*Pearls Go Paleo* Challenge – What Type of Paleo Eater Are You?
Alright! The day has arrived for our *Pearls Go Paleo* Challenge! I’m so excited to embark on this journey with you. It won’t always be easy. Some days will better than others. But one thing is for sure, we will continue to stay the course and have FUN in the process. If you fall off, jump back on. Hey, you are human so don’t beat yourself up if you want an occasional “treat”. You may have to learn to enjoy a treat in a different way or simply indulge in your treat in all it’s glory and splendor and move on. {In the coming days I will do a post on comfort foods to enjoy while eating Paleo.}
I don’t know about you but when I want something, I want it then and now. This is why I think I don’t always do best with strict eating plans. So for me, I am committing to a 90/10 plan for eating Paleo. This means at least 90% of the foods I eat will be Paleo. The other 10% I will reserve for the occasional adult beverage, dessert, or for whatever else I choose. 
Even during these times, I will not overindulge. For me, at least, I want to be healthy and ultimately have a bouncing baby in my arms in the very near future {like yesterday if that makes sense} so I need to truly focus on healing my body!
I want you to decide this for yourself, too. Where do you stand when it comes to your commitment to Paleo eating? What “type” of Paleo eating lifestyle will you choose for yourself? Remember, this is a lifestyle not a diet so make sure you look at all the options so you can decide what is best for you!
- Strict Paleo eliminates all legumes, dairy and many other foods {I followed this plan for about 3 weeks. Within the first week I felt like a new woman and even had one period on my own which hadn’t occurred in over 10 years. I recommend this highly! This is the way I will eat most of the time…my 90%.}
- Dairy Moderate includes some forms of dairy into a Paleo eating plan. Mark Sisson explain’s his perspective. All dairy is not created equal so choose wisely. {This is the eating plan I will most likely adhere to because I like a bit of cream in my coffee and cheese is one of my favorite foods. Even though I can’t have a lot of it, I like that I have the option to have some from time to time. However, I will be following the Strict Paleo Plan when planning my meals. The dairy will be part of my 10%.}
- Fruit Exclusion or very limited fruit intake. {This one’s not for me. Fruit curbs my appetite for sweets and I enjoy grabbing a banana as a quick snack at work.}
- Raw Paleo is just what is it. Raw foods. Now this is a bit extreme for my tastes {pun intended}. I do like raw foods like ceviche, oysters, veggies and fruit, but I LOVE a hot meal so this will not be a full time plan for me. But for you…what do you think?
There is a lot of information on the web as well as many books about the Paleolithic lifestyle. As always, please consult your doctor before making changes to your diet. This information is meant to help educate you about some resources and choices. I am not a doctor!! Continue to educate yourself and learn as much as you can to make this a lifestyle you can sustain!
I can’t wait to hear what type of eating plan you choose for yourself. Leave me a comment. Don’t forget to check out the Mother of Pearls PCOS Facebook page. You will find posts about Paleo and other issues that affect our PCOS!!
Thanks for taking the challenge! Now go forth and eat like a cavewoman {or caveman if you are taking the challenge with us} :)
~Love and Blessings, Mother of Pearls
Pearls Go Paleo: Preparing for the Challenge ~ Days 3 – 14
You’re back so I’m so glad you have decided to jump on board the *Pearls Go Paleo” Challenge! Because the blog is quite a few days behind on giving you Prep Challenges, this post will catch you up on what you can do to continue preparing for our healthy lifestyle. On Wednesday we are going FULL PALEO! If you haven’t yet made the committment, well come on already! Whatcha waitin’ for??
Day 3: Try a Paleo meal or two this week
- What meals look yummy?
- Find a new recipe to try!
- How can you change your favorite meal or go-to meal to make it PALEO?!
Day 4: Kitchen Success! Do you have all the utensils you will need to cook and plan meals? Here is a short list of items that will help.
- Measuring spoons/cups, cooking utensils
- Knives, pots, pans
- Food storage containers for fridge and freezer
- Lunch bag or small cooler for work and food storage containers for lunch
- Reusable water bottle(s)
- See Day 2 for a food list
Day 5: Journaling
- Find a journal you will use to document your Pearls Go Paleo journey.
- You can use the comments section here on the blog, the Mother Of Pearls PCOS Facebook page, your personal blog or Facebook page, or buy a journal to handwrite your experiences.
- Whatever you do, plan on how you will journal.
- Begin journaling the day before we begin the official Pearls Go Paleo Lifestyle Challenge. Or, why not begin today??
- Why do you want to go Paleo? Write down 3 reasons.
Day 6: Make a Plan for Eating Away From Home
- Think about your favorite places to eat away from home. Is it a friend or family member’s home? Your favorite restaurant or coffee house?
- What of you forget your lunch or don’t feel up to making dinner?
- Where can you order for a fast Paleo-friendly meal?
- Do the places you frequent have choices that are conducive to the Paleo lifestyle?
- Search for options at your favorite eating spots! Going Paleo doesn’t mean giving up your favorite things. You just have to make different choices that will taste great and heal your body! Make some choices ahead of time so when you are eating out you can order without being “tempted”.
- Plan to succeed by locating places that will be Paleo-friendly to you.
Day 7: Plan to Shop Paleo
- Locate local farmer’s markets
- Which grocery stores in your area offer grass-fed beef, hormone-free meats, locally grown veggies and fruit, organic and natural products?
Day 8: Books and Resources
- Search online for books, recipes and other resources you will use to help you understand and navigate the Paleo lifestyle.
Day 9: Create a meal plan
- Plan your first week’s worth of meals. Breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinner.
- For some, automating your breakfast is the easiest thing to do especially if you leave for work each morning.
- Being prepared with a meal plan will help you shop!
Day 10: What is Your Anchor? (This is a little something I learned in Weight Watchers)
- Find a small object that you will keep in a place where you can see it each day. This will be your “anchor”. Your anchor should be something that reminds you to KEEP GOING! Everyday will not be easy. You have to have something that reminds you of why you started and why you shouldn’t give up.
- It can be as simple as a coin, a seashell, a picture. You choose what is best for you!
Day 11: Emergency Paleo Food
- Dried fruit, jerky?
- What will be your Paleo emergency food?
- How will you make sure you always have the food with you or easily accessed?
Day 12: Prep Your Kitchen
- Look through your fridge and pantry and put non-Paleo foods in a way, way back out-of-sight place for you. Now only do this if your entire family will be Paleo! You don’t want a family revolt!!!
- Your main goal is to set your kitchen up to be a place where Paleo is easy. The majority of the foods in your home should be Paleo. I would go as far to say, if you are the only one in your home, all things Paleo only! Why sabotage your environment?
Day 13: Shop
- Look over your meal plan, make a list, and GO shop PALEO! Only 2 days away from the beginning of new, healthy US!!
- Remember: You can double your list to double your recipes or meals if they will be freezer friendly!
Day 14: Cut veggies, fruit, prep meals, defrost meats and JOURNAL
- Prepackage foods in portion sized containers for quick grab and go snacks.
- Prep a couple of meals and even turn on that slow cooker and throw in your first Paleo meal
- If you freezer cook, make a week’s worth of meals and freeze them!
- Do a journal entry about the new adventure you are embarking on to heal and *cure* your PCOS!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
WE CAN DO THIS BECAUSE WE ARE WORTH IT!!
WE ARE NOW READY TO BEGIN *PEARLS GO PALEO LIFESTYLE CHALLENGE* TO *CURE* OUR PCOS!!!!
~With Love and Blessings, Mother of Pearls
Pearls Go Paleo: Preparing for the Challenge ~ Day 2
It’s Day 2 of the *Pearls Go Paleo* Prep Challenge! If you missed yesterday’s post make sure you read it so you can jump in and continue with the challenge.
We are spending the first 14 days educating ourselves and preparing to go Paleo. Hopefully, you will decide to stay the course and join in with us on cleaning up our eating in an effort to *cure* our PCOS. Sound exciting? Hey, there’s nothing to lose, only exciting health benefits to gain. After reading yesterday’s post about a woman who used the Paleo diet to improve her PCOS health, I was inspired and motivated all over again! We owe it to ourselves to heal our bodies. PCOS causes such a wide range of health issues that tackling it can seem overwhelming. I know it feels that way for me. If healing myself with food will give me a better quality of life, more energy, and help me bid good riddance to crazy PCOS symptoms…I’m all in!!! How about you?? It’s now time to talk food. Correct food = Paleo success!
“Pearls Go Paleo” Prep Challenge #2:
You will need:
- printer and paper
- 2 clear sheet protectors
- dry erase marker
- tape, push pin, and/or magnet (to secure lists where you desire)
- Review Robb Wolf’s Food Matrix.
- After you read the article, print two or three copies each of pages 2 and 4. Page 2 will become your inventory checklist. Page 4 will become your reusable shopping list. Place all page 2 sheets in one sheet protector and page 4 sheets in the other. You can reuse the lists if you write directly on the sheet protector. However, I like having extra sheets on hand. That’s why I had you print a few of each. I recommend that you keep page 2 on the inside of your cupboard door and page 4 in a place you designate for making your menu plans and grocery shopping lists. {Pinterest has some clever cute ideas if you wanna get fancy with this but for now we are going to simply post with a magnet, tape, or push pin. Don’t let perfection keep you from getting in there and doing this challenge!}
- Look all around your kitchen to see which items you have and check them off your inventory list using your dry erase marker. Post this in your cupboard when you’re done. This will be your running list to update when you need to stock up on items and after making purchases.
- Next, use page 4 and begin creating a shopping list from the remaining items you didn’t check on page 2. You don’t need everything on the inventory list, but start thinking about stocking your freezer with a variety of the protein and your pantry with the spices and fats.
- Buy what you can over the next 12 days. Look for sales. If you’re like me, I love a good sale! As for the produce, we will get into that in a later challenge. You don’t want it to spoil so stocking up is not recommended for these foods. I usually try not to buy what I can’t use in a week.
Easy enough? You can do it! Your health is worth it!!!
“Pearls Go Paleo” Pondering: How many items from each category of the Food Matrix did you already have in your kitchen? *answer in Comments section or Facebook*
See you back tomorrow for the next *Pearls Go Paleo* challenge!
~With Love and Blessings, Mother of Pearls
Pearls Go Paleo: Preparing for the Challenge ~ Day 1
Many of you are probably saying “Where have you been?”. I’m back! Life has been happening so fast these past few days. I really had to tell myself to get back on track and reassess some things. It seems that my life hit a super busy whirlwind which left me very little time to do what I love which is blogging and connecting with you!! With that said, I want to thank you for still hanging in here with me!
If you have been following Mother of Pearls on Facebook, you know that I have from time to time mentioned that I would do a Paleo challenge. Well, now is the time! In getting back on track I figured that means I need to get my eating back on track as well.
Confession time! Over the past week I have been so off my eating plan. Let me run down the list of “now you know that ain’t Paleo but you ate it anyway” foods in which I’ve indulged: garlic bread, white rice, pink beans, conch fritters, a piece of fried chicken, red velvet cake, beer, mini tacos, mixed drinks, soda, ice cream. Goodness gracious alive! When I write it all out it seems sooo bad! Oh well, I’m not gonna sit here and beat myself up. Oh wait, I also had fried conch and a Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha Frappiccino. Bad, bad, lady!!!
Now that I got all that out, I am recommitting myself to eating Paleo again because I am just a wee bit out of control, you think??
First things first. We have to prepare for this. We are not just going to jump in without fully understanding what the Paleo lifestyle is all about. Over the next 14 days the focus is to get educated and prep our lives and homes to eat Paleo, get healthier, feel better, lose some weight, and ultimately *cure* our PCOS. Now if you don’t have PCOS, then of course please still take this challenge because cleaning up your eating will have many health benefits.
As with any new lifestyle change, please consult your physician before you begin. I hope you commit to taking the “Pearls Go Paleo” Challenge with me! The Paleo way of eating is a lifestyle change, not a diet. By changing my way of eating I hope to *cure* my PCOS, get pregnant, and have some healthy babies!!
Ready for the challenge??? Here we go! Each day I will give you a different challenge. For the first 14 days it will be prep work. Then the next 30 days we will be all in!!
“Pearls Go Paleo” Prep Challenge #1:
- Read this article to learn about the Paleo lifestyle
- Read this success story about a woman with PCOS who used Paleo eating to improve her health.
“Pearls Go Paleo” Pondering: What 2 things do you find intriguing about Paleo eating? *answer in Comments section or Facebook*
See you back tomorrow for the next Pearls Go Paleo challenge!
~With Love and Blessings, Mother of Pearls
Homemade Lemony All Natural Dishwasher Liquid ~ I love this stuff!
A couple days ago I was looking around on the blog of Andrew Weil, M.D. If you don’t know who he is, you should know! He is a great resource and expert on all things natural! For our PCOS, he is a go to for wonderful natural tips, recipes, and lifestyle suggestions.
Lurking through the comments on one of his posts on natural cleansers, I came across a recipe for all natural dishwasher liquid. This inspired me to make some of my own. As of lately, my dishwasher has not been cleaning as well as it should so I wanted to make this cleanser right away. Plus, to help *cure* my PCOS, I am putting forth extra effort in all I do to convert my household and lifestyle to bring in the natural and get rid of all chemicals.
For my dishwasher, I usually use Cascade liquid. When I ran out of liquid about a month ago, I decided to pick up a bottle from Publix while I was doing some grocery shopping. I chose the Publix brand lemon scent. {Oh, I do love me some ANYTHING that smells lemony fresh when I clean!} Now, I really really like Publix brand items…and Publix period, but it just wasn’t doing the trick for me. It could also have something to do with the broken release latch on my dishwasher soap dispenser but…whatever! 
This recipe looked really easy and I had everything I needed to make it. So why not give it a whirl I thought! Guess what, I LOVE THIS STUFF. Love is usually reserved for people and other living beings, not things, in my book. But, I LOVE this stuff! Yes I do!!! It cleaned so well, smelled bright and pleasant, and it left my dishes all clean and sparkly {or spark-a-dee as my cousin’s daughter would say when she was younger}.
Thanks to the individual who left this recipe in the comments section!
Ingredients:
- 3 lemons
- 14 oz water
- 4 oz white vinegar
- 1 cup salt
Cut lemons and remove all seeds. Chop lemons into small pieces. Put cut pieces in blender with water and blend at maximum speed until smooth. Pour into a stainless steel pot, add salt and vinegar, and stir. Cook just below boiling for about 10-15 minutes stirring occasionally if needed. Let cool slightly, stir, then store in glass containers. {If your blender is not super powerful, strain final mixture with a thin mesh strainer.} Fill the dishwasher soap dispenser and also put a small amount on the inner side of the dishwasher door. You can also use it to clean your counters and stove! I would test a small area first just to be sure. Don’t want to be the cause of ruined household parts! But it worked really well for me.
Here’s a glimpse of what the finished product looks like:
I used a 3-cup Pyrex bowl to store the dishwasher liquid. The recipe makes a little more than 3 cups though. I filled this bowl to the rim and still had some left over. So use something a little larger. I’m going to buy some mason jars to store it next time I make a batch. Here is the bowl I used:
By the way, I like the way this stuff tastes! Now I didn’t eat a huge bunch, just licked a bit off the spoon…okay I took a couple of big licks…mmm. {Disclaimer: Don’t go shoveling this stuff by the spoonful! It has WAY TOO MUCH salt in it and the lemon will scorch your lips and tongue from the acid. Tasting, okay…eating, NOT okay!}
It made me feel so good to make a cleanser that contained all ingredients safe for human consumption. Especially because all of the things in my dishwasher in one way or another touches everything we put in our bodies.
Try it and let me know what you think!
Pearl Growth Process
Happy Thursday! The Hubs found this video about how pearls are formed. I think it is very appropriate to show you, seeing as though you all are my Pearls and have “pearls” inside of you!
The connection between PCOS and the name I chose for this site, Mother of Pearls, is that on an ultrasound of PCOS ovaries, the ovaries seem to have a “string of pearls” surrounding the inside. How precious to know that we have “pearls” in our bodies!
When you see how a pearl is formed, I hope that it will give you a newfound appreciation for your PCOS. To not look at it in all its ugliness, but to find a way to see it as something less horrific. Perhaps, maybe something rare, precious, and beautiful? Let’s be real. Who can say that they grow pearls inside? WE CAN!
Here is a description of pearls found on the web: ”The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, and valuable.”
You are valuable, rare, beautiful, and PERFECT just the way you are my Pearls! Watch this video. It is amazing. Do you notice any similarities between what goes on it our bodies as we form “pearls” and the formation of a pearl in an oyster? Write me a comment to let me know. You can also start a conversation about this on the Mother of Pearls Facebook page.
Enjoy my Pearls! Have a blessed day, ~Javonne {aka Mother of Pearls}
Endometrial Biopsy due to Amenorrhea caused by PCOS
Happy Tuesday! Today will be a short post about my experience with endometrial biopsies. I‘ve had three biopsies because as you have read in my previous posts, my cycle had stopped years ago. Because my cycle stopped and I had not taken any Provera or birth control pills to make it come on in over a year, my uterine {or endometrial} lining got too thick. When the lining is too thick, abnormal cells may grow which can cause endometrial cancer. The biopsy detects any abnormalities. I’ve only had 1 out of my 3 biopsies come back abnormal. It was the 2nd one actually. I was put on Megace for a few days and then all was well. Thank God!
PCOS can affect the body in so many ways. See why PCOS is a syndrome? One thing doesn’t work right in the body which can cause another problem to occur. Like a snowball effect of some sort.
To perform the biopsy, a catheter is passed through my cervix into my uterus. Then, I have no idea what the contraption does put it pinches and pulls bits of my uterine lining into a thin tube. Let me just say, these biopsies hurt like H-E-double hockey sticks!!! It feels like super-duper pressure, pinching, stinging and horrifically strong menstrual cramping all at the same time! I’m so glad The Hubs is in there with me and lets me squeeze his hands numb. He is such a great guy! The procedure barely lasts 10 seconds but MAN does it HUUURT!
This is a personal video from my 3rd biopsy I had this past March. I talk about how I feel getting this biopsy done yet again! Funny thing is, when The Hubs recorded this, we never thought that it would be shared. We hadn’t even thought about the whole Mother of Pearls concept yet. It was just for us. We watched it again the other day and couldn’t believe how perfect it was to share with you.
When you watch this video please keep in mind that I took 4 Advil {on nurse’s orders, which equals prescription strength} and 1 Diazepam {prescribed just for this procedure}. If I seem a little loopy, yep, I am!! Honestly, this biopsy did not hurt as bad as the previous two. Adding the Advil definitely helped do the trick I’d say.
~With Love and Support, Javonne {aka Mother of Pearls}
Cookin’ to Cure My PCOS ~ My Attempt At Going Paleo
Happy Monday! I hope you had a very relaxing weekend. Or, at least got a chance to do something you love. Today’s post is about one of my favorite things…FOOD! Yes, I truly love food and I enjoy cooking. Of course, with PCOS we must be extra conscious of what we put in our bodies. Protein, veggies and fruit are critical to helping our bodies heal naturally without all the crazy sugar spikes and crashes, which in turn, cause us to eat more. For the past month or so, I have been very intrigued with the Paleo lifestyle. Real food made by nature, nothing processed, is what I am eating to try and stave off and reverse all of my PCOS symptoms. I am not perfect and I do like a treat or *cheat* from time to time. The 90/10 rule is one I like to follow. 90% I’m doing everything right, 10% is for me to have splurges. Seriously. If this is a lifestyle change, I have to be realistic.
While searching the web and crawling around a few Facebook pages, I came across loads of information about the Paleo way of eating. As soon as I learn more I will post sites for you to check out. Until then, from time to time, I will post some of the foods I make on my Paleo journey to become my healthiest me! As a side note, after only one week of eating the Paleo way, my cycle started on its own. This occurred about 3 weeks ago. Not sure if this was a fluke but I’ll see what happens in a few days when it is due to come again. Super prayers for it to come. Or a BFP would be even better! Before this cycle, it had been a year since I saw Aunt Flo…and she only showed up back then because I took Provera. My cycle stopped over 10 years ago and was never regular even during the time it would show up on its own. Therefore, I have taken birth control and Provera over the years to induce my cycle.
Alrighty, back to the post at hand. FOOD!
Here is what I ate for dinner yesterday.
The Hubs helped out, too. He made the shrimp. Everything was SUPER yummy and filling!
Tilapia, Gulf Coast Shrimp, Steamed Cabbage - Cooking Paleo to Cure My PCOS
Tilapia filets, Gulf Coast shrimp, steamed cabbage, {and mashed potatoes only for The Hubs that he prepared himself}. Mashers aren’t pictured here ’cause they weren’t on my plate. Plus, I don’t want you to be tempted to add them to yours. I didn’t even taste ‘em! Aren’t you proud?? Pearls, don’t eeeeven go there with the mash. We can’t do it! The Hubs hasn’t taken the Paleo plunge but he is super supportive and definitely pays more attention to the foods he eats. Slowly but surely the white potatoes will be for splurges, not a regular staple in his meals!
Here is a recipe for you. It is one I made up using my normal way of cooking cabbage, but with a few extra veggies and flavor twists.
Steamed Cabbage (pictured above)
Ingredients:
2 strips thick-sliced smoked bacon cut into 1-inch pieces
1 head of cabbage, thinly sliced
4 strips of green pepper, diced
1/2 yellow onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, grated
2 carrots, peeled and shaved into ribbons or thickly sliced
1/2 Tbsp previously saved bacon drippings, optional {saved and refrigerated from previously cooked bacon, I always save bacon drippings}
1/8 cup water
1/8 tsp celery seed { a couple pinches will do}
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Heat a large pot over medium heat until the bottom is very hot. Place bacon strips in the bottom in a single layer. Stir occasionally. Make sure the bacon is sizzling, but not cooking to quickly. You want the drippings to stay in the bottom.
Mmmmm…the sound and smell of sizzling bacon! The Hubs does even like cabbage and he kept saying “Mmmmm. That’s gonna be good!” It smelled delightful when it was cooking.
Mmmm Bacon - Cooking Paleo to Cure My PCOS
2. When bacon begins to get slightly crispy, add bacon drippings, onion, green pepper, and carrots. Stir to coat veggies with the drippings. Let sauté for 3 minutes.
3. Using a hand grater, grate the clove of garlic into the pot and stir. Let cook for another minute. Be sure not to let the garlic burn.
4. Add cabbage, celery seed, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix in well with the other ingredients being sure to coat the cabbage with bacon drippings. Stir occasionally. You may have to adjust the heat so that the cabbage cooks and begins to steam slightly. Let cook for about 3-4 minutes.
5. Add water and cover pot with a lid. Cook 7 minutes, or until cabbage is cooked just below desired consistency. Stir as needed.
6. Turn off heat. Remove lid and stir. Add more seasoning to taste, if desired.
7. Replace lid and let cabbage continue to steam until desired consistency is reached. {I like my cabbage a bit on the softer side but not mushy}.
Now, for the record, I’m no Paleo expert. I’m just trying to do what I can to cook better for my/our health. I know bacon drippings may not be the healthiest thing, but I read a Paleo site that suggested to save the drippings and use in dishes. So, don’t quote me on whether or not this meal is all out Paleo perfect. I’m still learning all the ins and outs of this lifestyle change to *cure* my PCOS. Feel free to join me on my cooking journey. Let me know when you try the steamed cabbage recipe. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think about it. It was soooo good to me so hope it’s soooo good to you, too! Enjoy!!!
~With Love and Support, Mother of Pearls
Challenge Time!!! Who’s Game??
It’s challenge time!!!! From time to time I will post a challenge for you. Some will be easy, some hard, some fun, some may seem even downright weird 
But hang in there with me and take the challenge if you dare!!!
If you’re a Pearl {I refer to you as a Pearl if you have PCOS}, take the Pearl Challenge this week:
- Starting today through Saturday, tell at least 10 people you have PCOS. Yes 10! I mean, 1 in 10 women have it right? I know that’s a lot and may seem a little scary. But, by the time you tell a least 5 people I bet you will probably hear something like this…”I have it, too!” or perhaps, “My ______ has PCOS!” It will get easier and easier.
- Next, let them know about Mother Of Pearls. Ask them to visit the blog and fb page to get to know us. We all know the importance of awareness and a support system!
- Comment on this post to let us know what happens along the way and do a final overall post on next Sunday about your experience!
If you’re an F.O.P. {Friend Of Pearls: A PCOS supporter, friend, family member, awareness builder without PCOS} take the F.O.P. Challenge this week:
- Starting today through Saturday, tell at least 10 people that you were reading a blog about a woman with PCOS.
- Now, wait for the reaction! Did they say, “I have PCOS, too!” or perhaps, “My ______ has PCOS!” Next, let them know about Mother Of Pearls. Ask them to visit the blog and fb page to get to know us. We all know the importance of awareness and a support system!
- Then mention exactly what you read and what interested you about this site just to strike up conversation. Can you tell them three facts about how PCOS affects women?
- Comment on this post to let us know what happens along the way and do a final overall post on next Sunday about your experience!
I am excited to come back each day to find out what happens during challenge week!
Will YOU complete the challenge?? On your mark, get set, GO!!!!
~Love and Blessings, Mother of Pearls
Don’t Ignore…Our First Babies We Never Met ~ *Two Dots* Mommy and Daddy Love You
Happy Saturday! Today concludes National Infertility Awareness Week. Thank you for hanging in there with me and reading the blog. I am truly enjoying writing for you to give you a peek into my life. Of course, this week I have been focused on the NIAW theme of Don’t Ignore…
I know you’ve been waiting since Wednesday for the next post. Obligations and *life* occupied so much of my time the past couple of days that I am just now able to sit down and collect my thoughts so thanks for your patience {and sorry for leaving you for so long}.
This is the last post for NIAW 2012. Don’t Ignore…Our First Babies We Never Met ~ *Two Dots* Mommy and Daddy Love You
Praying to get through this post today. I can do it.
The ovarian drilling didn’t work. I had it in April 2007. Had spotting in July 2007. Then a bit of a heavier type spotting in September 2007 that did not go away. I took medicine to make it stop. After that…nothing. No ovulation. No cycle. No nothing. Ovarian drilling did nothing for my very PCOS infested body!
We decided to do another IUI. Now with this cycle because too many follicles grew, {I talked about this on Wednesday} some of them had to be reduced to save the cycle. Saving the cycle means let’s do whatever we can do to continue the IUI cycle so it can result in an insemination. You can’t get to the insemination part if every step of growing follicles does not go perfectly. I’ll do another post at a different time to explain all my IUI processes in greater detail. This led to a torturous follicle aspiration procedure. Basically it is like having an egg retrieval done but you are awake with no anesthesia at all. For egg retrieval you are put under general anesthesia. YES! Follicle aspiration was done while I was fully AWAKE. I think I took a pain medicine of some sort and the doctor put some numbing something or other somewhere. But it did not help one bit! Here is what happens: A vaginal ultrasound wand is used. Except it has a guide attached. This guide has a needle nestled inside. The whole thing is then inserted. When the ultrasound wand finds a follicle, the guide needle is *punched* out of the guide into my ovary. Stabbing in and pulling fluid from the many follicles that could not remain in my body. The needle would stab into my ovary over and over and over again. When the right side was done, then the doctor moved on to my left ovary. Again, over and over and over again my delicate ovary was stabbed and drained. I went to a place outside of my body. I knew it was happening. But I moved into a place that I had never been before. To a place where somehow I was able to stand pain that was beyond any I could comprehend. Beyond any pain that I had ever endured. Until, that is, the pain of the event that happened in 2010.
In December of 2009, we FINALLY began preparing for our first IVF cycle. It was surreal. I could hardly believe we were doing this! We were overjoyed. To this day I still can’t fathom that we came up with the $12,000 it cost for this procedure. {Seriously, this is what our wedding cost…my dress included.} We borrowed and withdrew from our retirement funds, skipped paying some bills, and of course we prayed. It was all worth it to us. We wanted a baby! We would stop at nothing to get to the chance we never had. IVF was the pinnacle of what we ever though we would have to do to have a child of our own. But here we were.
Injectible medication, check. Ultrasounds to monitor my growing follicles, check. TONS of follicles produced, check! In February 2010, we were now ready for egg retrieval day. On egg retrieval day we went in for the surgery. I could barely walk. My ovaries were so heavy…containing so many follicles that they hung like weights in my body. So heavy that they literally fell below my uterus. It was an incredible amount of pressure. But again, anything for our babies! This was a small sacrifice for such a large return. I got all comfy in my surgery gear. Omar was right by my side while I was prepped. After a while I was wheeled back and put under anesthesia. And then it began. Our eggs were retrieved one by one. Each egg taken from my ovaries was then handed off to the embryologist. He would be taking care of our potential babies from this point on. We had about 25 eggs that were retrieved from the many follicles that had grown. 25 EGGS! Imagine that!!! Omar and I were overjoyed that we had a chance to grow so many potential embryos. The eggs were fertilized with Omar’s best swimmers! Then, the waiting began.
Each day the embryologist called us with information. The first call told us that 14 of the 25 eggs were fertilized. The next day, a call to tell us how many embryos survived the first day and began to have cell division. The next day, same information. Each day more and more of our embryos passed away. We were praying that some would survive so that we could move to the last stage of IVF: embryo transfer. On the 5th day it was determined that only 2 of our embryos were healthy enough for transfer. It only takes 1!!!
Yeahhh! Transfer day was awesome! We were given a picture of our embryos…OUR BABIES!!!! We were beside ourselves. Were we looking at the first picture of our babies?? Yes, Our babies…Our “Two Dots”. That’s what we named them. Two Dots. That’s what they were. Two small dots in our lives that were too small to even see with the naked eye. Yet, we loved them more than even words could express. Our babies had their first nickname. My goodness…OUR BABIES!! Life as we knew it had changed forever.
Once the embryos were placed in my uterus, it took God to continue working the magic inside my body. He had guided the hands of men to do what my body could not do on its own. Now it was just God, my body, and Two Dots. Less than two weeks later I took a pregnancy test. I took it out of the pack and just prayed. I don’t even really remember what I felt. I just know I was so nervous that I couldn’t even look at the test as it was processing. I sat in the bathroom and handed the test to Omar. He walked around the corner and I just sat there on the toilet. After a minute or so he came back to me straight- faced. I looked into his eyes and I asked “No?” shaking my head. Then he turned the test around for me to see. It read…PREGNANT. He smiled. I smiled. I think we cried. I screamed, called my mom and sister…not sure if we did more or what. We were shocked!
Now this part is going to go fast so stay with me. I took blood tests. They were all great. Some numbers weren’t as high as the doctor wanted but I was PREGNANT.
My sister came to bring me something at work one day. I got up and walked to the elevator. As soon as I got on, I felt a huge gush. I thought…NOOOOO NNNOOOO PLEASE NOOOOO. I might have even said it out loud. I peeked down my pants, still on the elevator. There it was…blood. And a lot of it. I jumped in the car with my sister and told her to take me home. I called Omar. I called my doctor. They told me not to worry. But I already knew what was happening. Two Dots couldn’t hold on. I went to the doctor for a blood test and the numbers were not increasing like they wanted so an ultrasound was scheduled. I didn’t have any bleeding after “gush” day. Part of me wanted to believe they were still there. I already knew though. No one had to tell me. I guess those few days of being an almost mom gave me enough instinct to know my unborn babies. My tiny embryos. I knew they were gone.
Ultrasound day. My sister and Omar came in the room with me. Lights were dimmed. They looked in my uterus for the place where my babies should have been. No one was there. Where did my babies go? Where are you Two Dots? Oh my babies…oh babies. Oh…my loves where are you? Please be there. Please please. Mommy, Daddy and Auntie are looking for you. Show up on the screen, please! Then the RE said, “No. I’m sorry. I don’t see anything. There. You see. That’s blood in the uterus. There’s nothing there. I’m so sorry.” This isn’t a direct quote but it was something like that. I don’t really know what I said but I think I said “Nothing?” Then these two words that I will never forget. As I stared at the ultrasound machine, the doctor began to type these two words: EMPTY UTERUS. So after all we had been through, this is what we were left with… an EMPTY UTERUS. I lost it. I cried the most primal, gut-wrenching cry. It was loud. Unfiltered. Hands over the face, body shaking loud cries! My soul was broken. The life (lives) I carried were GONE!
Our Precious Two Dots,
Mommy and Daddy will love you forever. You only lived as embryos for a few short weeks both outside and inside mommy’s body. To us, you are the BEST things that happened to us. We miss seeing you grow into a baby or babies. But God makes no mistakes…and He didn’t start making mistakes with you or us. He knows you weren’t ready, although we were ready for you! We still love you and talk about you. We have your picture and mommy holds it to her heart sometimes. Sometimes we just pull it out and smile. We can hardly believe you were ours! We love you, our first babies!
Love Forever,
Mommy and Daddy
Two Dots: PCOS - Embryos created via IVF
Love and blessings,
~Javonne aka Mother of Pearls
- http://www.resolve.org/infertility101 (Basic understanding of the disease of infertility.)
- http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/about.html (About NIAW)
I am an extraordinary woman, with extraordinary ovaries that exude extraordinary powers over my body {and my life, too!}. I have PCOS. I am a Mother of Pearls. Please join me on my journey as I use this forum to connect all {mothers, sisters, husbands, friends, family members, and those diagagnosed} who have in some way been affected by PCOS.
Javonne 