Doug and I went today to get the results from his biopsy. From spending way too much time with Dr. Google we knew that the results could range from him needing a liver transplant due to sever liver damage to needing medical management and monitoring. Thank God that we were on the positive side of the spectrum. Doug will need to continue meds (also the ones responsible for diminishing our likelihood of pregnancy) for at least 6-8 months but then it will just be monitoring and maintenance. His liver is significantly inflamed and has scar tissue as a result. We were told that on the scale of liver health, 4 meaning cirrhosis, Doug is at a 2-3. So, he is doing well and the best news is that he is feeling better and better everyday. The less than fantastic part is that this is a disease that he will have for the rest of his life. He will most likely live a long life but at some point, his liver will eventually lose the fight. We just hope that his liver loses when he is 90+ years old. We appreciate the prayers!

Since pregnancy is probably unlikely until the meds have been discontinued, I have decided that I am going to try something new. So much of the last 5 years of my life have been about fertility, pregnancy, and trying to conceive and I kinda feel like I am on the verge of a breakup with charting. If me and charting were dating, this is the part when I feel like I could go through the motions and we could co-exist but I know that it isn't really a healthy relationship. Nothing is going to come of it so, why not just make a clean break. So I am breaking up with my thermometer for the next 6 months. But, since fertility is really fascinating, herbs are amazing, and I have just found a new love for gardening, I am going to try to grow all of the herbs needed to make a homemade fertility tea! I recognize that I could go to a store, buy all of the herbs in bulk, and make my own tea, but where is the fun in that?

So, I am off to read up on all of the ingredients and order seeds or plants and get this adventure going!

I will hopefully be growing plants for the following ingredients:

• German Chamomile
  
• Nettle Leaf
• Red Raspberry Leaf
• Peppermint Leaf
• Red Clover Leaf (actually already have this growing everywhere!)
• Green Tea
• Chaste Berry

I welcome any advice or experience!!



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Doug had his liver biopsy done today at the hospital. We were aware that the whole procedure was going to take the better part of a day so I was packed up and ready to run errands (sans kids) and maybe do a little blogging at a Starbucks like those trendy people I always walk past and look at longingly. Sadly, due to some really bad storms I ended up cutting my list of things to do short. I went to wait out the storm at my dad's pharmacy, ended up helping out for a while, then headed to the mall. I then decided to pick up some Starbucks-to-go and head back to the hospital to wait for Doug to be finished. On my adventure, alone with my thoughts, I learned a few things and I thought I would share them with you.

1. I learned that going to an ultrasound guided biopsy means waiting in a cramped waiting area with women waiting to learn the gender of their babies. I also learned that when I walked past a woman in the hallway headed to the gift shop while obviously waiting for contractions to pick up, I would get choked up.
   
2. I learned that there is no way to gracefully run through a rainstorm, in flip-flops.
   
3. I learned that I must have looked like I needed kind words. A parking attendant called me "Darlin'" as I left the garage and a salesman at the mall called me "Sweetie" about half a dozen times. I was starting to feel like a really cute puppy.
   
4. I learned that being cheerful in the hospital is contagious too. I made an effort to make people smile without being annoying (a talent I like to think I am quite skilled at). I succeeded almost every time. Well, I succeeded every time if you count having the 60 year old man in the wheelchair inviting me to sit on his lap while riding the elevator. I cheerfully declined at the exact moment his wife smacked him on the shoulder as she pushed his chair out of the elevator doors. That made me smile.
   
5. I learned that giving up caffeine and then having a Venti Caramel Macchiato makes me feel CRAZY! Also, I learned that drinking something that has CM written on the side makes me giggle and gag a little at the same time. (For those who don't chart or aren't familiar with the acronym CM, in the trying to conceive world it stands for Cervical Mucous.)

Don't forget to enter to win the pregnancy test giveaway! Entries will be taken until noon (EST) Wednesday.



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