We are family too.

Today we went to the Dublin Pride Parade. The theme for the parade [well the week long festival] is 'we are family too'.

Basic rights

It saddens me that the gay community have to fight for, what should be, a given right to marry and be legally recognised as families.

I've tears in my eyes

To think that my wonderful, amazing baby brother doesn't have the same rights that I and my husband have just because of his sexual orientation. I know the world and Ireland have come a great distance in their recognition of gay couples and gay rights and for that I am grateful but..

It's not far enough...

Everyone should share the same basic human rights regardless of colour, creed or coupling. James and I are fighting for our right to have a family against nature; the gay community fight for their right to be recognised as a family against the world - that is just wrong!

Scheduled: Our first appointment with The Sims Clinic!

I love birthdays; magical things happen!

It was getting to the point were I thought that perhaps our application pack for the Sims Clinic had been lost in the post or they thought us a lost cause and weren't going to take us on. I had made up my mind to give them a call on Monday and see what the hold up was.

A quick dash home

To collect an old battered phone so I could get a better upgrade on a new phone forced me to miss a phone call yesterday, a very important IVF phone call!! My hands [and body] shuck with delight when I replayed the voicemail; the Sims Clinic were calling to make an appointment. In the moment I was annoyed I had missed the call...

BUT Fate had intervened!

In the time that lapsed between the Sims Clinic leaving me a voice mail and me calling them back someone had called to cancel their own appointment. I was kindly offered their appointment on the spot [it was my birthday after all]!!

Shocked, Delighted and SUPER Excited!!

We're having our first appointment with the IVF [Sims] Clinic in ONE WEEK, yes ONE WEEK on Friday the 2nd of July 2010!!

Best Birthday present ever!!

It's my birthday!

Only happy, positive thoughts today!!

One day to forget all about being reproductively challenged and the impending surgeon's appointment.

Happy Birthday Me!!

Fertility Books

They say knowledge is power and with power comes some control. Control is something you lack when faced with fertility problems. So in order to give myself a little control back [and plenty of knowledge/ power] I've been doing some reading.

Fertility (60 Tips)

Is a compact little book that I found in the library. It does exactly what it says on the cover and gives you 60 tips for improving your chances of conceiving. It's an easy to read book, nicely laid out and illustrated.

A taster of 60 Tips for Fertility

It includes tips such as;

1. Eat better, Eat well - eating enough, but not too much.
2. Take Vitamin B12 to produce an adequate amount of healthy red blood cells in bone marrow.
3. Try Acupuncture, it can help to increase fertility by restoring the flow of energy it relieves the effects of 'blockages'
4. For men; take care when on a bike, mountain biking can damage the scrotum.
5. Realise the value of yoga, it can help to centre you and your desire for a child.

And many many more...

As well as value and interesting tips the book is littered with case studies of scenarios that have affected reproductively challenged couples which are useful.

The other book

I am also ready is Trying to Conceive [The Irish Couple's Guide] by Fiona McPhilips. This one is a little more intense, technical and slightly harder to dip in and out of. I'll admit that I have only glanced over this one once or twice but I plan on reading it more in depth now.

I need something to take my mind off my other little health scare and I am hoping that 'Trying to Conceive [The Irish Couple's Guide] will fill me with positivity and direction that it wont be to the forefront of my mind.

Shocked: Today I made an appointment with a Plastic Surgeon

It's not what you might think; this is not a vain attempt to improve myself or expedite my weight loss with lipo. This an appointment I thought I might never make.

Really Worried.

I went to the doctor yesterday; my GP, because I've been worried about some growths on my back. I've been going to the doctor for years and there has never really been anything wrong with me. God...

I wasn't going to waste the €55.00

On the Doctor's visit but I thought, at least it will put my mind at rest coming into the summer. My Doctor took it very seriously [I know I should be glad of this] but...

I left as white as a ghost.

I might have skin cancer... I'm seeing a Consultant Plastic Surgeon in a week and a half for 3 Excision Biopsies. Fear doesn't even cover it.

I thought my biggest challenge this summer would be getting pregnant.

Please pray for me.

Still no Appointment for the IVF Clinic

Frustrated!

I still haven't heard from the IVF Clinic! I expect they have our forms well over a week now... should I call? Would that be too persistent?

Could I ruin my chances?

Would pestering them mean we wouldn't get a spot... I'm sure they are used to coupled being anxious... but do we want to one of those?

I'll see what happens

Tomorrow and decide then whether or not to call. Fingers Crossed they call soon, I can't take it any more!!

Update TWO to Weight Loss: My Ugly Truth

Week Two is over

And I am as surprised as the rest of your to report that I have lost MORE weight!I'll admit that this week I was brilliant with the auld exercising at all. I did focus on tummy crunches and thigh crunches [at least that's what I'm calling the thigh ones!]

The results

I've lost a further 2.5 lbs AND a further inch lost total for this week of 4.5 inches of my body.

My even 'newer' body stats

I am 5 foot 6 inches

I weigh 15 stone and 6 1/4 lbs [ 216 1/4 lbs] - Total weight loss = 4.5 lbs

I am 46 inches around my belly - Total inch loss = 1 inches

I am 39.5 inches under my breasts - Total inch loss = 1 inch

I am 46 inches around the hips - Total inch loss = 2 inch

My thighs are 26.5 inches - Total inch loss = 1 inches

My upper arms are 12.5 inches - Total inch loss = 2 inch

I feel fantastic!

And shocked and surprised! In total from March, I have lost 1 stone, as of today! Most of that was due to the wheat free diet was on, but the last 4.5 lbs has been down to my healthy eating and exercise routine of the past two weeks.

Still to go

16.3 lbs, to be achieved by July 31st, 2010 - that's just a little under 3lbs a week - something I haven't achieved as yet but I'm still geared and focused to the goal!

Wish me luck!