2013 Challenge Update

Well, it almost seemed that I was going to need to redefine the challenge: Rather than guessing which would occur first in 2013 -getting pregnant or finishing our cabinet doors and trim- I started to question if either event would actually happen in 2013. Fortunately there seems to be a little bit of good news with both projects. First the cabinets. On my post on New Year's  Day when I announced the challenge, I reported that I had 20 doors to paint as well as trim. I had eight doors that were nearly finished, just needed a final clear coat, or some touch ups. Husband finally got around to hanging them and installing the hardware. My progress was delayed as Husband started clearing the garage, but didn't get very far and cluttered up my workspace with his 'cleaning'. He also decided to thin the trees in our front garden and required the use of the ladder, which serves as my drying rack. Two weeks ago I helped him finishing clearing the garage, so I have my workspace back (why does it always seem that his projects become joint projects?). Anyway, it turns out I actually have 4 fewer doors to do. Two got replaced when we decided to install a wine rack (we do have priorities) and two were replaced by newer doors that were purchased for the new island and I was counting twice. We also had purchased two little doors for the space under the microwave drawer, although I suggested leaving the doors off and displaying our cookbooks in that space. After finishing those two doors, Husband said "you know, I think you're right. It looks better left open" Grrrrr. So now we have some hot plates that match our cabinets. I also forgot to include that there is a wooden rack in the kitchen's window garden that needs painting. So the tasks now include, 16 doors, one wooden rack and trim. Oh, and filling in holes and repainting one door as Husband placed the handle on the wrong side. Grrrrr!!

Anyway, I went for my post-op visit. My RE reviewed the hysteroscopy photos with me and talked about our next steps. Although we know the success rates are low, Husband and I would still like to give IUI a go for a few cycles. I have a few reasons. Firstly, fifty percent of the costs are covered by my insurance. Admitedly, it's a bit petulant, but I want to take advantage of anything my insurance will cover. Plus, I feel it will be like a dry run for when we eventually proceed with IVF. We'll see how my ovaries respond to meds, how husband's post-wash counts look...useful data collection to make IVF more efficient. I was prepared to hear that I would need to wait at least one 'normal' cycle if not more before starting IUI treatments, but to my surprise he told me with could start with the very next cycle. He actually didn't say anything about my blood pressure, which somewhat confirms my professional grudge against REs. I've cared for a few very high risk patients who were impregnated after infertility treatments, one with very tragic consequences. It seems that some REs view their mission to just to get their patient pregnant and then hand her off to us schmucks in obstetrics to manage the complications. I raised the issue, but he wasn't too concerned about my blood pressure and offered that although it limits our options, protocols could be modified to avoid using birth control pills and other estrogen supplements.  Later in the afternoon, I received a call from the nurse at my REs office to review what prescriptions I needed for my IUI cycle. I start to feel a rush of excitement with a 'this is actually going to happen!' feeling, but I quickly remembered that I am waiting for AF.... so I'm not holding my breath. Nor am I thinking about AF possibly arriving around the Easter holiday...

Although, not officially part of the 2013 Challenge, but part of my quest to achieve a personal best, I recorded my best time of the year for a 10K, just one week after my hysteroscopy and a few days after starting Labetalol. I'm feeling that things are starting to look up all around...

Here are some 'before' pictures of our kitchen: