That Lonny mag is such a tease

Click pic to read...

The Cape

So as we wait to see if this summer will bring a lap and/or IVF (which would both obviously be time sensitive and mean time off of work), I am just dying to book our week on the Cape for July or August.

I went by myself last year (and met up with some friends) the last week in July, as I seriously needed a mental break and S had just started a new job in May. I drove, as I have done many times to Boston over the last 15 years, by myself. Visiting friends and family on the way to and fro. This time, I'll have help driving and have my sweetie to hang with. Yay! Though of course he is convinced that we should take his new Prius. A tight fit over my SUV, but it's a new game for him to see how many MPG he can get (he's a nerd like that), and we calculated we could get there and back on about $100 of gas. Not bad since it's over 2,000 miles round trip.

I think we will probably rent the same little place on Sea Street that I rented last year. It's very cute, and a short walk to the beach and the ferries to Nantucket and the Vineyard (where we'll go on day trips). Close to everything we would ever need in Hyannis and of course to the all important Four Seas ice cream shop in Centerville

and the Cheese & Sandwich Shop in Osterville


I had a great time last year. The regular Sunday NY times travel feature, 36 hours in..., featured Martha's Vineyard the weekend I arrived (so apropos) and so I decided to go there on Friday to try the Grace Church lobster rolls (which are absolutely amazing, and I'm an aficionado) and fell in love with the little shop called Nochi. What I didn't buy when I was there, I called and ordered over the phone.


Nantucket is always completely adorable. After the ferry ride, I skipped sailing to shop my way around the town and had a bite at The White Elephant. And there's always random celebrity sitings, last year I saw TV personalities Kathy Lee and Frank Gifford and "chick lit" author Jill Kargman with her parents walking up Main St.

We'll probably take a day and drive out to P-town, at the tip of the Cape. And enjoy the National Sea Shore (before the oil makes its way there :() and Chatham. Generally it's a week filled with as little as possible, since that is of course the entire point. Lots of walking/laying on the beach, reading, ice cream, lobster rolls... So good.

I still need to decide what books I want to pick up to read, since I'm finally getting through the stack that has formed since last fall...

Endo, part deux (update)

Oxford study on Uterine Septums and Endo

Abstract CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a higher incidence of endometriosis in patients with a septate uterus. If it can be confirmed by others, the initial finding of a septate uterus in infertile patients should be followed by a combined hysteroscopy and laparoscopy.

So according to this study, it should have already been done. I could have had one hospital stay, instead of three...

And as I thought my sister E (the uber fertile one) was dx w/endo @ 16. Don't even get me started as to why/how I was never taken to a dr. with my problems that started around the same time (13). :(

I drew a fun chart last night from my research, and in lieu of Visio...

My uterine septum was removed because they often cause recurrent m/c in those who can get pg, and if you can carry to term it causes malpresentation, premature birth, high BP, etc. The septum is also related to endo, which is more likely to cause IF, than m/c. The septum is also connected to urinary malformations and I'm a UTI queen. And then there's the polyp (also related to septum) for good measure. All the pieces are starting to come together... I'm basically just defective, or as my dear sweet H says, I'm just "special". ;)

I think we need to figure out how to get a lap covered under our regular insurance and not our IF treatment benefit (like we did for my septum surgery, which was a congenital defect). Then we would still have our $11K left of our $15K lifetime benefit to do additional treatments if we need them (though that isn't enough for even one IVF cycle). The main reason we are hesitant to use our coverage for IVF now is if we do and it fails (which it does more often than not), then it's game over and they can send me right to the funny farm.

(Made a consult appt. for next Thursday to talk to my RE about next steps.)

Endo? (update)

Dr. David is the first doctor I've ever spoken to to even hint that I might have endo, which is odd since I have pretty much all of the identified symptoms (and often those with endo have no symptoms at all). Yet another thing to ask my RE about...

From medicinenet.com

What are endometriosis symptoms?

Most women who have endometriosis, in fact, do not have symptoms. Of those who do experience symptoms, the common symptoms are pain (usually pelvic) and infertility. Pelvic pain usually occurs during or just before menstruation and lessens after menstruation. Some women experience pain or cramping with intercourse, bowel movements and/or urination. Even pelvic examination by a doctor can be painful. The pain intensity can change from month to month, and vary greatly among women. Some women experience progressive worsening of symptoms, while others can have resolution of pain without treatment. Other symptoms related to endometriosis include:

lower abdominal pain, (check)
diarrhea and/or constipation, (check)
low back pain, (check)
irregular or heavy menstrual bleeding, (check)
or blood in the urine.

...most cases of endometriosis are diagnosed in women aged around 25-35 years

Endometriosis is more commonly found in white women as compared with African American and Asian women. Studies further suggest that endometriosis is most common in taller, thin women with a low body mass index (BMI). Delaying pregnancy until an older age is also believed to increase the risk of developing endometriosis.

...the only accurate way of diagnosing endometriosis is at the time of surgery, either by opening the belly with large-incision laparotomy or small-incision laparoscopy.

My RE's e-mail response...
"As for endometriosis, I would not be surprised if you have endo. There is an association between endometriosis and uterine malformations. There is some data to suggest that treating mild endometriosis can improve chances of getting pregnant, though the data is highly controversial. Most data suggests that IVF is the best treatment. We can discuss further, I would be open to doing a laparoscopy, but you have to weigh the risks of surgery vs. risks of IVF."

Because two surgeries isn't enough, why not another, right? Don't you just love how IVF is the answer to any and all IF questions? The funny thing is that if it doesn't work, it'll just be "let's try it again!". This is completely insane.

Empire state of mind

In New York...
These streets will make you feel brand new,
The lights will inspire you,
Lets here it for New York, New York, New York

We've booked our trip to NYC! I've got meetings on Wed & Thurs and then S is coming in for a three day weekend. Can't wait to see and catch up with my old roommate and maybe my step-sister and just soak it all in. I just love walking the city, and eating, and shopping, and shows. I better get busy planning... ;)

Goodbye M&O

I have to wonder how many times mass clothing chains are going to try the "upscale"/older women's clothing store model before they realize they can't seem to make it work, at least in this economy. At our local mall in the last few years, Gymboree(also parent co. to Janie & Jack) opened and closed a women's clothing store called Janeville. Gap opened and closed a store called Forth & Towne. Now Martin & Osa (owned by American Eagle) which has only been around a few years, is going out of business. :( I miss them all!

A few final purchases, since this weekend was 50% off...

Havaianas

Giraffe print scarf in pink

and in gray...

And a chain link necklace that is already sold out now.

Get your last picks while they last...

June!

May was quite a month... And even though it has felt like summer for weeks, when the calendar switches to June, you know it's for reals.

Just a quick rewind, since we had such an amazing time in Lake Geneva. We've been going there for over five years, but somehow never made it to the Grand Geneva. It was perfect! We hiked, we swam, we (almost) went horseback riding (we decided at the last minute it was way too hot), which sounds like an old Tampax commercial (apropos since AF decided to show on the drive up :( ).

It is a lovely prairie style resort (think Frank Lloyd Wright), which made it all that much more surprising to learn that it was originally built as one of the two Playboy resorts (of all things) when Hef hung his hat in Chicago. It even has its very own airport and ski "mountain". After several decades hosting a who's who, it's been a more family friendly place now for about as long. I could live there, seriously.

more chandie love...

I was pretty excited to have had lost about ten pounds over the last several months, yay me. Well now some of that has been replaced by our trip to their dinner buffet, where I managed to eat my weight in crab legs and shrimp cocktail. Wish I could blame it on the awesome live jazz, or my first glass of wine in ages. Just a thought, a buffet may not be a good idea when you go from being jacked on hormones to bleeding like you've been gored at Pamplona.

the perfect terrace to enjoy the full moon (+one day)

They even had great shopping. How often can you say that about a resort? The clothing store was almost all Lilly, with several items that I bought in recent seasons (on sale, of course), and had even brought with me. Felt like I was walking through my own closet. I really liked this super cute silk dress, but at $370, I fought the urge to try it on.



Of course, I can't find them anywhere, but the chaise loungers by the pool Ibiza by Smith & Hawken were AMAZING.

It was super relaxing, think hammocks and Adirondack chairs everywhere, a mojito at the tiki bar, a super friendly Wisconsin staff, and the weather was so perfect. All for $69/night (ty Travelzoo!) We can't wait to go back!