The Test

I went in yesterday morning for the pelvic ultrasound test. If you're unfamiliar with the test they require you to drink 48 ounces of water beginning 90 minutes before your appointment and hold your urine until after the test is finished. This is because they want your bladder full so they can correctly locate the organs. This was my third pelvic ultrasound (my first was when I was 19 in which they diagnosed me with PCOS, my second was with my pregnancy) so I was no newbie to the uncomfortable full bladder feeling. Of course, I'm standing throughout the waiting period because I don't dare sit down, it only makes the pain worse. As I'm standing there in the waiting room I spot a woman probably in her 50's with a folder marks "mastectomy". She is quiet and doesn't look around much. After 5 minutes she stands up and begins frantically searching. A woman in scrubs asks her, "is there something I can help you with?" The woman says, "bathroom please." The scrubbed woman points to a door and the woman bolts to the room while clasping her mouth with one hand trying to hold in her nausea to make it in time. My heart dropped. I can only imagine what this woman is going through, I'm guessing she's on chemotherapy and has breast cancer. I pause to look around and I see two men waiting patiently in hospital gowns, one man is attached with tubes to a machine with wheels.

My ultrasound tech asked me how I was today, I cleared my head and lied, "I'm good." Trying not to be bothered. But how could I not? Both my mother and father have had cancer. Seeing these others brings back sad memories. The ultrasound tech was fast and I was finished in less than 5 minutes, then excused to finally use the restroom.

I should be getting back my test results sometime mid next week. I'll keep you posted. Until then, remember to thank all the nurses. It takes a strong person to see pain and sickness on a regular basis and still be able to care for others.

Post Doc Update

I went and saw my Gyno this past Friday to chat AGAIN about my irregular cycles and hormonal imbalance. After describing my symptoms, she ordered a Thyroid test and scheduled a Pelvic Ultrasound. No answers, which is frustrating, but at least there is some action being taken to get answers. My ultrasound is scheduled in one week, then I have to wait an additional week after the US to get my results. So I've got 2 more weeks before I could possibly find out the findings. Wait, wait, o ya, and wait some more!

In other arenas of health, I've started my DTP/Yoga weekly workout regimen. I. WAS. SO. SORE. Everyday was a constant battle in the gym. DTP is no joke, it's a different kind of weight training for me so I was definitely challenged. The Dramatic Training Principle was created by Kris Gethin and if you're looking for a short 4 week program to increase your muscle and challenge yourself check it out on bodybuilding.com. Also, I started training with Rasa, my yoga instructor, twice per week (instead of only Sunday). She is amazing and really has brought back my passion for the practice. I managed to perform a supported headstand inversion for 10 seconds, but then I lost my balance and came crashing down! Kind of embarrassing, but I was proud in the same moment.

In terms of my diet I've been craving more of a vegetarian/Mediterranean style diet. Once or twice per week I've ate meat but I'm sticking mostly to eggs, beans, and my protein shake as my primary sources of protein. I've been loving my Ezekiel tortilla with hummus wrap lately! And I try to get in sushi every other week. Once I finally get pregnant my sushi choices change from raw to cooked so I want to get it in as much as possible but still within my budget. Sushi is expensive!

In terms of being creative in my kitchen, that hasn't been happening lately. Sadly, we are still in a temporary furnished condo until our short sale has been approved. The process takes long, but I didn't realize it would take THIS long. So because I don't have my usual kitchen tools (food processor, vitamix blender, mandolin etc) I haven't been doing too many fancy pantsy stuff. But I've been really enjoying hummus (Trader Joes), Ezekiel Tortillas, fried eggs (fried in coconut oil), cucumbers, pistachios and craisins. Not all in the same dish though!

Sorry For My Two Month Sabbatical

I just realized its been two months since I've posted anything. Sorry about that. It's funny because I catch up on all my favorite blogs every morning with a hot beverage and I expect them to post regularly, yet I don't. Eh, they get paid for it, I don't.

So I temporarily gave up on the Maca and the Solace as of Saturday (Solace is a DoTerra essential oil blend for hormone harmony, Maca is a root used by South Americans for hormone regulation). It's a really long story so to sum it up my cycle has still been wacky and NEWS FLASH, I'm still not pregnant. Last month was especially stressful and confusing for me. I thought everything was going well and my cycle seemed to be regular and we did "the baby dance" almost every other day yet my period came, and stayed, for 2 weeks! I talked to Mike about it and we have decided that after 5 months of wacky hormone fluctuations (causing everything from spotting, to long and painful periods, exhaustion, acne, etc) I am going to see my Gyno again (3rd times a charm right?) and start the Metformin. If you're not familiar with Metformin it's usually given to Diabetics to help control their insulin. PCOS also creates insulin resistance and therefor starts creating too many androgens thus throwing off hormone balance and that's pretty much where I'm at. Doctors also give Metformin to patience with PCOS to regulate their insulin thus helping the body regulate its own hormones. So that's where I'm at now in terms of baby making. I'm feeling quite defeated as I've tried what would "naturally" help my body fix itself and it hasn't worked. I will continue to do what I need to in terms of nutrition, fitness, and natural supplementation along with the Metformin. I'm still currently taking my Organic Raw Prenatal Multivitamins and Vitamin D.

In terms of exercise, I've started practicing Yoga again weekly. I really like the new instructor I've found and she's renewed my love for the art. I spoke with her on Sunday at the last session and she suggested I start practicing twice a week. Also, Mike and I are still weight lifting 3 times per week together while Kellen plays at the gym's daycare. So starting next week I will be doing Yoga twice and doing a new strength program three times a week. The new strength program has 500 repetitions total for each body part. You only work two body parts a day but its going to be a new kind of stimulus so I'm sure it'll be a nice change for my body. Maybe even I will put on some new muscle. Regardless, it'll keep my mind from getting bored and keep my body guessing.

Our holidays brought a lot of time with family and friends. It was great to enjoy them all since last year we were in Italy away from the states. Kellen had so much fun, he loves his Grandmas and Grandpas. Plus we got to meet some extended family (Finney side) out in Oklahoma. I did pretty good with my eating habits making sure to not over indulge. We also stayed active by hitting up the local Golds wherever we traveled. I'm proud to say I didn't gain any weight, but I can't say that for everyone. Kellen did some major growing! So it was the good kind of weight of course. ;) I did read that Americans gain an average of 7 pounds during the holidays (Thanksgiving through New Years). Doesn't surprise me, there are so many parties and gathering that time of year and if you overeat and stop moving, it's bound to catch up. How'd you do this season, stay on track?

Sorry that I couldn't bring you better news, like that I am pregnant. Or even that my hormones have balanced and I'm starting to feel more like myself. I do believe that one must try naturally to heal the body, but if it fails, GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR! Ciao for now.

Banana Mookies

I had a very ripe almost too-gross-to-eat looking banana that I needed SOMETHING to do with. As with most of my cooking adventures, I open the pantry and just start pulling stuff out. A little almond flour, and some coconut oil, an egg to bind... Today I came up with Banana Mookies! They are a cross between a cookies and a muffin. Delicious and nutritious. Absolutely no guilt. Boo ya, my favorite kind of food.

1 mashed ripe banana
1/2 cup gluten free oats
1/2 cup almond flour
2 egg whites
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbs melted coconut oil
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
Dash of salt

Mix all ingredients and place on baking sheet like cookies. Bake at 325F for 12-15 minutes. Let cool then remove from pan. If you like your Mookies really sweet replace the applesauce with 1/4 cup honey and increase the coconut oil to 2 tbs.

Maca and some Fertility Bars

So, I spoke a little too soon. The evening of my last post (in which I said I was feeling good and hoping my hormones would balance themselves) I had more cramping and spotting. I was so frustrated and upset at that point. About one month ago I was having a conversation with the owner of a health food and supplement store I frequently shop at. I mentioned to him my hormones were "out of whack" and he suggested I try using Maca Root. He gave me some written information on the supplement Maca which I briefly read over a few days afterward. Back to Monday evening after my last post. I was desperate to get some relief from these crazy hormones so at 6:45pm I put Kellen in his carseat and we drove back to this health food store. The gentleman who knows my face and Kellen's cute mug greets and welcomes me asking if I enjoyed my last purchase (raw organic whole food multivitamins & whey isolate). I said yes and informed him that I wanted to start the Maca supplement. He smiled and rang up my purchase as well as the Kombucha I threw in the mix (o how I love Kombucha, you should try it!). The next morning I began taking my Maca supplement. This is because Maca also increases energy and stamina as well as helps balance your hormones, meaning take Maca in the morning so it doesn't interfere with sleep.

So far I've noticed an overall feeling of happiness and well being. Also, I haven't had any bout of diarrhea or cramping. No spotting or abnormal "hormonal" issues as of yet (these include acne, cramping, backaches, headaches, bloating, etc). It's only been one week so here's to hoping its the Maca doing the trick and I start seeing the benefits of having hormone harmony!

Onto other news, I made what I call Fertility Breakfast Bars. Very tasty and full of delicious "superfoods" for overall health and wellness, not to mention easy to make as well.

In a large bowl mix the following:

1/2 cup oat bran

1/2 cup ground flax seed

1/2 cup almond flour

1 cup Organic Greek Yogurt

1/4 cup Organic Maple Syrup

1 tbs Chia Seeds

2 tbs Coconut Oil

Press mixture into 5x5 inch pan. Refrigerate for at least 5 hours (overnight is best) and then cut into bars.

Coconut Crack

Yum yum yum. I love me some crack. Coconut Crack that is. It's easy and no baking required.

1 cup almond flour (I like Bob's Red Mill)

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (I like Bob's again on this)

1/4 cup warmed honey (easier to mix when warmed)

1/4 cup melted coconut oil

Place the coconut oil and honey in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Not too long or it'll boil over. In a large bowl, mix the ingredients. Roll mixture into golf sized balls and place in the fridge until set. Then eat them!

Update On Me

Just a forewarning. This blog post is about what's been happening with my crazy body these last couple months. I will be talking about some body functions that some people may think is too much info. Like poop, Aunt Flo, gas, and much more other yucky stuff. So you have been forewarned.

For the last three months I've had a whirlwind of health issues of which cannot be explained exactly. As I stated in my previous blog, back in August I started having symptoms that resembled pregnancy. Approximately 3 weeks after I began these symptoms (extreme fatigue, nausea, food aversions, and sensitive boobies), I had three days of spotting. I thought this was my period but it never really picked up to what my period looks like usually. A week after this spotting I took a pregnancy test and also had a blood test, both came back negative. For 3 more weeks I just had a overall feeling of exhaustion even though I started eating more and exercising less. The other symptoms started disappearing, but the fatigue always remained. Then my period came again at 21 days.

As I stated in the last couple posts, we have decided to start trying for another child. About 2 weeks after my period finally came I started having EXTREME bowel and digestive issues. I was having diarrhea up to 6 times a days accompanied with horrible gas. These symptoms lasted 3 weeks. I was so confused because I eat incredibly healthy and I wasn't eating anything out of the norm. During this time I met with my Ob/Gyn who did my annual exam and answered questions about what I had been experiencing. Her opinion what that my hormones were unbalanced and that is what was causing both my erratic period, fatigue and other bothersome symptoms. She then attributed my diarrhea and gass to irritable bowel syndrome.

So at the 5 week mark after my last period I had more weird spotting that lasted 2 days accompanied by horrible cramping. I also would have dizzy spells throughout the day. A few of the dizzy spells where so bad that I blacked out for a moment. Totally scary for me. At 6 weeks I had a "real" period. This one was weird too, it lasted 7 days, was extremely painful, I had severe exhaustion for a couple days, and more diarrhea. Then to make matters even worse I developed a candida infection.

My doctor doesn't seem worried as she thinks my issues are all because of a hormonal imbalance which she attributes to my history of Polycistic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). She wants to wait a year before placing me on any medication in hopes of my body resolving the issues on its own. I agree with her to a point. I'd rather not take any medications as in the past they have only caused the issues to worsen, not resolve. I'm currently on my own plan of herbal supplements to hopefully speed the process along faster. This is including taking a raw prenatal vitamin, vitamin D, ingesting peppermint oil, taking a raw probiotic, and using Solace (a blend of essential oils known to promote hormonal balance). I also decided to stop drinking coffee and other caffeinated beverages as well as eating a diet that doesn't contribute to digestive irritation.

At this point I'm extremely confused, upset and angry because I don't understand why my body is fighting me. I exercise, eat healthfully, sleep and have plenty of rest, I don't smoke or drink alcohol. Why is this happening!? I have a couple of hypothesis on why this could possibly be going on. One is that my PCOS is acting up (this was the doctors opinion also). My other hypothesis is that I had a chemical pregnancy in August and threw off my hormones. Either way, I'm hoping it won't take too long for my body to rebalance.

Today, 4 days after finishing this last horrible period from hell, I feel really good. I had tons of energy at the gym and felt like my old self. Is this the beginning of the "reset"? I guess we will see what happens tomorrow.