homeabout meour wedding30 before 30

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Tales of TTC {part one}

TTC
...anyone know what that means? 

Trying To Conceive   
{let’s see just how many acronyms I can squeeze into one post, shall we?!}

…before you read any further, let me warn you that this may be is TMI, so feel free to close this window if you are going to judge me uninterested or disgusted…

If you’ve been reading Home is Where the Heart is for longer than three months you know a little bit of the journey we’ve been on this year {if not, take a look back to catch up}; this year has been ups and downs and everything in between.  Like many women, I was told this year that it will be difficult for me to become pregnant.  Not something a woman ever wants to hear.  I have been diagnosed with PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome {acronym count=three}.   PCOS causes a woman’s ovaries to develop small cysts which prevent mature eggs from being released, thus preventing a woman from becoming pregnant.  The picture below shows the difference in a healthy ovary and a PCOS ovary. 


PCOS also causes weight gain, acne and hair growth…loads of lovely things.  

I have been very fortunate with the weight gain and hair growth, but the acne was one of the first symptoms I suffered from—even before the lack of period.  In fact, this summer I didn’t even want to be in a bathing suit because my back was covered in acne!  Friends and family assured me it “wasn’t that bad”, but to me it was horrendous!  The dermatologist put me on some medication to ease symptoms but they never went away completely.  It was after almost two months sans period and multiple BFN, or big fat negative on a pregnancy test {acronym count=four}, that I realized I better go see another doctor.  A few blood tests, one sonogram and a trip to an endocrinologist later, I was diagnosed with PCOS and put on metformin to treat the symptoms.  Metformin decreases the symptoms by increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin and will sometimes cause the menstrual cycles to normalize.  Its one of the few main treatments for PCOS and the only one to use if you're TTC.  The others include birth control pills and another testosterone blocker, neither of which could obviously be used while TTC.
 
So where does this leave us? 

Needless to say, it currently leaves us without a baby…but also leaves us very hopeful because we have a diagnosis and a treatment plan.   I have been on Metformin for almost four months now and will continue to be on this medicine until we get a BFP, or Big Fat POSITIVE {fifth acronym…is this a record?!}!!! 

Do you know anyone who suffers from PCOS?  It can be a very confusing diagnosis because some people are a little fuzzy on the details…some people think you have to be obese or you have to have had irregular periods your entire adult life.  Truth is, PCOS, like many illnesses, comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, so to speak. Share your thoughts, ask questions...the best way to get answers is to ask the questions.  The main reason I even posted this is so others with PCOS may find it and know they are not alone!


...stay tuned for more...this is a marathon not a sprint!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Ornament Swap!

I was feeling bold this year and participated in not one, but TWO swaps :) making up for lost time all the years I haven't join in!!

My real partner kind of went MIA so I was fortunate to have sweet Julie swap with me instead...and boy, am I glad she did!  Love, love, love the sweet ornament she sent my way!  You can read more about the swap and what I sent her way here...in the meantime, check out this adorable ornament, and the adorable pup who can't resist a photo opp! 






Thanks again, Julie!!  XO


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Very Bloggy Christmas {Swap}

This was my first time doing a Christmas swap and I had so much fun shopping for Maria at Our Picture Perfect! She has the cutest family and is such a sweet girl... 
You can read about what fun goodies I sent her way here 
 ...in the meantime I want to mention the adorable things she got for me!

 Look at these cute lollipops and soap!  I love fun holiday ANYthing, and these look great in our half bath :) 

 If there is one thing I can't live without it's a calendar!  I love this pink pocket planner & weekly fridge planner.  I hope to use the weekly fridge planner for my meal planner [finally]!

 MMMM, coffee!! I love this travel mug :)

 Last, but certainly not least, she sent this little set of Hope goodies (journal, pen, notepad & cards) which I will get a lot of use out of! 

Thanks for swapping, Maria!  You were so much fun to shop for :)))

Friday, December 9, 2011

Friday phone dump...

FACT: I take 95% more pictures on my phone than I do on my camera. 

Below are some fun/funny/adorable/sweet pictures I've taken over the last few weeks.  None of them will be life changing, but all will help me remember some special moments.  

This Thanksgiving I ran my first 10K with BL... he was so encouraging and fun to run with, even if I did run at half the pace he would have liked! 

I like to call this one "guitar hero coma" ...


Little demon doggie... 
He is actually sweet as can be but the flash does something crazy to his eyes...

Black Friday.  My Daddy was the very first person in line at Home Depot...true story, he had an employee come open the door 45 minutes before they opened, took his list and was his personal shopper before the doors even opened.  When he walked in at 6:00am, his buggy sat there filled with every single thing on his list.  How about that for customer service?! 

Little baby Westin ... all mommy wants is a silent night. 

Look at these two cuties hamming it up for the White Christmas app on my phone: 
 











Ok, that is all for now.  Hope you're all having a super Friday!


PS--my work Christmas party is tonight & it's a 'tacky Christmas party'!  Can't wait to share pictures :)))