Getting back into my routine...

Well, now that I'm feeling better from the shingles, I thought it would be a good idea to get back in the swing of things.  I've noticed a that my blood sugar has gone up again and it's scary.  I didn't work out for just one week and it made such a difference.  So, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday I made sure I went to the gym and did the elliptical trainer for 30 minutes each day.  I tried to use the cardio function on the machine but I couldn't handle it.  Maybe the shingles knocked me out more than I thought.  Anyway, it felt awesome.  I didn't realize how much I missed it.  I recently heard on the news that it takes 21 days for something to become a habit and 6 months for it to be a part of your life.  Well, I'm on my way to making this exercise thing a part of my life.  Just hoping my blood sugar follows suit and decreases.  My goals are to go to the gym either Mon or Tues, Thurs, Friday, Sat, Sun for the rest of this week.  It's only for 30 minutes of cardio.  I'd like to add strength training to this routine but I feel lost at the gym with those machines.  I might need get a personal trainer for a few sessions to help me get started and learn how to use the machines.  Anyway, its a little over two weeks away from our trip to NC.  I am getting super excited.  I know it will take months to get a donor, another couple, sync our cycles, etc, etc... Just trying to take it one day at a time. 

Financing for the BIG DAY.....

Ok.  So I spoke with the NC center this week.  I gave them our new insurance information and talked to the financial counselor about some things.  She believes some of the testing and blood tests, ultrasounds will have some coverage.  We went over some costs as well so we know what we need to have for the consult.  I'm feeling much better now about costs.  She thinks I'm overestimating the final costs.  She also recommended to go ahead and get the financing we will need.  So, I went ahead and called one of the loan financing companies they work with.  They said they work with people who have had bankrupctyall you need is to be out of bankruptcy for 3 years and have re-established credit.  I felt confident applying so imagine my surprise when an email came back within 10 minutes turning me down.  I called them up to see if a smaller amount would be more doable and they said I wouldn't qualify for anything because of my credit.  Basically, it's not re-established to their satifaction.  As you can imagine, I almost lost it.  We've worked so hard to re-establish credit the last 3 years.  Recovering from bankruptcy is brutal.  The first year we struggled and any car breakdown, major house issue can be devastating.  But we got through it and now we're on the other side so I thought.  Anyway, luckily I tried the other company and we were approved right away.  What really pissed me off was that the other company specifically said they work with credit challenged people and the truth is that they don't.  But now, I don't care because we are now set with what we'll need for our cycle.  Another big obstable is now out of the way. 

End of 2011....

I just can't deny that I'm happy this year is finally over.  And of course, it ends with me having shingles.  2012 has to be a good year because this year just plain sucked.  Yeager died, I didn't get preggo from my 3 IVF's, I found out I was diabetic and now, I have shingles to end the year.  And I have to say, shingles is really painful and ugly.  Luckily, I think I got the anti-viral meds in time.  It started on my hairline, hidden by my hair but it started to travel down my forehead.  Just a little and now it stopped travelling but I still feel the pain.  It's like being stabbed with push pins in my head.  Plus, the left side of my head and face feel tingly all the time.  Luckily, I have pain meds from my eye injury.  With all that has been bad I have had some positive things happen.  Finding out about the diabetes has helped me get healthy.  I've lost weight, go to the gym on a regular basis and feel good.  My A1C has gone done a point which my doctor was really happy with.  Well, except for the shingles I feel good.  And I'm excited to start the new year.  My appointment is less than a month away so exciting things are going to happen.  I WILL get pregnant.  I WILL have a baby.  IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.  Here's to a happy new year.

Accomplishments...

Needless to say this has been a tough year.  The one thing I wanted more than ever was to get pregnant and finally have our family.  Although that didn't work out, yet, I'm hopeful for the future.  Not to say that this year has been a bust for accomplishments because it hasn't.  I'm happy to say that my blood test had good results and I can't wait to discuss with my doctor tomorrow.  I've managed to lose weight, lower my cholesterol, triglycerides and A1C.  I'm within normal range for most of my tests other than blood sugar and one of the cholesterols.  These past years, I've watched my weight go up and up and the IVF over the last year added another 10lbs.  I've tried over and over to lose weight in the past but by far this is the most successful I've been and I don't intend to stop till I've reached my goal or if I'm pregnant of course.  I think I only need to lose another 10 lbs.  15 more would be awesome but I'll be happy with 10.  Sometimes small goals are better than the big ones.  It just feels good to know that I was able to accomplish this in the last few months of the year.  Maybe it's the start of new outlook for me.  I need to feel good about myself and eating right and exercise has helped tremedously.  Here's to 2012 and good things to come.

Blood sugar ups and downs...

This diabetes thing is kicking my butt today.  I must say, that since I've modified my eating and count my carbs and exercise I have felt much better.  I don't get the constant headaches and fatigue daily anymore.  That being said, sometimes I still feel out of wack.  I was good till after lunch.  Then the headache set in.  I was feeling pretty miserable so when I got home I checked my blood sugar.  Surprise, surprise, it was 85.  That's like normal but for someone who's blood sugar has been in the 100-140 range for a while now, 85 can make a person feel rather ill.  No worries though, I ate some food and in 2 hours it was 119.  Just finished my snack but I still feel like crap.  I wanted to work out tonight and now I feel guilty that I didn't.  I hope I can make it up Thursday or Friday. 

Anyway, the rest of my week at work will be easy but at home, I'm in the midst of making my holiday cards and it's important that I finish and get them in the mail by the end of this weekend.  I'm pleased with how they are coming out too.  Last years card was a disaster.  Yeager was dying and I was overwhelmed with starting my first IVF. 

Getting ready for my 1st DE/IVF....

I've waited so long to start this process.  I can't believe it's finally here.  We have our initial consult out in NC at the end of January.  I'm so excited.  My understanding is that it could take 2-3 months after the initial consult.  We are doing a split donor cycle so we need to find a donor and wait for another couple that is interested in that same donor.  Hopefully, it will go by quickly.  Back to injections, meds, etc.  I don't know what kind of drugs they use.  I'm just excited to get the process started already.  J mentioned driving up to Richmond to visit his parents the day before our appointment.  We haven't told anyone in our families what we are doing so I don't know what J will say to them.  Anyway, it's nice to be able to focus on that appointment and know I'm moving in a direction.  Luckily, I'm super busy at work so the time should go by quickly.  I have our flight booked too.  J wanted to jumpseat down but I was in fear of him not getting there.  So I bought a one way for him and round trip for me.  He can jumpseat back.  I wouldn't have even batted an eye when he mentioned jumpseating exept that we once flew from DC-NC and he left me on the plane to go to NC by myself. He finally had to rent a car and drive to Raleigh.  He couldn't get on any of the jumpseats because of the weight, if I am remembering correctly.  Anyway, the whole thing was very upsetting and this is way more important this time.