Together

I was rushed to ER last Thursday night due to high fever that started Tuesday. Laboratory tests results showed I have UTI so I am into antibiotic and will be back to the Doctor on Saturday.

That means I was down and sick for the couple of days. And it was Christmas week.

Thankfully though I was able to travel to my Sister's place and spent Christmas with my whole family :) and for that I am GRATEFUL.

Grateful that despite of what we're going through we are still very much TOGETHER, all of us siblings are there complete with all my nephews and nieces.

And though there were fewer gifts to open, it doesn't really matter now. We've learned to appreciate more of the presence and the time we spent with each other.

I took photos... because now for me every chance of being together is a photo opportunity. I don't wanna miss it.

                                                   (me and my Tatay on Christmas day 2012)

Thank you Lord for  this Christmas, thank you that we are all together and that we are happy :)

How's your Christmas?

Parents are gift

image from facebook

Update on my father's condition : Biopsy done today, results will be on Friday. Thank God the procedure went well and no complications. Please keep on praying that it's benign and not malignant as the suspected by his Doctor.

Wednesday Thoughts

My Father is now okay, not really good but he's okay. We rushed to the province last Sunday afternoon because of a series of phone calls from him, from my Nanay and from our neighbor over the weekend. They all said we need to bring him to the nearest hospital as he was having attacks ( he had hard time breathing, can't speak and lost his senses) We still didn't know what causes it because we are still undergoing LOTS of tests right now, we hope to know later today or tomorrow.

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I was scared and was in a state of shock last Sunday. I was crying and my thoughts went too far (morbid thoughts came in and I cried even more)

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I feel a lot better now (except that we are hurting financially again) because of the emergency that happened.

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 And I think I lost the "Christmas energy" I had  before, all I want now is my Father to become really well and that's it. I don't even want Christmas parties now.And I don't think I will be able to complete my gift list.
Sorry.

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I'm thankful though for all the people that really care, for all the prayers that sent our way during that time.

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and oh..hello December ( sorry that this first post for December is a sad one) I hope you are having a good December and that you are enjoying the Christmas spirit in your part of the world.

Vitex and shorter cycle

I had my period last November 11 and guess what? I think the Vitex is working. Why did I say so? because this time I did not have any menstrual cramp or any menstrual pain as in NO PMS at all. My period  lasted for 7 days and surprisingly it is not as heavy as my normal periods before. 

So, yes I can say Vitex is slowly working and I'm hoping I'll get a positive result someday soon!

So far, from July to September my cycle count is 69 days, from September to November-it was reduced to 52 days. I can't wait for next month :) I hope I'm slowly getting at least a shorter CD and a regular one.

My husband took another additional vitamins (Rogin-E) and next month I will also add Vitamin E with Selenium to my supplements.

I really hope this all work together and that we will have our gift soon. Please keep on praying for us.

Home Ideas: flooring and sofas

We recently bought linoleum to replace the old vinyl tiles that my husband removed from our small kitchen, it’s white and it made the room brighter,  though dirt is now more visible with it I still like it very much. In fact I am now planning to cover the whole room with the same linoleum. why? basically because it is a lot cheaper and is easier to clean than our old and stinky vinyl tiles.

Because of the turn of events (and turn of our plans) we might stay longer in our current home so I asked the husband to make it at least more comfortable for both of us. That means installing anew sink and a small counter top. He said yes of course, I just hope his yes means he’ll do it sooner than I think.

We don’t have plans of buying new furniture (since our place is small) but given the chance (meaning the extra money) I would also love to replace the hand me down couch we had at the moment. I would love to have one of these contemporary sectional sofas someday. The black or the white will be perfect for me :D

The more I keep looking for more home ideas the more I want to have my own home soon! But I know that would take a bit longer because we prioritized something else (and I hope we made the right decision there) Anyways, it isn’t bad to plan early right?

"Cord of Three" Wedding Rings

We’ve been planning to buy a new set of wedding rings for us ( our rings doesn’t fit us anymore plus we both want them replace talaga ten  years from our wedding date) You see, ours  was not the pricey wedding ring but nonetheless, it was a symbol of our infinite love for each other (naks!) so I’ve learned to like them na.  

But if only I had money when we got married I’ll definitely choose one that I love-I’ll go for unique wedding bands like this three cord wedding ring! Three cord was mentioned in the bible . Ecclesiastes 4:12 says “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Very fitting for a Christian wedding right? How I wish I can have those. But who knows?  Looking at the prices of these unique wedding rings, I know they are not cheap (if you convert them into pesos) but they are not too pricey either. If we really want it and save for it, I know we can have them in the near future Think positive Raquel  :D  I can even order them online if I want and they have a 30 day risk free return policy.

This one of a kind wedding symbol is hand -braided and designed by a very talented artist Todd Alan. Imagine how painstakingly he makes each ring so customers are assured that each ring is unique. Any bride would be delighted to be wearing them :D

Now, I have to print these, get my husband’s approval and pin it on our prayer wall.

Skyfall

It's been a while since I last went to a movie house. As a matter of fact, I don't even remember now the last movie I saw in that big white screen. Last night we went with my sister and brother in law (because we were trying to console them and we're trying to take her mind off the recent tragedy even for few hours).

Anyways, it was a toss between " A Secret Affair" - a local movie and  "Skyfall" - a James Bond movie. Girls wanted the first one and the guys wanted the second, but after a not so lengthy decision making, we opted to see Skyfall. Honestly, I am not a fan of 007 movies but sometimes I do like the action specially when the husband enjoys them so much. The movie lasted more than two hours I think and yes, it's full of action, lots of running and driving the whole time :) 

I enjoyed the night and hopefully the sister in law enjoyed it too.

Chistmas gift list:Stylish sunglasses

I’m slowly completing my Christmas gift list.

So far I have handkerchiefs, cute pink head bands for the little girls, few story books, colorful journals for the teens and some sunglasses which I bought at a very very low price. I bought it weeks ago alongside with my reading eyeglass also at a sale price.  Actually I saw some stylish sunglasses and eyeglasses from WarbyParker, how I wish I could buy at least a pair for me from them because right now if you buy a pair you also give a pair to someone in need, isn’t that nice? Especially now that is already Christmas season. You can also buy online from them and they will ship your order (if only shipping is not a problem for me)

Anyways, as I have said, I’m slowly completing my gift list. Slowly but at least I’m making progress. I still have so many in my list but I will complete them at the end of this month. I remember I also said this last year and then I found my self in the midst of the Christmas rush on December .  I hope I can really do it this time. Avoid the traffic, avoid the Christmas rush.

How about you? have you started on your list? Or are you done with it?

Fertility and Vitamin B12

Aside from the chasteberry fruit or vitex that I am taking now as supplement, my husband and I are also taking Vitamin B12 (and three more vitamins which I will all blog here). Hoping and praying that in due time, we will have our own bundle of joy :)

So why B12? How does it affects fertility?

Because according to studies (so many literature-you can all google them) )B12 can improve sperm quality and sperm motility (for men) and deficiency of B12 may result to irregular ovulation or no ovulation at all (which is my case)

 It also helps boost the endometrium lining in egg fertilization thereby decreasing the chances of miscarriage which only means B12 will  help pregnant women  carry the baby in full term.

I hope it would really help us this time.

Chasteberry fruit or Vitex

It's been 23rd day since I started taking this supplement. I can not say yet if there are changes in my cycle because as I have read, I should wait for at least 3 months to see the benefit of this.

Anyways,I decided to try this herbal supplement after reading from  natural fertility website.

According to the article, Vitex Agnus Cactus or also known as the Chasteberry fruit has been shown in studies to:

Inhibit follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Vitex increases the secretion of luteinising hormone (LH), which in turn increases progesterone.  

 Lengthens a short luteal phase: Studies have shown vitex to be affective at lengthening the luteal phase. While it does not contain any hormones itself, it does help the body to increase its own production of luteinizing hormone (promoting ovulation to occur) which in turns boosts progesterone levels during the luteal phase of the cycle. 

Increased progesterone levels: Vitex has been shown to stimulate the formation of the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum is responsible for the secretion of progesterone. In a study of 45 women, 86% responded positively with normalized or significantly improved progesterone levels.

Reduces advancement of mild endometriosis: Vitex is used in Germany by gynecologists to treat mild endometriosis and prevent it from advancing.

May help prevent miscarriage: Vitex has a beneficial impact on progesterone levels. If miscarriages are due to low progesterone, vitex may help to normalize or increase progesterone levels. Vitex may be considered safe to use during pregnancy, but make sure to consult with a healthcare practitioner when using this herb during pregnancy. Also make sure to read our ‘Use During Pregnancy’ section below. 

Relieves PMS: Clinical research has shown that vitex may be very beneficial for PMS symptoms, especially depression, headaches, rashes, acne, allergies and sensitivity of the breasts. In one study improvement of PMS by the first month was experienced by 32% of the women. By the third month 84% of the women experienced improvement of their PMS.

Lack of menstruation (amenorrhea): In a study of 15 women with amenorrhea, 65% had resumed a menstrual cycle by the sixth month of use. Progesterone levels also increased.

Irregular menstruation: Vitex has been shown to help balance both an absent menstrual cycle as well as aid a menstrual cycle that is heavy or too frequent.

Uterine cysts: Vitex has been found to be helpful at reducing cysts that are growing within the smooth muscle layer of the uterus.

Stabilization of menstruation after stopping birth-control pills: After discontinuing estrogen-containing birth control pills, vitex taken for several months has been shown to help stabilize the cycle and induce ovulation more quickly.

Helps stimulate milk production in new mothers: For over 2,000 years vitex has been used to help stimulate mother’s milk. Begin using vitex right after birth and continue for 10 days or more as needed.
Acne: Several studies have shown an improvement in the skin with the use of vitex. Along with appropriate diet changes vitex may help acne.
Vitex can help basically any issues that one experiences that disappear once pregnancy begins and returns after breastfeeding ends.

If you want to read more about vitex and fertility, click on the link above. I've learned a lot about natural fertility in that site, not only about Vitex but also natural foods that helps you get pregnant. I hope I can have good news to you all after some more months!!

productive weekend

 ( a cross post from my rocksdaily.com blog)

I think I just had my most productive Saturday last weekend. Here's why..

Woke up before 8:00 AM-went to Bambang (Rizal Avenue,Manila) to canvas and buy some stuff for my boss, we were there until 11 AM.

Before 12 noon we are already on our way to RAON (Quiapo, Manila)  to buy things for my husband's project ( box/carrier for his guitar effects)

Around 1:30 PM we had lunch at the food plaza of Save More Sta Ana, Manila and waited for 2PM to finally meet a N@wie to close a transaction from our garage sale page :D Nice meeting you sis!

After that, we went to San Juan and brought the stuff I bought from Bambang to my boss' house. Oh yes, it's Saturday and I am working :D bait ko no? hehe!!!

We were home around past 3 in the afternoon. BUT WAIT, our day is not over yet...with all that lakad we made..I still have much energy (so unusual of me)..

So while the husband started on his project..I went down and did the laundry (I also washed some of my bags and shoes and slippers) I was done at around 6PM (bilis ko lang naman maglaba)

We had  a quick snack then we prepared ourselves na and went to church for our 6th day of prayer and fasting. We finished at around 9 PM, went straight to my sister's house to pick up Rachel (my niece) who will be sleeping over with us.

Finally home at around 11 PM. Was in bed before 2AM of Sunday.

Such a full Saturday no? Oh..if you think we had Sunday to rest, nope..because we woke up even earlier as it is church day :)

But I don't complain though..I am actually amazed of the energy I had these last few days. I think the supplements I am taking are already working :)

Abbreviation of terms in Fertility

For many years that I've been reading about infertility and getting pregnant I've encountered lots of terms that at first I was like"what is this?" and often times i stop reading and search for the meaning of that abbreviated word or the acronym.

I gathered some of the words and listed them here hoping that it would help those who are reading about infertility too.

TTC - Trying To Conceive

CD- Cycle Day

OPK - Ovulation Predictor Kits

BD - Baby Dance (which means making love or the intercourse)

BBT - Basal Body Temperature (this is being use to chart your body temp, to know if you have ovulated or not)

 HPT  - Home pregnancy test

AF - Aunt Flo (menstrual period)

BFP - Big Fat Positive ( which means a positive pregnancy test)

DPO- Days PAst Ovulation

PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - which is my case :(

Those are the very common acronym words I see from day to day, but feel free to add  the words you know too.

Now a pulmonologist

After months of check -ups and tests, the Doctor now concludes that what my father  needs to see is a Pulmonologist as his major problem is his lungs, she even suspected that there might be water in his lungs thus she required a CT Scan of the lungs and a pulmonary function test which of course costs a lot.

The tests seems endless.

And at this point in time, I really wish I am rich.

Anyways, I hope we can have the tests done  next week and then the consultation with the Pulmonologist. I pray there really is nothing wrong with Tatay and that the medicines he are taking now will be instrumental to his complete healing. Please dear Lord.

But on a happier note, I noticed some good changes with my father's health, my sister who takes care of him notice it also so I know God is listening to our prayers.

I would appreciate it very much if you can include my Dad in your prayers. Thank you.

How do you save for your child's college education?

This was one hot topic in my yahoo group last week and most of them who have kids agreed that it would really be hard to send their children in a nice university for college education unless they start saving now.

I still don’t have a child but that made me think about it also. As of this time, good schools are expensive already and I wonder how expensive it would be for the next ten or fifteen years to come?

Good thing that someone has brought up this topic because the saving and investing were discussed too alongside with the school fees and expenses. There are lots of ladies in the group (oh well along with their husbands) that are money savvy. Some I think knows a lot about stock market and the stockmarket game .

How I wish I am one of them.  I so admired those who have already invested and secured their kids education. I tell you, they even have plan A to plan B and C or D. Very inspiring. I assumed they read a lot about investment and maybe they frequent investing and financial sites like WallStreetSurvivor  and the like.

I’ve heard and read about Mutual Funds and Time Deposit but God knows I still don’t understand a bit about them. And how do I save for my child’s college education? Well, I have to learn saving first.

Friday Fragments

Last grocery day, I didn't buy coffee and bought milk instead. So for a week now, I only had one cup of coffee! Imagine the switch, from 3 cups a day to 1 cup per week. Yey for me!! I'm trying to lessen my caffeine intake hoping it would help us get pregnant :)

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And also, I've been eating loads of fruits. I decided to buy and eat a lot of whatever is in season, like for now lanzones and rambutan are quite cheap so I try to have them as much as I can. Banana is staple in our table.

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And also my husband and I are more diligent in taking our multi vitamins now. I hate the capsules but I have to take them.

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I'm hosting a birthday and child dedication party on Sunday afternoon. It's been a while since I did this and I'm quite nervous :) specially that most of the guests will be from my former church. Wish me the best.

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HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A VERY GOOD WEEKEND!!