00.001+00:002013-02-09T22:00:25.262+00:00The two week wait is overThat has to have been the longest two weeks of my life! Every other two week wait never lasted two weeks due to my endometriosis and the fact I ovulate late and my period comes within 7-8 days. This time to know I was actually pupo and using the cyclo.gest it was a hundred times more agonising waiting to test.<br />
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The clinic gave me instructions to test 16 days after collection which was today February 9th. I was having weird dreams all night last night, I think it was the anxiety of knowing I had to get up and poas. I am terrible when I first wake up and was really worried I would forget, so before bed I put a container next to the toilet and put the lid down with the test on top.<br />
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I woke numerous time through the night and every time I told myself don't pee yet go back to sleep. Finally at 7.30am I gave up and got up. I didn't much fancy aiming at the test so used the container and dipped the test in. I woke J up so he got up with me and told me not to look without him. Once I had finished the dip and reattached the lid we got back in to bed. And waited. J was impatient and asked how long it takes so I told him up to 3 minutes.<br />
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We sat both nervous as to what the result would be and we were both in complete shock to read................<br />
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I have spent most of the day checking and rechecking what the test says and giggling to myself. After 18 years together this is the first time we have had a positive test. It is a miracle. </div>
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Now we have to get through the next step which will be a viability scan at the IVF clinic in 2-3 weeks. I will phone them on Monday to get the appointment booked in. So yes once again we wait, it will be a relief to get that scan done to know that the pregnancy is viable.</div>
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I do have one more test which I may do next weekend to see if it progresses. We will wait and see how I am feeling then. </div>
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For now we are just going to relax as best we can and carry on as normal.</div>
<br />Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-85575734912056559162013-01-28T22:35:00.000+00:002013-01-28T22:35:00.140+00:00What happens next..........It is the waiting game once again. I should be used to it by now but I most definitely am not. IF is all about waiting and being patient. Seriously I do not know how we do it most of the time but we do because we have to what other choice do we have? Giving up is not an option even if at times we may feel like it. Taking a step back to just breathe.<br />
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Monday's scan went well, all follicles progressing and my lining was great. I had eleven follicles, seven on the left and four on the right. The nurse was unsure if I would have EC on the Wednesday or Thursday but they would let me know by the end of there work day. So I was sent home with medication to be able to carry on with if I would have EC on the Thursday. I was relieved to know that I had at most just three more injections to go and would soon be able to throw the damn nasal spray out!<br />
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Monday afternoon was spent in work making sure all employees wages were done due to both of the bosses being out of the office. One was in the office in Ireland the other off for a funeral. I was glad I was in work as it kept me busy although I did keep checking my phone. The call came just as I arrived home from work at 4.30pm and I was booked in for EC on Thursday 24th at 8am.<br />
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I did my Men.opur injection Monday and Tuesday evenings finished my spray at 8pm also on Tuesday. Then the final time specific injection on Ovi.trelle was done at 9.15pm. Wednesday was like a day off no medication at all. Though it was strange I kept thinking that I was forgetting to do something. <br />
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We were up nice and early Thursday morning to be able to get to the clinic in time. J had a room booked for 7.45am to provide his sample. All along the plan was for him to do it at home and take it with us but with all the snow we were having there was no way we were risking getting stuck in traffic and the sample being too old. Once he was done we both were taken through to the back room where I changed in to the lovely hospital gown (at least this one covered me and I could do it up).<br />
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My nurse came and sat with me and went through all the paperwork and checks (I must have been asked my name and date of birth five times but better to be sure right?). I was second on the list of just four for that morning, so yes another wait. J and I just sat and chatted he tried to keep me at ease being his normal funny charming self. Other people would think he was totally overstepping the line but he does it purposely with me as a joke and it makes me laugh. If I thought for one second he was being serious I would kick his butt.<br />
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Things did get a little upsetting when the lady due in after me had her cycle cancelled. Everything had gone perfectly for them but she had gotten sick just the day before. As she had actually vomited less than 24 hours before the anaesthetist would not give her the sedation as there was too high a risk of her aspirating. The poor women was so distraught and her husband was out in one of the rooms doing his sample it must have been the longest ten minutes of her life.<br />
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I was taken in just after 9am and was back awake by 10am. The embryologist came to see me and confirmed they collected 11 eggs at this stage they did not know if they could all be used or not but 11 was a good number. My nurse brought me a sandwich egg and cress mayo and a cup of tea and I text J to come back for me. We were allowed to leave as soon as I had been able to empty my bladder so we were on our way home by 11.30am.<br />
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I was in quite a lot of discomfort at this point. It felt like my endo was flaring and both ovaries were aching. I took painkillers as directed by the nurse and needed them again all day Friday. In a way the discomfort I was in helped me get through the two day wait for the call to find out what is happening. I was hoping ET would be the Saturday you know get it over and done with and come home and relax. I woke up Saturday and felt a lot better pain wise.<br />
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We got the call at 9.20am of the eleven eggs all were good but only three fertilised. At first I was devastated three was such a low number when we started off so well. They reassured me though that two were progressing extremely well and the third was progressing but was a bit behind the other two. They wanted to culture them for another 24 hours but would likely be calling me for ET the next day Sunday 27th. The 27th is a great date for me as it is my birth day not January but still a good omen.<br />
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We were again both awake early that morning. J put the tennis on so we sat in bed and watched Andy Murray v Djokvic ( I have no idea what bis first name is so I must find out). I was willing the phone to ring and finally at 9.30am it did. Our 3rd place embryo had stopped developing so we were now down to two of which one had pulled ahead of the other. They had booked me in for 12.20 for ET and would be putting back just the one and best embryo.<br />
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The ET part is all pretty boring you change into a gown get taken through to the transfer room. I got to sit in a high tech seat that lifted up and tilted back. The rest was a bit like having a smear (pap) test. Once they were ready and in place the embryologist brought out our embryo and it was placed in my uterus. It was held in place for twenty seconds and then the equipment was checked to make sure the embryo had transferred properly and was not still stuck in or on it. All was good so I was lowered out of the chair and we were free to leave as soon as we were ready (as long as it took for me to get dressed.<br />
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By 1pm we were in the car on our way home and for the first time in my life I could say I was pregnant!<br />
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Once again we now wait, until February 9th, then we test.<br />
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If AF arrives or not we still test to make sure there is no ectopic pregnancy. <br />
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So for now all my fingers and toes are crossed and I am praying that this works.<br />
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That in 9 months time we get to bring home our miracle.<br />
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So for now I am just going to breathe.............................Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-5700253215971994602013-01-19T23:05:00.001+00:002013-01-19T23:05:36.345+00:00Update day 24I thought I had posted since my lucky 13 post but I guess not. Sorry to keep you all hanging without any updates. Today is day 24 and so far so good but not without one huge obstacle getting in our way!<br />
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My drugs were delivered to my house on December 21st so I had a quick look through to see what was in the box. Lots of needles! 8 days worth of me.nopur, saline, norethi.sterone and cyc.logest. I boxed it all back up and as I was now off work for two weeks for Christmas I decided to relax and enjoy the next few days before starting on the meds.<br />
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We had family come to us for Christmas dinner which was lovely. There were five of us, which was a nice easy number to cook for. Chaos descended once the rest of the family arrived later in the afternoon. It was, however, great fun to have everyone here enjoying each others company and playing board games. From Boxing day onwards we hardly did a thing I spent a lot of time in my pyjamas and caught up on sleep which was extremely lazy but worth it.<br />
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On the 27th I started on 5mg of Noreth.isterone twice daily. I have used this medication once before (for about 3 weeks) and it turned me into a hormonal lunatic. Luckily this time I was taking less and only for seven days and as far as I am aware I did not have the same side effects. At least my dh hasn't said anything. On the 29th I added in a nasal spray Sup,refact one spray at 8am, 12noon, 4pm, 8pm then two sprays before bed. This has been fine through the week when I would be up and in work by 8am but at the weekend when I tend to sleep in later it has been tiring. I have been having naps most Saturday and Sundays since starting the spray.<br />
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Before we could move on to the next stage I had to have started my period before day 16. Thank goodness that all was going to plan and on day 11 AF arrived which was another tick on the list. Day 16 on January 11th I had to have a blood test to decide if the drugs were working correctly. It was a nice quick visit to the clinic to have blood taken. I was told to carry on as per my schedule and that I would only receive a call if there were any issues with the blood test. If I didn't hear anything by 5pm then I could go ahead with injecting the meno.pur that evening.<br />
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I had already watched the instructional dvd on how to administer the injections once. So I thought it would be quick and easy to watch it again and get the first injection over and done with. Things didn't go quite so easily though. J was with me with the dvd remote hitting pause every few seconds so I could do what was needed. I was so unorganised and it was definitely a learning curve that first night. Even though I had set out everything I needed I hadn't opened things up and needed an extra pair of hands to get things done so it was a good job J was with me.<br />
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Just getting to the point of injecting myself was the hardest. I had worked myself right up and was shaking like a leaf. Actually sticking the needle in was easy! I hardly felt a thing. The following evening I had all the bits laid out and opened up so going through each of the steps was a lot easier. This time I was on my own and stayed completely calm. For anyone else doing this watch the dvd straight through right before starting. It isn't very long but well worth doing to get all the bits and pieces set up and ready to go. I had two needles to use on one syringe. The larger needle for drawing up the saline to put in to the men.opur then switching to the smaller needle to inject. The first night I had left the smaller needle in the packaging, big mistake, as the saline was in the syringe I couldn't put it down to open the small needle. The 3 small vials of men.opur also had lids on which I hadn't removed. Injection 2 - 9 have all been a lot better.<br />
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Day 23 was scan day to find out how I was responding. The only problem was they had forecast snow, with a red warning! In other words they were saying only travel if you have to as red warning means risk to life. It was awful out. We are just not cut out for snow. I phoned the clinic first thing to make sure they were open which they were and I told them we hoped to get there but would call with an update if we had any problems. My dad was on standby to take us as he has a 4x4 but even he said we wouldn't make it. Then they shut the bridge so there was no way we could get there and back safely. It really wasn't worth the risk.<br />
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I was lucky as I had enough drugs to carry on for Friday night but if we couldn't get there to be scanned on Saturday (today) the whole cycle would have to be cancelled. We knew the ploughs and gritters would be out through the night and most of the journey was on motorways. We had to be there between 9am and 12noon. We got up early to make sure we made it. Or street was the worst part we had to dig the car out and the road was a sheet of ice. Once we made it to the main road though it had been cleared. As it was early and quiet we made it in 40 minutes. I was very relieved to have made it and not have to cancel.<br />
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I had 6 or 7 follies in my good left ovary measuring from 8.5mm up to 19.4mm and 4 or 5 in my right bad ovary measuring 12mm up to 14.9mm and my lining was 9.5mm. The nurse said I was progressing well and gave me more meno.pur to carry on with over the next 3 days. I am booked in to be rescanned on Monday and she said it would likely be Thursday or Friday for EC.<br />
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Sorry for the overload. I know when I have searched to find out step by step what happens I have failed to find good information. Hopefully this will help someone else as long as I haven't rambled and gone on too much! I will do a quick update Monday evening after the next scan until then have a great weekend.Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-90010366817073666672012-12-14T12:16:00.000+00:002012-12-14T12:16:02.376+00:00Lucky 13I know most people believe 13 to be unlucky, but for me it is my lucky number. It all started in June 2008 when I was admitted to hospital due to the mass on my right ovary. I found out I was in bed 13 and I was told I had ovarian cancer. Okay I know that doesn't sound very lucky and at the time I was a mess.<br />
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I was scheduled for surgery two weeks later. I was admitted to hospital on the Sunday on a different ward and as I was the first to arrive I got to choose which bed I wanted in our six bed bay. I chose the bed next to the window with a view out over the city. Not much to look at but a lot better than the wall! I later found out that I was again in bed 13 and this time it had been my choice. I wasn't too happy about it after my last stay.<br />
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Surgery went ahead as planned on the Monday and though I don't remember a lot, the main things were that they had not performed a hysterectomy and that they were now 99% sure it was not cancer but endometriosis. That made me the luckiest person ever that day. I was still able to try for our family and almost certainly didn't have cancer, I would have to wait for the biopsy results to be sure, but for now things were looking up.<br />
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Then yesterday, which was the 13th December, we had our latest appointment at the IVF clinic. It was all great news and we start on December 27th. This means that 2013 is hopefully going to be our lucky year. Plus we have been married 13 years this year. That number 13 keeps cropping up!<br />
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In 2008 I never thought any of this would happen. It has taken a long hard wait to get here! Emotions have been all over the place. One minute things are moving along and you feel amazing then you hit a brick wall and have to start again. This time though we have dates, drugs will be delivered to our home before the 27th and we have our listing of what to take and when. I will have to set alarms on my phone to make sure I don't miss things. I am so forgetful I need the extra reminder especially while I am in work as the hours just seem to fly by.<br />
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For a moment yesterday I felt myself getting extremely emotional, I wanted to cry but I managed to hold it together to get through the appointment. There was so much information that I really need to sit down and read through it all a few times to get it all straight in my head. I am sure once the 27th is here and we get going it will be much easier than worrying about it beforehand.<br />
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Not sure if anyone noticed but I also hit 75lb weight loss this week! My BMI started at 41.4 and is now 28.9. I had to be under 30 which I have achieved and now I am happy, with it being Christmas, to try and keep it where it is. Any more loss would be amazing but with so many goodies around right now and meals out at Christmas parties it may be a bit of a stretch.<br />
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I really hope this brings a great outcome for us. I also hope that those of you still struggling and still waiting to find a way get your dreams get where you want to be sooner rather than later. I am very busy the next couple of weeks but will update as much as I can once I start the medications as I would love to be a help even just one other person who may be going through this now or in the future.<br />
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Here's to 2013 my lucky year (fingers crossed)!Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-92112089400389382032012-12-09T16:35:00.000+00:002012-12-09T16:35:18.324+00:00Planning appointment on ThursdayAfter such a long time waiting I will finally find out on Thursday when we will be starting treatment. It is clearly on my mind as I had a strange but good dream last night. In my dream I had already done the treatment and was waiting to find out if it had worked or not. The dreaded two week wait! I was with my friends (or it could have been my sisters, I am not too sure) and was worried about climbing down from somewhere. I had to jump down from a height and refused to do it so turned back and went back the way we had just come from. From that I jumped straight to being at a hospital being checked over and the nurse/doctor found a heartbeat with their stethoscope.<br />
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Obviously I know that this is not something that would happen. There would be no heart beat in the two week wait but I woke up with that feeling of the treatment working out and giving us our dream, a family. I will always have the little nagging feeling in the back of my mind that things may not turn out the way we want them to. I think it never goes away. It is there to save us from falling too far if bad news does come. However when I first woke up I felt a sense of peace.<br />
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It is hard to put in to words how much I want this. I know many of you have the same feelings as I do so understand exactly what I am trying to say here. Roll on Thursday so I can start preparing for the start of self injecting, hormones going crazy and hopefully in a few months I will be able to share good news here.Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-53207039290127299602012-11-10T10:02:00.000+00:002012-11-10T10:02:18.895+00:00Made it to the topAfter years of battling and trying to get someone to listen to us we have finally made it to the top of the IVF waiting list. After my laparotomy in 2008 it took until December 2010 to eventually get a doctor to write the referral letter we needed to be placed on the NHS IVF waiting list.<br />
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Our initial consultation was April 18th 2011 which gives you your official start date for the wait to begin treatment. At this appointment we were told it would be 12-18 months. On August 20th, after 16 months os waiting, we received a phone call from our clinic giving us the option to transfer to another clinic where we wouldn't have such a long wait. If we decided to stay with the current clinic we would not be seen until April 2013 or maybe even later. If we decided to go ahead and transfer we would have an appointment in 6-8 weeks.<br />
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Under normal circumstances I would have just said yes straight away. Who wants to stay on a list where you could be waiting for lord knows how long as no one could really give any straight answers. Or transfer to a clinic albeit further away but where there is no waiting time. I said we would think about it and come back to her at which point I was told they needed to know by Friday just four days away.<br />
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After taking with J and researching all the info I could about both clinics my decision was easy. J said that the final decision was up to me but he would support whatever decision it might be. The wait time for clinic A was a lot longer than clinic B. I also found a website where success rates and clinic details are listed. Clinic B was having much better success rates and overall everything I read was just so much better all round. Plus clinic B was in the top 10 in the UK. Our decision was made and on Thursday August 23rd I phoned and said that yes, please go ahead and transfer us.<br />
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You would think with my research done I would have been happy with my decision, and don't get me wrong I was. With all things fertility related you always, or at least I do, second guess yourself. I was lucky as a week later we went to Antigua and had two weeks of pure blissful relaxation. I don't think I thought about IVF while we were there and if I did it must have been very short lived as I don't remember it.<br />
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I spoke with clinic A when we returned home to ensure my latest lap results were in my file to go over to clinic B. They weren't but I was told that they would be before the file was sent across. So once again it was just time to wait. True to there word we received out appointment 6 weeks after our notes were sent over with my lap results included. So this is where the fun starts we are two appointments down and planning appointment is next. I will finally have dates of when it will all be starting.<br />
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So far we had appointment for:<br />
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October 31st - Bloods and SA<br />
November 5th - Met with doctor filled out lots of paperwork and had an ultrasound<br />
December 13th - Planning appointment is booked<br />
January - Likely start for treatment<br />
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<br />Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-53758035601972299092012-09-14T17:44:00.002+01:002012-09-14T17:44:45.006+01:00AntiguaJust a quick post to say hello from my sun lounger on the beach in Antigua.<br />
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I am home on Sunday and will do a post with pictures of this beautiful island. See you all Sunday when I will be spending hours probably to catch up with you all.Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-69945684778625069532012-08-23T15:18:00.005+01:002012-08-23T15:18:54.835+01:00Setting goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Setting goals can be both good and bad. Especially when it comes to weight loss. For me I try not to be too rigid with anything I set for myself with regards to my weight loss as I know if I don't reach it when I set out to it changes my positive attitude to a negative attitude. That is never a good thing the glass should always be half full. I am doing very well with keeping the positive attitude and it really is helping my weight loss every week.</div>
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As you have probably noticed I changed my ticker. The reason for this is that I reached the first goal I set for myself. In order for the NHS to allow me to go ahead with IVF I had to have my BMI as 30 or less. April 2011 it was over 40 way to high and I had 12 -18 months on the waiting list to reduce it. I am a few days over 16 months of being on the list and my BMI is finally below 30.</div>
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I thought reaching the IVF goal weight would bring tears when I climbed on those scales but I was strangely very calm. I think it was the relief of reaching a place that I thought was so unachievable in the beginning that I just felt at peace.</div>
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My goals entail small steps never anything too big and I have learnt now not to put time limits on myself. I still think to myself that it would be nice to reach a certain weight by a certain time for example I would love to be at my final goal weight in time for Christmas but if I am not it really isn't a big deal anymore as I know I will get there eventually. Now my goals are 7lb at a time and sometimes there are smaller goals in between each 7lb like a certain % of weight lost. With last nights 2lb loss I hit 10 lots of 7lb and to reach the next one I have 6.5lb to lose but between then just a 4.5lb will mean I have lost 30% of my starting weight. Small goals are great and really keep that motivation up.</div>
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Last night in wei.ght watch.ers the lady who takes the class was asking if we had thrown out all our now too large clothes. When she came to me I told her that mine were all in black bags ready to go but I wanted to get rid of everything in one go so would be doing it <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">when</span> I got to goal. Immediately she picked up on the fact that I had said when and not if. It is a big deal to believe you will reach your goal and no longer questioning it. I am not really sure when on this journey that happened for me but I am so glad that it did. It just makes each week easier and helps when you don't have a great number on the scale.</div>
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So for anyone reading who is struggling just keep at it and celebrate the small losses and small goals. It is possible and you can do it. You just have to keep going. It took years of bad eating to put the weight on so we have to give it enough time to come back off and change those bad habits we once had.</div>
Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-79876662907401289892012-07-16T12:58:00.004+01:002012-07-16T12:58:52.421+01:00June 6thThat the last time I posted. I have things I want to write about but I am struggling getting the thoughts out of my head and in to a post. For now I will do a quick update on my weight loss. The one thing I have kept up to date with is updating my ticker.<br />
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If you have been checking my page you will have seen that I am now only 4lb away from my BMI being 30 which will mean the IVF clinic will allow me to start treatment. I am still months away from hitting the top of the list so I have plenty of time to lose that remaining 4lb plus some of the extra 30 I want to lose to get my BMI down in to the healthy range. October is officially 18 months of waiting and technically when I should reach the top of the list. Knowing the NHS as I do it will take a little longer than that.<br />
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Friends of ours are getting married September 2013 in Rhodes, Greece. We would love to go about 20 of our friends have booked or will be booking to go. Until we know what is happening with the IVF we can't book. If we start treatment in October and it is successful then it we would have an July baby but if the start dates get delayed until after Christmas and is successful then we may be due a September baby.<br />
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Don't get me wrong even as much as I would love to be there for the wedding I want to miss it even more if it means I get the baby we dream of.<br />
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Did I mention I wanted to do a half marathon here? I need to check my posts! I am hopeful that I may be able to get there for October 28th. A half marathon is 13.1 miles and yesterday I ran for 5.2 miles and felt good. I will be adding another mile on to my next run and see how I feel with that. I have hit the 5 mile point a couple of times now. Some days I just don't have the energy because of endometriosis and this is a big worry for me for the actual day of the marathon. Will my body be up to it? It isn't something I can control which is frustrating beyond belief.<br />
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Oh dear I am starting to ramble. I will post soon about our Race For Life fund raising day with pictures!Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-22012477268944779572012-06-06T22:41:00.004+01:002012-06-06T22:41:47.043+01:00Half MarathonI have just a few minutes ago registered my interest to run a local half marathon. It isn't until October 28th, but I am a little excited and a lot terrified! I had 3 weeks off from running as I have been sick, thank you endo, I got back to it on Saturday and was able to get straight back in to my 34 minutes of running. So no damage done, thank goodness.<br />
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I managed to sleep in on Sunday morning for the first time in weeks, so missed out on my run. I got straight back out Monday morning and felt great. Yesterday morning I changed my tactic and instead of running for a set amount of time I changed my target to a distance. I set my i.pod for 5k, as I wanted to see what my time is, all ready for the 5k we are doing on June 24th less than 3 weeks to go!<br />
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I completed the 5k in 28 minutes which I am really pleased with. The only thing I worry about is how accurate the gps is on the i.pod. If anyone else uses the Ni.ke fitness on an i.pod n.ano/touch your opinions would be greatly appreciated. As I have been running for 34 minutes I carried on and got to 7k (which is approx 5.5miles) which took 39 minutes.<br />
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I took a day off today, I think it is wise to give my legs a rest plus as I weigh in it is always a mad rush to get everything done in time. I will be back out there tomorrow after work and will again do 7k or maybe even push myself and get to 8k. <br />
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I think I now need to find a 10k after the 5k but before the half marathon. I will have to get on line and see what I can find. As for the weight loss last week I gained 4.5lb and this week I managed to lose 2.5lb of it. It was my birthday and dh was 40 so there was a lot of birthday celebrations going on. I was prepared for a gain although I was hoping it would all be back off this week. It is frustrating how quickly weight can go on but take weeks to get back off.<br />
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I am currently at 56lb gone forever. I haven't adjusted my ticker as I plan on getting back to where I was by my next weigh in. Runs planned for tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday and Tuesday. Wish me luck on building my distance.Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-54351534752145383842012-05-27T21:40:00.001+01:002012-05-27T21:40:59.873+01:00Endo doesn't knowit is my birthday today and decided that it would be the best day of the year for me to be in the most pain I have in a long time!<br />
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I have done my best to put a smile on my face and pretend I am fine. The level of pain got so ridiculous my strongest painkiller didn't work and I had to take a second. That helped but the downside of easing the pain is the wonderful side effects we get to suffer through. I was drowsy and wanted to sleep, not great when you have family in and out all day to visit.<br />
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I ended up leaving my visitors sat in my garden in the sunshine while I went to bed and cried. I hate giving in to the pain and feeling so defeated. When the pain hits these levels though there isn't a lot I can do but suffer through it and hope that it doesn't last too long. I am feeling a lot better this evening than I was earlier today. Although I am drained and will be heading straight to bed as soon as I have hit publish and shut this computer down.<br />
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Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully will be much better pain wise.Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-67247816663395139912012-05-23T22:10:00.002+01:002012-05-23T22:10:39.144+01:00Weigh In WednesdayI love my ticker, my little jogger lady just gets closer and closer to the goal. After last weeks 3.5lb loss I though this week would be a bit of a bust. I know I should have more confidence in myself as I stick to what I should be having each week. I am never hungry which is always a good thing as hunger tends to have me grabbing something quick which is never a healthy option.<br />
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So this weeks loss was 1.5lb. I am now only 10.5lb from my first major goal of my healthy IVF weight. I am excited to be so close to it. When I started 68.5lb seemed like an unachievable target but now I am almost there and I can't wait to hit it as I fly past. It looks like treatment won't start until at least October and more likely January. Plenty of time to get this body back in shape yet.<br />
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I will be running 5K at the end of June and I can now cover the distance in about 27 and a half minutes. To think when I started 60 seconds of running was a complete nightmare and almost killed me. Now I love it! How times change.Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-21842661446838834542012-05-18T22:32:00.000+01:002012-05-18T22:32:28.741+01:00I found some photo'sFrom a holiday a few years ago, I say a few it was more like 6 maybe even more. The thing is I know when these pictures were taken I was the same weight I am now. I think I look good in the old pictures but ones J took of me today I thought were not so great. I know I still have weight to lose and it seems that weight wants to hang around my mid section on show to the world <sigh>. <br />
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Anyway the photo's were from our holiday to Thailand. Hopefully I will be able to upload a few (or maybe 16) of them for you all to see. I loved it there, the people were amazing they made you feel like family. We spent most of our evenings in an Irish bar and the local staff were some of the nicest people we have ever met while away. It was one of those places that just sticks out in your mind, you know.<br />
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It was such a beautiful place and it was less than two years after the devastating tsunami hit there. Believe it or not you would not have known apart from locals selling books full of photographs of the devastation and the tsunami guideline signs all along the front.<br />
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This was a game that only the locals won. It was great fun to watch!</div>
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This young boy was so cute.</div>
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We were on a boat on the river in Bangkok when another boat passed us and I just had to get a picture shame I didn't get it all in just a little too slow.</div>
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Grand Palace, Bangkok. If you ever find yourself in Bangkok this is one place you must visit!</div>
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The Irish Bar and staff in Patong beach, Phuket.</div>
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Patong Beach</div>
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The Beach, you know the one, they made a film there with Leonardo Dicaprio. </div>
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This was Phi Phi beautiful, so small and if it wasn't for all us tourists a very peaceful place.</div>
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Tsunami evacuation details.</div>
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One day we may get to go back, until then I can keep looking at all the amazing photographs which trigger so many great memories!Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-45478583783093331792012-05-16T22:53:00.001+01:002012-05-16T22:53:39.055+01:00Weigh In WednesdayOkay so it has been another week and yet again it is late. I swear I will get around to catching up.<br />
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As it is Wednesday I thought I would update you on my weight loss. a 3.5lb loss this week. This means I am only 12lb away from my IVF target and then I can breathe a little easier. Although not too easily as I would love to lose another 30lb to get to a "healthy" weight. Determination and dedication are needed as it has now been almost 11 months. I am finding it a lot easier these days though. I guess I have just learnt that my body doesn't actually need as much food as I once thought it did.<br />
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I am off to bed, if I have time in work tomorrow I will do my best to post and update a little more.Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-51185151040932791972012-05-09T22:47:00.000+01:002012-05-09T22:47:18.883+01:00A busy month......and lots to catch up on. My weight is the same as it was 4 weeks ago which considering everything that has been going on is pretty great for me.<br />
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First it was Easter, then the following three weekends we were away first Liverpool, then Birmingham and finally Manchester. Horse racing, Cirque du Soleil and Jeff Dunham! Yes I know what a mix. <br />
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For tonight that is it I am sorry. It is late (for me) and I am off to bed. I will get my butt back in to blogging and be back very soon :)Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-4741848331796724092012-04-05T13:05:00.000+01:002012-04-05T13:05:17.130+01:00Today is her birthday!My friend A is 39 today. They are bringing her home from the hospital to live the remaining weeks of her life at home. Weeks! I can not even begin to imagine what she is going through or her parents. I find myself filling up with tears and getting emotional when I think of her, which right now seems to be all the time. I text my husband and asked if we could go out for food / drinks tonight. I guess because I feel like we should be celebrating A's birthday. If she were well then we would definitely have been doing something. Our group of close girl friends always go out and celebrate birthdays. Never anything extravagant just a meal and drinks and good old girl chat.<br />
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I logged in to fb to wish a happy birthday then got to read all the posts to her. I cried and had to stop reading. I will look again tonight when I am at home. My eyes have just filled with tears thinking about it.<br />
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My other friend V is having her specialist appointment today. We found out Monday that she also has cancer, which is stage 3. I guess we just have to wait and see how things turn out for her. I am hoping our group doesn't lose two great people in quick succession.<br />
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Okay enough of that before I really do burst in to tears right here at my desk in work!<br />
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It was wi last night and although it really doesn't seem that important at this very moment I lost another 0.5lb. I am running for 25 minutes non stop and come June 24th I will be running for my two amazing friends.Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966593894688574316.post-31514134706415121712012-03-29T13:42:00.000+01:002012-03-29T13:42:05.684+01:00At last!It has taken a lot of hard work, determination and dedication to get to where I am today. I have truly had to work extremely hard to get the results I am getting. But you know it is so incredibly worth it. I stepped on the scales last night a bag of nerves. I know in my heart I was due a good loss and that I deserved a good loss after sticking with it week after week with small 0.5lb losses or staying the same. Why is it we always doubt ourselves when it comes to shedding weight?<br />
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I finally got a great loss of 3lb's and I am now 52.5lb lighter than I was at the beginning of June last year. My weight loss averages out to just over 1lb per week and you know that is amazing! For anyone else who struggles to lose weight slow and steady weight loss is the way to do it. I am confident that with the time it is taking me to lose the weight I will easily be able to keep it off. Keeping it off can be as hard as losing it to begin with!<br />
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I am going to take some pictures over the weekend. I have a photo from exactly a year ago, I am going to dig out the jeans and t shirt I was wearing and take a picture so I can compare. I also have a dress I wore to a wedding just over a year ago so that will also be coming out to have a picture in. I struggle to see my own weight loss. Of course the fact I have dropped 3 (almost 4) dress sizes I know I have lost weight and I do notice subtly changes but the fact I am now over 50lb loss I want to see big changes. Hopefully the pictures I take will show me that.<br />
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Actually the only time you will ever find me in a dress is at a wedding and then it is begrudgingly. Just the other day I ordered myself a dress and I love it. It is stripy with all different colours very summery and was almost 100% comfortable in it. Obviously I am still a woman with another 46lb that I need to lose and once some of that is gone and my stomach is a little flatter I am sure I will be just fine. If I am brave enough I may take a picture in that dress.<br />
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I am feeling a lot fitter now. There was a time when just walking up the stairs would have me out of breathe. Seriously, it was not a good feeling. Heavy breathing due to the weight around my neck. That is just two things that I do not miss what so ever.<br />
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I will be completing my week 6 of C.25K on Saturday morning. I have to walk for 5 minutes to warm up then jog for 25 minutes then walk for 5 minutes as a cool down. I made it through 20 minutes last week to complete week 5 so whats another 5 minutes (if you don't hear from me you know I didn't make it lol). I am so surprised by how much I am enjoying running. I know when I was in school that I thoroughly enjoyed cross country but that was when I was 14 - 16 and 126lb. To be able to run again and enjoy it feels great.<br />
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So for anyone else out there trying to lose weight or start exercising it can be done. Just take it slow and steady. <br />
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My next goal is another 3.5lb loss which will equate to 4stone (sorry UK measurements) which is a nice small amount to concentrate on. Hopefully it won't take too long but if it does so be it!Endo_Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200745167873018704noreply@blogger.com1