Mom's Race

Another Race for the Cure has come and gone.  We had our team, the "Treasured Chests" this year.  We went with a pirate theme but only Megan and Joy dressed up.  The rest of us are party poopers.  We were going to do shirts but with a lack of time and the expense, we decided it wasn't worth it.

This year the course started at Library Square and went down and up around Liberty Park and ended at the Square again.  I hated it.  It was such a hard race for me this time around.  Granted, I'd only been back running for a couple weeks after an 8-week hiatus and abdominal surgery, but I was pretty disappointed in myself.  I had run a sub-30 min. 5K that week on the treadmill and was feeling confident I could blow through this one, especially with the adrenaline that kicks in.

There was no adrenaline.  Actually, it was sheer panic as my iPod wouldn't work for the first 1/2 mile of the race.  I finally got it working and was able to move through the herd of people but by then my pace was off and I was flustered.  When we turned up heading East, the sun was blaring into my eyes, I had no idea where I was or how long I'd been running and I walked.  I walked/ran the rest of the way and finished in about 32 min. which tells me I was going way too fast but had no way of knowing.   Glad I did it, glad it's over.  Hope they put the course back down by the Gateway next year.

Thanks to all those who participated and came and supported our team and the quest to find a cure.  We love racing for this lady in pink!

My Body

Had another follow up appointment at The Health Spot last Friday. They said I looked fabulous! All of my "dysfunctions" are now almost fully functional. So they took me off some of my supplements! When I met with the nurse practioner, she loved the journal I've been keeping on when I get up, go to bed, basal temperature, mood, energy, etc. I even made a spreadsheet with graphs. The thing that concerned her was my basal temperature being so low, which hints at thyroid problems. The meridian mapping showed my thyroid fine and every test I've ever had done on my thyroid always came back normal.

I've always wondered if I had thyroid problems because of my sudden weight gain years back and I always feel tired. They said my Cortisol, Vitamin D and DHEA levels were all really low. Like 75-year-old low. No wonder I'm so freaking tired! So they added a bunch of supplements to get me the vitamins I need. They also added some Iodine to see if that'll help my thyroid and ordered another blood test. So instead of cutting back pills, I'm on a ton more. I take 13 alone in the morning. After my shake and the pills and pills I have to let dissolve under my tongue, it takes me a half hour to get through all of them!

I headed to LabCorp to get my blood drawn for a thyroid panel and a Progesterone (Day 21) test. This past month was only the second time I've gotten a positive ovulation test, EVER! That was big news but with my basal being so low, she was worried I didn't ovulate, hence the Progesterone test. That was discouraging given the positive test I had. The blood test should tell us more. Still waiting on the results. Luckily the phlebotomist didn't blow my vein this time. She fished real good but nothing as bad as last time.

Still really tired, don't think the supplements have kicked in yet. I know Dallin hopes it's because I'm preggo but I really don't feel like I am, no other common symptoms manifesting. We'll see if they can deliver on their promise of June. They definitely feel like I'm just about ready! Here's hoping we are. Staying cautiously optimistic.

Mothers

I had a little pity party in my heart today. Whether it was the new little baby sitting in front of me that could only find solace snuggled into the nook of his mother's neck, or the sweet little Primary children belting their guts out in three Mother's Day songs, today was the first time I've had a really hard time with Mother's Day. I have been surrounded by wonderful women in our two families who make me a better person every day. From grandmas who have passed on to our amazing mothers who are Super Women in our eyes. I hope to one day be half the women they are and yearn to be to someone what they are to me.


After Sacrament meeting I sunk a bit lower as the awkward moment when they pass out gifts to mothers ensued. Luckily, the man who handed me my gift knows my situation and didn't look around for non-existent children before deciding to hand me a gift. I'll take my mint truffle and eat it happily, thank you very much.


Maybe my emotions were just a little more toward the surface today. A glaring reminder of all the things I don't have but also a shining reminder of all the things I do and opportunities that I excitedly wait for. I am so blessed to even still have that possibility. And that I got my second EVER positive ovulation test this past week is encouraging that things are moving in the right direction.


I am so grateful for a loving mother-in-law who has raised such a wonderful, caring son and who loves me as her own. And for my own mother. There aren't words. They say you'll never truly appreciate your parents until you are one yourself. Every day I am grateful for the lessons she has taught me and the kindness she shows toward others. For her unwavering testimony and support to buoy up all those around her. I appreciate her so much already, I can only imagine the things she has taught me that I don't even realize.


So Happy Women's Day. Mother is such a special title and one that not everyone gets to enjoy right now for one reason or another. Being a woman is a special responsibility too. Shine in your kindness, examples, charity and love. For that is what a woman truly is.

Mind Pieces

Some random musings for the time being:

1.  My husband asked for a baby for his birthday.  Anyone know of a store that sells newborns?
2.  Saw a lady driving down the freeway with a "for sale" sign on her windshield.  Yes, geniuses are on the road.
3.  Maggie has now been bit TWICE by the same blasted chihuahua in our neighborhood.  And she just stands there and takes it!  I kicked it.
4.  You've probably seen the monster bruise the phlebotomist laid down on me with his needle of death.  I had to go back that afternoon for an afternoon draw and got to show him the damage.  He felt bad.
5.  I'm going BLOND at the end of this month!  It'll be nice to be back to normal.
6.  How does your body heal inside without oxygen?  One of those mysteries I guess.
7.  July 4th is less than TWO months away.  I've always said that once the 4th of July hits, Christmas is right around the corner.  The year just FLIES.  Better get your Christmas music out now.
8.  Adobe CS6 is now out!  Super cool new features to the creative design suite.  Can't wait until we get it at work.
9.  This post is really lame.
10.  Last but not least, a documentation of the "potions" I'm taking in hopes of curing my adrenal glands and detoxifying my xenoestrogens: morning (1 Meta, 1 Ceralin Forte, 2 Adrenogen, 1 Lactoviden, 2 EPA-DHA pills, 10 cebremax drops and 1 NASTY estrium shake), at lunchtime (1 Meta, 1 Ceralin Forte, 1 Adrenogen, 2 EPA-DHA pills, 10 cebremax drops), dinner (1 Meta, 1 Ceralin Forte, 1 Lactoviden, 2 EPA-DHA pills and 10 cebremax drops).  This is to show my future children when they feel like nobody loves them (which they inevitably will, don't we all go through that sometime?) that they are wanted and loved beyond compare.