Weekend Update

I do realize today is Monday, but I was one of those fortunate teachers who had a 4 day weekend.

After reading up on traditional Chinese medicine, I've come to the conclusion that I'm kidney and spleen deficient. I may also have Liver Qi (pronounced chee) disharmony. I know I'm self-diagnosing, but it's based on a health questionnaire found in my new Bible, "The Infertility Cure." Tomorrow I'm scheduling my first acupuncturist appointment with a man who co-treated patients with the author, Randine Lewis - I'm thinking this may be fate! And I spoke, again, with an IVF nurse from my new RE's office, and they are super nice and on top of things. So far, this office has contacted me 4 times to acquaint themselves with my case. That never happened at my old RE's clinic. I actually hung up the phone with this nurse feeling positive. My weekend left me filled again with hope (eek) and a new "Top 10" list of lifestyle changes.

10. No more red meat.

9. Very little "other" meat. Thanks to Skinny Bitch, I don't even think I'll miss it.

8. Only organic veggies, fruits, and dairy products.

7. No shitty carbs. Goodbye Quarter Pounder meal. You were a good friend.

6. Only complex carbs. Hello whole wheat pasta and organic buckwheat pancakes.

5. No more parking in the Wegman's "parking with child" spots.

4. Eat flax seeds, soy products, wheatgerm, wheatgrass, wheatass

3. Have more sex.

2. Ignore annoying pregnant people.

and the #1 change I vow to make immediately, even though it has already proven to be quite painful...

1. NO alcohol.

In all honesty, I've relied for a long time on that little glass of wine to get me through the beginning phases of each cycle. I convinced myself that a good majority of people got knocked up when alcohol was involved, so drinking during a cycle couldn't hurt. Mostly I didn't want to change my life because of our infertility. And why lie? I do like that it calms me and makes me feel at peace. Unfortunately, that's quite a scary side effect for an addictive substance...

Anyway, I don't know how many of you out there know this. I definitely DID NOT, until an IF friend alerted me to it. A study found in The American Journal of Epidemiology reported that, "any alcohol consumed during an IVF cycle reduced its chances for success by 50 percent." I know that statistics can be skewed, but that one is a little frightening, especially for me. So, I'm saying goodbye to my faithful "glass half-full" friend. Damn infertility! Damn you to hell!