Got an answer for shipping blood!

Yesterday I blogged about shipping blood. Thanks to Ann-Building a Nest, I found help. She referred me to Wheelbarrows blog and I typed in shipping in her serach box and found a post on shipping along with blood and dealing with lab. WHEELBARROW...THANK YOU:) So, I thought I would pass the info along:) Click if you are interested.

Trip Planned and ? on Shipping Blood

Hello ladies:) I had a busy weekend of doing nothing:) After last weeks slow/sometimes painful week, I put my feet up all weekend in prep for this week. It worked. I'm feeling really good compared to last week. I have to be honest and say that I haven't caught up on blog reading yet b.c I was busy planning all weekend while DH was doing house work. He knew I had a hard week last week so he gave up his ducks (he loves duck hunting) this weekend to hang out with me and help around the house.  Bless his heart, he really has done EVERYTHING since my first surgery in October. I mean, he cooks, cleans, does laundry, mows the yard AND when I came home Friday, he had taken down all the Christmas decorations (including ornaments on tree....he HATES that) and the house was spotless. And even when I am ok and able to help, he still contributes with all those things. I always thank his mom for raising him so well:) But, I am going home at 330 and plan on catching up on y'all.

So what did I do all this weekend while propping up....I planned a surprise bday trip for DH!!! I'm so excited:) I am a huge travel bum. Having lived in 3 different countries and traveled the continent of Europe a few times, I have it in me to love to travel....my poor husband. Haha. I am always up to something, he says. So I decided after a crappy 2010, it was time to go on a trip. DH is turning 37 in March and so I am surprising him with a trip to San Francisco and Napa over Spring Break!!!! At first I didn't think I was going to be able to pull it off bc of expenses. BUT I lucked out. I got two great deals on plane tickets....it was drastically different leaving on a Thursday and coming back on a Wednesday. The times when you have to fly on the weekends were ridiculous! Also, his mom and dad give the best presents. So I called them up and asked if they would be willing to contribute money to a trip instead of a present....they loved the idea. Then, I talked to my parents and they also agreed to pitch in for his bday present. So, we have help! And it works out that we can do it:) Booked the tickets last night and we are headed out to San Fran for Easter:):):):) I don't know how long I can hold it in. His bday is March 10th. I'm thinking of making him a card with all sorts of pictures on it of San Fran and Napa. Or spelling out the words and cutting them up and having him put them together. Either way, I'm giving him it on March 10th!! Shoot, we have been waiting for kids and they aren't coming yet. So, I don't feel bad taking a trip:)

Shipping Blood Question: Tomorrow I have to to do a draw for Progesterone, Estradoil and Prolactin. I know how to explain to the lab all that needs to be done. How have you shipped yours when you had to do this? I'm going to have to do it every P+7 so I need to know for money purposes. My friend told me that she used to print off the shipping label online from USPS and have an envelope ready so when the lab gave it to her, all she had to do was drop it in a blue box. Her reasoning was because it costs cheaper...much cheaper than Fed Ex. Plus it's easier bc you don't have to go to a store to mail it. You can just drop it in box. My only concern is that I'm not sure if it's legal.... Anyway, just thought I'd ask y'all what you did and get some advice on that. 

Thanks friends:) Hope you all had a good weekend. I look forward to catching up on y'all later. Blessings:)

Back pain...called in sick today:(

It's been six weeks since surgery. After three full days of teaching this week I was exhausted. I must admit, after having major surgery and then jumping back into teaching teenagers, I am not as healed as I thought I would be. I got home yesterday and felt I got hit by a train. My back was in so much pain....like that lower back pain after surgery when your walking around and compensating for your stomach muscles pain. I feel I have a pretty good pain threshold but last night I was so irritated and hurting that I was crying away. I finally gave in to calling my boss and realizing the fact that my body was telling me something...I'd better listen. Thank goodness I have a sweet boss who understands everything and was totally consoling me. That brought me great comfort. I was freeking about having to call her after being out for 6 weeks already. Thank you Lord:)

So today I literally was in bed all day. I got up to go to bathroom/bath...that's it. My stomach is still sore to touch...like when you press a bruise...and it still gets bloated, but that wasn't what was causing my pain. Just didn't want y'all to think it had to do with my incision...that is all good. I still look preggers in the afternoons but I'm used to that by now.

After a day of rest, I feel much better finishing off the week and going back to work tomorrow. The weird thing though is that I still have that lower back pain...ugh! Do you know what I am talking about??? Anyway, it isn't as painful as last night but it is definitely there and irritating. Taking baths has helped...2 today. Now I am laying on a heating pad. The weird thing is that sitting up/standing today I have been fine. It's the laying down that hurts. I can't lie on my back for too long without it starting back up. Soooo tonight I will be sleeping on my tummy. Thank goodness my tummy is ok to do that. Last week I couldnt yet do that...this week I can...progress!!

All in all, i'm ok. I hope! ha. If this pain continues through the weekend, I will be worried. I was just curious to know if any of you have had that happen after recovery. One thing I do want to remind myself is that I am very thankful that Dr. H and PPVI found out what was wrong with me and that I got to have this surgery. So, do know that I am trying to suck it up as much as possible but that this is my venting life on my blog:)

Oh and I learned something today....I though HCG shots were the same as progesterone shots. I'm a dummy. If I would have thought about it thoroughly, I would have known. Duh! Sorry if my past posts I confused anyone. Tomorrow is P+4 so I start the HCG Saturday.

Off to bed on my belly. Hugs and sweet dreams. Pray for our sweet blogger friend. She really needs our prayers tonight. God bless you all.

Hi friends:)

I always want to start off my blog thanking you for all your posts/support. So THANK YOU!

Today is day 3 at work. I'm ok in the mornings and then the afternoons get more sore. Tummy swells about 12 and stays that way all day. I did talk to PPVI and you girls and at least I know I am ok. Plus, I am going to start being happy about a swollen tummy b.c it means I am done with my surgeries:) I succeeded! Now if I can only succeed more with a baby who in the oven! haha

This is my first cycle after surgery. I have had 4 full days of 10KL. AMAZING! That has never happened to be. It was always always C. Now it is just beautiful! haha. We are on it with ttc. I'm not getting too crazy though. I am preparing myself that it might take a while. But, at least we are at this point...finally after a long while we can start ttc.

This cycle will be my first cycle on HCG. That means I start it soon...after Peak. I got advice to ice spot, take shot, then heat. I will do this. Any other advice friends? What about numbers? I keep reading people talking about their levels after the cycle...what should mine be. I'm assuming I will learn, but I am curious to know now.

I also have to start that thyroid temp reading. I did the first part. Now I have to start that other chart...the one that looks like an excel spreadsheet with temps, pulses, etc. Sounds fun!

Have any of you heard of the Agnus Dei medal?? Since I haven't been able to continue my daily masses at the convent, one of the nuns gave mom a medal with the Agnus Dei prayer on it. I love my little medal..it's so cute. I added it on to my other neckace. I tried to take a picture with my phone camera but it is blurry. Oh well.

I pray for y'all daily. I just spent my break thinking/praying for you. Hugs around all of your lovely necks!

Swollen

Well today was my first day back on the job. I made sure to try and sit as much as possible and teach from the front of the room. Thank goodness I don't teach little ones or things might have been worse. It is so very good though to see my kiddos. Teaching teenagers is quite rewarding. They really are such an awesome group and it was sweet to have them all miss me so much. 

Question: For those  who have had surgery....It's been six weeks. Today was first day back. Stomach is swollen above incision and up. It def looks like I'm preggers. Did this happen to y'all? When does this go away!!?? How long does it take to fully recover. I called PPVI to ask questions and I am off my feet for the rest of the night. Will be keeping in touch with them this week about the swollen tummy. Now I am sitting here with ice on it and resting. I was hoping to start exercising soon but HECK NO with being like this. Just curious and would love feedback.

Final Note: GUESS WHAT STARTS TONIGHT!!!! My guilty pleasure:::: THE BACHELOR!!!!!!

Meds=Sleep Problems???

Good morning friends:)
  Well I thought about writing this post between the hours of 1 and 5 this morning but I was too warm to get out of bed. I only slept 3 hours last night:( And I am dreading it majorly b.c today is my first day back teaching. Lord give me some kind of unknown strength! ha

Question: Dh and I are both taking Biaxin (An antibiotics given to us by Dr. H at PPVI). We are taking it b.c of some inflammation I had in my uterus, even though my cultures came back negative. Anyway, we both had issues with sleeping last night. I mean, my mind was going and I was WIDE awake. Have anyone of you that have been on this had sleeping issues? I'm planning on calling PPVI at my break today but thought to ask you girlies first.

Hugs and have a good day!

Bring it on 2011!

New Year...I thought I'd start with a new blog design:)

So 2010 was HELL on EARTH and I am so happy I can finally put it behind me!! Can I get a WOOHOO!

This advent was a real treat for me. I am so happy that I was able to fully enjoy it. Being off work, I was able to get my outing daily and go to mass at the convent. The priest there has really had a positive impact on me. It is a small little chapel with about 20 nuns (3 of which are Carmelites...love them:). Mom has been going for years and they just love her. My grandma (her mom) took care of them weekly with meals and visits. Now that she has passed, my mom has taken her spot. They are so very lovely and just admirable. I met Mother Superior the other day and when I walked in the room, I had to take a deep breath. She looked like an angel. Anyways, this break I have really grown in my faith. The priest is very interactive with the audience and daily would talk to us during the mass. I loved this! With the readings focusing on the birth of Christ, Mary, Elizabeth, etc, I felt it was all perfect for me to hear. I just loved them. They meant more to me now then they ever had before. The priest would refer to me daily in mass....he called me his Advent Girl! hahaha. He really gave me such hope for this upcoming year. I really am going to miss this daily mass. It is a 9 and with work that isn't possible....I'm actually really sad about this. It really made my life so simply focused on the right things in my faithlife. Thank you sweet Lord for this special time...it really has changed me.

It's been about 6 weeks since surgery and man did it take a full 6 weeks and more to recover. I have a pretty good threshold for pain (I think). It's not so much pain I am going through, just soreness on my stomac, bloating (majorly), and lack of energy. I probably could have/should have rested more over Holidays...I thought it was going to be easy, but it actually was very difficult. It would have been easier after or before, not during. BUT I AM very THANKFUL it is all behind me, so no complaints there.

I have extreme soreness below my incision...about 2 inches to the right. It's still puffy and sore. I can't wear jeans comfortably yet...I'm ready though! I have been living in black stretch pants. I start back teaching on Monday (I'm really nervous about this being still sore). I hope my boss doesn't mind me wearing my black stretch pants! ha. I can wear dresses but look preggers and that is a tease.

I had my 6 week check up a couple days early (thanks to PPVI understanding I wanted to have it before I started work Monday). I'm starting anew and am excited. We have been given the green light to ttc. I can't imagine doing this right now but I better get over it! haha. If my cycle is shorter now after surgery, I should be ovulating soon. If it isn't, I should be ovulating maybe this upcoming weekend. I am excited to start ttc. I must admit I am a bit nervous though...I don't want to turn into who I used to be and that is crazy woman lying in all types of odd positions hoping something would help us to get preggers. I'm done with that!

Meds I am on:
1) Progesterone shots starting this cycle. Now I will finally understand what all you ladies have been talking about with these.
2) Biaxin (Antibiotics): This is for me and dh for the next 21 days. All the cultures came back negative but I did have a bit of inflammation in my uterus so this should help that.
3) Vitamins: Pre-Natal, Omega 3, 200 mg Calcium, 800 IU of Vita D (no iron), B6 (sustained release) 500mg.
4) Dr. Weil's Anti-inflammatory diet....I have to become a health freak! ha If anyone knows about this diet or uses it, please holler. I have some questions...not many.
5) Parodel: Dr. H informed me I produce alot of Prolactin, which is obviously one of my problems in my cycle. This pill will reduce those hormones.

Now that we have been given the green light, I am pretty even keel about my thoughts of getting pregnant. I realize it might not come soon or it might come soon. I'm just kinda there about this thought. I'm hoping this continues so that when I do get my period, I don't get all depressed. I have really prayed about this...

Random: Have any of you heard of JuicePlus and if so, what do you think about it???

Girls, in closing out this new year and ringing in another, I want to personally thank each of you for your support, love, and care. Although this year was hell for me, I found a sense of peace in this blog world with you...how crazy it is to me to say that the blog world saved me, but it did. I love my sweet dh, but there is something about the support of women that is so comforting. You have brought me to a new level in life. My faith has grown exponentially. My knowledge of IF has grown and although I thought that was (at first) a bad thing, I have learned so much about my body and find this to be amazing. If I could, I would personally hug and kiss your sweet cheeks. My dream one day is to have a blog girl retreat....Man, would that be awesome!

God bless:)

Lord,

This year I have a new phrase that the priest said to me daily. "Call into being, that which does not exist." Romans 4: 17

Please:)