Worms Day 11

Yesterday evening, the inoculation site started to get itchy and bumpy again. Not sure what's caused it, but I think tonight I might have to take some Benadryl. 

Otherwise, I was very sore yesterday, and was having trouble walking, so I guess I haven't reached the benefits stage yet. 

Worms - Into Week 2

The poop situation has 'tightened up' a bit, which is good news. I still get hella exhausted (like can't stay awake) in the early afternoon, which is leading to having trouble falling asleep. Hopefully that will sort out once we're home again. 

I haven't had crazy cramping, and the itching on my arm is basically gone. I still have mornings of nausea - and when I'm hungry, I want to vom. Eating seems to shut the worms up, so I can work with that. :o)

Worms Day 6

This morning I woke up feeling nauseated. Not sure if it's from the worms, or the 2 Naproxen I took last night because my body was vibrating with pain & discomfort. 

Really hoping to not vom, as I don't want to lose my new friends. 

Worms Day 5

I am pretty f'ing tired today. But, the worms have likely made it to my intestines at this point and are trying to get all comfy. 

On Friday or Saturday I had some phlegm when I woke up (not unusual) and I coughed and spat it out. It was kind of pink, but I didn't think that the worms would have made it to my lungs by that point. Next time, get a detailed timeline so there's no worm-spitting. 

Anyway, I'm hoping that my level of fatigue indicates that I did not spit up all of the worms. 

My arm is just a bit spotty, and kind of bruised looking. No itching today. So far. 

Day 2 - Evening

Tonight it kinda looks like a bruise with a rash on top. 

Worm Therapy Begins

Yesterday, G and I drove down to Tijuana so that I could get infected with worms. 

Yeah, worms. On purpose. I paid for this. 

After a consultation with the doctor, we decided 25 hook worms would be a good start. We went to a different room and he put some on a bandaid, and then put the bandaid on my arm. 

There was some heat after a few minutes, followed by some pin-prick feelings, and then some itching. The itching died down, I finished the wait of an hour, and with a sometimes itchy arm, we left.

I have directions on how to care for my worms, what to expect side-effect wise, and some medication on how to get rid of them, if I choose.

On the way home I started to work on a migraine. Not sure if it was a side-effect of the worms, or my lack of sleep and improper eating while on the road. I got a massage and took some Tylenol to help with the migraine, and before bed, took some Benadryl before sleep last night, as I couldn't bare to have another crappy sleep. 

Sort of hive-looking itchy bumps where the worms have burrowed: 

I woke up this morning and while a bit stiff from my Psoriatic Arthritis, I felt fine. My migraine is gone, and my arm is only itchy off and on. It's really not so bad.

Rash that looks like an itchy patch of eczema or jelly fish stings:

My Homeless Boyfriend

No, not that one, the other one. 

Today I was riding my bike along Walnut, going to the library after my pedicure, when I heard some shouting. I knew who it was, partly because I heard something about an ass, which is my homeless boyfriend's obsession with me. And fair enough, I have one, and it's quite noticeable, and that's just the way it is. 

Anyway, I was obviously hoping that I had actually misheard, or that I would out-ride him, or get to the bib before he caught up to me, but that didn't happen. I was just about to turn, when who rolls up? Peddling as fast as he could, with a sign, and quite possibly all of his worldly possessions, still hollering, it's him - the Predident of the Big Booty Fan Club. 

I decided to yell back (from the other side of the road, as is reached my destination, that he wouldn't talk to his mother like that, and that he needs to leave me alone. He promptly wiped-out, possibly tore his arm up (I'm not sure). I asked him if he was alright, he said he was, got back on his bike, and zoomed (sort of) off. 

This is either a cliffhanger or part one of a long series. 

TSA Inspection

G brought me a couple of sexual items.

Ouch

Lately (the past two days) a section of my face had been hurting as I was it. I'm not sure if it's eczema/psoriasis or that I cut my face and didn't notice.

The books are done!

Another successful day of unpacking. 

Luckily, I was strong enough to resist the temptation of the Pinit Grig my lovely downstairs neighbours were drinking pool-side when I got home. I did eat my dinner down there, but only had some water. I know - I'm very strong! I also got to meet Their lovely ginger cat who immediately gave me kisses. 

Anyway - the bikes now fit in cupboard. Not much else does, but whatevs. Next: finish kitchen. Tomorrow, obviously!

For the bonus points, I've also got two boxes of books to donate/sell.

For even more bonus points, I found my nemesis, Box 35. G kept saying that every single thing I asked about was in Box 35. I seriously moved every fricking box of books and other lead-like objects from the closet to check the numbers on all of the boxes. Then I looked in the storage in the garage. Then I looked in the closet again. The f'ing thing was also labeled 'Books Box 8'!

This evening ends as a success. 

This is it

Well, it's a big day at the Hoefer Gainford house, and I am pumped. It's our for-real last go, and it starts now (actually in 3 hours).

We've gone all out for the final try, so if it's meant to be, then it will happen. We're doing laser acupuncture before and after the transfer, I've been doing twice-weekly acupuncture for ages, I've done hypnotherapy, and have been removing stress.

After today, we start the two-week wait. This is always the hardest part; you can't help putting the stroller before the baby. You try to remain just hopeful and optimistic, but ever little thing is a sign that you are or aren't pregnant. It's truly an emotional roller coaster.

If you've got a moment around 11.30 today, feel free to send on some positive vibes.

grrr

Just because you have a child doesn't mean that your time is any more valuable than mine. So 'parent time' does not exist on a 3:1 ratio. I'm busy too.

Overwhelmed

Does anyone else feel overwhelmed and under impressed by the state of the world, including their bodies?

Here's a list: Humans are destroying the planet, assholes are harming animals, government is controlling women's bodies (to the point of murder) and I need to work on a smaller ass, sort out the Celiac bullshit, and get a decent fucking period.

Yeah, I'm feeling it today. *sigh*

Ambition

As soon as I placed the waxing strip against my skin, I began to wonder if I hadn't been overly ambitious when I decided to wax my bikini line myself this morning. I thought we would be going somewhere with a pool, so it was, clearly, a necessary chore. As I reminded myself that the end sometimes justifies the means, I recalled that the last time I did this, and the only successful time I'd done it myself in over twenty years of 'management', I only used half of a strip. But it was too late for that, now. Much much too late.

In the end, not a horrible effort. I did do both sides this time. (The first time I tried to do it myself, out of girlish embarrassment, I only got halfway through the process. Well, I'll round-up to half-way.) There is some very minor bruising, and a tiny bit of tenderness where some skin came off. I didn't go for a pre-pubescent look, so normal activities can continue... you know, like wearing clothes, and such.

All told: Success!

Cough cough, sniff sniff

I'm still sick. It's the third weekend in a row that I've been sick. It sucks.

The first one, was not like this at all. But I'll post about that soon. This time I've got a sinus thing and chest thing going on. Usually I'm cured in a week. Not this time.

But! Never fear! It's not going to stop me from making jam today. 1. Because I'm not so sick that I'll be coughing or sniffling into the jam. 2. I'm splitting a bucket - a big bucket - of pre-cut & hulled strawberries with Tou Tou. It's basically going to be the easiest frickin' jam session ever.

I'd better get those jars out of the garage now. I want to be prepared as possible to get going once our house showing is over.

Yoga

Did my first yoga class in ages tonight. I've been sticking to Pilates the last couple of years, but decided to return to my roots. :o)

1. Easiest yoga class ever.

2. Don't wear a regular bra to yoga, even if it's an easy class. Under wires have no place at yoga, and just bruise your boobies. Nobody wants bruised boobies.

My head hurts

My friend had been posting for a couple of weeks about these migraines he'd been having. Apparently, he thought they were from Pepsi Max. Everyone (including me, because I'm basically an expert on cleanses and withdrawal from food items, although my caffeine withdrawal knowledge is all second-hand) was making recommendations. You know, drink plenty of water,ween off it with green tea first, try these smoothies, blah blah blah.

Nothing was working for him, and then he posted that he decided to go to the hospital (since his partner is a GP, I allowed myself a bit of more serious concern). So, hours and an MRI later, he's been diagnosed with a mass in his head. Decisions will be made tomorrow, but I'm so freaking upset/sad/weepy/disillusioned/angry/self-pitying.

Okay, let me be clear, no, 100%, this is not about me. Well, this blog is, but this event is not. That said, when something so shit balls happens, and it's happening to a friend that you admire and love, it feels like it is kinda about you. It's about the potential struggle and challenges that are bound to happen. About how you want to be there, holding their hand for every difficulty, but since that could be weird, and slightly impractical, you have to try to use words to articulate that you'd bring them a casserole, or a Dairy Queen cake with, 'Superjob' written on it, or maybe even a pie.

This is also when I feel like this shit isn't fair. I feel like I'm not ready for friends to go through this. I'm not ready for this at all. I resent disease/sickness, because I've already seen enough. I also resent that it's been ages since I last saw him & his family, and the guilt that comes with that knowledge.

So yeah, I know this isn't about me, but it's about a part of me that's my friend. And for now, I set aside my own fears, and we focus on his. Stay strong buddy, we're thinking of you & sending loads of hugs & squishes. You have a lot of responsibility; I'm expecting an amazing recovery. xo

Make it so.

Yesterday we met with our fertility specialist.

Basically it went like this (please note, I am paraphrasing portions):

Me: we had planned for this most recent try to be our last time, but I feel cheated from the first go because of the ovarian hyper stimulation, so I don't feel like my body was at 100% effort. When I talked to the nurse, she said there was a problem with my lining, and we should have a meeting with you.

MD: You're crazy to stop. You have amazing embryos. We just need to get the lining under control. Also - have you considered a surrogate?

Us: But it's tough emotionally for us.

MD: You have fantastic eggs. Don't stop. Let's do this plan... (blah, blah, blah & details).

Me: I'm no quitter, and I'm a sucker for punishment! Let's get on the hell-ride of a roller coaster again!

G: Uh oh.

*later*
Me: G, I feel guilty about reneging on our 'last try' promise, but I also feel guilty about not giving you babies. I think my guilt about no babies is more than going back on my promise, so that's that.

G: I don't resent you. Believe me.

Me: Trust no one!

*even later*
Me: You don't think we'll ever buy a boat, do you?
G: Not now.
Me: Well, I have a plan. Let's sell the house, buy a different house, buy a boat, take the extra time to fix it up, and then next summer year, we'll leave on our adventure.
G: (Oh no, what do I do? That's a great idea, but my automatic response is to dismiss her suggestions.) (With a smile) That might work!

And joy abounds.

Traveling Green

This is a pretty exciting find!

As someone who's been traveling and mostly staying in hotels this last week, it's been interesting to note how few hotels in California have a separate bin for recycling in rooms, and generally how much waste is created with disposable items.

Now there's this: http://www.greenkeyglobal.com/default.asp

You can search the site to find hotels that have committed to not be jerks and want to do more than just put a sign up asking you to not use a billion towels.

Whoo hoo!

Can't sleep

Today's the big testing day, so my body wanted to be up in time to get to my blood work appointment 4 hours later.

Did a pee test this morning - it's a negative. Logged on to Facebook and the first fecking picture I see is an ultrasound of a baby.

Must give up my Facebook account, I think.