…or Begins. Depending on how you look at it. After almost a year of blogging all the news your womb can use, this will be my final week here at Fertility Notes and at b5media.

Sniff.

But don’t you be sad! You can still find me at my private blog (you can email me for details) and at www.nationalparksonline.net, our newly revamped blog chronicling Michael’s and my two-year road trip to all of the National Park sites across the United States and keeping you up to date on national park news. If you’re interested, I am working on some pretty neat things over at www.par.net for folks looking for autism or intellectual disabilities services here in Pennsylvania.

And here’s even better news: for those of you following my personal fertility journey, we received two very nice hCG (aka “pregnancy hormone“) numbers this week. While I’m wary of celebrating just yet, things are looking pretty good. We have an ultrasound (!) scheduled for later this month.

Since this will likely be my last post, I wanted to leave you with some of my favorite all time posts and helpful hints. Here is what I learned writing Fertility Notes:

• Even though some people can be mean and irrational, if you are struggling with or living with infertility, you never need to feel alone.

• Telling your partner he is “seriously F-ing with your fertility feng shui” tidies up the bedroom far faster than nagging.

• Acupuncture (and my acupuncturist) is awesome.

• Sometimes struggling with fertility gives us compassion and brings us closer to people in unlikely ways.

• You can still enjoy a fabulous foot massage from your husband while pregnant.

• This may have been the hardest post I’ve ever written.

• There is not nearly enough information available in schools regarding infertility.

• Estrogen is not all bad. In fact, sometimes it’s kinda nice.

• The end result is more important to me than how I get there.

• Cultivating my Qi is important. And it can be fun.

• It is possible for joy and sorrow to occupy the same space.

• You ladies love learning about herbal tampons.

• The Barren Bitches Book Brigade may be one of the best online meeting of minds I have ever participated in. A monthly opportunity to read, reflect, respond and most importantly gather the thoughts of beautiful, intelligent women. You should join the next one!

• Raising a child is relatively inexpensive, once you get to that point.

• I will never stop caring about Choice and the environment, getting angry about misinformation, or boycotting products that do not respect women (that means you, Tampax) And I hope to goddess that my children are rabble rousers too.

• My top ten random reasons for wanting to have a baby are still 100% accurate.

I invite you to comment here or email me at polchic@hotmail.com to tell me what you have learned. Don’t be a stranger!

Post from: Blisstree

Here’s Where the Story Ends

While cramps during the TWW can cause a little panic and anxiety in addition to the normal discomfort, they are totally normal and, unfortunately, not indicative of anything. In fact, they could simply be a common side effect of progesterone. Trust me. After about an hour on the internet this morning and a few more calls to a doctor, no one is willing to place any significance on cramping (or not cramping), spotting (or not spotting) during the two week wait.

Argh.

So, I’m leaving you with some Cramps that are a little more fun:

Post from: Blisstree

Cramping During the Two Week Wait

If you are still undergoing cancer treatments and think others at your oncologist’s office would benefit from this, you can use Fertile Hope’s Tell Your Doctor tool and they’ll take care of the rest.

A little over a year ago, when hubby and I finally realized that surely I must not be the only childhood cancer survivor who wanted to have a baby, (Hey, sometimes that light bulb takes a little longer to light for some of us…) finding Fertile Hope was the first glimmer of, well, hope for us. An earlier version of this Guide helped steer us in the right direction and connected us with the Reproductive Endocrinologist and clinic that still works with us today.

Even though we are not directly involved in a Fertile Hope program, finding an RE with at least a basic understanding of oncofertility was essential for us. I think that search would have taken much longer without Fertile Hope.

Here’s to hoping that this post shortens a search or two.

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Speaking of Freebie Friday, You have until July 31st to enter to win a $40 Fertility Scope from  Miracle Light Labs. That’s tomorrow! Hurry!

Post from: Blisstree

The 08-09 Cancer & Fertility Resource Guide is here!

Since I wrote to my Congressmen about the Act, I received the following update from CureSearch.org:

The bill, first introduced in the Senate by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Norm Coleman (R-MN), passed by unanimous consent, echoing a similar 416-0 vote June 12th in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) requested, and received, this unanimous consent on the Senate floor.

What does this mean? It means the bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously and is now on its way to President Bush to sign into law. If he does, $30 million will be authorized annually over five years,

providing funding for collaborative pediatric cancer clinical trials research, to create a population-based national childhood cancer database, and to further improve public awareness and communication regarding available treatment and research for children with cancer and their families.

Hells yes. That is what I am talking about. In the grand scheme of things $30M is not really a huge chunk of money, especially compared to other expenditures in the federal budget. But my goodness, this is a nice place to start.

I am thrilled by this news. I hope you are too. If you did reach out to your Senator or Representative, please take a moment to thank them for their bipartisan efforts on behalf of children with cancer and childhood cancer survivors.

Post from: Blisstree

More Updates – The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act

Many, many thanks to reader Amy Kreydin for setting me straight. Here is her advice on getting a foot massage while expecting:

As a board certified reflexologist and a DONA trained birth doula I can tell you having a foot rub from your husband isn’t going to bring on labor. He would have to work deeply to the point of causing him discomfort and would need to hold points for greater than a minute each. A good old-fashioned foot rub is just the thing I encourage my expecting clients to receive from their loved ones.

To clarify which points you may not want to put much pressure on (since acupressure and reflexology are two completely different systems), the reflex point for the uterus is located on the inside of the foot near the “ankle” bone. So, if you were standing up it would be about half way between your heel on the floor and the bone a few inches up from it. Pressure here should be gentle and nurturing.

For more information on reflexology during pregnancy read this article with studies by a UK OB/GYN: http://reflexology.suite101.com/article.cfm/reflexology_and_your_pregnanc

So, I was happily, happily proven wrong. Thank you!!

Post from: Blisstree

An Update on Foot Massage – I was WRONG!

I always think that I’m going to enjoy the mandatory “don’t do anything” for the 24-hours immediately after transfer. But after the first few magazines, boredom can easily set in. Here’s how I whiled away my “don’t do anything” time this time around:

1.) Read about half of this great book I picked up at a used book sale this spring.

2.) Had a “discussion” over whether or not lying on my side or stomach was allowed, or if bedrest really meant “flat on my back.” (update: on the side = ok. on the stomach = notsomuch, at least not for the first 24 hours)

3.) Enjoyed some subversive cross stitch. Really enjoyed the subversive cross stitch. I may need to get more.

4.) Tried to mentally weigh every item in my apartment. Did you know that when they say, “don’t lift anything over 10 lbs.,” that equates to roughly a gallon of milk??? My laptop and cord = just slightly under 9 lbs. My beloved dakine hemp bag with all of my stuff in it? 10 lbs. Argh.

5.) Saw that Michael’s heart rate accelerates and his palms get sweaty anytime he is asked to cook. It’s not that he won’t. He’s just terrified of “messing up” as he puts it. Luckily in-laws and my mom were around this week to lend some hands.

6.) Started some Christmas gifts early (but who haven’t I given a scarf to yet? Anybody need a scarf?)

7.) Had another “discussion” over whether or not pulling open the door to our elevator counts towards the 10 lb. limit. (update: nurse says, no. not really. Take that hubby.)

8.) Found out that progesterone suppositories don’t count when they say, “nothing in the vagina for a week.” Nope. No such luck. They’re a gift that keep on giving.

9.) Fell in love with our new bed all over again.

10.) Realized that I really can unplug from my computer and not think about work for a 24 hour period and everything will still be OK.

Post from: Blisstree

She’s Crafty! (or, How I Spent My 24 Hrs. Mandatory Bedrest)

Smart ART IX, which will take place August 14-16, is a symposium that will “provide a unique opportunity for nurses and healthcare professionals involved in the management of infertility patients to learn about new agents, procedures, and counseling techniques contributing to the continued success of ART.”

Oh wait, did I mention? Maybe I didn’t…

Enrollment is limited to the first 450 registrants and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Why?

Tuition has been generously underwritten by an unrestricted educational grant from Organon, a part of Schering-Plough which includes all scientific sessions, a course syllabus, and planned meal functions.

That means it’s free.

Of course, you’ll still need to get a hotel room for the weekend, but I bet your spouse or best friend would be happy to split the tab and find some other reasons to be in Vegas.

What are you waiting for? Click here to register.

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And don’t forget about that other Friday Freebie! You have until July 31st to enter to win a $40 Fertility Scope from  Miracle Light Labs.

Post from: Blisstree

Freebie Friday (Professional Edition) – Smart ART IX: From Physiology to Clinical Success

Tiny, tiny waiting room.  Hubby and I are there, still sweating from the bumper to bumper traffic and dash from the parking garage to make it here on time. Slightly frazzled, but excited.

Next to us, another couple, not nearly as excited. From her body language and a nurse’s comment (”I wish we weren’t seeing you today…”) which nearly loosened the tears she had been holding at bay, I had to guess she was here for a D&E or other process to end a pregnancy that never quite got where it needed to be.

Seeing her so sad quieted my heart. Seeing her husband, with his LAPTOP open and on his lap made me insane.

Their names were finally called. Once they left earshot I hissed at Michael: “Can you believe him? His wife is sitting there in agony and he’s on his frigging laptop? What the F is he doing? Answering emails? Playing solitaire? Have you ever seen someone so insensitive? If you did that, I would KILL you…” And on and on I went until finally M said,

“Dude. Relax. He was showing her their cat at home. They must have a video cam hooked up to the computer and they were spying on their cat. Didn’t  you see? It was the one and only time she smiled?”

Oh. Um. No. I didn’t.

“Well then super sleuth, do you think you could chill out and think positive thoughts? Because we should be next.”

And into our frozen embryo transfer (FET) we went.

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Here’s another lesson learned: Friday Freebie means frees stuff for Fertility Notes readers! You have until July 31st to enter to win a $40 Fertility Scope from  Miracle Light Labs. Click here for details on how to enter.

Post from: Blisstree

Lesson Learned: Things Aren’t Always What They Seem

The month of July symbolizes Independence in the USA so we here at the health and wellness channel used that as our platform for our theme day. I hope you enjoy what all of our great writers had to say around the H&W channel. Enjoy!

Gloria at Cancer Commentary gives us Freedom from Cancer- What does that really mean?… Speaking of freedom, in the context of cancer…what does freedom really mean? The definition varies from case to case, from person to person, from one’s perspective to another.

Pink Ribbon Review blogger Karen Lynch recaps the dependent days that followed her double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in an essay about her personal independence day. Read her post here

Kelly at Grounded Fitness has given us… Declare your independence from the scale by slapping your John Hancock on the Grounded Fitness Declaration of Independence.

Mary Emma and Liz at Alzheimer’s Notes… Losing their independence becomes one of the challenging aspects of this disease that Alzheimer’s patients and their families have to face. Mary Emma discusses it at Alzheimer’s Notes and invites her readers to “chime in.”

Alicia at Mental Health Notes… “Although we may feel as if we have to follow our doctors’ orders with no questions asked, Alicia Sparks points out the importance of being fully informed before we make decisions about our medications in Independence from Ignorance: 5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Prescription Medication.”

Over at Autism Vox, Kristina goes—all on her own—to BlogHer in San Francisco and free (for 2 whole days) of mom duty, remembers and reminisces.

Hope at Weighting Line says… If negative thoughts have stopped you from being healthy in the past, don’t let them stop you any longer. You are the only one who can control your thoughts. Free yourself from negative thinking.

“Does breastfeeding create a dependent child or an independent one? Angela shares her thoughts on “Independence and the Breastfed Child.”

Ruth at Eating Fabulous gives us an Independence recipe…

Post from: Blisstree

Health & Wellness Theme Day – I Missed It, But You Don’t Have To

If you’re into wrestling, go check out my predictions for winners on tonight’s PPV. Hint: I’m almost always going to go with the hotties.

Oh yeah, in fertility news, less than 48 hours until the FET…

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So, I may not pick all the winners tonight, but I will be picking the winner of Freebie Friday. Enter to win a $40 Fertility Scope from Miracle Light Labs by clicking here and leaving a comment.

Post from: Blisstree

Sunday Fun – Special Appearance at Jab & Grapple