crap

I think since I upgraded my comment platform, I am unable to see them using AndroBlogger. will have to fix that I guess.

Day 2 off Provera and no AF of course. Luckily the only s/e I had was feverish temps in the evening and headaches. Read More......

testing android Blogger

comment if you see this!!
I got a DROID and downloaded an app to post to Blogger so far so good! Read More......

Handwriting Game + Update

Here's a fun game I saw on another blog.  It's called The Handwriting Game.  (ooooh, ahhhh!!!)
Basically the rules are simple.  By hand, you answer the following questions on a piece of paper, scan it and upload it onto your blog.  So if you play along, be sure to let me know so I can go check yours out!

1) Write your name and/or online alias
2) Are you right or left handed?  Or both?
3) What letters are your favorite to write?
4) What letters are your least favorite to write?
5) Write the following:
The quick, brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
1234567890
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
6) Write the following words in capital letters:
CRAB   HUMOR   KALEIDOSCOPE   PAJAMAS   GAZILLION
7) Write your favorite song lyrics
8) Share some fun doodles!


And here's mine:

And a quick update on me --

I'm on day 2 of 10mg Provera.  8 more days to go.  AF cannot come soon enough!

Read More......

I am going to SCREAM!!!

I don't know why I put so much faith into FF but it's driving me crazy.  Yesterday I didn't get to temp and this morning my temp is way low, like the low point right before I ovulate most prior cycles so naturally FF took off my crosshairs.  Now I'm just cd36.  No 19dpo, just cd36.  I'm so frustrated.  I guess I'll be going to get that Provera today afterall.

My chart Read More......

Get some free stuff!

Yes, this is WAAAYYY off topic and yes this is not a typical post from me and yes I promise not to inundate you with advertisements in the future but I wanted to pass the word along since time is running out.

Are you crafty?  Would you like to become crafty?

Some of you may have seen this card and journal I created, this card I made my Mom and this card I made another IF'er.  I LOVE my Stampin' Up! products and using them to create greeting cards and other paper crafts.  I seriously haven't bought a single greeting card in almost 2 years! 

I wanted to be sure all of you know that I am a Stampin' Up! (SU!) demonstrator and currently, SU! is hosting an exciting event called "Sale-A-Bration" (you may have actually seen web banners advertising this since the first of the year).  This event ends on March 31st and if you take advantage of it, there are 3 ways you can earn LOTS of FREE Limited Edition stuff!

1. 
   
   Spend $50 on Stampin' Up! merchandise and receive a FREE Sale-A-Bration stamp set (no limit: for every $50 you spend, you earn one free item!)
2. 
   
   Host a workshop (even catalog or online workshop!!) with at least $300 in merchandise sales and receive a FREE Sale-A-Bration stamp set
3. 
   
   Join as a demonstrator and choose ANY stamp set valued up to $47.95 from our current catalog for FREE!  Plus, get 15% off our starter kit!

*For example: if you host a workshop with $600 in sales and you personally make a $100 purchase as a part of this workshop, you will earn 2 Sale-A-Bration items for the workshop and 2 more for your order!  PLUS you will earn hostess benefits ($75 in free product PLUS 2 or 3 hostess stamp sets).  The free stuff will REALLY add up and it's an easy way to get all the basics you need to start creating your own greeting cards!  It's how I did it!

Hosting a workshop with just $150 in sales qualifies you for hostess benefits!

 - or - you personally can purchase $150 in products and earn hostess benefits.

Your choice!

All this expires on March 31st so you want to take advantage of this awesome sale quickly!  To view the Sale-A-Bration catalog (items that you will receive for free with qualifying purchases) click here.

Stampin' Up! now offers high quality clear mount stamps in addition to their high quality wood mount stamps.  Stampin' Up! also now has a digital crafting software called "My Digital Studio". 

If you would like to place an order or host an online catalog workshop,

please contact me at

stampin.with.chirleen (at) gmail (dot) com

You can view the online Stampin' Up! catalog here and then contact me via email with your order.

Read More......

And I'm Still Waiting...

It's 17dpo according to FF so hopefully AF will arrive tomorrow.  My LP has been 16 or 17 days so this should be it if what FF says is true.  My provera is waiting to be picked up from the pharmacy and I am pretty sure that if I don't pick it up, AF will not show.  As soon as I do pick it up (thus wasting the $$ to buy it and the time to get there - approx 25 minute drive) AF will arrive.  So I'm not going out of my way today to go pick it up but tomorrow I'll be out that way anyway so I'll probably pick it up if needed.

Do any of you think its possible that I didn't ovulate?  My chart

The wait is driving me nuts! Read More......

New Comment Platform

I am now using Disqus for my comments so don't be alarmed when things don't look "normal".  Give me some feedback - let me know what you think!  It's only set up for new posts (beginning with this one).  Prior posts are still using the regular Blogger comments. Read More......

And the result is...

I got the BIG N-O today on the phone.  The nurse was even kind enough to ask me how I'm doing today before breaking the bad news.  Not that it was all that unexpected, I really didn't think I'd get a surprise BFP when I can't even get one that's planned.  What was I thinking?

So, she's ordered the Provera script but since FF has given me crosshairs all of a sudden for cd17, I'm now 15dpo I guess.  And since my LP is 16 or 17 days, I'll give AF a couple more days to rear her ugly self before I start taking the Provera.  I'd really much rather she arrive on her own.  Provera will only delay her appearance.  If I can get AF to come this weekend then by April 1st-ish I'll be triggering.  How cool would that be?

Read More......

D'what?!

disclaimer: the flow of this post is AWFUL, trust me, I notice; but I think it's just me processing everything and thinking aloud.  Please ignore the annoying tone
Now all of a sudden, I'm 15dpo.  How did that happen?  I'm so confused!  Did I or didn't I?  It really doesn't matter for testing purposes b/c we only BD'd like 4 or 5 days prior to this supposed O b/c then we had to start using rain jackets so those days don't count.  The chances of us getting pregnant this cycle are slim to none.  But now I don't know what to do!  I guess just keep waiting???? ... my LP is 17 days so just a couple more days and maybe AF will start on her own?  So I shouldn't start taking Provera until after Sat/Sun if AF doesn't show???  Right? Hell, FF may remove the crosshairs alltogether AGAIN between now and then. Well, I guess I'll just sit back and see what happens.

My Chart: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2b1463

I posted a pretty lengthy blog last night so don't forget to read that one too! Read More......

Just waiting!

My nurse called me back today and told me that Dr. O wants me to do a beta test before he'll Rx the Provera.  Well, on days like today where everything is planned down to the very minute - they just never go the way they are supposed to.

I had a mtg. at work this morning so I was going to head to the lab (about 30 minutes away in the next town) around lunchtime after my mtg.  Well, my guests didn't show until 1 1/2 hrs after they were scheduled to be at my office.  So that threw me off quite a bit from the very beginning. 

I finally got to town around 1:30 (vs. noon like I had wanted) and stopped by my folks place to check on their dog and grab their mail b/c they are out of town overnight (I'm dogsitting for them, they didn't leave their dog at home by herself!).  And STUPID ME - I ended up LOCKING MY KEYS IN THE TRUCK!  Luckily I had the key to their house so I was able to sit inside instead of out in the cold.  I called my Dad and asked if I could use their truck and then I realized that my wallet was in the truck, too.  Can't possibly go get bloodwork done without ID.  So, the only thing I could do was wait for my husband to get off work to rescue me.  He wouldn't be around until 5pm though.  So my day was shot.

Well, I posted on FB that my key was locked in the truck.  My Grandma saw the post and told my Granddady (who happens to be a locksmith) and so he came over to rescue me.  

TO THE RESCUE!  Da na na naaaa! 

I didn't originally call to ask him to help b/c he lives 40 minutes away and I figured I could just wait for my hubby.  He is awesome and came right away; he got the truck unlocked around 3:30 so I was finally able to go get my blood drawn for the beta but by the time I got there, it was 4pm and it takes 2 hrs for the results to come back and by that time, my REs office was closed.  So now I have to wait for tomorrow to find out what the result is.

I'm just about 100% positive that it'll be negative just by looking at my chart but after the almost non-existent AF at the beginning of this cycle, isn't it possible that I am?  I mean I did do HPTs but only a couple and if I didn't ovulate when I thought I did, maybe my timing was off when I tested?  So I know it's a long stretch but hey, if I get a surprise BFP tomorrow, I'll take it!  No explanation required!!!  But I've got my heart set on a BFN and a script for Provera.  Whatever.  I'm excited to start this next cycle, a new stim (Letrozole), hCG trigger and progesterone supps. 

I've had a couple people ask where I'm getting my "cute" images from that I post on most of my blogs.  It's simple - I go to Google Images and do a search for any topic I want.  Try it, it's super easy and you'll have fun.

Read More......

C'mon AF!

Still no signs of ovulation and it's cd30.  I have never wanted AF to show so bad before in my life!  Once that happens then I can go on my merry way with a new cycle and new plan.  I'm very anxious to get started with the Letrozole. 

I caved and called the nurse and asked if she can get my RE to Rx some provera or prometrium.  I know I've said I really don't want to go on the provera but I'm sick and tired of waiting.  I'm 10+ days past due for ovulation and I really don't see it happening this late in the game. Read More......

Secret FB Group

Anybody on FB?  Anyone want to join a "secret" Facebook group with over 100 other infertiles?

"Secret" means that you can only join by invitation, the group isn't listed on Facebook's group directory, the members list is completely hidden to non-members, all activity is completely hidden to non-members, it's like the group doesn't even exist!
There are already over 100+ members, many of which I invited through SoulCysters (an online community for those of us suffering with PCOS) but the group is open to all who are TTC! 

The group is VERY active and you get answers to any questions you may post rather quickly.  Everyone there is so eager to help one another!
Interested in joining us?


Please send  the email address you use to sign into Facebook to chirleenevans (at) yahoo (dot) com and I will send you an invitation to join.  Please include your blog in the email so that I can verify your IF status!  We don't want just anybody lurking in the group!! Read More......

Impatience

This waiting game is really getting to me.  Each day I take my temperature hoping to get a glisten of hope or at least a look into my body but no luck.  My chart is definitely looking annovulatory.  Residual effects of last cycle's Clomid is definitely gone at this point.  I last took it on Jan 12-16th.


I'm cd28 today. My cycles on Clomid were 32, 36 & 37 days so maybe I should start thinking about calling the Dr. about an Rx to Provera. That way I can at least get this off cycle gone and started with a fresh new one so I can begin taking the Femara. I last took Provera in 2003 and it made me bleed heavily for 6 weeks. No lie. But then again it had been 18 months since I'd had a period so maybe that's why? I still ended up having a D&C and it was just a terrible mess. As you can imagine, I'm terrified about taking it again. 

And in other news...

I sent a bottle of Soy Isoflavones that I purchased for myself and didn't open to another IF'er.  I made a pretty card for her to send with the bottle of Soy.  Since I found out she's received my package, I'll go ahead and post the photos of the card (I wanted to wait so it would be a surprise in case she saw my blog!)

This is the front of the card, all elements (except the ribbon) are Stampin' Up!

And this is the inside of the card

I know it wasn't much, a bottle of Soy, but I sure do hope that it gives her that *thing* she needs to achieve her dreams of mommyhood! 

Read More......

Annovulatory?

Well, after putting in my temp from yesterday, FF completely removed the crosshairs.  Since Tues. night, I've been having off/on cramping near my right ovary area.  CM is still just wet (has been for over a while).  I'm so afraid this cycle is going to be annovulatory.  I just don't handle provera very well (I have a history with it back in '03) and I'm so ready to get the next cycle going. 

We still have 3 days left of our antibiotic so even if I'm getting ready to O, we can't BD until this antibiotic is gone.  But I have a feeling I'm not going to O.  I think my body is trying but just isn't going to.

Here's my chart, what are your thoughts?  It's obvious I haven't ovulated.  FF originally had dotted CH on cd17 until I posted my (really low) temp yesterday.

Read More......

Daddy

My Dad is one of my most favorite people on this earth.
He's the sweetest, kindest, most fun, caring & loving Dad I could have ever asked for.

He knows how to have fun!

And we've shared some really awesome experiences with each other!!
(this is us after a charter fishing trip out of Homer, Alaska to do some halibut fishing!)

He's goofy and funny and just a "cool dude"

He's really very special to me.

He's the smartest man I know.

He's extremely successful in everything he does.

He served 30 years in the US Coast Guard and just retired 2 yrs ago.

This is Daddy & I back in 1998

Daddy & I in 1999

Chris & I with Daddy at the Martinsville NASCAR race last Fall

Daddy & Momma at the Kroger 200 Truck Race in Martinsville last fall

Daddy and me in 2009

Daddy, I just want to celebrate everything about you today.

Let's celebrate all of the lives you have touched with your wit, humor, commitment and love.

Let's celebrate YOU!

I love you, Daddy.

Happy Birthday!

Read More......

ANOTHER Infection!

The nurse called yesterday with the results of my urinalysis done last week.  Well, I already knew I had another yeast infection so I took the Diflucan last week but she called to tell me that I have flora(?) bacterial infection and wants me on another antibiotic 2x/day for 3 days.  Um... what about this doxycycline I'm already on and have been for 9 days now and will continue to be on for another 5 days??  They must have forgotten.  She called back and said not to do any more antibiotics that the doxy should take care of it.  Phew. 


I've never in my life been diagnosed with so many infections at once.  She said it's all common and nothing to be concerned about.  I just hope this yeast infection doesn't return since I still have so many days of doxy left. 

Last night I was cramping on the right side.  My cyst (if it's even still there) was on the left side.  This cramping was weird.  It's not ovulation pain is it?  Isn't that usually in the center?  And it's not AF cramps this early - that's usually in the center, too isn't?  So what do ya'll think it could be?  I'm most definitely not pregnant so before anyone even suggests that, I'm not. 

That aside, I'm now 8dpo and moving right along.  Hopefully this time in a week I'll be approaching my next cycle.  Can't wait! Read More......

Crosshairs!

Wahoo!!!!!!!!  I wasn't sure it would happen since I'm not stimming this month and I've heard of the elusive o after coming off Clomid but I wasn't sure it would really happen.  Why make things easy, right?

Well - it happened.  At least I'm pretty sure it happened.  It wasn't a strong o but it gave me (dotted) CH on FF!  I assume they are dotted b/c I didn't have OPK or cervix or CM data to back up the temp.  *shrug*  I just want this cycle to be over with without having to use Provera (I have a bad history with Provera).  So, according to FF, I'm 4dpo so I've got roughly 10 to 13 days left till next cycle.  Please let it go by quickly!!!  I'm so ready to get started with the Femara!!

And I just realized that if I conceive on this first Femara cycle, I can still technically have a 2010 baby (it would just be the very last few days of the year!)... now I'm really excited!!!!!!! :) :) :)

Read More......

More Good News!

We just got home from my recheck appointment. 
Ladies and gentleman: his man juice is PERFECT!  woo hoo!!!!!!  I will post the actual results from the s/a just because I have no clue what I'm looking at but the dr. said it looks GREAT!  What a relief for the both of us.

I'm so excited for him - bless his heart, he was so worried. 
I always knew he was perfect!

As for me, all of my bloodwork done on cd3 came back really good.  We did another u/s to check the status of that lovely 4.5cm cyst I have been carrying around on my left ovary.  Turns out that in the last two weeks since it was discovered, that baby has shrunk down to 1/3 it's original size!  Can I get a 'hallelujah!!!'???

We got a plan for next cycle, too.  This is where I get really excited!

I will take 5mg Letrozole/Femera on cds 5-9.  On cd13, I will have a follie check u/s.  When we have a good 18mm follie, we'll trigger with some hCG and then I'll start progesterone supplements 2-3 dpo SID.  Then, it'll be *fingers crossed* for a BFP!

I feel VERY positive and am really looking forward to getting this next cycle rolling.  Of course in the meantime, we have 13 days left to our antibiotic and until then, we're having to use condoms but who cares.  It gives us time to do some good practicing and get back to "us", not doing it just for a baby.  It'll be fun :)

Speaking of the antibiotic, we learned that the bacterial infection is common and probably something that has been there for several years.  The dr. said they wouldn't normally treat it but since we're ttc, it's important that we do.  He said with 14 days of doxycycline, it'll be gone. 

I had to give a urinalysis except I was told to empty my bladder before my u/s so afterwards, I drank at least 25 styrofoam cups of water over the course of 30 minutes.  I could only give about half a cup of urine.  Ten minutes after leaving - sitting in heavy stopped traffic in downtown Norfolk, my bladder was busting at the seams.  I found an exit off the highway after I got out of the city and THANK GOD for taco bell b/c I would have been squatting on the side of the road otherwise. 
We stopped for dinner and I had to pee 3 times while were there.    I literally peed FIVE times within 3 hours. 

All in all - today's appt was AWESOME!  I'm super excited!!! Read More......

Craaaaap! *updated*

So I guess we're out this cycle before we even began. 

I should be ovulating within the next 3 to 5 days.  We weren't expecting to get lucky this cycle since I'm off the stims due to that lovely cyst but we were still at least trying.

We got a letter in the mail today stating that a bacterial infection was found when DH's sperm analysis was done.  We were both prescribed an antibiotic and instructed to obstain from unprotected sex for 14 days!

This sucks.

Hopefully that's the only bad news we'll get as a result of his s/a.  We will know more tomorrow I guess when I go in for my re-check.

I have no clue what kind of bacterial infection was found; I'm waiting for the nurse to call me back.

******
I had no idea there were so many varieties of condoms.  Do you know the last time I purchased them? 

So we've started our antibiotics tonight.  1/2 day down, 13 1/2 to go! Read More......