To POAS or to not POAS, that is the question.

I bought a couple of hpt's today.  Should I POAS or not?  I just don't know.  

My cramping is all but gone(ish).  I have had an uncomfortable tummy since egg retrieval, so I can't really tell what is going on from that aspect.  My tummy is still a bit uncomfortable, but not as bad as it was (at times) yesterday.  But then, that would be pretty normal for AF.  I have had minor back pain today, but nothing like I would usually get.  Or am I just telling myself that?

My 'period' is very light.  I had next to no bleeding over night.  Today I have bright red blood, but not the huge amounts I usually have (sorry, TMI, but I'm trying to keep a reference for future use), but definitely more than mere spotting.  Is it the progesterone that is preventing a heavier bleed?  Should I have stopped bleeding now, if it was all ok?  I have to say I HATE going to the toilet today, it's all 'Has it stopped?  Is it heavier?  Arghhhh!  

I wish I had kept the blood test for tomorrow, but what the heck, it's only one more day.  I have a feeling that I will POAS today, really, with all the questions I have I don't see that it will hurt.  Regardless of the outcome, I will still have the BT on Monday, and it may make me stop obsessing quite so much.

TJL is pretty 'gutted' about the whole thing, which makes me feel worse, but he is such a loving guy, I am one lucky woman!

And when I think about it all, my life is pretty fantastic, whatever the result I have a wonderful life and we are really blessed.

Edited:  I pee'd, it's negative, one final confirmation to go, and life goes on :-)

And I think it's all over

So before heading out to milk this arvo, at 3pm, I went to the loo, and bright red on the toilet paper.  Sad.  Told TJL and he was sad too.

I rang the nurse straight away and left a message.  She rang back and said that it didn't always mean it was over, but we may as well push the blood test out to Monday (to save me travelling to have it done on the Sunday).  I'm okay with that.

I felt pretty upbeat during milking - crazy ah!  We have another IVF in August, and then we have the frostie from this IVF, so it isn't all over completely.  So I had quite a few laughs with TJL while milking, while I planned the future in my head.

Got home, went to the loo, and nothing.  So hope built up again.

And then I got cramps, and there is more blood.  So even though it's not over until I get confirmation on Monday, I feel that this could be the end of IVF #1.  The fat lady isn't singing, but she is definitely warming up in the dressing room.  I will continue the pessaries (double ewwww!) until confirmation on Monday, as I have nothing to lose by doing it.

I am surprised at how matter of fact I feel about it.  But it is out of my control, and I can't do anything about it, so I'm just going with the flow (a bit too literally!) … hahaha

I trust God, He knows what He's doing, it is all in His hands.

Insane in the brain

9dp3dt (I think!)

Two more sleeps until blood test day, if I manage to last that long before heading to the looney bin.  The closer it gets the more nervous I get, which I am assuming is normal (I know, I know,  to assume is to make an ASS out of U and ME).

Also, is it normal to be pleased for fellow IVFer's that get their BFP but then you think that, you know, with statistics 'n all, if they get the BFP then that leaves a BFN to be filled?  Crazy?  Yes!  Illogical?  Yes!  Does this thought enter my head?  Heck yes!  Do I begrudge them their BFP?  NO!  Am I somewhat jealous?  Yes!  Does all of this make me appear selfish?  Yes, but I hope it's temporary.

My mind also flip flops between picturing telling people 'it's a BFP', and then to the 'it's a BFN'.  I try to remove both thoughts from my head, and to wait patiently until Sunday (or even Monday if that's when the clinic get's back to me) but man it's hard, my mind won't stop.

And I'm also imagining things.  I thought that I saw something on my sanitary pad when I went to the loo.  Was it brownish? Was it the start of a period?  So I sit, and stew about it, trying to avoid going back to the bathroom in case of what I might see.  Then I get brave, and go back, and it's nothing.  Not even really any colour, it's just pessary goo, I'm sure.  So I breathe a sigh of relief, once again.

I think part of the weirdest thing is usually I have some kind of gut feeling about things, but this time I got nothing.  One moment I think it's all going to work out, next moment I think, nup, not this time sister.  COME  ON  SUNDAY!  Put me out of my misery!

TJL Escaped death by cm's

Today started off a-ok.  I got up as per usual, did a few chores and then had an acupuncture appointment at 11am.  Acupuncture appointment was great.  Only 8 needles (including two in my head, and I have never had them in my head before but it was fine) and some lovely Moxa (oh how I love the moxa).  Grabbed some subway on the way home for lunch, and then got home and was greeted by …

…the farm owners wife … carrying TJL's work boots *gulp*!

When I headed off to my acupuncture appointment TJL headed off on his tractor, with the farm owner, to knock in some posts.  Apparently the last post to put in, and being situated on a hill the tractor began to tip over.  TJL jumped off of the tractor and scurried out of the way and as it came over it caught his head.  He is so lucky that he only got a cut to his head requiring 4 stitches, and a cut to his leg requiring 4 stitches.  A few cm's over and his skull would have been crushed.

While added stress at this time is not my ideal lead up to a blood test on Sunday, obviously we are extremely thankful for this near miss and definitely counting our blessings.  What it has taught me is how much I love, and rely on TJL, and come what may, between the two of us we can cope.  I am so glad that God chose to bless us with a near miss at this time in our lives, so we really appreciate what is important at this time, and that is each other!

Of course Trent is now super sore and it now means I have to milk until he feels better, but it is a small price to pay for having him safe and sound.

God is good!

Some semblance of normal - edited

Well I am finally beginning to act 'normal' again.  Instead of sitting on my ass most of the day, obsessively reading blogs, I am actually doing 'things' other than making the bed, washing clothes, tidying the kitchen and cooking dinner … I kid you not!

Yes, my daily routines are slowly beginning to re-emerge, much to TJL's delight.  I mean, the floors are actually vacuumed, the bedroom is dusted and clean, my bible is read, and the garden is watered!  I do have to thank TJL a lot for that last one as he actually spent most of yesterday WEEDING them.  He did haul my ass out to weed one with him, which has inspired me to actually start putting the care back into them - poor neglected, dying things that they are.  Oh the guilt!  And not to forget the other day when I actually tidied my drawers and thus have thrown out 3 shopping bags of old, manky, don't fit anymore clothes.  And my drawers are STILL FULL!  But the hot water closet (where I put the clothes after drying on the line to ensure they are 'bone' dry) has room!  My clothes are not falling out of that closet and onto the floor ANYMORE!  Boo yah!

So today I believe I am 5dp3dt (5 days past 3 day transfer is how I think it goes).  And I have no symptoms what-so-ever.  Sometimes I think I am having some, but as with most things IF, a lot of it is mental rubbish, and I am always second guessing them anyway.  Nothing will be known for sure until I have the blood test on Sunday and the clinic gets back to me.  I am swinging between bouts of manic singing/dancing/joking around and then crashing with 'oh I hope that this works!'  Poor TJL has a right time of it just trying to figure out which one I will be when he see's me next.  Lucky he is a pretty relaxed sort of fella and takes it all in his stride.

Anyway, the birds are chirping outside, so I think it's time to switch the stereo off and have a bit of quiet book reading time, before the afternoon hits with a few more jobs I have to get done around here.

Ahhh, bliss!

Bah ha ha ha ha, I am so dumb at this!  I am only 5 days past 3 day transfer … doh!  Should be right now …. lol

And one to freeze

Just received a call from the clinic lab, and more good news (which weirdly makes me more nervous, perhaps as it means we have more to lose) and one embryo was good enough to freeze yesterday.  The other didn't make it quality wise today, which obviously makes me a little sad, (so long little Wotwot, thank you for giving me your best try). 

So this cycle has gone unbelievably well.  Two little Wotwots hopefully embedding themselves at some point very soon, safe and sound in my belly, and one little Wotwot chillin' in the freezer for future use.  We are just so glad to have another option.

In case you didn't know what (or who) a Wotwot was (being a kiwi programme and all I think), these are Wotwots.  It is the only name I could come up with for the two in my tummy, since I'm a complete moron and have no idea what they actually are, scientifically - whatsits became wotwots.  Clear as mud??

And I have also found a NZ FB group for IVFers, which is great.  I love reading the blogs of others experiencing this BUT most of those are from the USA, which is fine BUT it is nice to follow along the stories of those in NZ as well.  Dealing with the same clinics, in the same time zone, know what Wotwots are …. lol

God is so good!  I (we) feel so blessed.

I'm so boring!

Seriously.  When I think about it I am a total bore.  I actually have nothing of interest to post about.  How sad is that?  Surely I have a life outside of TTC, somewhere, anywhere …. but nope, that is pretty much all I am about at the moment.  Of course nothing is happening until tomorrow, when we find out if the other two cells made it to freezing size, or not.  It will be beyond fantastic if they do.  To have another option further down the track can not be anything other than good.

Personally, I'm not feeling anything.  I have the odd crampy feeling, but nothing mind boggling.  The only thing is my mind is a bit gaga.  I couldn't even remember yesterday that I had travelled up to Hamilton the day before for the transfer!  Seriously!  I couldn't remember what I had done the day before - what is THAT all about?  What a ding bat!

I had to buy boob support sleepwear yesterday.  The plain fact is I am pretty well endowed, and with being currently overweight (read FAT) they are even more endowed than usual.  This means that when I take off my lovely (gigantic) support bra(s) the boobies are a bit sore and uncomfortable as they must weight goodness knows what, as they hang down and flop around, and it feels like the muscles are getting stretched.  I decided that I just couldn't sleep like that anymore, so I went in to buy some cheap sports bras that weren't overly supportive (hence the cheap ones) as I don't want to crush them all the time, they need some freedom, but were better than just a t.shirt.  What I discovered was even better - a sports singlet with built in support!  AND they were on sale for $10!  So I bought three, yep thats right, THREE!  And oh so comfy to sleep in!  Oh so happy!

The only other stuff I have done is loads of washing, made the bed, tidied the kitchen, and bought more vitamins, as I had my last one yesterday.  Dang they are expensive - $89 for 100 and that is on SALE, lucky I got those singles for a bargain.  Oh, and I have shifted calves and walked the dog.

Whooot!  I'm a thrill a minute … lol

Transfer complete

I had my transfer today.  Ye gads it was awful.  I do not cope with a full bladder at all well.  They fortunately let me 'let a bit go' before the transfer, but oh heck, I only just managed to stop from letting it all go (via standing up and pretty much yelling 'stop!')  Then by the time it was time for the transfer I was pretty much bladder full again so I was making many strange noises while trying to NOT pee on the Dr.  I was also taking a lot of deep breaths, which I had to stop as the Dr couldn't get the right place to drop the embies off on, so I hope I managed to stop long enough for her to hit the right spot.  And once I was given the all clear I was into the toilet like a shot and did the longest 'Austin Power's pee' ever.  Once I got out and into 'my' little room I noticed another woman rushing around like a crazy person needing the loo, so I felt a bit better and more normal, (although also a bit guilty for holding up the loo for so long).

So anyway, we had a 10 cell, two 8 cells and I think a 6 cell.  They transferred the two 8 cells today, and will phone and let us know on Saturday whether the 10 cell and/or the 6 cell are worth freezing.

I'm getting a bit nervous as everything seems to be going so well, and of course, being an infertile, it just can't be that easy.  Of course I really, really, really want this transfer to work (well doesn't everyone doing IVF!) but I am trying oh so hard to not get my hopes up.  I'm definitely going in cycles - you know, planning on what will happen if it happens, and then pulling myself back as there is still so much more to go through - the good ol' two week wait being the first of them.

Anyway, I have to 'be normal' for the next week and a half, and then have the 'are you pregnant?' blood test on Sunday 26th.  I wonder what 'normal' is, it seems so long since I have felt normal I am not too sure as to what I'm to do … no doubt I will figure it out.

Retrieve and fertilise

So we had the egg retrieval yesterday.  I was very, very, very nervous.  I tried to drink 2-3 glasses of water by 8.20am, but I just couldn't make myself.  I think I got close to two, but I actually 'peed' most of it out on the trip up, ie stopped twice for bathroom breaks on the way up, and went straight to the loo when we got to the clinic.

We got shown to a room and I got to put on a lovely flannel 'muumuu' for want of a better word.  She was a beauty!  Embryologist came in and told us what was about to happen, then Dr came in to get the needle in for the drugs.  And here it turned every so slightly to custard.  She couldn't find the vein in the left arm, so then moved to the right arm.  It took her a while but she finally found it, at which point I went very very faint!  Apparently I went as white as my muumuu gown.  I came right pretty quickly, and I didn't faint completely, but I still think I had them a bit un-nerved.  They then gave me a saline drip to 'buck me up' and then proceeded to take my blood pressure about 4 times, to convince themselves I wouldn't 'cark-it' on the operating table.

Finally we got to go into the little operating room.  Got given some drugs, which I didn't notice but must have affected me as I mentioned TJL could sing me Edelweiss (a family joke) - I think this was in response to keeping me calm.  And at some other point I said 'if it doesn't work I can always become a crazy cat lady'.  Ten minutes later it was all done and I got to go back to the recovery room and chill out for a while.  The actually procedure hurt a little bit a couple of times, but nothing major.

They retrieved 4 eggs, which I was quite happy with.

Then we had the four hour drive home.  I would never, ever recommend this for anyone.  NZ roads are twisty, turny, and bumpy as you wouldn't believe.  I managed to have a wee sleep, but the rest of the trip was not pleasant - obviously the drugs had worn off and I was not a happy camper.

Seriously, if that's what 'period pain' feels like, then I definitely don't get it.  Very uncomfortable.  In fact I only started to feel somewhat 'normal' today at around 4.30pm.

And we finally got the call through this afternoon that all 4 eggs fertilised (I nearly cried when the nurse told me), so I will hopefully be getting two embryos 'stuck back in me' either Wednesday or Thursday.

We are so blessed to have made it this far, and I am praying that it continues.

Trigger shot

Welcome to my new followers!  It is nice to have you along, and I hope I don't bore you rigid!  Todays post is a bit of a long one, so I apologise in advance.

I had a much better visit with the clinic yesterday (Friday).  The scanner tech/Dr actually spoke to me, and cracked a joke or two in reference to my 'missing left ovary'.  I said that 'I hoped she could find it', to which she replied 'well I hope you brought it with you', and I said 'well if I haven't I have no clue as to where I have left it'.  So it was good, and relaxing.  She was also more gentle with the probey thing, perhaps that was because she actually managed to find my left ovary …. hooray!!  And they actually seemed to care that I had travelled a long way AND we were paying for it (not that I think that because we are paying we deserve better treatment than someone who doesn't, but it does mean I get a bit more annoyed when I am not treated with respect).

So, from memory, my left ovary had two folicles - size 14 and 12.  The right ovary had 5 or 6 folicles - size 21, 21, 2x 13, and an 11, I think there may have been another one in there, but I can't remember.  So they didn't know whether to trigger me Fri or Sat night, and wouldn't make a decision until they had my blood test result in.  They did ask if I could hang around until the results were in, which I would have done had I needed to, but then they realised that I had one shot of GonalF left, should I need it, and they could give me the trigger shot to go, so I got to head home straight away.

So I finally got the call late afternoon yesterday (like at 4.45pm) that we were triggering that night.  This meant that we have to be at the clinic on Sunday for egg collection.  This in turn meant that we had to try and find a relief milker for Sunday, which is really short notice.  Our regular relief milker (and by regular I mean we have used her once, and she was awesome) is getting married so she was out.  Our 'old' relief milker is busy relieving for someone else.  TJL's sister is milking for her own farm as their worker is away for the weekend.  Their relief milker was busy elsewhere.  THANKFULLY TJL's friend had a weekend off from his farm and agreed to be our lifesaver.  He is getting a big bottle of rum (apparently that would be the thanks of his choice) and some chocolates for his troubles.  We are so relieved we managed to find someone as otherwise TJL would have had to get up at 1.30am and milk before we leave at 5.30am, and then 4 hours to Hammytown, followed by how ever long it takes to get my eggs retrieved, and then a 4 hour drive home, and then the afternoon milking.  Seriously, IVF is HARD when you are self employed farmers with no outside help!

Anyway, I got to have my trigger shot last night at 10.20pm.  I am hardly ever up that late.  But we made it, and TJL gave me my trigger.  So today, I get to be injection free!  Yay!  Not to mention I am now nervous as heck about tomorrow.  5.30am we leave home.  I have to have 2-3 glasses of water by 8.20am to by hydrated so they can find a vein (fan-tas-tic - more needles), no food!  At 9.20am I am to have 3 panadols with a sip of water.  Then be at the clinic by 9.50am and egg retrieval begins at 10.20am.  NERVOUS  MUCH!!!!!  You can bet your bottom dollar I am.

Rubbish appointment - bah humbug!

So I had the joy of getting up at 4am, and on the road by 4.30am.  Made it to Hammytown by 8.30am and had my blood test.  Then I went to Fert. Ass. at 9am to see if they could do my jab, which they did.  And then I proceeded to wait until 9.45am for my scan.  At this point everything pretty much went downhill.

I know nothing.  The tech. told me to hop up on the 'table'.  Did the scan.  Told the nurse that I had 1x10, 2x11 and 1x15 in the right ovary.  She couldn't find the left ovary (which obviously can not be a good thing).  Tech then told me where the tissues were to 'wipe myself', and that I had to have another blood test and scan on Friday.  I asked if I had to have it 'there', to which she replied 'yes' and then rushed off.  The only other thing she mentioned was to continue the drugs, and they might find something in the left ovary on Friday.  I think.  She didn't exactly hang around to tell me ANYTHING.  No one seemed to care if I had any QUESTIONS.  So really, I don't know anything.  I pray that the four in the right ovary turn into something - stupid left ovary … lol

Then the nurse said that they would 'call me' once they had the blood results in.  By this time I was a little tired, and not too impressed, so I said, 'Well I have a four hour drive ahead of me so don't phone too soon'.  'Oh' she said 'You've come a long way' …. well DUH, if anyone would take the time to listen to me!  Anyhow, she asked if I wanted a later appointment on Friday, so I asked if it could be in the afternoon?  Nope, so I said, well since I have to have a blood test, the earlier the better then (ie have to be in Hammytown for blood test at 8.30amish, so the less hanging around between that and the scan the better) but she didn't get it so she is going to book me in for 10am.  So I just said 'fine', and she said 'bye' so I flashed my smile, and left.  

I have to admit I was so wild.  No one there seems to LISTEN to me.  Seriously, I just want to ask why I can't have the blood test and scan done in NP, and it would be nice to know if todays scan means that really, this cycle is just a wash-out, or whether it is salvageable, or whether it is quite normal.  Ughhhhh, at times, living in such a small country sucks lemons, as this is the only clinic I can go to.  What annoys me more is that so far we have spent $9000.00 on this cycle (and then some) and they treat me like that!  

I am definitely going to take up my free cycle in August (if we need it) and run the staff ragged.  I know that they see a long stream of people like me, day in and day out, but when they know it is your first cycle they could at least ask if you have any questions before bolting off.  And I'm not going to Dr Google it, as that will just confuse me further.

It is now 3.50pm, and no message or call in-sight from the clinic.  My word, if this IVF does work, and when we no longer need them, methinks they are going to receive a message from me about how sucky their patient care is.

Of course if IVF does work, I will be far too happy to give a stuff about the rubbish I had to go through to get there.

Vent over!


Edit to add - clinic just called.  I stay on the same meds, and have my appointment in Hammytown at 11.10am.  So I had a wee - can't I get in earlier, if I have to have the blood test at 8.30am then it is too long to wait.  She said that I could have the blood test at 10am, so then it would only be an hour, which is good as I only have to get up at 5.30am and leave by 6.  I am also going to get TJL to inject me early, so I don't have that worry while I'm driving.  So it will be 3 hours early, hopefully it won't matter … LITTLE  FAT  FINGERS  CROSSED.


Oh, and too bad if I had any further questions as she said 'bye' really quickly and hung up.
*sigh*

Not happy

The clinic text me today to tell me that I need to be there at 9.45am tomorrow morning for a scan, and to have a blood test first.

The clinic is 4 hours away.

I have to be up and away by 4.30am tomorrow morning, to get the blood test done at around 8.30am (which is the time that I think they like them done) somewhere in Hammytown - note to self get map and find location of a med.lab!

TJL injects me at 9am.  Trent isn't coming as he has to milk.  I either have to inject myself (please, please, please no!) or I'm going to show up at the clinic early (ie at 9am) and find someone there to do it.  Or maybe I will ask the med.lab person to do it.  I only trust TJL to do it.  I'm not happy.  Note to self, pack drug and needle to take.

I phoned the clinic today at around 3.15pm to see if I could have the scan done in NP by Dr Fufu gynecologist.  No one returned my call.  So I get to drive 4 hours.  Have a blood test.  Have a random stranger inject me.  Have a scan.  Then drive the 4 hours back home.  Alone.  

I am not happy!  I will do it, but I am not happy!  Yep, it's definitely feel sorry for me time.

Headaches - I just don't get them

Well okay, I hardly ever get headaches, but I have one now.  I'm pretty sure it is a side effect of the drugs TJL gets to inject me with each day.  I think the counsellor said that they would dehydrate me, which is why I am not to have anything with caffeine in it (which for me means chocolate) as that would dehydrate me further.  I am guessing that is why I have a headache now.  I got one last night at about 10pm, and woke up with a bit of one, but haven't had one for most of the day, and then it came back about 6.30pm tonight.  I have been trying to drink plenty of water, but I just don't feel like it.  The nurse did say I could have panadol, but not neurofen, so I might take a panadol shortly, unless this headache disappears all of it's own accord.  I really do prefer to not take anything in addition to what I am currently on.

I have my blood test tomorrow.  Here's hoping it gives us the results we need.  I am going to try and not worry about it, as there is nothing we can do, but I'm still hoping for good results regardless (whatever a 'good' result will be, I have no idea).  Being that this is my first IVF, and having not done any research as such, I really am pretty much flying blind here.  It just means that I have to go with the flow, and do whatever they tell me.  Yep, I have blind faith in the doctors and nurses, and will continue to do so until something goes 'wrong', which I sincerely hope it doesn't!

Other symptoms other than a headache.  My tummy is a bit funny, uncomfortable, but nothing major and I am SO TIRED, oh so tired!  More tired than usual.  I don't know whether it is to do with the stress of having to catch up editing and uploading 5000 photos to my website from two weeks worth of events, or if it is the drugs, or, most likely, a combination of the two.  I am so glad I got the photos finished today, seeing as how I have an event to shoot tomorrow.  At least there will be only one event to edit through, rather than the 3 per week for the previous two weeks.

So I am busy tomorrow.  Have my blood test in H by 8.30am, back home by 9.00am for my shot, then back into H to shoot the event.  I guess I could take the shot in with me to save me a trip, but I strangely prefer TJL to do it now, now I have him trained up anyways.

So now I'm off to laze on the couch and watch the goggle box, not that there is anything decent to watch, but I just need to give my mind and eyes a break from this computer screen!

Check ya later!

TJL … I am not a cow! Mooooooo!

So the injections are going well so far.  I do work myself into a bit of a state before each shot (actually for a good hour or two before each shot).  Stupid really, as they don't really hurt THAT much, just a wee sting, but still, each and every day so far I have felt sick at the thought of having my shots.  TJL tells me to not think about it … bah ha ha ha haaaaa … if I knew how to not think about it I definitely would be doing that.  Its not a major state, just makes me feel 'sad' if anything.  Random, I know, but thats how I'm feeling at the moment … sad, and overwhelmed - far too much going on at the moment.

I just had my first Gonal F shot tonight.  It is the 'big one', so of course I was more worried than usual.  TJL has been doing great with the injections so far, aside from the second one when he forgot to pinch up a bit of skin and just 'stuck the needle in', I got jabbed twice at that one, and he got a bit of a 'telling off' … lol.  And it's not like I don't have a lot of extra 'skin' … hahaha

However, none of his shots have been as good as the first one, and I worked out today it is because he is used to injecting cows.  One thing about cows, they have thick, tough hides.  You need to use a bit of 'force and distance' when injecting them.  Unfortunately he had been doing the same with me!  I thought to tell him tonight, before my two shots, that he doesn't need to inject me like a cow, and a gentle insertion of the needle should be fine.  Fortunately it worked, and the 'pain' was minimal.  And when I say pain, on a scale of 1-10 its about a 2 … lol.  But I will get nervous again tomorrow before my shots, and I dare say this will continue until I no longer need to have any shots at all.

And now to bed.

Here we go ….

I started Buserelin injections today.  Despite all my fears, I didn't feel much when TJL injected me this morning.  I begin Gonal F on Friday, and judging by the amount to be delivered (ie significantly more than Buserelin) I might be feeling that one a bit more!  I guess I will know Friday night.

Had a good trip up to H.Town yesterday, to get the drugs.  TJL got a wee surprise in finding out he had to pay another bill, but he sucked it up and paid it (what a good man).  Then he had to give a sample.  He didn't get any 'instructions' ie, the room was blank, there was a TV and no remote.  Lucky he's a bit of a snooper and opened a cupboard door and found some Magazines.  He wasn't too sure if he could have done it if they weren't there.

Then we had the meeting with the nurse, re how to inject the drugs.  TJL being a dairy farmer doesn't have a problem at all with injecting me, which is a relief as I don't think I could inject myself.

Finally was a meeting with a counsellor.  She was ok.  I think she expected us to be 'really excited' and we were a bit more relaxed about it.  Basically I just want it over.  And I'm not getting my hopes up, I refuse to!  By the end of it she wished I could work for her as my attitude towards it was so good.  As I told her, I have contingency plans if it doesn't work, but no plans in place if it does … lol.   I figure if it does work then I will have plenty of time to plan from then on.

So it's all go, scary stuff!

Incredibly busy week - the photo edition

We have had an incredibly hectic week with hay making, farm 'shopping', vet visit, TJL's birthday (and thus his family visit).  And tonight I get to milk as TJL has speedway and needs to get there early.

Not to mention that I still have 2000 photos to edit and upload from last weekend, and I am back out taking more photos tomorrow!  Now let me hear you all SCREAM!

So here are a few things, in pictorial form.  Probably out of order :-)

Calf enjoying a chew on my shirt before getting vaccinated

TJL checking out the calves before vaccination

Get lots of these shots ...

… and these ones ...

… and these ones

Vet giving the vaccinations.  Does it super quick (now I'm worried about IVF injections starting soon).

Freedom!  After vaccinations.

Chocolate cake made for TLJ's birthday.

TJL turning hay

Stella-D

Stella-D

TJL turning hay.

Boys heading up to fresh grazing - Jeckle, Bernard and Paulie

Jeckle rubbing on a bank on the way up to paddock ...

… awww yeah ...

… AWWWW  YEAH!!!!

Hay bale

Hay bale closeup in black and white

Hay bale closeup in black and white

Hay bale closeup

TJL bringing hay to the shed, 3 bales at a time

Making hay while the sun shines

That saying is an oldie but a goodie, and definitely applies to us today.  Last nights weather report was all good, up until about Thursday, and so trusting the metrologist's (as there is no other option) we are good to go.  Unfortunately we did get a bit undecided this morning as we got a bit of heavy rain, but it now seems to have gone and the cutting of hay has begun.

Hay making is one of my favourite farm activities.  The smell of freshly cut grass.  The sweet smell of hay when it gets baled.  I also love the memories, back in the day of conventional bales, when the hay gangs (usually students) would be busy all summer stacking up truck and trailers with bales of hay, tanned and muscular from all the hard physical work.  Ahhh, a time when men were men!  Then there would be the sitting around, having a feed and a 'beer' after a hard, solid, days work.

I also remember my father stringing up a couple of bales in the hay shed, chucking on an old saddle, so my sister and I could ride and swing to our hearts content.  No doubt it saved my poor pony from being ridden into the ground.  Dad only did this for us for one year.  In hindsight he must have discovered them to be bloody annoying when he had to get the rest of his hay out of the shed, lucky he was kind hearted enough to leave them up for the summer season.

As an aside, another of my favourite farm activities is shearing, but now I am on a dairy farm I have to survive on my shearing memories alone.  I love the smell of raw wool with its lanolin!

The neighbour has also decided that it might be a good time to spread some fert.  Obviously one of the quickest ways to do this is via helicopter.  Those pilots have some serious skills!

I tried to be seriously quick with the next photo.  My better half cutting hay, milk tanker collecting milk, and helicopter doing fert.  All tools of the agricultural trade!

And I couldn't resist getting a few shots of the dog.  She is a pound puppy, black lab x kelpie.  Unfortunately our farm is too small for a real farm dog, there would not be enough work for one, so we have our pet instead.  I am hoping to rehome a retired huntaway at some stage.  I just love farm dogs and think that rehoming a dog that is passed their working best would be a great compromise.

Words

A few people have been coming up with words that they are focusing on for the year.  So far I have come up with 4!  Yes, that pretty much describes me - indecisive or greedy or just a faffer general.  Anyway, what has been happening for me is some mornings I wake up and I have a new word in mind.  At the moment I am writing them on the whiteboard in the kitchen, and so far it's working pretty well as TJL then reads them and repeats them, and thus reminds me of them.


So the words I have up (so far) are:-

FOCUS - I have picked focus because, as I said before, I am very, very good at faffing around rather than getting tasks done.  This is a hard one for me.  I know what I should be doing but get sidetracked extremely easily.


GROW - This really stands for many things.  A key one is to Grow Up!  I am embarrassingly immature.  Seriously.  It is time I grew up.  I also want to grow in my understanding of God, as I am such a beginner when it comes to Christianity.  I want to grow my photography business, grow decent vegetable and flower gardens.  And, of course I want to grow a baby, or three, or how every many God decides to bless us with.


ENGAGE - I need to engage more with TJL, rather than spend all our time in the same room watching TV and being on the computer.  A relationship can not exist in this manner!  I need to listen more and talk less.  And I need to actually concentrate when I listen, not show a half interest, it has to be listening in full.


APPRECIATE - This was the word I had when I woke up this morning.  I am a glass half empty kind of person.  What I realised this morning was that, the only thing missing from my life is children.  Other than that I have everything I ever wished for.  My fiancee is a farmer.  I am a photographer.  I own a house.  So I don't appreciate what I have, and it is time that I did.  


I wonder if God will bring me any new words tomorrow?

So unmotivated!

Seriously, it is terrible at how unmotivated I am at the moment.  I blame the weather, it has been warm and wet so far this year.  We have definitely had enough rain now, we need SUNSHINE so we can get our hay made!

Today I had been asked to head out and photograph the Taranaki Area Mounted Games.  I wasn't too sure if it would still be on, as we have had so much rain I thought that the grounds would be slippery.  Fortunately they didn't start until 10.30am (such a civilised hour), and the grounds are only 15 minutes away, so I didn't have to leave home until 10am (I like to get there a bit early to see the set-up etc).

This is one of the top older riders.

It was a real shame to see only 4 teams competing today as games are such fun to ride. I am interested in joining the committee (if they have one) but words of wisdom from TJL is to wait until IVF is over (he is definitely a sensible one!)

This is one of the younger novice riders.  The boys, I find, really love the mounted games side of horse riding.

I was so glad I went!  I had thought about 'piking out' because of the weather, but it really was more to do with my lethargy.  Going to the games reminded me that I LOVE MOUNTED GAMES, it is definitely my favourite discipline.  If I ever get a horse again I really think I will do games (if I can).

I really liked this shot as the horses legs are almost in unison, you don't get that shot very often.

So I am very thankful that God has provided me with the motivation to get back into my photography, via the use of Mounted Games.

I'm back!

Cheers

Micha

Tidying up my crafty stuff

I drove into H town today as there was supposed to be dressage on for me to photograph.  There was not a sign at all that the event was on today, so I high tailed it back home.  I wasn't really in the mood to photograph in the intermittent rain today anyway.

When I got home I decided to start tidying up my craft containers.  Our house is not the largest, so all of my stuff if 'jammed' into a couple of containers, and recently they haven't had their lids on due to being so full.

Of course, once you start 'tidying' your craft stuff you end up wanting to actually do some craft stuff, so in actual fact my tidying ended up looking like this - 

Yep, stuff for MILES!  And seriously, I think we need to get rid of the 1970's Lazyboy in the corner, it's only used as a 'shelf', and currently it has a dead DVD player, and one of the cow's brushes on it.  But yes, messy, messy, messy.  I did manage to get it mostly tidied up before TJL came in for dinner.

I did achieve something through the mess though.  I finally got around to organising our engagement cards.  I can't remember where I got the original idea from, definitely a fellow blogger, but just which one it was, sorry I can't remember.  A big thank you to you anyway, whoever you are!

So I scrapbooked a cover, to go with our engagement cards.  My (old) work colleagues gave us a HUGE card, so I had to make a HUGE cover.  I'm definitely a newbie to scrapbooking (as in I have done about 6 pages total) so I have A  LOT  to learn.  I actually wish I had used blue paper instead of the green, but what's done is done.

And below is the inside.  I have only tied it up with a bit of ribbon, so I can still add more cards (if we get any more, like, if we actually have an engagement party at some point).  Plus I want to write out the proposal and ring details and include them in there as well.  

 The photo that I put on the front is from our trip to Cairns, before we got engaged, but I didn't have any decent ones of us from the actual day.  I do have some others from the day though, so want to have them inside too.

I plan to do this with all saved birthday and Christmas cards as well.  Fortunately they are all just regular sized, so I won't have to make such a big cover!

See you next time

Micha

Good feelings

I just realised today (yes I can be slow), that I did the right thing by quitting my job 3 months ago.  I think if I was still under the 'stress' of work (and that would have been purely because I disliked the environment so much, not because the work itself was stressful) then the thought of even trying IVF would have been an added stressor, and then, in my opinion, the chance of success would have been greatly reduced.

However, since I did quit three months ago, I think I have had just the right amount of time to free myself from the work stress, and relax out, and be more receptive for the IVF.  I know that I am lucky to have TJL and so have been able to be work free and get myself kind of ready, but seriously, I have no idea how other people do it.  I find it mentally quite taxing, so trying to handle both IVF and work would have put me to my limit.

So I am all geared to go.  I feel great!  Yes I could do with some weight loss, and I am working on it, but other than that, and my age, I really don't think that there should be any other issues, so fingers crossed we have a great cycle, and all that goes with it.

One thing I can thank infertility for, is giving me patience.  She's a long, slow, process, especially here in good ol' New Zealand, I'm just glad we have finally begun the road!

Day one of BCP

So today I started birth control pills.  This means that the process of IVF has now begun.  It's exciting, and scary!  I haven't been on BCP for a very, very long time, so I hope they don't stuff up my cycle since I am so regular.  Oh well, time will tell.  We have the appointment for drugs (and how to inject them etc) on the 31st Jan, and so I figure we will be doing the whole IVF petri-dish experiment sometime around Valentines Day.  Being infertile I look to anything as 'a sign' that all will be well, so I'm going with YAY!  I'm going to get pregnant Valentines Day … lol.  Well, a girl can dream can't she … is it to early to start hoping for twins … hahaha.

And then onto more mundane things ...

Tonight for dinner we had Baked Pork Chops in Applesauce.  It was de.lic.ious!  I am so glad I am branching out in the cooking department.  It was super easy as well.

Ingredients
Pork Chops (we had 3, so one left over for lunch tomorrow)
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp salt
Dash of pepper
1/4 cup Catsup (I used good ol' Watties Tomato Sauce)
3/4 cup boiling water
1 cup applesauce (I made my own)
1 onion, sliced

Method
Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C)
Brown pork chops in skillet then put into casserole dish
Add flour, salt, pepper, catsup, boiling water, and applesauce to skillet with pork juices (see pic below), stir until thickened and smooth

Place sliced onions onto pork chops (I actually cooked my onions in the mix above)
Pour applesauce mixture over pork chops.
Bake 45 minutes or until done

I served with green beans and potato kumera mash … yum, yum, yum

The only other thing I achieved today was cleaning the goldfish tank.  I gave it a thorough clean so the fish got moved out into my spare small tank, all the water taken out (into buckets to go back in), all the stones taken out and washed, and all the sides of the tank cleaned.  It looks good!  And the fish seem quite happy so all is well.  Hooray!

Wedding

TJL and I had a weekend away for my friend CrazyJ's wedding.  It was 'back home' so we stayed with my parents, 2nd time in two weeks for me, so that was great.  Being the great photographer I am I didn't actually take a camera in with me (I only had large ones with me and totally forgot my little compact one.  The photos below are pinched from Facebook taken by the Brides sister).

This is the venue - The Hawke's Bay Club.  It was very nice, lovely and historic.

The cake was very cool.   Little cupcakes for everyone to eat (they were made by another of the brides sisters), and the cake topper included a pregnant bride (which J was).  The cupcakes were delicious (I originally got a banana one, and luckily TJL got a vanilla one so we swapped). 

J&J cutting the 'cupcake'.  The top tier is fruit cake that is being saved for the birth of their baby girl in a couple of months.

If you couldn't quite tell by the above pic, the groom was indeed in a wheelchair (due to a botched operation when he was early 20's I think).  Also the bride was in jandals and I was so jealous!  My feet hurt in my tiny heeled shoes (that means the heels were tiny, not the shoes themselves!)

Awwww father daughter dance.  J is the oldest of 4 sisters, and the last to get married and have children.  He was one happy man!  And obviously J was over the moon to finally have the man of her dreams.

Acupuncture appointment

Had another acupuncture appointment today.  Have I said before how much I love acupuncture.

After my last appointment, when she gave me the 'hot cigar' treatment (can not remember its proper name), I had spotting a few days before my period.  I NEVER have spotting.  And then my period was a day late, I'm NEVER a day late, my cycle is a perfect 27 days (I had thought it was 28 but that was me counting day 1, twice, doh! … lol).  Acupuncturist was pleased as it meant that the treatment was 'doing something', and while I do agree, any strange symptoms for someone with infertility can't but help raise the hopes, although it was very slightly and I did think the cause was the acupuncture, but you know, hoping for a miracle here!

Todays treatment was good, it was on my back, which is super relaxing.  Then she massaged my feet and legs - talk about OUCH!  Man she digs in deep!  And then she did my shoulder area, which is full of knots, and yep, that hurt too!  But I always feel great afterwards, and she has given me stretches to do for my back and shoulders.

My feet have been giving me a bit of trouble lately too, especially the right.  Apparently I have 'too much skin' and I need to slough it off (she said some people would razor blade it off … what??!! - I am so out of touch with what people do).  Anyway, I bought a pumice stone and foot file today, so I shall get to work on tidying up my feet.

I haven't made another appointment as yet, as period is due tomorrow, and we have to see what will be happening with IVF before I book for more acupuncture.

Ohhh, exciting and nervous.

Hopefully my period comes tomorrow, as I have no clue as to what will happen if it comes on the weekend and we are away, wait another month most likely!  And I don't want to.

Oh the trials and tribulations living in a country where so few clinics do IVF, and I have to travel 4 hours to get to it!

Catch-ups and giveaways

I had a great day today.  I met up with a couple of 'girls' that I used to work with at Fonterra.  It was great to catch up with them and to find out what was going on back at the 'ol joint.  It is pretty much same ol', same ol' - no surprises there.  I am so glad I got out.  M is about ready to 'pop' with baby #1.  She is a bit nervous, as she is single, but she will be fine.  S is as sporty as ever, and had plenty of gossip to share before M got there.  I try not to be big on gossip, and it really was one of the reason's I left, but I am ashamed to admit, I did enjoy hearing the tales about what was going on.  I have to say that it wasn't too much gossip, and it wasn't malicious, but it was gossip none-the-less.

Then, when I went to the supermarket, I bumped into another old colleague D.  It was a brief catch up with her (had frozens and it was HOT today), but she looked great, and it was definitely nice to see her.

I got home in time to cook dinner for TJL.  I had planned to attempt an apricot chicken dish, but I actually didn't have all the ingredients!  It's called shopping in a hurry as you didn't really want to be there, and therefore stuffing up.  I still cooked chicken (lemon garlic), but it wasn't anything 'new' liked I'd hoped.

I had two Facebook giveaways tonight.  One was for my Photography business (I had three calendars left from my Christmas giving), and one was for the Taranaki Mountainairs (local basketball team).  Again it was calendars.  My photography one went well, I had 14 contenders, so I drew three names out of a hat.  The basketball one only had 2 contenders and there were 3 calendars and 5 magnet calendars.  Oh well, I will be able to give them away at games.  It always amazes me about how hard it is to give away things at times.  At least I'm trying my best to promote the team, and that's the main thing.  It might take time but it all has to start from somewhere.

Getting out of a cooking rut

Poor TJL, I have really been in a cooking rut for the last four years.  I am not a bad cook, I just got into my fathers way of cooking - meat and three veg, one being potato, 'chinese 5 spice chicken or sweet and sour pork and rice', pasta via lasagne, bolognaise, or mac. cheese, roast meals, and on the odd occasion kebabs, or maybe a salad instead of cooked veg.

So tonight's plan of attack was to make sweet and sour pork, with rice.  And then I thought (wow, me thinking - miracles are happening in 2012 already!), sorry, then I thought, google pork slices and see what recipes come up.  The first couple looked pretty good - Caramelized Pork Slices and Tangy Sweet Pork Belly Slices.  I went with the Tangy Sweet Pork Belly Slices, but used silverbeet instead of watercress or puha.  I also REALLY branched out and went with brown rice instead of the usual Jasmine or Basmati.

It was delicious, and really, really easy, and TJL really liked it, and appreciated that I went to some effort to make something different.

I then remembered that I had signed up for Pinterest You can find me here (I hope) so I saved the recipes to my boards.  And now I can finally see the point to Pinterest (sorry, I can be a bit slow), but from now on, when I see stuff I like, and am inspired by, I can Pin it!  Yes!

I also must make more effort to get photos to this blog!  Otherwise it is a bit of a bore … hahaha.

But for now I am off to pin, pin, pin!